The Gold Grass treatment at Moonlight Cinema

Spend a magical night in the remaining, warmish weeks of the year at Moonlight Cinema. Situated on a grassy, green knoll at the Royal Botanical Gardens, the outdoor cinema is one of Melbourne’s quintessential summertime experiences. The night is bound to please all, with plenty of space to picnic, sprawl on a beanbag, sip on a cocktail, and, of course, enjoy a cinematic gem.

One midweek night, Milk Bar attended the screening of Love, Simon at the AAMI Gold Grass. For those at home, this put us in the optimal position to watch Nicholas Robinson play Simon, a teenager who navigates coming out and a dubious online romance. The 2018 movie also stars Jennifer Garner – who shines in her scene discussing the relief of being true to oneself – and heartthrob Josh Duhamel.

The Gold Grass experience was perfect. The body-sized beanbags, while on the firmer side, were luxurious. The service was very attentive, and there was a quick turnaround on ordering food and drinks. We also received a face mask and hair oil, all thanks to Garnier.

‘After a pretty tough and isolated few months for many Australians, we are particularly excited for the return of Moonlight Cinema … it’s going to feel all the more special this summer to have family and friends reunite over picnics and films at our beautiful parkland venues,’ says John Boero, General Manager.

This year, punters can enjoy a great range of food, including pizza, wings, chips (yum), and delicious Mexican eats from food truck Parlour Lane Fiesta. I would also recommend sharing a bottle of Fat Bastard Pinot Noir with a loved one or friends.

March is proving to be a star-studded affair – a mix of feel-good classics and blockbusters. Our top picks are C’mon, C’mon (5 March), The Worst Person in the World (9 March), Romeo + Juliet (11 March), Little Women (15 March), Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch (16 March), The Devil Wears Prada (22 March), and not quite a sequel, not quite a reboot, Scream 5 (23 March).

A doggo-friendly event, there’s no excuse not to pack a picnic, unfurl a rug, lay on a cushion (or beanbag) and enjoy a terrific film with a city skyline serving as a backdrop.

Moonlight Cinema
Central Lawn, entrance via Gate D, Royal Botanical Gardens Victoria, Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne, 3141
Until Sunday 27 March 2022
moonlight.com.au/melbourne