Hamptons Drive-In

Man, I was thumbing through this art book today at Nina Bourne's pad on the ocean in Sagaponack, while getting her house winterized, when I came upon this 1974 painting of the drive-in below. Nina, approaching her mid-90's still works as a editor at Random House. Anyway the Hamptons Drive-In opened about 1955 on Montauk Highway in Bridgehampton. The place would be open from May to September and show two movies beginning at sundown. There was a refreshment stand and a playground for the kids. The place was popular with young couples in the 50's and families in the 60's. In the 70's it was a place to go to drink beer and smoke pot. Hurricane Gloria blew down the screen in August 1976. One evening about 1am after a night of drinking, I drove off with the speaker still attached to my van. Should have kept it. I hear they draw good prices these days. Anyway with the price of real estate being what it was, the place closed around 1982 and is now King Kullen shopping center. The screen was located where the Southampton Police sub-station is today. Wish it were still around.


The Hampton's Drive-In as depicted in this 1974 painting