Private Screening Rooms for Rent in New York City, NY

This guide breaks down some of the best private screening rooms in New York City, with space for everything from 10-person previews to 200+ guest premieres. We’ve skipped the generic event spaces and focused on venues that support screenings—meaning good seating, reliable AV, and the right atmosphere.

Tips for Booking Screening Rooms in NYC

Know your screen-to-seat ratio
For proper visibility, avoid overfilling small venues. A 45-seat space like Green Lung Studio works best for groups of 25–35 if everyone needs a clear view.

Bring your own media tech—or don’t
Venues like CINEPLAY and G-Gallery come with projectors and sound included. Others require external gear, so double-check formats (HDMI, USB-C, streaming support).

Time it right
Evening slots (6–9pm) book up fast for Friday showings or festivals. If you’re planning a press preview or investor screening, aim for weekday mornings—spaces like MCM Stages are usually quieter then.

Check what's screening nearby
Big festivals like Tribeca in the spring and DOC NYC in the fall can make venue availability tighter, but they also generate industry attention. If your content aligns with these themes, timing your event alongside them can help you attract a more engaged and relevant audience—without overlapping directly.

Our Favorite Screening Rooms in NYC

MCM Stages, Chelsea
This room is compact but purposeful—just nine seats, making it one of the most intimate screening experiences in the city. If you’re hosting a table read, doing a pitch, or previewing an edit with collaborators, this setup ensures total focus. It’s a dedicated media space, designed to accommodate creators who need a calm, controlled room with proper tech.

Green Lung Studio, Brooklyn
With seating for 45 and the ability to go larger for standing events, this versatile Brooklyn venue feels less like a theater and more like a blank slate for performance-driven gatherings. It’s often used for film festivals, live podcast recordings, and hybrid talks, with full projection support and flexible lighting. A solid option for creators who like to be hands-on.

Shift Midtown, Garment District
Shift Midtown isn’t a theater—it's a massive, transformable space that happens to handle screenings really well. With seating for up to 125, it’s one of the few screening-capable venues in Manhattan that works for both corporate previews and large creative showcases. Bonus: it’s central, upscale, and built for a crowd that might stay after the credits roll.

LaVarro, Long Island City
Located just across the river, LaVarro is popular among emerging filmmakers and event producers who want a hybrid space. It balances performance needs with screening functions, with 50 seats and decent acoustics. A good choice if your event includes both film and live discussion, especially with Q&As or readings.

CINEPLAY, Garment District
This is one of the few venues in the city built with high-capacity private screenings in mind. The audio setup and large open space for proper cinematic viewing, while the central location makes it convenient for premieres or investor showcases. Often used for documentaries, short films, and launch events.

Barzakh, Crown Heights
Barzakh is a multi-use studio with a strong local following. It regularly hosts film nights, intimate screenings, and grassroots projects. The seating fits about 30 comfortably, and the space includes a small stage area. It’s less corporate, more collaborative—ideal for open mic-style events, zine launches, or underground cinema nights.

Cre8ive NYC, NoMad
This small screening space is a favourite among photographers and filmmakers needing a no-pressure spot to show in-progress work. With seats for 30 and studio lighting, it’s functional without being flashy. It’s a good pick for closed feedback sessions or collaborative planning meetings.

Production Loft, Garment District
Used frequently by photographers and indie creators, this is a fully equipped loft-style space that can transform into a pop-up screening room. It works best for mid-size groups, with good acoustics and solid projector support. Creative teams often use it for hybrid content launches or brand campaigns that include video.

Downtown Community Television Center, Chinatown
DCTV isn’t just a screening space—it’s a home for storytelling. Known for its involvement with doc film culture and youth-led projects, this is one of the most mission-driven places on the list. It’s used for public events, premieres, and filmmaker talkbacks. If your project fits into a broader social or cultural conversation, this is a venue worth looking into.

Private screenings in New York aren’t just for red carpets. They're how new ideas get tested, shared, and celebrated. The right venue makes all the difference. Browse, compare, and book directly through Tagvenue to save time and stress.