It’s officially summer, so although we are in the city with the most unpredictable weather, we still can’t get enough of the openair cinema’s that are popping up all over town. So seriously no more ‘home’ couch potato’ing, it’s time to book yourself a summer super screening of either a hot new release or a cult classic. Here’s our top picks of outdoor cinema’s that have made it On The List.
Summer for us means St. Kilda and you can couple your day at the beach with, Ben and Jerry’s Openair Cinema until Dec 20. You can enjoy your scoop of summer with music by day and movies by night. Think gourmet food in one hand and chilled beverage in the other, whilst the sounds of the best emerging local musicians and DJs bring in the sunset. You’re under the stars by the sea with a line up of the best new releases, cult classics and award winning films. To top it off, Sundae Sessions run every Sunday throughout the season with live music, games on the lawn, prizes to be won and FREE Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream. But most sessions sell out quick so book yours or WIN your now!
Australia’s Moonlight Cinema is once again calling the Central Lawn at Royal Botanic Gardens home for the new Melbourne summer season running until the end of March. Your Moonlight movie munchies are taken care of with LA Style Food Trucks, a candy bar and a fully licensed bar. Want the Gold Grass experience? Book ahead to treat yourself to a reserved bean bed in a premium viewing location on the lawn with wait service included! It’s quite cuddly and makes for a great date night out. WIN yourself a double pass now!
If you know the Rooftop Bar on Swanston, then you’re sure to know the go-to Rooftop Cinema! Summer’s hitting the rooftop again from 5 Dec – 31 Jan. Between the Curtain House’s food options and the Rooftop’s The Burger Shack, we recommend you line your stomachs, grab one of Rooftop Bar’s delish cocktails or brews lounge back in your deckchair, hire a blanket if it’s extra fresh or if she’s a balmy night head to the pink freezer to the right of the screen and get yourself a mighty fine gourmet ice-cream handmade by Pidapipo Gelateria. The creative bunch at the Rooftop Cinema are committed to bringing you a worthy range of arthouse, classic and recent release films so sit back and enjoy renown the city lights as your backdrop.
Welcome to the new kid on the rooftop block, Lido on the Roof! With it’s first season running now until Easter, this cinema boasts killer views of Hawthorn and all of the summer’s box office hits from the action-packed James Bond film, Spectre to Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 and the long-awaited Star Wars: The Force Awakens. With the full cinema downstairs they have you covered for movie experiences, now it’s just up to you to choose from the art deco, boutique charm or the fresh rooftop complete with deckchairs, beanbags, optional headphones, greenery and that view!
Melbourne did we hear you say where’s the eclectic at? Of course we did, the Shadow Electric Open Air Cinema is back for a summer of movies, music, food and drink running from Friday 2 January – Thursday 2 April 2016. Featuring a curated program of documentaries, 80’s classics, mainstream, arthouse, cult flicks and new studio releases. This is the place where locally made shorts and music videos take the place of movie previews, oh and did we mention it’s all brought to life with top-end 2K digital projection, a massive 12m glass matte cinema screen, Dolby 7.1 digital surround-sound, and a 30,000-watt sound system…definitely too cool for school! And not to forget it’s the only cinema in the world set inside a convent, the beautiful Abbotsford Convent to be exact, if you’ve never witnessed the setting of this outdoor cinema, then you’re in for a treat.
Look out for its return in 2016! Southgate Cinema, a pop-up cinema in the heart of Southgate’s restaurant and shopping precinct. What’s unique? This cinema experience is silent where patrons are provided with individual headphones and audio kits to listen, seated in a deckchair, it’s the outdoor experience inside under the open atrium. Not to mention you can treat yourself to Bluetrain snacks during the movie and take delight in the restaurants and bars of the precinct.
The QV Outdoor Cinema has something for everyone, from the classics and action, the kid’s favourites, a bit of cheek and of course that jingle of Christmas movies, plus there’s lots of theme nights too! Yes the special screening of Best In Show on Dec 12 invites the pooches and pups too with all proceeds going to The Lost Dogs Home, and oi oi oi expect the Aussie Muriel’s Wedding around Australia Day! Be sure to head into the CBD, fork over a measly $12 for a deckchair perched on the QV Square lawn and pre-purchase your movie munchies from the surrounds like Grill’d or even a tempting ice-cream from Movenpick! Running Thursday-Sunday nights until Feb this is set to be a win.
Seriously so many brilliant movies and locations accompanied by the food, drinks and fun stuff Melbourne is known for. Check the programs, grab your picnic blanket, pull up a deck chair or plonk your tooshie in a beanbag and tick those movies off your list.
For more great stuff to do in Melbourne this weekend, head here.
Written by:
Nikki Chamberlain is a lover of life, creative at heart, has a passion for people and requires adventure and exploration which translates to an experienced project manager covering events, marketing and graphic design.
