Ben & Jerry’s Bondi Openair Cinema

I got a free ticket to this event last year. The cinemas run daily during the summer, but we caught the Sunday showing which comes with free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and live music entertainment. :)
The cinema is at the Dolphin Lawn right next to Bondi Pavilion. We got two ice cream flavors and could have as much ice cream as we wanted, sadly they closed the booth right before the movie started. (Which is good, in retrospect — we went during the last weekend of summer and the nights were starting to get chilly.)
There are different areas, such as an area with chairs closer to the screen, a VIP section, and the lawn. We had a big blanket on the lawn, and there are bean bags that can be rented, but a lot of people brought their own chairs. (Kudos to the staff who didn’t allow some people, who’d brought these really tall chairs, from blocking the view of the people behind.) Toilets are at the Bondi Pavilion, which is a bit annoying because you have to go all the way down and out, but they do keep a little pathway clear.
The only downside is the fact that public transportation in Bondi at night is not so good. I didn’t bring my car (because I didn’t want to pay for parking, heh) but the buses are few and far between. Since everyone’s grabbing the same bus to the city at the same time, I wasn’t able to get on the bus that arrived, which I heard from Barry later on broke down, and I ended up getting a taxi instead.

Scored free tix to watch Birdman (brilliant movie btw) on a Sundae session and the place was packed. There were live music in the afternoon, limitless free ice cream (I assumed, I went back for seconds anyway) and various diary/​cow themed games. There’s a good selection of food and booze sold onsite too.
The downer is the limited space. We turned up 90 mins earlier and there were very little spots available because of how they segregate the different seat prices and that darn awning that blocks the view for almost half of the open area. So between the fancy deck chair area at the front, the cushy chairs spots at the back, you’re going to have to either turn up early or sit in small groups here and there. I found a spot right infront of the cow dung games but had to get very intimate with my movie date so we can both get a good view, thank goodness I brought the hubby and not my mum.

We got some freebie passes to watch Wild here the other night in the Star Lounge.
The lines to get your wrist bands moved quickly so you could go into the venue rather quickly.
Security are on hand to check bags. I don’t know what they were looking for but don’t bring it!
As you walk in, the amphitheatre is dedicated to the Polo Lounge, with cubed glowing tables and everything. There’s a whole bunch of grassy area that is dedicated to the general entry patrons, up the back in the far right corner was the star lounge with bean bags included.
As part of the Star Lounge package you get a blankie (which came in handy when it rained for all of 5 minutes) but it was ok, because when the rain came so did the ladies that were serving us food and drink with plastic human condoms for us to wear.
Of course being that it’s such a huge fashion statement, I tucked mine between my bean bag and table and had another zip of my wine instead while I wished my glasses had windscreen wipers. As it was, the very light rain left not long after and we settled in to watch the rest of the movie.
Being that I’ve been to many outdoor cinema’s in my lifetime — this one was a bit different. Star Lounge is more expensive than general entry but cheaper than Polo Lounge. Being that you’d think that they wouldn’t tuck you up in the back corner somewhere. But I guess the Polo Lounge goers got the best seats in the house if you don’t mind craning your neck to see the screen.
I’m not sure I’d pay extra if I wanted to go back here — if only because the seating design is a bit fail. There’s also a covered walk way in-​front of general seating area which I would imagine would interfere with screen viewing for some general admission goers. The lights from the Bondi Pavilion stayed on so there was a fair amount of light in the area.
I do have to say though, the speakers before and after the movie did make me giggle a bit, so at least they have a sense of humour and no monkey business under the blankets was asked for. Which made me want to find a monkey to do it’s business under the blankets of my neighbour.
Would I go again? Sure, as long as I don’t have to pay.

Along with beer, cicadas, and surfing, Bondi Openair Cinema is one of the things that makes Sydney summer the best in the world (in your FACE, England!)
Really, what sort of person doesn’t like spending all day in the ocean, then toddling up six steps, sprawling out on the grass of the Dolphin Lawn or hiring a beanbag if you’re, you know, cashed up and not afraid to show it, and settling in to sink cold beer and watch a killer flick.
Really dig that they mix up new releases and hot tamales with cult classics like Labyrinth, Point Break, Dirty Dancing and such. Now if they just did Ewoks: Caravan of Courage I’d die a happy man.
And hey, if you go on a Sunday there’s live music, games, and free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream for all. I said free ice cream. Free! There’s no price like free, son.

Well this was a great night seeing Gangster Squad and the location is just awesome. Only sometimes were we disturbed by some local hoons revving their engines up along Campbell Parade.
But the hugs lounge like bean bags were soooooo comfortable and perched towards the top of the hill was a great place to watch the movie.
Awesome Idea, I’ll be back here again.