Arts & Entertainment
Astoria's Bel Aire Diner Launches Drive-In Movie Nights
An Astoria diner is using its parking lot as a drive-in movie theater to keep locals entertained — and 6 feet apart — during the pandemic.

ASTORIA, QUEENS — An Astoria diner is turning its parking lot into a drive-in movie theater to keep locals entertained — and six feet apart.
Bel Aire Diner on Broadway and 21st Street kicked off its first drive-in movie night Thursday with "Grease" and will host early and late showings of "Dirty Dancing" Wednesday night.
Attendees can even get food and drinks from the diner delivered to their car while they watch.
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The movie nights are already a success: Both of Wednesday's showings are already sold out and the diner is getting inundated with messages about the program, according to an Instagram post.
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"It’s been amazing," Kal Dellaportas, the son of the diner's longtime owner, told the New York Post after the first movie night. "People are reaching out, asking how they can get involved."
View this post on InstagramThank you guys so much for coming out!! You truly made this an absolutely amazing evening. Everyone please get home safe and stay tuned for the next #belairedrivein
A post shared by BelAire Diner (@belairediner) on May 7, 2020 at 7:15pm PDT
Dozens of cars filled the parking lot next to Bel Aire last week for last week's "Grease" showing.
The diner even served themed snacks to go with the 1987 film, like "the ones that I want" mozzarella sticks, according to NY1.
Donations to reserve a spot for the Wednesday screenings are going toward an upcoming luncheon bash for the NYPD's 114th Precinct in Astoria, the diner said in an Instagram post.
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