It's the summer of drive-in movie theaters in Chicago, with locations opening in Pilsen and nearby Bridgeview in recent weeks that offer a socially distanced outdoor cinema experience. On Thursday, June 25, the Drive-in at Lincoln Yards will join the fray, showing classic movies through a partnership between developer Sterling Bay, Lincoln Square's Davis Theater and nonprofit arthouse cinema Facets.
Located at 1684 N Throop Street within the 55-acre property that will one day become the gigantic Lincoln Yards development, the Drive-in at Lincoln Yards will screen flicks curated by the Davis Theater and Facets on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights at 8:30pm. Cars will be spaced 10 feet apart, creating enough social distance for guests to bring their own chairs and view the movies outside of their cars while tuning into the film's audio via an AM radio broadcast.
The Drive-in at Lincoln Yards is partnering with nearby restaurant Ada Street to allow attendees to pre-purchase food that will be delivered to their cars, including a jumbo Chicago-style hot dog. Bucktown's Mellos Peanuts & Popcorn will offer a selection of salty snacks and candy, which can also be purchased onsite, though you'll need to bring along a mask to wear while visiting the concession stand—and the restrooms.
Tickets are $35 per car and will be sold via the Davis Theater's website, with all proceeds benefiting the Davis Theater and Facets. Capacity for the screenings is currently being capped at 30 cars to ensure ample distance between vehicles. It's a much smaller audience than other drive-ins, but the opportunity to exit your vehicle and watch the movie while sitting outside is an attractive perk.
Ferris Bueller’s Day Off will screen during the drive-in's opening weekend (June 25–28), followed by The Blues Brothers over Independence Day weekend. Tickets are on sale now—and with such a limited capacity, these screenings are sure to sell out quickly.
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