A Unique Experience at the Mendon Twin Drive-In
There’s no movie experience quite like going to a drive-in theater on a crisp New England night, just entering hoodie weather. There’s a blanket on the grass and a cozy comforter on top. You’ve got popcorn, chicken tenders, and fried Oreos from the snack bar. Life is good at the Mendon Twin Drive-In.
Maybe it’s a little warmer, still shorts weather. The sun sets and the feel of the grass is a refreshing reprieve after a long day. It’s time for ice cream – soft serve twist with sprinkles. You’re trying to decide between a beer or an espresso martini. Either way, you’ve earned it.
You showed up early to snag a good spot. That gives you time to walk your dog or throw a football around. Finally, the sun sets and the projector starts up. It’s movie time. Well, two movies. It’s always a double feature.
A Cinematic Gem in Massachusetts
The Mendon Drive-In is a long-running cinematic gem that offers a combination of retro vibes and a uniquely cozy modern movie experience. As the name implies, there are a pair of screens, each with a different double feature of movies. The first movie starts around 8:45 p.m. Then there’s an intermission that gives time for viewers to run to the bathroom and grab extra snacks. Then around 11 p.m., the second movie starts.
It’s $37 per car for up to six people. That means it could run you just over six bucks to see two movies. While the movie plays on a giant projector, the sound is sent out over the radio. You can play the sound off your car’s radio, but if you don’t want to risk your car’s battery running down, you can also bring a radio or rent one from the snack bar, ice cream stand, or beer garden.
What’s on the Menu?
Judi’s Snack Bar is the turquoise centerpiece of the Drive-In, serving as the projector hub and popcorn provider. It’s also where the bathrooms are located. The concessions are reminiscent of what you’d find at The Big E, or any other county fair. There’s the usual assortment of popcorn and candy. But you’ve also got hot dogs, burgers, pizza, nachos, and giant pretzels.
More recent additions to the menu include fried mac & cheese bites, fried dough, and fried Oreos. Next to the snack bar, you’ve got Ernie’s Ice Cream Stand. They’ve got ice cream, sundaes, floats, and Italian ice. It’s not the fanciest. But on a hot day, getting some soft serve topped with fudge, whipped cream, and sprinkles hits the spot.
Finally, we’ve got Pop’s Beer Garden, which offers beer, seltzer, and wine. It’s also the country’s only drive-in where you can get an espresso martini. That’s according to Mike Andelman, one of the three Andelman brothers who bought the Mendon Drive-In back in 2014.
Modern Changes to a Classic
The Andelman brothers — Mike, Dan, and Dave — are best known for their other business, the long-running New England TV program, “Phantom Gourmet,” which reviews and features local restaurants. The previous owners, Sue Swanson and Kathy Gorman, told the Boston Globe back in 2014 that they “hand-picked who we wanted to sell this drive-in to.” In the decade-plus since it changed hands, the core experience has remained the same. The Andelmans have just made some tweaks and enhancements.
In the past decade, the drive-in has added the beer garden, new menu items, fire pits, and a spacious patio. It now offers specialty souvenir popcorn buckets. But the biggest focus in recent years has been finding different ways to make a trip to the drive-in more than just a movie.
Special Events at the Drive-In
The Drive-In’s special events have been a big hit. This year, they’re bringing back the Taylor Swift “Dance & Foam Glow Party” on Aug. 16. On Aug. 23, it’s Jimmy Buffett Tribute Night, featuring special margaritas. On Labor Day weekend, there are three special showings of “Jaws” to mark the movie’s 50th anniversary. There’s also ’90s night in September and multiple horror movie events in October. You can check out the full list of events on the Mendon Drive-In website.
What to Know When Visiting the Mendon Twin Drive-In
If you’ve never been to a drive-in movie theater before, there are some rules and procedures you should be aware of. The Mendon Drive-In has a full list of info and rules you need to know before you visit. The drive-in typically has showings Wednesday through Sunday. There are sometimes showings on Tuesdays. You can see the full calendar with showtimes and movie schedule here.
Admission to the drive-in is $37 per car – with an extra $6 for every passenger above six people. You select which screen you want to watch when you enter. Moviegoers are not allowed to switch screens. While tickets are available at the entrance, moviegoers are encouraged to purchase tickets ahead of time, as the drive-in does sell out (especially on weekends). Tickets are available on the drive-in website here.
The drive-in opens up in early- to mid-April every year and stays open until around mid-December — or when it first snows. Cars are asked to park within 1 foot of the metal poles. If you want a specific spot, show up early. It’s a first-come, first-serve basis and visitors often line up before the drive-in opens at 7 p.m.
Moviegoers are welcome to put out chairs and blankets in front of their vehicles. You can even back into the spaces, which are on a hill. So if you have a truck or SUV, you can line the back with pillows and blankets to get extra cozy.
Additional Information
What’s the address? — 35 Milford St, Mendon, MA 01756
What’s the parking situation? — Find a spot in front of your screen once you enter.
When are they open? — The drive-in is typically open from mid-April to mid-December, rain or shine. Check out the latest info, showtimes, and schedule on the Mendon Drive-In website.
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