What to Know Before You Go to the New Drive-In Movie Theater

The new Rooftop Cinema Club drive-in movie theater is the best COVID-19 creation since to-go alcohol! Popped up at the Silos at Sawyer Yard right next door to the new Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co., it’s such a unique and fun time.

I love love love loved when RCC opened their Uptown theater, and I’ve definitely missed films among the Galleria-area skyline, so I was excited to see the drive-in option! Never having been to a drive-in theater before (never!!), I made some rookie mistakes — but you don’t have to!

Here’s what to know before you go!

There are two shows a night — 8:15 and 10:45 pm. I went to the 8:15 one, and the doors opened at 7:15, so it was still bright when we were setting up, which was clutch.
When we were leaving at around 10:30, there was a huge line of cars on the street waiting to get in, but the logistics of the exit/enter process wasn’t bad at all.
You can opt to face your car forward toward the projection, or “tailgate” and back in if you have a truck or a hatchback. We chose to back in and we laid out a blanket behind the car. this was fun… until it started raining.
Have a rainy-day plan. It wasn’t the worst rain, so I think it was OK, but it still didn’t rock… We closed the trunk and watched through my back window — the trucks were sort of SOL.
Bring blankets and pillows! I brought a lot but wished I had more. I also wished I had a small light or something… the contrast of pitch black in my car to bright af with my car light wasn’t great.
You tune into the sound via radio (FM 101.7), so your car needs to stay on the whole time — I alternated between battery and fully on. However, headlights stay off until it’s time to leave.
It’s BYO-everything. Stock up on food and drinks — I’d recommend a cooler.
You can also order from Buffalo Bayou Brewing! It is a limited menu — pizza, sandwiches, finger foods, and they do have single-can or six packs available of their beer! RCC also has popcorn, candy, and sodas! Order online.
Kid friendly? For sure (depending on the flick).
Dog friendly? Not so much. For several reasons (barking, bathrooming), I think it’s fine to leave the pupper at home.
Speaking of bathrooms, there are port-o-potties onsite, and Buff Brew is open for biz if you want to run in to go there. The port-o-potties were DARK, and not ideal, tbh.
There are TWO types of tickets: Central View and Side View. I think, if you have the option, get the Central View. It’s $35 to Side View’s $28. How far back you are depends on when you get there! I got there right when doors opened, so I was in the front. Looking back, I kinda wish I was a bit further away.
If you are a multi-car group, go at the same time for when you get set up in your spot — only way to ensure you’re next to each other.
On safety: Drive-in movies are pretty naturally socially distant, but they ask that you honor the 6-feet rule and wear a mask when outside the car.
SOOOOO… here’s a bummer tip: Currently, all tickets are sold out for the dates posted (5/13-5/17), but I believe RCC will be posting new dates and tickets on a weekly basis. I recommend joining their newsletter to get the reminder when they post new tickets!