Rooftop Cinema Club premieres its open-air movie theater experience in KC’s Crossroads

Pink dusk views of the Kansas horizon and a cityscape bathed in sunset only added to the silver screen experience for midweek movie-goers trying out the newly opened Rooftop Cinema Club in Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District.

Emily Hendricks, Kansas City, and Seth Peterson, Overland Park, enjoy a midweek date night at Rooftop Cinema Club, 2101 Broadway Boulevard, in Kansas City’s Crossroads Arts District; photo by Joyce Smith

“Just the ambiance and what they did with the design is really cute,” said Emily Hendricks of Kansas City, who picked the venue at 2101 Broadway Boulevard for a Tuesday date night with Seth Peterson of Overland Park — cozying up with cocktails and popcorn on one of the luxe sofas in the back to enjoy one of their favorite movies “Crazy, Stupid, Love.”

“The overall environment made it an ideal spot for date night,” she added, praising the accommodations and staff. Hendricks called the space an “exciting addition” to the city, one the couple plans to visit again.

Their reaction aligns with how the business scripted the Kansas City experience, said Priscilla Gonzalez, spokeswoman for Rooftop Cinema Club, which also operates select locations in such major markets as London, Miami and New York.

The company, which was founded in London in 2011, recently transformed the roof of the four-story brick Broadway Boulevard building (circa 1921) into an open-air theater with lush landscaping.

“We’ve seen some shows already sold out in Kansas City so there has been a lot of interest,” said Gonzalez. “I’s a great view, a new way to experience movies in Kansas City.”

Rooftop Cinema Club recommends customers reserve their tickets in advance. Street and surface lot parking is available nearby with movie-goers taking an elevator to the rooftop where they are greeted with a colorful mural by KC Murals, and check in at the box office.

A mural by KC Murals greets movie-goers as the head to the box office at Rooftop Cinema Club; courtesy photo

Food is cooked on-site in a 32-foot Airstream trailer, featuring such gourmet hot dogs as the Asian Dog with Asian slaw and spicy aioli, and the German Dog with sauerkraut (brat versions also are available); along with mac and cheese, bacon mac and cheese, and sriracha brat mac and cheese. Traditional movie snacks like popcorn, candy, and sodas also are available.

Before the 9 p.m. movie Tuesday showtime, customers played yard games, sipped cocktails and wine at the full bar, and stood at the edge of the rooftop, taking in the sweeping views of downtown and pointing out such landmarks as the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Movie-goers play yard games before showtime at Rooftop Cinema Club; photo by Joyce Smith

Customers head to the box office at Rooftop Cinema Club; photo by Joyce Smith

Rooftop Cinema Club offers three types of seating:

1. Single Adirondack chairs start at $19 per person.

2. Loveseat Adirondack for two starting at $26 per person (a bag of popcorn is included).

3. Luxe sofas with tableside service for $30 a person (a bag of popcorn is included).

Movies will mostly be classics — with a new release now and again. This month it will have such shows as “American Psycho,” “Grease” (sing-along), “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days,” “When Harry Met Sally…,” and “Scream.”

When it rains, the show does not go on, but customers get an hour’s warning in advance, along with a credit for a future showing. Or they can spend $2.50 for insurance to get a full refund.

Rooftop Cinema Club Crossroads KC is expected to be open through October, but could be expanded into November weather permitting.

The company also operates rooftop movie venues in London, Chicago, Fort Worth, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and San Diego.

“There is just such a strong creative energy in the Crossroads and Kansas City has such a strong arts culture,” Gonzalez said. “So we thought it would be a good fit.”

Street view of the building at 2101 Broadway Boulevard, the seasonal home to Rooftop Cinema Club in Kansas City; photo by Joyce Smith

Vince Bryant of 3D Development renovated the building in 2013 and 2014 (a former Piggly Wiggly grocery store warehouse) and currently manages it. It is owned by a local group led by 3D Development.

“We liked that they were a national chain, new to the market.” Bryant said. “We felt like it was perfect with the full skyline view.”

Bryant also liked that Rooftop Cinema Club plans to develop more of the rooftop, he said, noting potential to add another screen with a larger seating area. Gonzalez declined to comment on any expansion plans.

Click here to check out more upcoming movies and showtimes.

Meanwhile, the first floor restaurant space at 2101 Broadway has struggled to keep tenants.

Pezzettino Italian Deli & Market, Broadway Deli, Foodlove Cafe, and Guy’s Broadway Bodega have operated in the space in the past decade, but the street-level storefront has been dark since Guy’s closed in April 2024.

Bryant plans to convert 2,000 square feet of the space into a corner boutique office, and 800 square feet into a food venue with just a handful of seats at the counter, a walk-up window and patio.

“I think it will pair well with the movie theater — pizza-by-the-slice, soups, salads, sandwiches. Casual fare,” he said.

Startland News contributor Joyce Smith covered local restaurants and retail for nearly 40 years with The Kansas City Star. Click here to follow her on Bluesky, here for X (formerly Twitter), here for Facebook, here for Instagram, and by following #joyceinkc on Threads.