As a heatwave arrived in the UK, bathing the capital in golden sunshine and temperatures up to 30C, I was finding every excuse to get outside and enjoy the summer days while they last. For me, the cinema is more of a rainy day activity, so on a hot summer's day, it's the last thing on my mind. That is, of course, until I heard about Rooftop Film Club.
Outdoor cinemas aren't anything new, with drive-in movies dating all the way back to the 1930s. But Rooftop Film Club is an outdoor cinema with a twist - the difference being patrons are seated soaring high above the bustling streets below. Marketing itself as " London ’s original outdoor cinema in the sky", Rooftop Film Club has locations at the Bussey Building in Peckham and at Roof East in Stratford.
This summer, in partnership with British Airways , the cinema is showing an array of destination movies such as Mamma Mia! And Gladiator, along with kid-friendly films for families to enjoy, a selection of summer thrill-themed movies such as Midsummer and The First Omen, plus BRAT summer films inspired by the recent CharliXCX album (think 1990s indie classics and chick flicks galore). We headed along to the Bussey Building location one balmy summer evening to watch the Rose Glass-directed Love Lies Bleeding, a Neo-noir romantic thriller starring Kristen Stewart and Katy O'Brien. From the ground, Rooftop Film Club is signposted, with a red movie-premier style carpet rolled out for guests.
Head up the stairs (or hop in the lift) .