Roof East Rising: Stratford’s Ultimate Summer Hangout
If you’re looking for the perfect way to spend a summer evening in London, let us point you skyward to Roof East in Stratford. Perched on top of a multi-storey car park (yes, really), this open-air playground is a glorious mashup of retro games, street food, cocktails, and, best of all, an outdoor rooftop cinema. The London Living team recently headed over and it turned out to be one of our favourite summer evenings so far.
Let the Games Begin
We kicked things off with a few rounds of crazy golf then competed in the Hang Bar challenge as onlookers timed us at 3 minutes (not bad!) Roof East is packed with quirky games from batting cages and shuffleboard to giant Jenga. There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about playing under fairy lights with the skyline of Stratford as your backdrop. The clouds rolled in but our competitive streaks kept us warm!
Street Food
Before the movie began, we wandered over to the food vendors. The choices were exactly what you want from street food—bold, varied, and packed with flavour. We devoured juicy burgers, spicy Korean fried chicken, and loaded fries that disappeared far too quickly. The casual picnic-style setup and colourful seating added to the laid-back, summer-holiday feel.
Outdoor Cinema Under the Stars
The highlight of our evening was heading to Roof East’s rooftop cinema to catch Anora. Watching a film outdoors, with comfy deck chairs, blankets, and headphones, is an experience in itself but Anora made it unforgettable. The film is gritty, stylish, and surprisingly moving, following Anora who finds herself thrust into the world of Russian oligarchs after a whirlwind marriage. It had us completely hooked. As the latter half of the movie commenced, the sun went down and the moon came up which was a magical experience.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly special about Roof East, it blends the energy of a street festival with the intimacy of a neighbourhood hangout, all wrapped up in panoramic views of East London. Whether you're there for the games, the food, or a film under the stars, it’s the kind of night out that makes you fall in love with summer in the city all over again.
If you're planning a visit, we’d recommend booking cinema tickets in advance (especially for buzzy new releases), arriving early to make the most of the games, and coming hungry. You won’t leave disappointed.
Click here to visit their website and plan your next adventure in the sky!