MARK NANCE/Sun-Gazette Alicia Koch of the Bullfrog Brewery delivers drinks to a car in the "mural" parking lot next to Bullfrog Brewery during the Bullfrog's "Car Hop Service" Saturday. Order are taken by phone or internet and delivered each hour from noon to 8 pm.

One local restaurant is working to embrace the creativity that has been forced out in the COVID-19 restrictions, said the owner — offering a drive-in service while working on even more ambitious plans.

Reusing the dining style made popular in the 1950s and 60s, the Bullfrog Brewery in Downtown Williamsport served more than 35 vehicles Saturday in the parking lot between the restaurant and Woodlands Bank.

“It was shooting from the hip and seeing if it worked and figuring it out as we went along,” said Steven Koch, owner.

Those who came were able to enjoy the “quasi-social” setting, while maintaining their social distance.

“It was overwhelmingly positive. People loved it and said they would definitely do it again. There were people who missed it and were upset that they missed it, so that’s a good sign.”

Attendees brought chairs, set them up next to their cars and were able to enjoy free home made root beer floats made with Eder’s ice cream, from Montoursville.

“You see some other people and carrying on conversations with their neighbors, and it was such a beautiful day it was a joy to be outside,” he said.

Koch said his wife called the city Codes Department to ensure the event could occur as planned.

Eight cars were taken every hour, on the hour, he said, and spaced out enough to ensure safety. Those inside the vehicle also put their orders in at least an hour before they arrived so that they would be served promptly.

“Everything seemed to go well,” said Koch. “We plan on doing it again, weather depending.”

For those who would like to keep up with the Bullfrog Brewery, he said they should like their page on Facebook and follow them on Instagram.

Plans are also being worked on to have a drive-in theater on the side of their building, he said.

“We had a giant billboard tarp donated by Lamar Advertising,” said Koch. “They happened to have one printed that they never used.”

The original 48-by-14 foot tarp was cut down to about 12-by-7 feet, he said.

A FM transmitter is also arriving soon, which will allow participants to tune-in to hear the movie’s audio.

“I’m trying to figure out how to park cars the best, I’m thinking about 20 cars worth of people. If it was overwhelmingly positive, we could have a late night showing with a limited menu if people were interested,” said Koch.

People should also follow the Bullfrog’s social media if they’re interested in this idea, he said.

Typically ideas like a drive-in theater and dining experience are ones that he’d take about a year to decide on and plan, but with the COVID-19 pandemic, Koch said it has allowed him to take more risks.

“This whole scenario sucks — the coronavirus, but the one positive about it is that I like the creativity that stems from being pressured,” he said. “This whole survival thing, it gives an urgency and immediacy to thought processes and how you pull things off.”