After watching films from my sofa or bed for over a year, when news that a rooftop cinema was coming to the centre of Cardiff I was excited to try it out.
While we can now return to the cinema to watch new releases, the announcement of Lost Lands Cinema coming to Jacob's Antique Centre seemed like too good an experience to miss.
Now in its second week of screenings, the rooftop cinema opened on June 4 with a showing of Dirty Dancing and is screening films across selected weekends in June and July.
On Friday night, I ventured out to the centre of Cardiff to watch a screening of Pulp Fiction at the rooftop cinema. Booking tickets in advance is essential. I booked tickets for my partner and I a week in advance, and they were all sold out on the day of the event.
Costing £13 a ticket, plus a £1.30 booking fee, it's on the pricier side - but, with no popcorn or Tango Ice Blast in sight, this isn't exactly your regular cinema experience.
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We arrived at the antique centre at 9pm, when doors open, and after checking in through the NHS app, were shown to a comfortable waiting area - usually the Off Track Cafe - with socially distanced tables and sofas. A few minutes later, everyone was taken upstairs to be shown to their seats. It's quite a climb up a number of flights of stairs to the rooftop, however, there is a lift for those who need to use it.
The rooftop provides a good atmosphere, adorned with fairy lights and surrounded by a range of plants and garden sculptures. Staff will show you to your seats in a range of areas including out in the open, under a covered outdoors area, or just inside the rooftop's conservatory. Our seats - deckchairs - were surprisingly comfy, although a little damp as it had rained earlier in the day. If you get cold, baskets of blankets are provided, and you're able to pick one up at any time.
After we were seated, a staff member showed us how to order food and drinks through the QR code on our table. You won't be short of choice on the drinks menu. There's a rooftop bar that will prepare special 'Gin and Jazz' drinks and a range of cocktails as well as classic wine, beer and spirits, so there's something to cater to every taste. While you're shown to your table half an hour before the film starts at 9.30pm to get some drinks and food in beforehand, you can continue to order using the QR code throughout the film.
I started off with a Porto Tonico, which came with fresh mint and orange slices, while my partner went for a Yuzu 75 served in a martini glass. We ordered more drinks later on during the film - a Brewdog Punk IPA for my partner and a Singapore Sling for me. The drinks arrived quickly both times we ordered and the cocktails were beautifully presented, served in real glasses with fresh fruit. All the drinks were delicious and made a nice change from the drinks on offer at a usual cinema trip.
Due to the late time of the film screening we didn't order food, but there's plenty on offer. Macho Nacho supplied street food throughout the film, including pork tacos, served with watermelon salsa and guacamole, loaded nachos with a four cheese sauce, salsa and sour cream and 'carnitas nachos' pulled pork and a four cheese sauce. Pots of sweets are also available at a price of £2.80 for those with less of an appetite. The food is all reasonably priced, with the carnitas nachos being the most expensive dish at £6.50.
The atmosphere was much better than watching a film in a normal cinema. Overlooked by the Clayton Hotel and some of Cardiff's taller buildings, you get a great view of the sun setting over the city. It's certainly a unique experience to watch a classic movie as you see the sky turning pink over the Cardiff skyline and the lights start to come on across the city. Coupled with the beautiful setting of the rooftop, with its fairy lights and flowers, it makes for a lovely experience.
But a word of warning for future rooftop cinema-goers: While blankets were provided and were helpful, I'd recommend dressing warmly - although it's now summer, the film didn't finish until midnight and it gets progressively colder as the evening goes on. Make sure you've got something you can wrap up warmly in as it starts to get colder - it is a rooftop cinema, after all.
The staff are friendly and welcoming, and do their best to ensure you have a good night. They are always on hand to answer any queries you might have about the menu, to show you where the toilets are, or even how to operate the lift.
With Lost Lands having hosted these rooftop screenings in a range of nearby venues, including Penarth seafront, and in the basement of the old NatWest Bank in Cardiff Bay, I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for events in the future. The people behind Lost Lands Cinema know how to create a good atmosphere, and with the delicious food and drinks on offer, as well as the gorgeous views over the city, it's something I'd certainly like to experience again.
You can find out more about Lost Lands Cinema and their film screenings here.
