New Braunfels Drive-In Theatre Offers Customers Blast From The Past

By Stacee Collins

Whether its tuning in to the latest blockbuster film on a car radio or ordering fresh funnel cakes from the 50s Café, Stars & Stripes Drive-In Theatre provides fun-filled activities for people of any age to enjoy.

Ryan Smith, owner and creator, said the first Stars & Stripes Drive-In Theatre was built April 2003 in Lubbock. He wanted to expand the family-owned business by constructing another location in New Braunfels April 2015.

Located in New Braunfels, the outdoor theater opens at 6:30 p.m. year-round. Smith said admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children and free for kids aged 3 and under.

Smith said the original inspiration for Stars & Stripes came from his grandfather’s Sky-Vue Drive-In Theatre in Lamesa, Texas.

Taylor Schwartz, manager, said New Braunfels was an ideal location for the theater because it targeted customers from Austin to San Antonio and everything in between.

“Even though it’s a little bit father drive for some people, it’s the only drive-in that they have close to them,” Schwartz said. “It’s been modernized to where it’s cool to bring back the memories of going to the drive-in when the adults were younger.”

Smith said the drive-in was built with modern amenities, including digital projection, high definition picture and audio through a car stereo or portable radio.

“People love the drive-in because it’s like they get to step back in time and experience something that was from a simpler time when things were slower,” Smith said.

Smith said the New Braunfels location offers three movie screens, two of which are the biggest in Texas. The theater shows movies in double feature format, where customers can watch two full-length films for the price of one.

“That’s really part of the history of drive-ins,” Smith said. “They’ve showed movies in a double feature format. People just love it. It’s a unique experience.”

Schwartz said one of the most anticipated films at the drive-in is Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

“For our bigger movies like Star Wars, we start selling tickets in advance,” Schwartz. “I know people are excited for that one.”

Schwartz said the theater shows films rain or shine. However, attendance is highest during the summer, when the theater had record-setting nights.

“The bigger summer movies that came out like Avengers, Minions and Jurassic World—we sold out of those screens,” Schwartz said. “We had about 3,500 people out here.”

Gunnar Hirst, manager and head cook, said Sky-Vue Drive-In had a 50s theme, and the Stars & Stripes café decided to continue Smith’s grandfather’s idea.

Some of the menu items include hot dogs, fries, Icees, burgers, funnel cakes, popcorn, pickles and more.

“I really enjoy the milkshakes that we make because we put a lot of money into how we make them and the specific cream that we use,” Hirst said. “That’s where we get a lot of money from and people really appreciate that.”

Hirst said people are more inclined to spend money at the 50’s Café because there isn’t a long walk to order movie munchies.

The café features a patio where customers can eat and relax in between movies, and Smith said the drive-in will eventually have live music on the patio.

Other special events are hosted at Stars & Stripes drive-in, including classic cars on display.

“It’s really neat to see them in a setting like they would have been in back when they were new,” Smith said. “It gives parents a chance to teach the kids about how things were made and why they were made a certain way.”

Schwartz said drive-ins used to be prominent all over the country until indoor theaters took over the industry.

However, drive-in theaters are making a comeback, Schwartz said.

“Drive-in theaters were almost extinct, I think, before Ryan had the two that he has right now in Texas,” Schwartz said. “I think there’s less than a dozen of them just in this state alone.”

Schwartz said the drive-in is perfect for any age.

“It’s great to bring a family to and it’s a great date night thing,” Schwartz said. “It serves plenty of purposes.”

Hirst said employees at the drive-in focus on being able to provide a place where people can make memories.

“This is definitely a unique experience because there aren’t that many drive-ins left,” Hirst said. “The ability to come and make memories with us will form lasting memories that you can remember throughout your whole life and that you’ll always look back on.” 

This article originally published by the University Star.