PHOTO BY JOHN ALTDORFER

Usually, you’d have to travel miles out of town to see a movie at a drive-in theater. For the month of October, you can experience one just outside of Downtown.

Row House Cinema is creating a drive-in movie theater in the Strip District for some socially-distanced fall fun. The lineup consists mainly of Halloween-themed classics such as “Hocus Pocus” and “Night of The Living Dead.”

The event takes place every Friday and Saturday in October except for the 30th. Cars can arrive as early as 6:30 p.m. (recommended for a good spot) and the films will start around 8 p.m.

Tickets are $30 per car and must be purchased in advance — they’re expected to sell out quickly and there is no waitlist.

McCaffery, developers of The Strip District Terminal, partnered with Row House Cinema for the event.

“They had the space, and we have the movie experience, so it’s a really beautiful partnership,” Brian Mendelssohn, Row House Cinema owner, said in a press release.

Event organizers are accepting 85 cars for the first weekend with a possibility of expanding to 100.

All films will be in the parking lot at 2121 Smallman St., the screen will be parallel to Smallman Street facing the river.

Traffic will be directed from 23rd Street to Railroad Street, and then to the entrance on 21st Street.

Soda, candy and popcorn will be available at a snack bar. Two local breweries, Four Points and Stick City, will be there on alternating weekends if you’re looking for something to sip on in between movie screams.

Attendees are not permitted to bring their own alcohol. Lawn chairs, outdoor cooking equipment and pets are also prohibited. Masks must be worn when visiting the snack bar or speaking with employees.

Cars are not allowed to idle — as in, engine on and not moving — so it’s best to wear warm clothes and bring lots of blankets.

This is Row House Cinema’s first live movie showing since the start of the pandemic in mid-March.

“We’re so excited to be back in the movie game in October,” Mendelssohn said. “We’ve got some of our favorite titles and a few fun surprises up our sleeves.”

Schedule:
Oct. 2 — The Neverending Story
Oct. 3 — Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)
Oct. 9 — The Princess Bride
Oct. 10 — Edward Scissorhands
Oct. 16 — The Nightmare Before Christmas
Oct. 17 — Young Frankenstein
Oct. 23 — Hocus Pocus
Oct. 24 — Beetlejuice
Oct. 31 — Night of the Living Dead

For more information, visit the Row House Cinema website.