Let’s face it, Covid-19 has really taken a toll on many of us. I have a busy lifestyle that was put on pause because of the pandemic. Some people are starting to get cabin fever and want to go out but we don’t want to take any risks… 2 months later Houston does what it does best, it creates something that we can do and STILL remain safe, we can social distance, but more than anything WE CAN GET OUT OF THE HOUSE!!!

Rooftop Cinema presents:

The Drive-In at Sawyer Yards

2301 Summer Street, Houston Texas, 77007

I had never gone to a drive-in so I wasn’t sure what to expect, what I could or couldn’t bring. I have now been twice and I am already a huge fan. The Rooftop Cinema website has FAQ’s but from a Houstonian to another Houstonian I will give you all the tips that I wish I knew before I went!

There are two movie showings, one at 8:15 and another at 10:45pm
They have a central view $35 and a side view $28 (plus fees and taxes) Both times I have bought a central view ticket.
For the 8:15 showing, they start letting cars in at 7:15
TIP- don’t get there TOO early because you will get a spot too close to the front and the best view is further back
The 10:45 showing usually let’s cars in around 10:15-10:20, it depends on how quickly they can get the cars out of there from the first screening
With the 8:15 screening you will be out of there between 10-10:15, with the 10:45 screening you will be out past midnight *keep that in mind if you are an early bedtime sleeper!
You can pull in or you can tailgate. If you have a truck or SUV I suggest tailgating it
Bring blankets and pillows, LOTS OF THEM! We made the back of my sisters SUV a little lounge area and it was comfy with pillows and multiple blankets under us
Make sure your radio works. You will tune into FM 101.7 to listen to the audio from the movie
The point of the drive-in is to stay in your cars, but I’ve seen people bring lawn chairs and sit right outside of their car
They have port-o-potties! So if you really have to go, I believe that Buff Brew has restrooms you can use as well.
It will get hot, so if you can what we did was half way through the movie we turned on the car (left the headlights off) and we turned the AC at full blast for about 10 minutes. The first time I went we kept the car and ac on the entire time.
If you have a portable fan, it may be beneficial to bring it
When you go to pick up your food, it is highly suggested you wear a mask
My sisters car has a light in the trunk of her SUV that stays on if the car is on and any door is open, we used receipt paper to cover it but if you think you have a trunk light or car light inside the car that doesn’t turn off, bring something to cover that up (Maybe heavy duty Scott tape?)
There is not an age limit, so kids are allowed. They do have some kid friendly movies coming up like Shrek, Space Jam and others (I Suggest taking the kiddos to those screenings)
Dogs are allowed but remember, they have to stay in the car with you and you have to make sure they don’t bark or they will interrupt the movie and other people trying to enjoy
Now snacks, that needed it’s own section, keep on scrolling for the details!

SNACKS, FOOD, & DRINKS

You can bring your own food, snacks, & drinks
Like any movie theater, candy prices are double or triple the price. I stopped by Target and grabbed some of my favorite candy.
You can bring your own booze! The first time I went I took a 6-pack of Cider, and the 2nd time I went I just brought water and coke.
Bring your own dinner! If you are watching the 8:15 showing, you may want to bring your own dinner. There is a Mod Pizza, Chick Fil A, & a Panda express right around the corner from there. I ordered MOD and ate it before the movie started.
You can purchase food and beer from Buff Brew! You have to do it online. USE THIS LINK TO ORDER BUFF BREW
Buff Brew has burgers, chicken tenders, salads, & more. (They even have a “Hollywood box” that is a pretty much a charcuterie board in a box!)
RCC has snacks like candy, pickles, soda, & popcorn you can purchase. You have to do it online as well and then go pick it up near buff brew but you have minimal contact with people. USE THIS LINK TO ORDER SNACKS
The popcorn is $3 and if you are a popcorn lover, you may want to buy more than one. This is more of a personal size cup of popcorn.

Above is the Buff Brew setup to pickup your food & drinks that you ordered. It’s not pictured, but to the right of this, is where you can get popcorn and snacks that you ordered online through RCC.

During the 8:15 showing, the sun hasn’t completely gone down so to the right you’ll see it’s a little hard to see the movie but probably 10-15 min later it will get dark and you can see the movie 10x better! (This is a central view)