Once upon a time, Portland was home to six drive-in movie theaters: places like the Powell Boulevard, the Amphitheatre and the Super 99. The latest incarnation—complete with speakers, projectors and an industrial popcorn machine the size of a small car—could be on its way to a vacant lot in the Kenton neighborhood.
But for now, that new drive-in is sitting in Mike Atkins' garage.
Atkins and Seth Sonstein, the respective owners of Clinton Street Brew Pub and Theater, had hoped to show their first movie under the stars on an Argyle Street property in North Portland (blocks from the Paul Bunyan statue) as early as Memorial Day. But the duo have found themselves wrapped in bureaucratic red celluloid, trying to change the lot's zoning without spending thousands of dollars.
A city land-use review—needed to change a property from industrial to outdoor recreation zoning—requires a $4,800 application fee. "That's an impossible gamble," Atkins says, "for a small-business owner trying to do business Portland style." So the drive-in equipment, salvaged in February from the defunct 30-acre Valley Drive-In of Oceanside, Calif., continues to gather dust while Atkins and Sonstein seek another clean, ill-lighted space. They've gone through 18 so far, in an effort to open the first drive-in within city limits since the Foster Drive-In was demolished to make way for an office park in 1999.
Enter Sam Adams and his traveling limelight. The arts-loving city commissioner's office has been in talks with the Clinton Street entrepreneurs, and Adams tells WW that his staff was "impressed with their proposal." Adams has personal reasons for supporting the rebirth of outdoor cinema: His Kenton house is just four blocks from the original proposed site. And what better way for a mayoral hopeful to score points with his audience than by ushering in a new, old film experience?
So there's still a chance that Portland's first drive-in in decades could open by the end of the summer. Meanwhile, there are plenty of other local options for watching stars under the stars.
Top Down Film Series: So you can't park and see a movie; why not see a movie where you usually park? The NW Film Center's film series atop the Hotel DeLuxe's six-story parking garage comes complete with Gracie's grub and cocktails, Sierra Nevada beer and performances from local bands until dusk settles. Screenings include Stanley Kubrick's The Killing and Sullivan's Travels, the Preston Sturges classic road movie. 8 pm Thursday nights July 26-Aug. 30. 729 SW 15th Ave., 221-1156. $7.
Flicks on the Bricks: A slate of movies in "Portland's living room"—chosen, appropriately enough, by popular demand (at pioneercourthousesquare.org). Don't even think about bringing beer. Dusk Friday nights, July 20-Aug. 17. Pioneer Courthouse Square, 715 SW Morrison St. Free.
Bike-In Movie: All the nostalgia, none of the greenhouse gases. That's the idea behind the occasional film night at the Hawthorne Hostel, which includes live music and food from Tofurky and Nature Bake. On the other hand, you have to watch movies about bicycles. 7 pm Friday, June 22. 3031 SE Hawthorne Blvd., 236-3380. Free.
Free Monday Movies: Old 16 mm reels cover themes from "teen crisis" to "exploitation" at Mississippi Station. Dusk Mondays, June 18 and 25. 3943 N Mississippi Ave. Free, naturally.
99 West Drive-In: The nearest authentic drive-in is a 40-minute trip to Newberg. But you can see Spider-Man 3 again! 3110 Portland Road. See wweek.com for showtimes. $11 minimum per car.
