Showtime Again: Casa Bonita Entertainers Return to Work After Three-Day Strike
Performers at Denver’s legendary Casa Bonita will be back on the job this Sunday after a three-day strike that captured the attention of fans across Colorado. The Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), which represents the restaurant’s cliff divers, magicians, puppeteers, and actors, announced Saturday that it reached an agreement with Casa Bonita management to enter mediation — a key step toward resolving ongoing contract negotiations. “We have an official agreement to engage in mediation, which presents a real opportunity for productive movement toward a contract,” said AEA’s lead negotiator, Andrea Hoeschen.
Casa Bonita’s management told FOX31 they are pleased that the performers will return to work as scheduled. The performers had been on strike since October 30, citing what AEA called the restaurant’s “failure to deliver meaningful wage proposals” during months of talks. Negotiations between AEA and Casa Bonita have been underway since April, following a successful vote to unionize in November 2024.
The return to work marks a hopeful turning point for one of Colorado’s most iconic and eccentric dining experiences, where entertainment is as much a part of the meal as sopapillas and cliff dives. While details of the mediation remain private, both sides appear optimistic that Casa Bonita’s performers — a defining feature of the restaurant’s charm and legacy — will soon have a fair and lasting agreement.
