The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 8 letter word DRIVE-IN
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
D
R
I
V
E
-
I
N
More clues leading to the result DRIVE-IN
- Daughter torn about island allowing vehicular access
- Republican in seedy bar visiting cinema, perhaps
- Foursome in shabby diner that serves meals on wheels?
- Endless coffee? I have to enter that roadside refreshment stop
- Split in row, some kind of cinema?
- Place where film shows doctor starting to inject blood vessel
- Help yourself to food right in theatre, perhaps
- Drip not quite where it should be, serving motorists
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "serving motorists" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case serving motorists = drive-in.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does DRIVE-IN mean?
DRIVE-IN noun- An outdoor cinema where movies are projected onto a large screen and patrons watch from inside their vehicles, listening either by a speaker or a designated radio frequency.
- A restaurant where patrons remain in their vehicles to consume their meals; the meal may be ordered and delivered to one's vehicle by a carhop waiter; or may require patrons to use a service counter. The cars in the parking lot serve as the patrons' dining room, there being a lack of dining rooms and tables.
- A drive-through restaurant where patrons remain in their vehicles and order food and beverages via a speaker phone; the meal is delivered by a service window accessible by car.
- (of an establishment) Providing service to patrons who remain in their automobiles.