Barefoot Cinema

Sit back, relax, slide off your Birkies and be dazzled by a twinkling Hollywood flick at Barefoot Cinema this summer. After two years of a COVID-imposed hiatus, punters can gallantly tiptoe to one of the best outdoor cinema set-ups Melbourne has to offer. Held at St Kilda Botanical Gardens this February and then Werribee Park in March, cinemagoers can enjoy the winning combination of fresh air, a good movie and, if you’re lucky, a body-sized beanbag.

One balmy evening, Milk Bar ventured to St Kilda to watch House of Gaga Gucci. A new location for Barefoot Cinema, the St Kilda Botanical Gardens is a tranquil garden featuring an ornamental pond, a heritage gazebo, glasshouses and plenty of manicured lawns to host a pre-movie picnic. Once we entered the Barefoot activation, we were treated lawn games, a food truck and a bar serving up G&Ts, wine, beer and movie snacks – including unlimited popcorn (for those with a VIP ticket and band).

Highlights from what’s remaining on the St Kilda programme include Eyes of Tammy Faye (Wednesday 23 February), the family-friendly Sing 2 (Friday 25 February) and the acclaimed Spencer for their closing night (Saturday 26 February). Movies showing at the sprawling and majestic gardens at Werribee Park in March include West Side Story, Death on the Nile and Spider-man: No Way Home. The range of films are perfect for romantic date nights, an outing with friends or a singalong for the whole family.

‘By making the most of our majestic and awe-inspiring locations and combining great films with a full hospitality experience, we’re about being more than a movie, but taking a breath of fresh air, being in nature and perhaps discovering one of Victoria’s hidden treasures,’ said Julian Grant, founder of Barefoot Cinema.

The experience at Barefoot in St Kilda was terrific. Everyone had their own space and it was nice to see various groups sprawled on picnic rugs and beanbags. The outdoor cinema is also dog friendly, so feel free to bring along your pooch. For food and drink, I would recommend packing a picnic of snacks and movie treats, and purchasing some dinner from the food trucks on location. Then bask in the glory of golden hour, cosy up with a blanket and watch the big screen illuminate.

Barefoot Cinema
St Kilda Botanical Gardens until Saturday 26 February 2022; Werribee Park until Saturday 19 March 2022
barefootcinema.com.au