Casa Bonita Performers Go on Strike After ‘South Park’ Creators’ Team Walks Away from Negotiations
Unionized performers at Casa Bonita — the iconic Denver-area restaurant revived by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone — are going on strike after contract negotiations with management broke down just ahead of Halloween.
The Actors’ Equity Association, which represents Casa Bonita’s cliff divers, roving actors, and other performance staff, announced the strike Wednesday. According to the union, Casa Bonita management abruptly walked away from the bargaining table after offering only a marginal 11-cent increase to its previous wage proposal, triggering immediate work stoppage.
“Despite that insult, the negotiating team responded with major compromises to try to get a deal,” said lead negotiator Andrea Hoeschen. “And then Casa Bonita walked away from the table without responding.”
Safety and Pay Concerns Fuel Worker Anger
The strike follows a months-long standoff over wages, layoff protections, and workplace safety. The union said its members — who voted to unionize in November 2024 and began formal contract talks in April — have repeatedly raised concerns about hazardous working conditions and unequal pay compared to other restaurant staff.
The dispute escalated in September, when performers’ hours were slashed to accommodate a Halloween pop-up event. In response, the union filed an unfair labor practice charge against Casa Bonita.
“They already pay basically the same wages to the servers and bartenders,” said Hoeschen. “Their insistence on paying dollars an hour less to the performers reflects a choice and a philosophy to devalue performers.”
Picket Line Forming Outside Restaurant
Striking staff will begin picketing the Lakewood venue at 11 a.m. Thursday, just in time for what was expected to be a busy Halloween stretch. The strike could put a serious dent in the venue’s seasonal foot traffic and disrupt scheduled performances.
Casa Bonita, a beloved kitschy institution in Colorado since the 1970s, was purchased and revamped by Parker and Stone in 2021. After years of renovations, it reopened in 2023 to major fanfare — but the latest labor dispute threatens to sour the high-profile revival.
Broader Implications for Performer Equity
The clash at Casa Bonita reflects a broader trend in the entertainment and hospitality sectors, where live performers are increasingly unionizing and demanding treatment on par with traditional staff. The Actors’ Equity Association says the outcome of this strike could set an important precedent for how entertainers are valued in hybrid venues that blend dining and live performance.
As of now, Casa Bonita’s management has not issued a formal response to the strike or indicated if they will return to the bargaining table. The venue remains open to the public, though it’s unclear how long the show can go on without its signature live performers.