Los Angeles turns movie‑going into a bona‑fide lifestyle. Nowhere is that more evident than on its sky‑high (and seaside) screens. As spring melts into summer, rooftop cinema Los Angeles season arrives—pairing cult classics and first‑run favorites with cushioned loungers, handcrafted cocktails, and jaw‑dropping backdrops. Below, we compare three of 2025’s most stylish open‑air venues: Rooftop Cinema Club Downtown, Level 8 Golden Hour Movie Nights at the Moxy/AC Hotel tower, and the Santa Monica Pier’s Front Porch Cinema beach screenings. Use this guide to pick the perfect setting for date night, girls’ night, or a family film under the stars.
Rooftop Cinema Club DTLA — Deck‑Chair Luxury in the Sky
Address: 888 S. Olive St., Downtown LA
Season: Mid‑March – October, nightly; double features on weekends
Tickets: $34.50 – $50.60 per person (single Lounge Seat or two‑person Love Seat)
Perks: Wireless headphones • Full cocktail bar • Skyline selfies
Perched four stories above South Park, Rooftop Cinema Club offers the quintessential downtown movie night. Each ticket scores you a cushioned deck chair with an adjustable headrest, plus noise‑isolating headphones that pipe crisp audio straight to your ears—no honking traffic to break the spell. Show up for golden hour, order a grapefruit‑mezcal Paloma or local craft beer via QR code, and watch the sunset paint the skyline. On‑site concessions elevate movie snacking with truffle popcorn, loaded nachos, and vegan candy options. Blankets are available for purchase (highly recommended for breezy evenings). It’s 21+ after 6 p.m., making the vibe decidedly date‑night friendly.
Level 8 Golden Hour Movie Nights — Poolside Glam Meets Carnival Chic
Address: 1254 S. Figueroa St., Moxy/AC Hotel Rooftop
Season: Weekly Mondays & Wednesdays, April – September
Tickets: GA $20 (standing or bar seating) • Premium Lounger $45 • Pool Cabana Packages $250 – $375 (4‑8 guests)
Perks: Table‑side craft cocktails • Three‑course dinner add‑ons • 360° DTLA views
Eight stories up, Level 8 transforms its tropical pool deck into a cinematic playground. Reserve a plush cabana outfitted with sectional sofas and throw pillows, or opt for a padded lounger beside the water. Staff deliver tiki‑style cocktails—think passion‑fruit margaritas or guava spritzes—straight to your seat; some nights feature a prix‑fixe three‑course dinner, turning the experience into a full culinary affair. Expect live DJs, fire dancers, or samba drummers warming up the crowd before the projector rolls. The LED screen is bright enough to compete with downtown’s neon glow, while the surrounding high‑rises provide a dazzling urban frame.
Melrose Rooftop Theatre – Bean‑Bag Chic Above West Hollywood
Address: 603 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood
Season: February – November, five nights a week (7:30 p.m. start)
Tickets:
- Standard Bean‑Bag Seat: from $19 (movie + popcorn)
- Dinner‑and‑Movie for Two: $37 pp (VIP entry, three‑course meal at EP & LP’s Heartbreak Saloon plus reserved seats)
Perched atop the trendy EP & LP complex, Melrose Rooftop Theatre (MRT) serves up an all‑VIP bean‑bag seating plan—every guest sinks into an oversized cushion with a blanket and wireless headphones for private audio. Before the show, grab Thai‑style crispy tofu, karaage chicken sliders, or lychee martinis on the terrace bar; dinner‑package guests start with a craft cocktail and a shareable dessert platter indoors. Expect a rotating roster of cult classics and 2020s crowd‑pleasers (La La Land, Clueless, The Notebook) against a postcard‑perfect view of the Hollywood Hills. Because MRT caps capacity at about 100 guests, the vibe feels intimate—even Instagram‐ready—without sacrificing comfort. It’s 21+ only, so plan a sitter if you’re making it a parents’ night out.
Street Food Cinema – Picnic‑Style Screenings Across L.A.
Locations: Rotates among Griffith Park, Autry Museum, Grand Hope Park & more
Season: Late April – October; 50+ events city‑wide
Tickets: GA $22 advance • Reserved seating upgrades available
Billing itself as “L.A.’s movable cinema feast,” Street Food Cinema (SFC) sets up giant screens on lawn venues, pairs each film with top food trucks, themed cocktails, live bands, and trivia, and welcomes kids + dogs. Bring your own blanket or low chair; doors open around 5:30 p.m., bands play at 6:45, and the movie rolls at dusk. Upcoming 2025 slate highlights include Wicked at the Autry and Toy Story’s 30th anniversary.
Choosing Your Perfect Rooftop (or Seaside) Cinema
- For plush personal seating and a classic movie‑theater vibe: Book a Lounge Seat at Rooftop Cinema Club DTLA.
- For a full send–cocktails, cabanas, and live entertainment: Splurge on a cabana at Level 8 Golden Hour.
- For a laid‑back, family‑friendly outing with ocean breezes: Bring a blanket to Front Porch Cinema and enjoy the show for free.
With these three venues in rotation, the rooftop cinema Los Angeles season promises to bring the fun! Don’t miss an immersive taste of the city’s signature glamour, from skyscraper vistas to seaside serenity. Grab your tickets—or your picnic blanket—and let the credits roll beneath the stars.