The highly anticipated Stranger Things Drive-Into Experience has finally opened to the public in Downtown L.A., and we’re giving this Hawkins reunion an Eleven!
Driving into the nostalgia inducing Hawkins High Reunion, put on by Netflix and Fever along with Secret Cinema, you’re immediately thrown into a time warp not only to the 1980’s but to a different world altogether. The neon-lit journey begins with a Starcourt Wash that acts as a real life portal transporting you into the strange and upside down world of Hawkins, Indiana.
With science teacher Scott Clarke welcoming alumni and keeping the party going on stage, you can “explore” the food court for snacks like Scoops Ahoy ice cream where Hawkins heartthrob Steve Harrington will be doling out scoops,
along with other classics like popcorn, corn dogs, pizza, sodas, and a variety of candies.
Waiting for the lot of 1980’s classes to arrive, you’ll tune into the show by way of the AV Club’s designated radio station.
Here you’ll be directed by Mr. Clarke to play games like car twister and trivia with other parked cars at the reunion, and listen into the private messages of the Stranger Things troop as they scramble between cars with their signature walkie talkies in hand.
While in the Starcourt Mall’s lot, you’ll also be able to snag some awesome Hawkins and Stranger Things merch to fully immerse yourself in the narrative unfolding all around you.
As you continue your drive through ROW DTLA’s 400,000-square-foot space, your favorite Hawkins characters take you through the Stranger Things series’ most important and popularized moments from all 3 seasons—with a frightening glimpse into what’s to come in Season 4! (But don’t worry, there won’t be any spoilers…though deep down we secretly wish there were…)
With the town’s Covid chemical leak safety measures adhered to at every turn, the experience succeeded in hosting a safe reunion—sans the occasional demogorgon, of course—that not only saved the Class of 1985, but debatably the Year of 2020 Theater as well.
At a time where live performance theatrical experiences have been brought to a halt, this massive production by Netflix and Fever has changed the preconceived ideas of what live theater is, can be and the vast room for creativity our current health constraints have forced us to think about.
The Stranger Things Drive-Into Experience is expected to run until Spring 2021, so there’s still plenty of time to get in on the supernatural fun!