Summer is flying by. But now that the initial frenzy of bbqs, picnics in the park and pub gardens has subsided, you’ll find us lounging beneath the stars, soaking up the warm August evenings and enjoying some cinematic classics across the capital
Here’s where . . .
The Nomad
True to its name, The Nomad cinema darts across London offering laugh-out-loud comedy early in the season and now – ending the season – with some more child-friendly screenings. Located in the secret garden of Coram – children’s charity – a four week series titled ‘Childhood, Lost and Found’ will be showing where the young’uns can indulge in classics – don’t worry mum and dad you’ll enjoy these too – as will any young-at-heart film-lovers, such as The NeverEnding Story, The Kid, The Lost Boys, and Where the Wild Things Are. Oh and did we mention that 100% of The Nomads profits go to The Sustainability Institute in South Africa.
Various locations; Tickets from £8.50-£16.50; July 14- Sept 21, screenings at various times; whereisthenomad.com
Dalston Roof Park Film4Free
Rooftops, cinemas, and sunsets all combined into one east-end experience at The Dalson Roof Park where will a grassy, green park atop a building completed with big screen, of course. Bring family and friends and immerse yourself into the storybook environment of bright green Astroturf, flowers, picnic chairs, and beautiful sunsets. Sounds surreal, right? Well, on a Tuesday it is. So, cancel your evening activities, bring £3 and don’t worry about it being a school night. It is summer after all.
The Print House, 18 Ashwin St, E8 3DL; Free after £3 joining fee; Tuesday nights until September; bootstrapcompany.co.uk
Rooftop Film Club, Queen of Hoxton
Scattered around London at venues including The Queen of Hoxton in Shoreditch, The Roof Gardens Kensington, Netil House in London Fields and the Bussey Building in Peckham – the Rooftop Film Club is the home to luxurious (or as luxurious as you can get) outdoor film screenings. Forget makeshift cushions and bring-your-own-beer because here, you will be pampered with director-style chairs and blankets or ponchos (if needed). You’ll also have the option of beers, cocktails and popcorn whilst included in your ticket is an option from the coal-fired barbecue. If you’re after a perfect date night, this is it (boys, hint hint). Films this season include Labyrinth, The Lost Boys and The Big Lebowski.
Queen of Hoxton, 1- 5 Curtain Road, London EC2A 3JX; Tickets £12; Screenings 5 nights a week May to September 2013; Doors 8pm. Screening 9pm; rooftopfilmclub.com
The Luna
Bring blankets, a bottle of Pint Grigio, and enjoy every second under the stars at The Luna. Again the Luna doesn’t stay still and this season you’ll find it in various grand locations including the Warwick Castle, Kew Gardens, Kensington Palace, Regents Park and Hampton Court Palace. Expect state-of-the-art sound and projection systems befitting of the locales and quality classics such as Grease, Casablanca, Mamma Mia and Breakfast At Tiffany’s.
Various locations; Tickets £8-£19.50 see website for times; Until Sept 29; thelunacinema.com
Film4 Summer Screen at Somerset House
A sell out year in, year out. Combining the elegance and awesome 18th century architecture of Somerset House’s courtyard with epic cinema, music and refreshments from the likes of Fernandez & Wells, the only down side to Film4Summer Screenings is the lack of cushioning grass underfoot. So instead, pack cushions, rugs and snuggle beneath a blanket for About Time, Mean Girls, Carrie, Kes and The Red Shoes.
Somerset House, Strand, London, WC2 1LA; Tickets from £14.50; 8-21 August, doors open 18.30, DJ from 19.00, film starts 21.00; somersethouse.org.uk
The Scoop at More London
Located along the Southbank, The Scoops offers screenings with breathtaking backdrops of the Tower of London, City Hall, Shard and the Gherkin. The films offered here are of a wide variety ranging from classics to cult, and even contemporary films such as Skyfall, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Back to the Future, Les Miserables, Amour and The Birds will be screened. These are perfect for those who like their evenings a little more spontaneous, as there’s no tickets or booking required. Just rock up, find a space and enjoy.
The Scoop at More London, More London Riverside, London SE1 2DB; FREE; 11-27 Sept, Weds/Thurs/Fri from 19:30; morelondon.com
Hot Tub Cinema, Shoreditch
If the thought of shrivelled fingers and toes, and public body baring gives you hives, you may want to keep scrolling. Alternatively, should you quite fancy the idea of chilling – or should that be warming – atop an east London haunt, bathing in your bikini whilst watching one of the great British films – Monty Python’s Life of Brian, Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Withnail and I or indeed The Full Monty (just don’t accidentally re-enact it – we know how skimpy those swimsuit can be) then the Hot Tub Cinema is for you. There are tub-side waiters so there’s no worry of catching a chill, film-inspired cocktails and tasty bbq snacks (no dropping in the tub please).
Rockwell House, 10-14 Hewett St, London EC2A 3NN; Tickets £30 Single / £240 Private Tub (seating up to eight); First two weeks of the month, Thursday to Sunday, June to September; hottubcinema.com
The Floating Cinema 2013: Extra-Ordinary
Lunched at the end of July, The Floating Cinema returns for another season after it’s super successful introduction in 2011. A canal boat is the venue of the program, showing on-board films. In addition to the unusual floating experience, a series of events will occur along East London’s waterways that will run until 30 September – entitled ‘Extra-Ordinary’. These events include large-scale outdoor films for bank-side audiences, canal tours, talks and workshops – all with one theme in mind – celebrating overlooked and ‘ordinary’ Londoners. Definitely one not to miss.
The events listings and full details of the project are available at floatingcinema.info
Fashion Film Festival by Silent Cinema
What better way to celebrate London’s Fashion Week than with a silent film in the heart of Covent Garden (not far from the Somerset House tents) amongst the array of spectacular fashion and beauty boutiques and fine dining. You may not be sat front row at the shows, but get to St Martins Courtyard early enough and you could be for the Silent Cinema screenings of fashion-related films Zoolander, Grey Gardens and The September Issue.
Bag tickets by entering a prize draw or arrive early for first come first served options. Alternatively, a number of the restaurants are offering dinner and a movie bookings in advance.
St. Martin’s Courtyard Covent Garden, Slingsby Place, London WC2, 15-17 September, film starts 8pm, stmartinscourtyard.com