Rebecca P.
Yelp
The East London rendition of Rooftop Film Club is located in one of Stratford's lesser known gems, Roof East. Perched on top of the Stratford City Shopping Centre- now dwarfed by the Westfield behemoth and mostly occupied by discount grocery stores and market stalls- it's not much crowed about. Those locals in the know smugly exchange glances as they hop on the lift towards the cloistered oasis.
Aside from the cinema, Birdie's Crazy Golf is good for a round of fun and ample sitting space is available. There's a well-stocked cocktail bar and RockaDollar Dogs- juicy pimped beasts purveyed by a former Hawksmoor chef- are on offer. The space is kitted out with various decorative touches including abandoned cars transformed into gnarly urban gardens and a variety of fauna throughout.
The cinema is situated at the far end of Roof East, comprising rows of deck chairs and a semi-permanent screen. There's a small box office on hand, where popcorn, sweets and drinks are sold and attendees are offered cosy blankets for the inevitable temperature drop. The space is perfect- aside from the occasional din of sirens, but this is East London- and the seats are surprisingly comfy for a two hour stint. Shows start around 8:45pm and seating is on a first come, first served basis, so it's advised to arrive early to secure your place.
Food is not technically permitted inside (although we managed contraband treats on our visit), but hot dogs from RockaDollar Dogs are permitted, as are alcoholic beverages from the bar. There's lots of space and our show wasn't too busy, meaning that viewers could space themselves out and cuddle up as the sun set over Stratford.
Tickets aren't cheap, however, costing £15 each- giving that this doesn't include any extras such as popcorn, I wouldn't necessary be happy to pay £30 for a pair of tickets unless it was a film that I wouldn't necessary see elsewhere for a fraction of the price. But the schedule- which is available online- is varied, so you never know what will tickle your fancy.