Social distancing presents: Carpool Cinema in Wynwood

Drive-in theaters are rising in popularity again as they provide a safe way to social distance and participate in an entertaining activity

BY EMILYS GIL, STAFF WRITER

Imagine this: classic films are streaming on the movie screen as you and your best friend split a fresh bowl of popcorn. At Carpool Cinema in Wynwood, customers can have this exact experience by simply channeling their inner ‘60s kid from the safety of their own car.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Miamians have been searching for ways to spend time outside the house while remaining safe from infection. Safety is the biggest concern for the owners of Carpool Cinema, which is how the idea of a drive-in theater came to be. By providing quality entertainment while also strictly following the Center for Disease Control (CDC) protocols, it is a safe haven that distracts and protects individuals from what is occurring in the thriller that is reality.

“I think that with everything going on this is something that we all need in order to feel better about the current situation. No one wants to be at home, but no one wants to go out and get sick either, so this is a good alternative,” sophomore Emily Serrallonga said.

Located on 2418 NW St., Carpool Cinema offers a wide selection of throwback films from the 1980s and 1990s including Pulp Fiction, Back To The Future and The Terminator. Carpool Cinema is open from Thursdays to Sundays. They offer two different screening times on every operating day, at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. to provide more people with the opportunity to come watch films. In order to listen to the movie’s audio, attendees tune their car’s radios to the station 88.5. In addition, subtitles in Spanish are offered to better accommodate the large population of Spanish speakers in Miami.

The ticket price is $45 per car, no matter the size or number of people inside. Parking is first come-first serve, except for SUVs and trucks which will be assigned to designated areas to avoid blocking the view for smaller cars. Customers are to stay in their vehicles at all times, unless a restroom break is needed, where staff will be there to guide customers. All customers must wear a mask while being guided to the restroom.

Rather than a traditional movie theater, Carpool Cinema offers the privacy and silence that one normally would not get when sitting next to strangers. When customers are in their own car, they have the option to multitask and not feel the stress one would normally feel when trying not to make too much noise. Now, there is no reason to worry about chewing popcorn or sipping the last bit of soda that is left a little too loudly.

What makes this drive-in theater special is their ability to create fun nights in a hands-off manner. Unlike a normal movie theater where every customer tends to have the same viewing experience, drive-ins allow those who attend the option of shaping their own adventure. Customers can safely put their own spin on this retro tradition by having a date night with their significant other or inviting friends inside the car for a movie night. Attendees often customize the interior of their cars by adding blankets, pillows, stuffed animals and even tables.

Although Carpool Cinema does not sell their own food, they do offer VIP Food Delivery from three nearby restaurants — Back Door Monkey, La Tiendita Taqueria and The Dirty Burger. These restaurants will have a server deliver food to cars and are all available to order at www.carpoolcinemawynwood.com.

Carpool Cinema is a great addition to the new COVID-19 world, providing a break from the tension of quarantine without the risk of getting sick. With guaranteed isolation, tasty food and a broad selection of movies, this location is guaranteed to be the next big trend.