The Swimming Pool Movie Theater!
I’ve found that most people over the age of 25 need more social stimulation aside from the usual club scene. Truthfully, I love nothing more than hitting the dance floor with my girls but I literally can’t do it every weekend like those memorable nights in college. Plus my liver would never forgive me if I continued to pound Grey Goose shots all night. (Insert deep sigh for having to grow up.)
Since summer’s arrival, I’ve been searching for different, more creative ways to spend my weekends. Sure the beach, amusement and water parks are all viable options but I want something, unique. Like Poolside Cinema. Yeah, you read that correctly, Poolside Cinema. Imagine grabbing a group of your closest baddies, slipping into that super cute bikini and heading to the pool… to watch a movie. All across the globe, this aquatic phenomenon has been popping up from San Diego to England and its popularity is only growing.
If you have the money and a private pool at home, you can transform the average family night into an aquatic movie viewing. Just hook a projector to your media device of choice and aim it at a flat even surface. To improve image quality it helps is you use a white background. Another option comes from an online company who specializes in pool inflatables, including the AquaScreen a floating inflatable movie screen for your swimming pool.
A few years ago in the UK, Bramley Baths was the site of the first major aquatic movie experience. The elegantly Edwardian themed bathhouse still full of its original features was built in 1904. It is now an independent leisure center for people to mix and mingle, relax, exercise and enjoy life. The baths are open 7 days a week and the pool, recreation room or gym can be rented for birthday parties, sports club activities, special occasions or meetings.
One such occasion was when the pool was transformed into a small part of the Atlantic Ocean for a very special screening of Titanic.
The event was such a big hit that even the audience joined in on the fun and dressed up in Edwardian costumes. They were treated to a unique immersive high-definition screening of ‘Titanic’ to celebrate the 2009 Oscar season: They watched the blockbuster film from lifeboats in the water. Honestly, how cool is that?!
Even more recently a hotel in Hollywood hosted an immersive movie experience for the film Life of Pi. Moviegoers were carefully placed into mini lifeboats and given snacks for the cinematic adventure. When I went to see this movie it was at South Street Seaport in NYC for the movie night under the stars which I have to admit was pretty cool. But looking back, I kinda wish I saw it like this!
The new trend that originated in the UK has even made its way to the East Coast. Hot Tub Cinema NYC is the first event in the world to combine hot tubs and cinema for the viewing public. Amazing, right? So amazing, the thing sold out in like, four seconds. According to the site whose services serve just the UK, New York and Ibiza at the moment, their guiding mantra is that we don’t just watch films, we celebrate them. Moviegoers are encouraged to dress up, sing, dance, drink, play and most of all enjoy your favorite films, alongside friends old and new.
There are only 14 inflatable hot tubs that you can either:
1) book an entire tub for a group of between four and six of your friends. Or, 2) book a solo ticket and risk it with some strangers.
Either way, you’re in for an unforgettable night combining great films, amazing spaces, lots of hot tubs and just add water.
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