Old-school drive-in cinemas are making a comeback. Here are 5 to have on your radar this month
By Tia Douglas
Drive-In Cinemas Near London
Luna Cinema
Taking place in Allianz Park and southeast London’s Printworks, Luna Cinema uses state-of-the-art sounds and visuals to bring you a fantastic cinematic experience, all while adhering to social distancing in the comfort of your own car. Showings include classics like Cool Runnings and modern hits such as Parasite, as well as sing-alongs to Grease and Rocketman. Plus, unlike most other drive-ins, you don’t have to play the sound through your car radio.
Greenlands Lane, NW4 1RL; Surrey Quays Road, SE16 7PJ; lunadriveincinema.com
The Drive In Club
The Brent Cross Shopping Centre car park may not be the most glamorous of locations, but visitors to The Drive-In Club can expect stellar live performances from top musicians, DJs, and comedians, as well as screenings of blockbuster movies. Edith Bowman, Lady Leshurr, and Craig Charles are just a few of the big names on the August line-up.
Prince Charles Drive, NW4 3FP; thedrivein.club
Carview-20
Slightly further afield in Elstree’s Aldenham Country Park is Carview-20, where an ‘enchanted forest’ is the backdrop for brilliant family film screenings such as ET, Home Alone, and Incredibles 2. Staff will deliver refreshments to your car window so you can enjoy a socially-distanced and safe cinema experience.
Aldenham Road, WD6 3BA; carview20.co.uk
@ The DriveIn
Missing London nightlife? Well, expect to party at Suzuki’s @ The DriveIn with car karaoke, bingo, silent discos and, of course, movie screenings of favourites like Jaws, A Star is Born and Back to the Future. Visitors can also expect performances from some of Britain’s brightest stand-ups and Americana-inspired food from the likes of TGI Friday’s and Ben & Jerry’s, thanks to Just Eat, the official food partner.
Circus Field, SE3 7AP; atthedrive.in
The Drive In
Retro rules at The Drive In, where a 1950s theme celebrates the golden age of cinema. Showing cult films of past and present, including Dirty Dancing, Mean Girls, and Pulp Fiction, there’s also extra entertainment from live actors and special kids’ events like Horrible Histories live. An American-style cinema trip wouldn’t be complete without plenty of snacks, and Nanny Bill’s juicy cheeseburgers and hotdogs can be delivered right to your car.
Troubadour Meridian Water, N18 3QU; thedrivein.london
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