Bengies Drive-In Theatre

I have lived in Essex for over fifteen years and have been to Bengie's drive in many times. When I fist started going there is was a decent place not great. The bathrooms are old and need to be upgraded. The concession stand small and not very accommodating to many people. The parking is very bumpy. The lot looks like it has not been paved or made smooth in over fifty years. The sound system however, is good. About a year or two ago they changed their policy of bringing in food. You are no longer allowed to do this. You can't even bring in a drink. Everything must be bought there as far as snacks. Well, I thought that is not bad maybe they will fix the place up. When I went during intermission to get snacks the line was so long that I did not get back before the movie started again. Therefore, I missed part of the movie. The prices are so out in left field that to take just myself, husband and daughter cost over thirty dollars for sodas and popcorn. This is a little much. I have not been back to this drive in theater in a year because I saw no improvements in the lot or reduction in ticket prices. They used to play one family or child film and then an adult film. This was a family spot now they play mostly horror. I just think this is a waste of time and money. I will just rent the movie when it comes out and the price will be l be much less and the seating great. more

I have lived in Essex for over fifteen years and have been to Bengie's drive in many times. When I fist started going there is was a decent place not great. The bathrooms are old and need to be upgraded. The concession stand small and not very accommodating to many people. The parking is very bumpy. The lot looks like it has not been paved or made smooth in over fifty years. The sound system however, is good. About a year or two ago they changed their policy of bringing in food. You are no longer allowed to do this. You can't even bring in a drink. Everything must be bought there as far as snacks. Well, I thought that is not bad maybe they will fix the place up. When I went during intermission to get snacks the line was so long that I did not get back before the movie started again. Therefore, I missed part of the movie. The prices are so out in left field that to take just myself, husband and daughter cost over thirty dollars for sodas and popcorn. This is a little much. I have not been back to this drive in theater in a year because I saw no improvements in the lot or reduction in ticket prices. They used to play one family or child film and then an adult film. This was a family spot now they play mostly horror. I just think this is a waste of time and money. I will just rent the movie when it comes out and the price will be l be much less and the seating great. more

Where else can you see three movies for $9? And you can watch from the comfort of your car, with the volume set to whatever you want, especially great if you have a truck and can ‘tailgate’. Really, I would rather see a movie at Bengies than at the regular movie theater. Unfortunately, they are only open over the summer but they play different movies every week, usually 3 per night on Friday and Saturday. And they are first-run movies too, sometimes opening weekend, sometimes a week or two behind opening depending on how the schedule works out. You can buy snacks at the snack bar or pay for a ‘food pass’ which is what we usually do – so you can bring Chinese takeout or a bucket of chicken or any other guilt-inducing food you want. Its the best way to see a movie. more

My husband took me here for our first anniversary and it was so much fun! I can't believe that there aren't more drive-ins around. The Bengies is 90% full restored to it's original condition. You pull up and park your car in the grass facing the largest outdoor screen on the east coast and tune your radio to the movie station. On Friday and Saturday nights you can see 3 movies for $8 per person! They are msotly first-run movies too! I highly recommend the snack stand as well. I can't wait for them to open back up next season so we can go back! more

You must come see Bengies Drive In and watch a movie in the great outdoors!! This is one of the Baltimore landmarks! It is great to ring kids, they have never seen anything like this. Usually Bengies offers a trippple feature on old and new movies on the weekends. What a great deal! more

I remember going to the drive in as a kid and thought it was great. There was even a time as a teenager when I helped out at the Bengies because my parents worked there on weekends as a part time fun job. My now husband and I went there on our first date and will cherish the Bengies always. I can't wait to have children and take them there to enjoy the atmosphere as well. more

I don't know why drive-in movies didn't stick around longer. I love the movies but never go anymore b/c I can't rationalize paying a babysitter $50 so I can go watch an $8 movie. Well you can bring your kids with you and they can make as much noise as they want in the confines of your car. Plus the best part is that kids under 11 get in for free. Otherwise admission is $5-$8 per person. Well stocked and reasonably priced snack bar. more

Bengie's Drive-In theater is less about going to the movies than it is about just having a really fun night. The theater opened in the 50's and hasn't changed in any significant way since then (except you get to listen to the movie through your car stereo and not through a crackly speaker outside, although those speakers are still there!). The drive-in usually plays two or three movies per night, and they are generally first-run movies instead of things that have been out of regular theaters for a while. The movie screen is enormous. If you have the stamina, you can stay there until the wee hours of the morning. Go with friends if you really want to have a good time. The snack bar is huge and has an enormous selection of food, none of it good for you (and none of it really good, come to that, but it's still worth it, and you can't bring in outside food without a permit anyway). But, sometime into the second feature, I realized that drive-in theaters are a dying breed for a reason. It's just not very comfortable to sit in your car on a summer night for that long. It's hot and stuffy and you can't move your legs around very well. We didn't stick around for the third feature because we were getting so cramped. But I plan to back (maybe in a friend's larger car) at some point, just because it's so much fun. more

Bengies Drive In has been a local attraction for fifty years and is still going strong. Although there were worries over possible closure, this community landmark is something for all ages. Accessible from a main Baltimore road, Bengies packs a fun atmosphere. Friday through Sunday in the months between April and October, patrons pack in to see up to three flicks. The movies are always the latest releases and try to include any movies for the kids that they can. Snuggled between the flicks are cute retro commercials and funny commentator by the owner of the drive in. You can hear your movie via your car radio, so you can keep your AC on if it's humid, windows up if it's raining or heat on when it gets cold in fall. There is a full service snack shop with everything from pop corn to nachos. The prices are great compared to national chains on everything from tickets to food! Under $10 for three movies is a hard price to beat. more

Bengies has a playground under the screen for the kids to wear themselves out on before the movie and a food court with good snack type food reasonably priced. You can listen to the movie audio over your car stereo, which is really nice, and they almost always have a great movie selection. A family favorite! more

This drive-in theater is still open. They usually show 2 first run movies. On holiday weekends, they will show 2 first run movies. The most expensive admission price is $8.00 per person (for 3 movies). They also have a playground for the children to play on before the movies begin. You will see a lot of families there. This is a very good deal for the price. more