Zoo Palast

The Zoo Palast is a listed cinema on Hardenbergstraße in Berlin's western centre, where the first picture house opened at this address in 1915. The present structure was inaugurated in 1957 and served as the main Berlinale competition venue until 1999. It closed in 2010, was comprehensively renovated and reopened in November 2013 with seven screens, roughly 1,650 wide leather seats, Dolby Atmos sound and 70mm analog projection capability. Two of its auditoriums are heritage-protected. Every screening begins with the house's own light and water show.

The 7 halls

• 
  Kino 1

  773 seats · 21 × 8.8 m · 2× 4K Laser · Dolby Atmos · 70 mm

  Almost 800 seats in the manner of the great film palaces of the fifties and sixties, with fine woods and fabrics, four curtains and a full stage. Projection is dual 4K laser, alongside Dolby Atmos, an analogue 70 mm projector and a water curtain; at selected screenings a show built for this room runs first. The house premieres here. Service at your seat in the Loge from 13:30.

• 
  Kino 2

  273 seats · 2K

  The second-largest room in the house, its walls in heavy red velvet and pale panelling. It has its own curtain and a small stage with two sets of steps, and the screen is sized to the room. Projection is digital 2K. Service at your seat in the Loge from 13:30.

• 
  Kino 3

  159 seats · 2K

  The ceiling recalls old theatre halls and is lit gold by LEDs. Heavy fabric on the walls and curtain is there for the acoustics, the rake is steep, and rows sit more than 1.30 metres apart. Projection is digital 2K. Service at your seat in the Loge from 13:30.

• 
  Kino 4

  161 seats · 2K

  The rings of light and the hinted chandelier are a nod to the Haus Vaterland on Potsdamer Platz. Heavy fabric for the acoustics, a steep rake, rows more than 1.30 metres apart — and room in front of row one for a small podium or a lectern. Projection is digital 2K. Service at your seat in the Loge from 13:30.

• 
  Kino 5

  157 seats · 2K

  The wraparound curtain and scattered points of light bow to Gerhard Fritsche, who built a great many Berlin cinemas after the war. Heavy fabric for the acoustics, a steep rake, rows more than 1.30 metres apart. Projection is digital 2K. Service at your seat in the Loge from 13:30.

• 
  Club A

  36 seats

  Books, fine woods and fabrics, its own bar, and very few seats. The operator says guests tend to compare the room to a large living room, or to the library of a cruise ship. Service at your seat in the Loge from 13:30.

• 
  Club B

  39 seats

  The same library treatment as Club A — books, fine woods, its own bar. The operator notes that every hall in the house except this one is built for step-free access. Service at your seat in the Loge from 13:30.

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