Events are currently taking place in East London.
Last week I found myself half-naked on a roof, a cocktail in each hand, surrounded by strangers in a hot tub watching The Italian Job.
This was not a regular Wednesday night out for me, I hasten to add, but London’s hottest new pop-up experience.
Londoners searching for the latest ‘unique’ happening near them are in their element.
Pop-up cinemas, bars and restaurants are spreading like wildfire around London’s trendiest locations, but none quite so scantily-clad as Hot Tub Cinema.
“You couldn’t ask for better weather – it’s a perfect hot tub evening,” said founder Asher Charman, 27, grinning from ear to ear – and you can see why.
Tickets for this year’s season Summer of Tub are selling out fast as they have done ever since his idea became a reality last summer.
“This summer is going to be fantastic. A year ago we started on a rooftop, and now we’re back doing what we do best: rooftops, films and hot tubs,” he said.
“We’ve been humbled by the enthusiasm of our tubbers, and look forward to welcoming guests old and new to our rooftop Summer of Tub.”
For £30 a head, East London’s least self-conscious are stripping off to watch classic films and new releases on top of Rockwell House, a concrete hub of artists and creative energy in Shoreditch.
Events will take place in the first two weeks of each month until September, each with a different theme.
There are twenty hot tubs in total, with two screens on opposite sides of the roof to allow viewers to be completely immersed.
I found myself in one of their more ‘cosy’ tubs (you get a choice of size and capacity depending on how willing you are to part with your cash), with an editor called Aimee, a very amorous couple on their third date and a fellow reporter.
Staff were on hand all night to top up our drinks, provide us with hot tub proof snacks and adjust our bubble level when required.
It was only when Michael Caine’s coach was teetering over the edge of a cliff that I realised I had barely taken in any of the film.
A warning to avid film fans: the novelty of the evening tends to take precedence over the film for most participants, so don’t expect to come away being able to recite Michael Caine’s lines from beginning to end.
As the sun went down on the roof and the film, the drinks came out and the bubbles went up a notch.
Groups of friends and strangers began a round of hot tub swapping, leaving various couples making out vigorously under the few stars in the Shoreditch night sky.
And it’s not just East London that gets to have all the fun. Mr Charman is on the lookout for special locations around London to host his next round of events.
“We want to share our experiences with as many people as possible,” he said.
South West London residents are invited to get in touch with any suggestions for possible venues at [email protected], so keep a look out for the experience at a location near you.
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