1968: Diane & Layne in the mountains of Boulder wearing a Sink tee.
For years, stories floated around about a couple who got married at The Sink, and doormen held crossed mops like swords as the bride and groom walked through the entrance. The story lived on as Hill folklore—until now.
Back in 2018, we posted this photo of Layne and Diane Holmes posing on rocks in Boulder, Layne wearing a vintage Sink Angel tee. Little did we know, this was the same couple who we had heard stories about.
An Epic Reception at Boulder's Most Iconic Restaurant
Thanks to Marianne McElroy Ueber and Wendy Stone, the full story came to light. Their parents, Layne and Diane ‘George,” were married on June 21, 1968, in Herb Kauvar's basement. "Herbie" and his wife Gilda served as Best Man and Matron of Honor. The reception? Right here at The Sink in Boulder, where Layne worked—and where he first met Diane.
And now, for the first time, you can see the photos for yourself—including the iconic moment where they did actually walk under crossed mops into their wedding reception. These images capture the joy, energy, and unforgettable vibe of that day.
"If it weren't for The Sink, my sister and I would not have been. My dad passed in 2003, and we weren't sure if these photos even still existed. But I finally got a chance to dig through some boxes and found them," Marianne shared on Facebook
Late '60s in Boulder and Herbie at the Helm
Back in the 1960s and 70s, The Sink wasn't just a bar or burger joint—it was a gathering place for CU students, counterculture, and live music lovers. With graffiti-covered walls, 3.2 beer on tap, and an atmosphere buzzing with energy, it captured the spirit of the times. At its center was Herb Kauvar, a larger-than-life owner who helped shape Boulder's cultural identity and made everyone feel part of something bigger. You can read more about Herb's legacy at The Sink here.
Love Stories at The Sink—Then and Now
Layne and Diane's story is one of many. These stories aren't rare. They're part of what makes The Sink so special.
Peter and Suzie Gilbert
Take Peter and Suzie Gilbert. They met at The Sink in 1959, just a few years after a young Robert Redford was working as a janitor at The Sink while attending CU. That meeting sparked a marriage that lasted over 60 years, resulting in three children and ten grandchildren. Now in their 80s, the couple recalled The Sink as the place where it all began—a moment of connection that became a lifelong partnership. You can read more about their story in The Yellowscene Magazine.
Love stories are inked into the ceiling and carved into the wood grain of the old Sink bar. It's not just about amazing food, crafted drinks, or even the historic art-covered walls. It's about moments, magic, and a place where love—real love—seems to show up again and again.
Got your own Sink love story? We'd love to hear it—or better yet, come in and make your own!
