Bike-In at the McAuslan Brewery: The summer’s best cycling stop

For the fourth year in a row, Film Pop—in a new partnership with Pop Montréal—turns the drive-in dinner-and-a-movie on its helmeted head with their annual Bike-In music, food and film event. This Saturday, McAuslan Brewery will be the destination for many a cyclist looking to enjoy some classic (and free) summer staples: grilling, games, outdoor music and a movie. Conveniently, the brewery is located just off the Lachine Canal bike path, so simply pedal your way down the island (grab a Bixi if you have too!) and follow the tantalizing smell of BBQ.

The big film hook this year is a screening of the punk-rock standard, Ladies and Gentlemen, the Fabulous Stains, from 1982. Lou Adler’s hair-crazy piece centers on a young Diane Lane and two fellow orphan rockers blowing up on the tour scene as the Stains. With the epic ’80s look and cult-following down pat, the Stains will be a most excellent just-after-sunset showing planned for nine o’clock—though summer activities will be running throughout the whole afternoon.

In particular, Film Pop has managed to acquire local DJs Annie Q and Roland Pemberton to provide for the musical side of the Bike-In’s entertainment, presumably spinning in the sun by the grill. There’s some talk as well of a hotdog eating competition—surely to combat all those calories burned on the bike ride over. Either way, this year’s event promises to fill up a bright and smog-free afternoon-into-evening for cyclists and punk-enthusiasts alike. Hotdogs, frisbees, DJs and ’80s films: Film Pop really knows how to do summer right—just don’t forget to wear your helmet.