There are palm trees, there are pink flamingos, and there is lots and lots of sand. This is the new Miami Beach themed Backyard Cinema that is about to open on the roof of former Manchester train station Depot Mayfield.
The immersive cinema will be throwing beach parties all across July and August - with special singalong screenings of hit movies like Dirty Dancing, Grease and Mama Mia. There will also be screenings of the eagerly-anticipated new Barbie movie for a week-long run later in July.
The MEN got a sneak preview as the finishing touches were made on the rooftop this week, with quirky features like an Art Deco style Miami hotel, Tiki DJ booth and lots of plastic flamingos. There are plenty of spots for a photo opportunity too - including a Barbie box to pose in and a lifeguard station to channel your inner Baywatch star.
Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features.
Revellers may have previously experienced Backyard Cinema at Christmas time, when the rooftop was transformed into a winter wonderland for a run of festive movies. Now, for summer, bosses have gone full on beach party with over 40 tonnes of sand lining the cinema floor, while seats are super-comfy custom made bean bags chairs.
Visitors can buy palm tree cocktails at the Flamingo Beach Bar as well as a full range of drinks which can be taken into the screenings. While the main entrance is through the old Mayfield Depot train station, there is also an accessible entrance on request.
Backyard Cinema, which began - as its name suggests - in founder Dominic Davies’ own backyard, has already enjoyed success and a fan following in London as well as in Manchester with its immersive screenings. For the summer event, guests can expect to be warmly welcomed by staff at the art-deco Miami Beach Hotel.
Actors will be helping cinema-goers get into the spirit of each movie, and on the singalong nights after the film you could even partake in a spot of karaoke with the actors in the station bar.
Films showing this summer will include the highly anticipated 2023 releases, Barbie and Indiana Jones and The Dial of Destiny, as well as classics like Dirty Dancing, Grease and Back to the Future. The recently released The Little Mermaid will also be on as will Top Gun Maverick, Mean Girls and Pulp Fiction.
Miami Beach will also be hosting recurring Dirty Dancing Beach Parties every Friday night, at which guests will have the “Time of their lives' dancing along to the film’s famous soundtrack, along with special surprises designed to further immerse them in the world of the film.
In addition to this will be Super Sing-alongs - screenings where audience participation is not only allowed but actively encouraged. Guests will be able to let loose and sing their hearts out inhibition-free to these feel-good film soundtracks, featuring Grease, Mamma Mia and The Greatest Showman.
The event has taken over the roof of Depot Mayfield, Manchester’s iconic former railway dating back to 1910.
Dominic Davies, Founder and Creative Director said:“After the huge success of our Winter season we are super excited to bring our smash-hit Miami Beach to the roof of Depot Mayfield. We are going to take people back to a retro 80s Miami full of glitz and glamor and create the closest thing to a Summer Holiday in Mayfield."
He added: "It’s fun with a capital F! It’s camp, we’ve never taken ourselves too seriously, it's a place to come and have a good time whether it be with your friends or your family, there's something for everyone."
The cinema itself is fully covered so you can be assured of a summer party whatever the weather. There's then a range of seating options on the rooftop to make the most of sunny days, as well as covered options if it should choose to rain.
How to get tickets
Tickets for all screenings are available to book online now at the Backyard Cinema site. Prices are from £14.
Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features.
