Chicago Area Drive-Ins Offer Safe Escape
Mayor Lightfoot recently announced that the Lakefront Trail east of Lake Shore Drive will open on June 22. In addition, bars, breweries, and taverns will be open for outdoor service starting June 24. Slowly but surely, Chicago is beginning to look like the city we all love again. In the meantime, however, there are still a few things we can do outside of our homes to remind us that it is summer in the Windy City.
Miss going to the movies? It’s been months since movie theaters across the nation have been open due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One of our favorite escapes where we can collectively enjoy stories of action and drama has been relegated to our home screens since winter. Thankfully, Chicagoans now have some options to take part in enjoying the silver screen as summer approaches.
Starting June 25, a pop-up drive-in theater will be located near Wabansia Avenue and Throop Street adjacent to the Lincoln Yards’ soccer field at 1397 W. Wabansia Avenue.
Called the Drive-In at Lincoln Yards, this partnership between Lincoln Square’s Davis Theater and the Sterling Bay development firm will screen Chicago cinematic favorite Ferris Bueller’s Day Off starting at 8:30 pm on the 25th. The film will run at approximately the same time Thursday thru Sunday evenings.
The following week from July 2 thru July 5, the Drive-In at Lincoln Yards will screen another Chicago film masterpiece, The Blues Brothers.
Tickets are $35 per car. Not bad, considering most trips to the movie theater cost you that much just in snacks and refreshments.
Another smaller pop-up drive-in is set to debut soon in Lincoln Square next month at the site of the Old Town School of Folk Music’s parking lot. Stay tuned as more details emerge.
Over in Bridgeview, the Chicago Drive-In located at 7000 South Harlem Avenue offers a wide array of flicks to please film fanatics of all genres. On Friday the 19th, you can laugh along to a double feature of Ferris Bueller’s Day Off at 9 pm, followed by Superbad at midnight. Saturday the 20th will feature Tom Hanks in The ‘Burbs at 9 pm, followed by Quentin Tarantino’s masterful debut, Reservoir Dogs at midnight. Tickets will run between $30 and $50 depending on how close you are to the giant 70-foot screen. Purchase tickets in advance at the website.
Of course, social distancing must be practiced as we slowly return to our usual methods of entertainment. Check with each drive-in to find out precisely what is required. Still, you can be sure that six feet or more of social distancing between cars and patrons is a must. Guests will also be required to wear face masks when purchasing any goods (most likely credit card only) and interacting with others.
As Chicago begins to see warmer weather, it’s great that the city is finding ways to provide entertainment with drive-in theaters while playing it safe to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
ERIC KAPLAN AND DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
