There's something about being up on a rooftop, under the stars, watching a film with the city skyline as your backdrop. That’s the kind of atmosphere that sets the Rooftop Cinema Club apart from traditional theaters, and it’s what makes them the perfect way to escape and relax within the bustling city life of Los Angeles, Hollywood, New York, San Diego, and Houston.
Showing a mix of classic films, cult films, and new releases, Rooftop Cinema Club offers a brand new way to experience film in a social setting.
“It’s not just about sitting down and watching a movie. We encourage people to come an hour before the film. We have table games out, like giant Jenga. We have board games for the groups that come, or for people on a date night,” said Digital Content Manager Lauren Jones.
At the downtown Los Angeles location, people can be seen sitting at tables that line the edge of the rooftop, overlooking the cityscape with a martini in their hand. Other movie-goers are having a competitive game of ping pong near the courtyard. Some couples are snuggled under a provided blanket in their love seats, enjoying a bottomless cup of popcorn.
“There’s just a really good atmosphere,” said Jones.
Every venue has a full bar, and there’s often cocktails themed to the movie, along with beer and wine. There’s a concession stand offering bottomless popcorn, along with candy and snacks. At the Houston spot, they even offer hot pickles and Cheeto’s, thanks to the audience’s suggestion.
And then the movie starts.
Movie-goers watch a film on rooftop at the San Diego location. [Photo/Rooftop Cinema Club]
Guests are provided a blanket for those chillier nights, and everyone is given a pair of blue tooth headphones so they can hear the movie crystal clear over the noise of the city.
“There’s just something romantic about watching a classic film on the rooftop. A lot of the times we show movies that people saw as kids, but never had the chance to see on a big screen. It’s really very nostalgic,” Jones gushed. “That makes it really special.”
The films are often chosen by a film programmer based on audience feedback. Rooftop Cinema Club often presents polls on their social media channels to gauge which films people want to see next.
Jones has been to a lot of the movie screenings, of course. The first on she went to was Clueless. It was a film she hadn’t seen since she was 10. Watching it on the big screen with fellow fans and alcohol, she realized there were many jokes that had definitely gone over her head when she was younger. The jokes had the entire audience laughing.
One of their recent showings in Hollywood was the film “Drop Dead Gorgeous.” A dark comedy centered around a ridiculously competitive beauty pageant in a small town, the film has grown a large cult following since the 90s. That created the perfect movie screening atmosphere, complete with a pre-movie pageant show. While boas and tutus were available for guests to try on, many moviegoers arrived already dressed up in character.
“That was a film I wasn’t even familiar with before Rooftop Cinema Club,” admitted Jones. “But our programmer recommended it. It had never been streamed online at that point, too, so nobody could really even watch it at home. It just made it a really unique experience.”
That kind of interaction and audience participation is what makes a lot of the viewings memorable and unique.
Jones also recalled some sing-a-longs. The film will have the lyrics on the bottom of the screen, and many people are singing at the top of their lungs. It probably helps that people can’t hear how bad their voice is when they’re wearing the headphones. But Jones took hers off to listen to the entire audience belt out their favorite tunes, and the experience was unlike any other. At a sing-a-long in San Diego, some people even got up to dance.
“That’s something that doesn’t happen at a regular movie theater,” she said. “That was really awesome to see.”
To add to the retro atmosphere, the intermission features some vintage advertisements for the concession stands. It’s to help give the atmosphere a drive-in feel, said Jones. That’s the vibe that the founder, Gerry Cottle, wanted to create back in 2011. That’s the year Rooftop Cinema Club opened in the UK.
In 2015, Rooftop Cinema Club was introduced to the United States, starting in New York. Los Angeles followed soon after. Houston was last year’s addition, and they’re planning to bring the experience to even more cities in the near future.
“I just think people love having a unique experience. It really is such a perfect date night. There’s something special about it. Movies are a classic date. But this goes beyond that,” said Jones. “You can interact, talk and socialize. You can take in the view. It’s something totally fun and carefree to do outdoors. It’s that escapism factor.”
For Jones, being a part of the Rooftop Cinema Club is something special. She sees everyone’s passion for movies, old and new. The staff truly care about film. And so do the people who come to see them. It’s a positive atmosphere that brings happiness to people’s lives, she said.
Concluded Jones: “That’s the main thing that makes me love being a part of it.”
The Rooftop Cinema Club shares their monthly schedule online here. Each city has their own unique list of films, from classics (like “Grease” and “The Princess Bride”) to new releases (like “Aladdin” and “Us”). There’s most definitely a film for everyone. But almost any movie is enjoyable with the right people, the skyline, and bottomless popcorn.
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