The 88 Drive-In Theatre — Local services in Commerce City

To whom it may concern: I’m writing based on my own personal experience on this matter, I’m stating as accurately as I can and sticking to the facts, and will even offer some constructive suggestions even though this establishment is likely to close at the end of the 2024 season. Previously I had visited the 88 Drive In located at 8780 Rosemary St in Irondale neighborhood of Commerce City owned by Susan Kochevar since April 1976 according to her LinkedIn page. It is typical to find a line of cars on the eastbound side of Rosemary St going back a half a mile or more since the car capacity is set at 500 cars. It was a long wait but we finally got in and it was right at dusk when we parked. The ticket booth was open on both sides during this visit and there was no issue with the verbal instructions given by the attendant. At the concession building I witnessed at least one patron voicing concerns over wait times for warm food items as we waited patiently. The concession offerings we tried were the cheeseburger, popcorn, a pretzel, and a funnel cake. The cheeseburger patty and cheese tasted artificial, the bun was very chewy, as was the cold, bland popcorn. The pretzel was stale, and the cheese sauce did little to change the taste. The funnel cake tasted like bread sprinkled with talcum powder, and would’ve had no flavor if it wasn’t for the chocolate syrup we put on it. Subsequently, I’ve chosen to bring my own snacks because that food I consumed soured my stomach for the next day and a half. The events on October 13th, 2024: Arrived just after 5pm and patiently waited for an hour for them to open the gates. One male employee in a white t-shirt opened up all the gates including the inner ones to the parking spaces. I pulled up to one side of the booth that was open for cars (left was blocked off by orange cones) and waited for the booth to open. 5 minutes after all the gates were opened nobody was in the booth. People behind me started honking, I found signage on the booth window which stated to pull forward and take the first right for tickets, I followed the posted directions. The employee who had opened the gates flagged us to go back but several cars behind me had already drove past the booth so I couldn’t go back. I parked and went to find the manager who was already coming out of the building. I explained that I was there to buy a ticket, as instructed by the writing on the booth windows. She stated I’d have to exit and go all the way around and get in line again. Mind you, there were already cars lined up behind us during the hour long initial wait that went back 1/2 mile or more. I asked why I couldn’t just pay for my ticket there since I had already been waiting, and she stated again to exit and go back in line, with no further explanation or attempt to compromise. I said that I didnt want to do that, I wanted to stay where I was and just buy my ticket. Again she insisted I go back around. I expressed that it was a ridiculous policy, and asked for her supervisors name. At that point she just paused, then told me I needed to leave and not come back. I asked why I had to leave, and asked for her supervisors name again. A male employee in a dark t-shirt came up and both started name calling. I replied how “polite and cheerful” they were, I admit to taking on a sarcastic tone but in no way was I disrespectful or call them names. The female employee shouted “Byeeee!” several times and waved louder and louder each time. They chose to make it personal instead of being reasonable. So I left through the gate surely for the last time. On the slim chance of the establishment continuing for another season I offer the following: If you want to remain profitable, please overhaul the concession offerings. Clarify the processes and don’t open your gates until you have someone in the booth ready to sell tickets. Train staff to be focused on the customer experience over ridiculous policies, be reasonable. If the current staff is unable or unwilling to learn some “soft skills,” hire staff that...

2025 update; I may have been too harsh in my earlier review. But I really care about cinema. And I adore drive-in theaters. It would be so easy to make this place a must go destination for this area of CO. But unfortunately my earlier review still stands. Although slightly modified.

Ive still encouraged my friends to come and to spend money at the concession stand. Which is where this place has any chance of making money. I hope with more concessions sales they will attempt to fix some pretty critical flaws here.

2021 review, 2025 revised; This place can be so much better! But they don't even try. It's the only one for 100 miles in any direction. This could be a popular destination that charged twice as much! Unfortunately people just bring carloads of kids to keep them occupied while the parents get drunk between the cars. So why would the owners care about fidelity or cinema? I would be here every weekend rewatching the same movies three or four times, if they would take the time to fix their 3 biggest problems;

First and foremost the bulb is going out on the projector and the projection is very, very dim and a horrible quality. CAN NOT SEE IT! I repeat you can barley see the screen. I understand how expensive these bulbs are. But the price is offset by the longevity of these bulbs And it's integral to the entire operation! Given my experience in this industry I'm guessing this bulb to be at least 20 if not 35 years old. The bulb in their projector is older than 75% of their clientele, lol.🤦🏼

Second is a massive array of giant halogen parking lot lamps and security lights from Lowes behind the screen. Making it impossible to see the screen with the tragically outdated projection bulb they're using. Imagine trying to see a dim laptop screen when It's positioned in front of the sun. Just a black silhouette is all you see. This would EASILY be fixed IN LESS THAN 15 MINUTES OF LABOR by hanging a curtain ( vinyl or thick cloth) at the bottom of the screen. Less than $50 including labor. I would be happy to come out and do it for you! DM me please! {Has anybody from your establishment even asked them to use the appropriate shielded lighting for their warehouses? They are technically in violation of Colorado light pollution laws & statutes. Lowe's should be fixing this for free on their end. But they're not going to do it unless you ask them to in writing. It's a very easy and simple solution that only requires you to make one email to their corporate office. Has anybody even tried?}🤷🏼

The third and equally bad problem, is the archaic radio system. It's 2021 (2025 now) and they are literally STILL using a radio broadcast antenna from the '60s! The 60's! They have not made their system compatible with any radio app out of the hundreds that exist today! (It's not hard and it's free why aren't you doing this? Please God, dm me I can help you fix this) They have not made their system compatible with any Bluetooth apps that are plentiful and cheap, 2021! (2025¡) 🥱

You would think three movies (2 movies now; 2025😢) for $10 would be worth it. But what does it matter if you can't see it or hear it! Is it just an excuse for adults too get wasted and let the screen babysit there feral children? If they are interested in any sort of actual longevity (instead of falsely announcing that they're closing each year to drive up revenue) they will take their profits from this year and fix these three things. This would make them an entertainment staple in colorado! And a date destination for everyone in denver! As it stands though just a daycare for drunkards.

On the other hand. If you don't care about films at all & just want to get shitfaced while a screen baby sets your kids, have I got a...

As a customer of this movie theater for years I must say this year has been utterly disappointing for several reasons. To begin I want to make it clear that I have been very supportive of this drive in, we go multiple times a month in the summer and try to support the theater by always purchasing from the concession stand. However I cannot see us going back after the past three interactions from this summer. To begin, my first time going to this theater this summer I was overcharged on my card and was charged twice to get in, I still have yet to receive a refund for being charged $24 twice but that was no big deal. My second time going to the drive in this summer the women's bathroom was overflowing and backed up and there was feces all over the bathroom floor. I ended up having to leave during the middle of the second showing because my child and I had to use the bathroom and they had no alternative for those of us who had to use the restroom. I did not receive a refund during this visit as well. However, we did not want this to change our opinion of our favorite movie theater and we decided to try and see a movie again last night and that was a horrible idea. We got there and half the drive-in was taped off because of an excessive amount of water, so parking was scarce. We were driving around for 20 minutes when we were finally approached by staff. We told this yong kid we couldn't find parking and they insisted on giving us a refund because they did not know what to do. As the young boy proceeded to get us a refund (that took an additional 20 minutes), something we didn't ask for but was demanded to us, we were able to find parking but, they would not let us stay. They told us that since we had already received a refund we could not stay. I had kids screaming and crying in the car because all they wanted to do was enjoy the movie like we had intended on doing. However, we were forced out at the beginning of the first movie because of the theatres inability to plan accordingly for the amount of people they had allowed to enter into the theater. All the kid had to do was point us in the direction of a parking spot but, we were kicked out, after paying for no reason. I am so disappointed in the direction this theater is heading and it is so unfortunate that we can no longer support a place that has been a huge part of our family since before all our...