A 179-car drive-in movie theater is coming soon to St. Pete
/If watching your favorite film with St. Pete as your backdrop sounds like a dream come true, you’re in luck. A 179-car drive-in theater courtesy of Rooftop Cinema Club is coming soon to 2100 3rd Ave South in the Warehouse Arts District of St. Pete.
While the pandemic made movie-going nearly obsolete, drive-ins are, by nature, social-distancing friendly. Add online ticket ordering and contactless concessions, and you have a recipe for a safe, entertaining night—all in the glow of a 64 ft. cinema screen.
Rooftop Cinema Club is opening a drive-in movie theater at 2100 3rd Ave South in the Warehouse Arts District of St. Pete.
What’s movie night without popcorn? That buttery goodness will be available on-site, as well as soda and prepackaged candy. For even more dining options, RCC hopes to partner with a local food vendor and eventually operate a bar.
No need to Google nearby restrooms, either. There will be plenty of ADA-compliant toilets available, sanitized throughout the night.
Before the movie starts, tune into the local FM station provided at arrival (you’ll be listening in the comfort of your own car). All that’s left to do is settle in and enjoy.
Prior to the opening of RCC’s St. Pete theater, local movie lovers had to trek to Tampa, Ruskin, or Lakeland for the nearest drive-in—not an ideal option for planning some last-minute fun.
Gerry Cottle, Rooftop Cinema Club’s owner, saw St. Pete as another perfect spot for the ever-growing franchise. For a venture that started in London, his concept is gaining traction all over America, with locations in San Diego, New York City, Dallas, and more.
the box office at a rooftop cinema club drive-in theater
“We are very much looking forward to bringing our unique cinematic experience to St. Pete,” says Cottle. “Drive-ins are convenient and fun for the whole family, and we’re excited to entertain the local community in the near future.”
To bring this project to fruition, Cottle is working closely with Joseph Furst, the managing director for Place Projects, who owns the land RCC plans to use. Furst has also recently spearheaded an initiative to upzone a stretch of 22nd Street South from Industrial to a new zoning classification called Industrial Mixed-Use or I-MIX.
“We are thrilled to help bring Rooftop Cinema Club to the 22nd Street Corridor to activate an underutilized parcel of land,” says Furst. “In addition to running a best in class drive-in experience, I appreciate that they partner with the surrounding neighborhood groups to provide relevant content to the community.”
The drive-in theater in St Pete will have space for 179 cars
Film-buff or a casual watcher? You’ll find something of interest at RCC. Casablanca. Dirty Dancing. Pitch Perfect. Wonder Woman. Old classics and new favorites abound in RCC’s show list, which is available to view online.
Tickets start at $22 per vehicle (even if you’re flying solo or have the whole family). With 179 parking spots, RCC hopes to accommodate 600-800 people daily with three showings per day. If you want to stretch your legs before the film begins, there will be a socially-distanced seating area near the movie screen. Rooftop Cinema Club will operate from 4:00 PM to 1:00 AM, seven days a week.
A specific opening date hasn’t been announced, so don’t grab your car keys just yet. Until then, keep an eye on Rooftop Cinema Club’s Facebook and website for the latest updates.
