History

Boulder Welcomes Sundance: A Historic Homecoming for The Sink

When news broke that the iconic Sundance Film Festival would be relocating to Boulder, we were thrilled—though maybe not entirely surprised. Boulder has long been a magnet for creativity, culture, and bold ideas, and few places embody that spirit more than The Sink. For us, Sundance coming to town isn’t just a major cultural milestone—it feels like a homecoming.

After all, Sundance’s most legendary figure got his start right here within our walls.

Rooted in History

In 1955, a young Robert Redford worked as a janitor at The Sink while attending CU Boulder. Long before he became an Oscar-winning director, actor, and founder of Sundance, Redford was cleaning up one of the most famous college hangouts around—immersed in the same creative energy that makes Boulder, Boulder.

Redford’s journey from our small restaurant and bar to the heights of Hollywood is a testament to what Boulder has always nurtured: a blend of grit, artistry, and independent spirit. That legacy makes the arrival of Sundance feel deeply personal—not just to The Sink, but to our whole community.

We’ve watched generations of artists, musicians, thinkers—and yes, a fair share of celebrities—pass through The Sink’s doors. From President Obama and Madeleine Albright to Anthony Bourdain and Guy Fieri, The Sink has always been more than a restaurant—it’s a gathering place for people with stories to tell.

The Future Starts Here: Welcoming Sundance 2027

The announcement that the Sundance Film Festival will relocate to Boulder has ignited excitement throughout our community. Governor Polis expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "Colorado is thrilled to welcome the Sundance Film Festival to its new home in Boulder starting in 2027." ​

This move is expected to bring significant economic and cultural benefits to Boulder. The influx of filmmakers, artists, and film enthusiasts will invigorate local businesses, including restaurants, hotels, and shops. The Sink is eager to embrace this new era, offering a welcoming space for festival-goers to gather, dine, and celebrate the art of storytelling.

As a cornerstone of Boulder's vibrant cultural scene, The Sink looks forward to contributing to the festival's success. From hosting events and collaborating with filmmakers to simply providing a space for creative minds to connect, we’re excited to be a part of this new chapter for our town.

A new era rooted in history

For more than a century, The Sink has been part of Boulder’s story. As our town evolved, we’ve welcomed over a hundred years of CU students and generations of families, welcomed the stars, and celebrated art, food, and culture along the way.

Sundance’s arrival is a celebration of Boulder’s creative spirit, independent energy, and love of stories that connect and inspire us.

We’re honored to be part of this new chapter as Boulder takes center stage in the world of film.

2027 can’t come soon enough. And when it does, we’ll be here—ready with open arms, awesome food, cold drinks, and a few stories of our own.

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THE SINK: THE REST[AURANT] IS HISTORY

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THE SINK: THE REST[AURANT] IS HISTORY

The Museum of Boulder is about to become a portal into The Sink's vibrant past! From August 24th to January 14th, you can engross yourself in the unique art and history that makes The Sink so iconic. This immersive experience delves into the restaurant's history and the vibrant counter-culture surrounding it, including relics from the past, art, music, and an interactive component for visitors near and far.

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Documenting 100 Years of The Sink

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Documenting 100 Years of The Sink

As we entered The Sink's 100th anniversary, we knew we had a remarkable story to tell—the tale of a Boulder institution that has stood the test of time and been the backdrop of countless memories and shared moments. 

As the current caretakers of The Sink, we felt a deep sense of responsibility to share some of the many stories that have unfolded within these walls and pay tribute to everyone who played a role in making it what it is today.

The Sink Remodel: A Plumbing Story with Terry

The Sink Remodel: A Plumbing Story with Terry

Terry and his buddy Moe owned M&T plumbing and did plumbing for Herbie when the restaurant transformed from Herbie's Deli back to The Sink in the late 80s. While working on the remodel, the artist Llloyd Kavich was repainting the walls. "He was an eccentric guy," Terry said. "The next thing I knew, my caricature was on the wall…

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100 Years of The Sink from the Coloradan

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The Coloradan's Lisa Friedrich Truesdale has written a captivating article about The Sink's 100th anniversary, tracing our history and some fun memories from CU alums. We want to thank Lisa for her excellent work bringing our story to life.

The Sink has served generations of CU Buffs in its 100 years in business. Here are some highlights from the insightful article:

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Press: Boulder Weekly Celebrates The Sink's Centennial

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January 26, 2023

In case you haven't heard, The Sink turned 100 this year! For a special anniversary issue of The Boulder Weekly, Colin Wrenn sat down with us to talk about this momentous milestone, history, upcoming celebrations, and more.


Read the full article here. 

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The Sinkburger & America’s Favorite Sandwich

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If you’ve ever been into The Sink, you’ve walked underneath Llloyd Kavich’s “Sinkstine Chapel” on the ceiling of the entryway. This brilliant re-creation of Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Man” shows God handing a Sinkburger to Adam and perhaps some Sink Rats. The Sinkburger is a classic hamburger made with shredded American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and The Sink’s famous hickory sauce.

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A Letter From John Lund: My Recollections of The Sink and Boulder 1954-1958

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Boulder, at that time, was a “dry town”  – i.e. no alcohol could be sold – even though you could buy it outside the city limits.  Thus, the only “non-alcohol” you could buy was 3.2 beer (3.2% by weight or 4.0% by volume).  Since it was “non-alcoholic” you could drink it when you were 18.  The other beer tavern that I remember on the hill was Tulagi’s just up the street (now closed).  Named for the island in the Pacific where a major WWII battle was fought depicted by a giant painting on the wall – and I think the owner’s son participated in the landing (and was killed), and the other was “TTs” or Timber Tavern on Arapahoe St. in downtown Boulder.

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View fullsize Closing at 3 PM today! See you on Friday! 🦬🏈🍔
View fullsize 🌴 Dreaming of bold flavors? Meet Cauli-fornia Dreaming: Seasoned ugly crust topped with garlic parmesan sauce, melted mozzarella, Madras spiced chicken, roasted cauliflower, apple slices, golden raisins, and green chilies. Finished with dill crema,
View fullsize Is anyone else feeling the Thanksgiving spirit?🧡Our new Candied Yam Soup is sure to get you there with its creamy sweet potato puree, cinnamon, brown sugar, and warm spices, topped with toasted marshmallows, crispy sweet potato chips, and fresh pars
View fullsize Did you know our cocktail specials are only $6 during happy hour?? 🤑 3 pm – 5 pm Sunday – Friday, you get: 50% Off Sink Cocktails 50% Off Draft and Canned Beer 50% Off Mile High Spirits 50% Off Wine 50% Off “Mocktails” $2 Of
View fullsize Celebrating one of the biggest recruits in CU football history with the new Perfect Timing Burger! 🔑🍔 A juicy cheeseburger with shredded lettuce, red onion, crispy bacon & A-1 aioli. Available NOW at The Sink. Swing by and celebrate with us Buf
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View fullsize Happy 100th Birthday Miss Peggy!!! We hope it’s the best ever 🖤💛🖤💛
View fullsize We’re open! #skobuffs 🦬🦬🦬