Starlight Cinema

Jacqueline Sainsbury / July 16th, 2012

Now that a multitude of high-end hotels seems to have sprouted rooftop bars and lounges over the past few years, it should come as no surprise that the next step would be to jump in on the outdoor movie screening craze. This is precisely what Manhattan hotels like The Peninsula and The Roosevelt Hotel are doing, but with their signature style.

Mad 46—above the Roosevelt—is bringing out cult classics like Jaws, Rocky II, Breakfast at Tiffany's, Saturday Night Fever, and Casablanca this summer. Unlike the wildly popular screenings at Bryant Park, guests enjoy a bit of elbow room along with tableside service offering cocktails like Hot Doctor (Dr. Pepper, SoCo Fiery Pepper, and lime juice) or an East Side Cooler (Bombay Sapphire East, Canton Ginger Liquor, and lemon lime soda), wine, beer, and various bar snacks.

Meanwhile, the swanky Salon de Ning at The Peninsula is celebrating the newest Parisian member of the hotel group (set to open in 2013) with Ciné Sous Les Étoiles: a French Film Series. Flicks like Amélie, Chocolat, and The Artist will be shown at the end of each month, through October, against the background of the 1930s Shanghai-style lounge that overlooks Fifth Avenue. Besides the regular menu, the kitchen is turning out cinema-style snacks like freshly popped popcorn, nachos with jalapeño cheese, hot dogs, ice cream, and candies and chocolates from Dean and DeLuca. Raising the bar, the signature cocktail, the Ning Sling (Absolut Mandarin, Soho French Lychee, and mint leaves shaken with lychee and passion fruit juice), and caviar with vodka will be on hand for those looking to really make this an out-of-the-ordinary cinematic experience.