Photo: Chris Rouser
- Bardstown (Nelson County) Kentucky
Gypsy Drive-in Theatre: DARK
Built to last (in 1948), the formidable screen
tower of the Gypsy Drive-in remains, although
it hasn't been lit in over 15 years, having gone
dark in 1985. Possibly-theoretically it could be
revived, although there's no word on that yet.
Word is: that the site of this 400-car classic
is presently being used as a storage yard.
- Beaver Dam (Ohio County) Kentucky
Tri City Drive-in: 270-274-3168
located on Highway 231 (south of town)
The screen at this little Drive-in has remained lit
since 1954. It is one of the state of Kentucky's
coziest Drive-ins, with a capacity for around
200 cars, with movie audio provided now by
local radio broadcast in AM and FM. Open
seasonally, March thru October.
- Booneville (Owsley County) Kentucky
Moonlite Drive-in: 606-593-5370
located on Route 11 (1½mi south of town)
The second-oldest of Kentucky's remaining Drive-ins;
the Moonlite was built back in 1949. The original owner
had kept the screen lit for 35 seasons before finally
selling the old Ozoner. Interestingly, in 1995 it was
bought back by the son of the original owner. File
that one under: Bringing it on Home. The Moonlite
shines on summer evenings - wknds only (Fri/Sat)
wedged between traditional seasonal bookends
of Memorial Day and Labor Day. The screen is lit
with a single feature on Friday nite and a double
feature on Saturday nite. They have a capacity for
up to 200 cars and provide audio with traditional
Dr'in speakers as well as FM radio (the projector
here is the same one that's been in use since '49).
Admission: adults $3.50 Fridays; $5 on Saturdays;
children under the age of 12 are admitted free.
- Calvert City (Marshall County) Kentucky
Calvert Drive-in: 270-395-4660
located on Highway 95 (1mi south of Hwy 62)
The Calvert opened during the early days of
America's Drive-in boom, back in 1953, with
a capacity for up to 270 cars. The traditional
Drive-in speakers have been replaced with FM
(88.3) radio broadcast for the movies' audio.
They're open seasonally, April thru October.
- Corbin (Whitley County) Kentucky
Corbin Drive-in Theatre: 606-864-8170
located at 1311 Cumberland Falls Hwy (18th St.)
This single screen Drive-in has a capacity for
just over 300 cars, screening double features;
and frequently, first-run films just as they break.
Open seasonally, April thru October. Admission:
$3 for adults; $1.50 for children under age 12.
photo: Larry Forshee
- Franklin (Simpson County) Kentucky
Franklin Drive-in: 270-586-1905 / TollFree: 877-586-1905
located at 6250 Nasville Rd - Highway 31 W.
(3mi north of TN state line; exit 2 off I-65)
Originally known as the 31-West Drive-in, this old
single-screener is practically a Tennessee Drive-in,
being only a short throw north of the TN state line
(and less than an hour's drive north of Nashville).
It is exceptionally well maintained and still keeps
a couple rows with traditional Dr'in speakers up in
front near the screen, altho audio is primarily FM.
They're open seasonally, March-October; wknds in
spring & fall; 7 nites during peak summer season.
Admisson: $7 per carload covers all passengers.
- Hardinsburg (Breckinridge County) Kentucky
Irvington Drive-in: 270-756-2883
located on Highway 60
This old screen has been lit since 1957 for
up to 450 cars. There are also still some of
the traditional Dr'in speakers here, but audio
is provided primarily by FM radio broadcast.
They are screening double features and are
open seasonally, April thru October.
photo: Justin West
- Henderson (Henderson County) Kentucky
Starlite Drive-in: 502-827-5418
located on Highway 60 East
For anyone old enough to remember Drive-ins
with playgrounds, this is the Drive-in as you
remember it .. there's still a playground for
the wee folk beneath the Starlite's original
screen. Over time, there have been changes ..
a second screen was added, and movie audio
is delivered by FM radio now, although just as
the playground lingers, some Dr'in speakers
are still kept here for the nostlagically inclined.
Reminisce seasonally, May thru September.
- Jeremiah (Letcher County) Kentucky
Route 7 Drive-in: 606-633-9728
located on Highway 7
The smallest of Kentucky's remaining Drive-ins ...
has a cozy capacity for about 80 cars (although, we
have known them to squeeze-in as many as 100 cars--
couple years ago, when the screen was lit with Titanic).
This is eastern Kentucky mountain country (way east;
and, just about 20 miles west of the Virginia state line);
meaning: they're open seasonally, and, weather-willing,
they light their screen as early as the 2nd wknd in April,
and will keep'er lit thru the last weekend of September;
3 nites a week -Fri/Sat/Sun- weekends only. Admission:
only $5 per carload will cover any number of passengers.
In a few words or less-- you file this one under:
M for
Minimalist .. it's neat, but fairly basic, and just this side of
rudimentary, without being rundown or ratty. And as such,
it might just provide the inspiration for those who wonder
what's the bare minimum it would take to start a Drive-in.
- Lexington (Fayette County) Kentucky
see: Winchester, Kentucky
- London (Laurel County) Kentucky
London Drive-in: DARK
- Louisville (Jefferson County) Kentucky
Kenwood Drive-in: 502-368-6454
located at 7001 Southside Drive
Single screen with a capacity for up to 500 cars;
audio provided with FM (87.9) local radio broadcast.
Screening double features, usually with an 'encore'
repeat screening of the first movie on the schedule.
Open seasonally, weekends only (Friday/Saturday).
Admission: adults (12&up) $6; ages 11&under $2.50
- Louisville (Jefferson County) Kentucky
Preston Drive-in:
GONE
formerly located on the Preston Highway
photo: Steven Carroll
- Louisville (Jefferson County) Kentucky
South Park Drive-in:
GONE
formerly located on National Turnpike
- Louisville (Jefferson County) Kentucky
Valley Drive-in:
GONE
formerly located on the Dixie Highway
- Mayfield (Graves County) Kentucky
Cardinal Drive-in: 270-247-4790
DARK
located on Fulton Road (Hwy 45 South)
This is a first by us: the Cardinal Drive-in is still there,
and although it's been dark for a couple of years, it's
still in the movie business - in a sense; as the former
concession/projector building is now a video rental biz!
- Mount Sterling (Montgomery County) Kentucky
Judy Drive-in Theatre: 859-498-1960
located at 4078 Maysville Road
The Judy's single-screen was first lit-up way
back in 1956. They have a capacity for up to
300 cars; with movie audio provided by both
AM radio and traditional Dr'in speakers. The
Drive-in is open seasonally, April - October.
- Paris (Bourbon County) Kentucky
Bourbon Drive-in: 859-987-2935
located on Jackstown Road at Highway 68
The Bourbon has been owned and operated by
the same family since it first opened-up in 1955.
They screen double features on weekends only
(Fri-Sat-Sun) with audio provided by FM (88.3)
radio; traditional speakers are available also.
Admission: age 10&up $4.50; age 9&under free.
- Radcliff (Hardin County) Kentucky
Knox Drive-in Theatre: 270-351-3831
located at 514 West Vine Street
2002 might be the last season for this large
and venerable single-screener which hosts
more than 500 cars and dates back to 1954
(it has been operated by the same family for
nearly 20 years, but it appears unlikely that
their lease on the property will be renewed).
- Richmond (Madison County) Kentucky
Buccaneer Drive-in:
DARK
located at 2435 Lexington Road
photo: James Miller
- Somerset (Pulaski County) Kentucky
27 Twin Drive-in: 606-679-4738
located on Highway 27 South
The Highway 27 Drive-in Theatre came late
to the party, having been constructed nearly
a decade after the peak of the Drive-in boom,
in 1967. And feeling lucky - in their 13th year,
the owners added a second screen, and both
of their screens have remained lit-up, with a
double feature on each, seasonally, April thru
October. Admission: $4 adults; $1.50 children.
* this is one of only 2 of America's Drive-ins
which hosts an annual July fireworks display.
- Stanford (Lincoln County) Kentucky
Stanford Drive-in: 606-365-1317
located at 1645 Hustonville Rd (Hwy 78)
The second-smallest of Kentucky's Drive-ins has
a capacity for just 160 cars, and yet has managed
to keep hanging-in there since 1952, and if anyone
ever doubted that it could take a lickin and keep
right on tickin .. that was settled back in April of
1996 when a twister took the screen apart .. but,
three months later the Stanford was up & running
with a new 50' screen in place! They remain open
seasonally, April thru September. There is a FleaMkt
here on weekends (Apr-Oct), Sat/Sun from 7am-4pm.
- Stanton (Powell County) Kentucky
Mountain View Drive-in: 606-663-9988
located at 1327 East College Avenue
Shows a single feature on each of its two
screens; open seasonally, May - September.
- Tompkinsville (Monroe) Kentucky
Sky View Drive-in: 270-487-5359
located at 1500 Celina Road (2mi south of town)
The Sky View opened-up in 1953, with a capacity
for up to 350 cars, and remains open seasonally,
March thru October. Movie audio is primarily FM,
but there are still some traditional speakers in use.
Admission: adults (12&up) $5; ages 11&under free.
Sunday: Classic Car Nite (pre-1970 cars get in free).
- Winchester (Clark County) Kentucky
Sky Vue Twin Drive-in Theatre: 859-744-6663
located on Highway 60 South (10mi east of Lexington)
The oldest of Kentucky's Drive-ins which still
remain in operation was built back in 1945, with
a capacity for nearly 400 cars. It has 2 screens
(their second screen was added during 1991).
The Sky Vue screens a pair of double features
on wknds early in their season (March thru May);
and is open 7 nites during peak summer season.
Movie audio is provided with FM radio, and with
a number of traditional Drive-in speakers being
still in use in some of the rows which front their
oldest/largest screen. Admission: $5 (ages 12&up);
children of ages 11 years and under admitted free.