Movies With A View

I can't remember the time when I stopped frequenting the cinema often...I think it was sometime between ticket prices inflating to my weekly wage and becoming of the legal drinking age. That's not to say that there's anything wrong with the movies of course. You pay 50 dollars for a small popcorn (apparently it's melted gold and not butter that it's covered in), eat your weight in M&Ms, get chewing gum on the bottom of your shoes and if you're really, really lucky, you'll see a mouse in the back row. Awesome! This is all very well and good, but on Sunday night I discovered the true Melbourne way to  view your fave flick, with Astro Turf and deck chairs included...and it all comes with a view.

Aaaaand cue Rooftop cinema. Located on the top most level of Curtin House (also home to Cookie and The Toff) on Swanston Street, there is a little cinematic world that awaits you. A screen in set up front and center, surrounded by a group of deck chairs for your reclining pleasure. And the pleasure of any other action you chose to partake in on said deck chair. Movies run most nights, with doors opening at 9:00 and the film screening at 9:30, so whilst you wait feel free to enjoy Rooftop Bar on the same level. Open everyday from 12 in the afternoon until 1 in the morning, this watering hole sells Bulmers cidar, beers on tap, great cocktails and sangria by the jug. And we all know there's nothing better than a jug of sangria on a hot Summer night. Well, except maybe two jugs. And please, popcorn at the movies? Thats totally plebian. Instaed, tuck into some burgers (vego option available) and chips sold fresh out of a hole...a hole in the wall that is, right next to the screen. I had the pleasure of seeing the Johnny Depp featuring film, The Rum Diary, but whilst sitting seven levels above the city I'm pretty sure any movie would have been good.

So kick back my friends, put your feet up and enjoy the sangria because Summer in Melbourne doesn't get much better than this. With the sun setting behind glass covered skyscrapers and  coloured lights strung up around you, you'll forget all about the cinemas of old. Except maybe the mouse...the memory of him is still firmly etched into my mind.

Rooftop Cinema is running from December 2012 until March 2013, so you still have plenty of time to head on up and you can check out the program here, at www.rooftopcinema.com.au.