Returning in a blaze of colour, Roof East are back for another summer season.
Adding a pop of colour to the London summer, Roof East have once again opened their doors for another raucous runaround. Feeding London’s enduring love affair with rooftop pop-ups, the Roof East have woven the magic of turning an east London multi-storey car park into a free-spirited playground, and this summer’s season is well under way.
Sitting alongside Peckham Levels and Skylight in the “multi-storey car parks turned event space” category, Roof East is a firm favourite amongst the Secret London team. This year, they’re enjoying a longer summer of sun-soaked goodness (under last year’s lockdown rules, they were unable to open until July), which sounds about perfect for this fun-starved writer
There’s plenty on the roster at London’s largest outdoor playground! Bringing the fun to the dizzying heights of Stratford’s rooftop are crazy golf comrades Birdies, who run an Insta-friendly course that’s designed to challenge your short game. Joining them on the roof are Sluggers, the ever-popular rooftop batting cages, where you can swing for the fences and work a little of that lockdown-induced frustration out.
Last summer’s curling rink (which was so popular at their winter pop-ups that Roof East just rolled it into summer too) has been replaced by the lawn bowls of the East London Bowls Club. The ever-popular Rooftop Film Club are back in business here too, after waiting for government guidance to allow cinemas to reopen. You can expect a full programme of events to complement the games, with rooftop yoga sessions just one such happening last year.
Last, but by no means least, there’s a plethora of street food available here. Cheeky Burger are slinging their mouthwatering handmade burgers, and East Side Pizza will be on hand to provide the slices – for a real treat, opt for a table with a tabletop pizza oven and create an unlimited conveyor belt of pizza for you to scoff. Indian kati roll legends Kolkati have also pitched up for the summer, if pizza and burgers aren’t enough to tempt you.
To toast those glorious sunsets, the bars will be serving beer, wine, bubbles, and some glorious cocktails; fingers crossed for the return of last year’s rum and raspberry Knickerbocker Royale, and the downright dangerous Electric Boogaloo, made with blue tequila. Get a round of sundowners in, and life on the roof will be just peachy!
Location: Stratford Multi Storey Car Park, Great Eastern Way, E15 1BB. Nearest station is Stratford. See it on Google Maps.
Opening hours: from 4-10pm on Thurs & Fri, and 12-10pm on weekends.
Entry: needs to be booked in advance on the website, or you won’t get in. Games are booked separately, but will also get you entry.