While the COVID pandemic has disrupted our lives and wrecked havoc across the world this past year, it’s uplifting to start seeing parts of the world open up once again, with California also being the state with the lowest COVID-affected numbers in the whole country.

The news of re-opening is especially thrilling for Los Angeles movie-lovers, who, after more than a year of streaming movies from their living rooms, are once again able to start experiencing films the way they were meant to be watched: on the big screen.

While many are still processing the sad news of the Arclight Cinemas and Pacific Theaters’ closures (including myself), South Bay movie-lovers have a new reason to celebrate, as Rooftop Cinema Club is bringing their outdoor movie screening series to El Segundo for the month of May.

Starting tonight, May 6th and running through the end of May, LA and South Bay movie-lovers (ages 18+) will be able to experience the “ultimate outdoor air experience” with an amazing offering of popular, classic and cult films projected on a rooftop setting while being provided personal headphones and deck chairs (you’ll need to bring your own cozy blankets, which is highly recommended for any rooftop breeze).

Typically held in downtown Los Angeles (along with other major cities like New York, Houston, San Diego and even London), Rooftop Cinema Club is moving their residence to El Segundo’s Smoky Hollows District this month, and South Bay movie-lovers should be thrilled to hear it.

As a spokesperson for Rooftop Cinema Club said about the decision to move the Los Angeles location to El Segundo: “We’ve been closely monitoring safety guidelines in Los Angeles with the ultimate goal of reopening our Rooftops safely and with the same experience our guests have come to know and love. This new venue in El Segundo allowed us to do just that – reopen with safety and social distancing top of mind without jeopardizing the Rooftop experience we’ve built over the years. We plan to reopen our DTLA and Hollywood locations when it’s safe to do so.”

With the lineup of amazing movies, you won’t be able to go wrong with any film you wish to see in this rooftop setting. Maybe you want to head to tonight’s films and catch Selena or Dazed and Confused? Or just think about watching La La Land under the actual Los Angeles stars. The offerings range even further, from family films like The Goonies to The Princess Bride, hood films from Friday to Boyz N The Hood, and comedies from Anchorman to Superbad (El Segundo locals may want to check out the latter to catch the city’s many famed high school shots). The list goes on with classic, horror and even more special-event films to see.

Of course, maintaining safety is the most important part of being able to hold these social screenings. As Rooftop Cinema Club says: “Our number one priority is our guests’ and team’s safety and wellbeing, which is why we have adapted our operations on the Rooftop.” Be sure to review the new safety measures and rules for guests before booking a screening at rftp.cc/rooftopsafety and check out the on-site precautions to expect:

• We are opening at a limited capacity, and all ticket purchases must be made online prior to the screening.
• Sanitization solutions will be available around the venue, and team members will wear masks, routinely change gloves and regularly wipe down surfaces.
• We will enforce masks and social distancing in the cinema and bar areas.
• Headphones will be thoroughly sanitized after each use.
• We will not be offering our usual pillows and blankets, but guests are encouraged to bring their own. After all, it’s not really a Rooftop without a cool, refreshing breeze!

If you decide to experience any of these truly unique social cinema events (and I’m hoping that you do), be sure to arrive early to enjoy delicious food from The Urban Oven, as well as a drink (full bar complete with craft cocktails, beer and wine) at sunset with the mountains as your backdrop. Select your socially distanced seats and snack on classic cinema concessions like popcorn and candy with contactless order and pickup. When the movie starts, you’ll be able to live completely in those movie moments with state-of-the-art wireless headphones (sanitized thoroughly after each use) and an amazing view of the big screen. 

The venue will be located in the parking structure at 1310 E Franklin Ave. Tickets are offered for two different types of deckchairs – a single Lounge Seat for one or a double-width Love Seat for two (and Student Discount tickets are offered at 10% off). And the screenings go ahead come rain or shine.

Rooftop Cinema Club (whose tagline is Love, Peace and Great Film) believes that all experiences should be memorable, which is why they are on a mission to transform nights at the movies in to cinematic events like no other. “You bring your friends and loved ones, and we’ll bring you city skylines, sunsets, starlit evenings, awesome drinks, delicious food, and great movies on the big screen.” Rooftop Cinema Club is also currently running a drive-in theater experience at the Santa Monica Airport through May 31st.

As Rooftop Cinema Club told us, “Going to the cinema provides a sense of escapism we can’t get at home. There’s nothing like watching a film on the big screen surrounded by like-minded moviegoers and friends. As we slowly enter life post-pandemic, we’re adapting our operations to make guests feel comfortable and excited about a night out at the movies again. We’re seeing other cinemas do the same and the entire industry has stepped up to support one another. Our entire drive-in model was built with that in mind – to give communities a safe escape through the power of film. ”

So come on out to Rooftop Cinema Club El Segundo and support this unique big screen experience, make some new memories, and remember why social cinema events like this are so meaningful and should be celebrated and saved as we return to our post-pandemic lives.

For all screenings and more information visit https://rooftopcinemaclub.com/. For tickets to El Segundo’s outdoor screenings visit https://rooftopcinemaclub.com/los-angeles/venue/el-segundo/.