A vintage-style drive-in movie theater has opened at Wayback Barn, a four-acre property at 3964 County Road 168 in north McKinney, giving area families a new spot for outdoor movie nights that comes bundled with mini-golf, axe throwing and a whiskey bar. The Wayback Drive-In held its grand opening from Nov. 6 through Nov. 8, with screenings of The Sandlot, Top Gun and Toy Story.
A Boutique Take on an Old-School Format
According to Community Impact, Wayback Drive-In opened Nov. 6 and is now offering regular movie showings. The business website, cited in that report, says the theater runs weekly screenings on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with the full schedule posted online. Sound is broadcast via FM radio straight to attendees' vehicles or portable radios, and the site notes that vintage radios are also available to rent for those who want to lean into the retro feel.
A single drive-in movie ticket covers admission to the entire Wayback Barn property, not just the screening, per the same report. Moviegoers can pick up popcorn and boxed candy, and the four-acre grounds include pre-show games like tetherball, gaga ball, cornhole and horseshoes. The venue also offers rentals for private and corporate events, school groups and watch parties.
Mini-Golf, Axe Throwing and a Hayloft Bar
Beyond the screen, Wayback Barn's website lists mini-golf, axe throwing, a play space and live music among its offerings, with the Hayloft Bar & Griddle serving as the property's food and drink hub. That spot's menu includes sandwiches such as a pesto grilled cheese, a Texas charcuterie board and a hot dog basket, and its whiskey bar carries more than 10 varieties alongside beer, wine, spirits, old-fashioned sodas and other non-alcoholic drinks, the website states.
For golfers, an 18-hole mini-golf course winding through the natural landscape is available for an additional $6, according to Local Profile. The outlet describes Wayback Drive-In as the only drive-in movie theater in McKinney and one of the few still operating in North Texas, a notable distinction for a format that has largely faded from the region.
Owner Says Goal Is Getting Families Off Their Phones
Wayback Barn, which Local Profile reported first opened in early December 2023, is co-owned by Laura O'Dowd, whose vision for the drive-in centers on pulling people away from their screens and back outside together. “We wanted to give families a reason to slow down, share a meaningful experience, and turn movie night back into an outdoor social event,” O'Dowd told the outlet.
O'Dowd has also said the purpose of the project is to get people off their phones, outside and spending time together, and that the setup gives parents a dose of nostalgia while offering children a safe place to play before the movie starts. She described the theater as delivering cozy retro vibes and movies under the Texas night sky, and said she hopes it draws families with kids as well as couples on date nights and groups out for girls' nights.
