A post-pandemic desire for simpler times has ushered in an appetite for experiences that herald a bygone era. This can be seen locally in the explosion of Australiana: venues that are casual yet sophisticated, with nods to the stereotypes that defined our nation internationally for so long – big personalities, casual larrikinism and a sprinkle of kitsch.

When Denver’s Casa Bonita declared bankruptcy in 2020, generations of Coloradans mourned its loss. Luckily, thanks to their own childhood memories of the venue, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park and The Book of Mormon, saved Denver’s greatest family-friendly oddity. After a AUD $60m+ renovation, it’s slowly opening back up to great local and online fanfare.

Casa Bonita, Masters of:

01. The In-Joke

Beloved for decades in Colorado, and known globally because of a single episode of a cartoon that aired in 2003, Casa Bonita is a throwback for locals and cult destination for folks throughout the US and around the world.

02. A Literal Dive

Venues that cater to families often draw them in with supervised gaming zones or play spaces. Casa Bonita has faux waterfalls and cliff divers who, every 20 minutes, perform a series of death-defying dives to the delight of its patrons.

03. Menu Rebirth

Before its pandemic glow up, the venue was described by the New York Times as an “underground restaurant with food that many diners deemed barely edible.” Now, executive chef Dana Rodriguez, six-time James Beardnominee, is hoping to make the menu as destination-worthy as the cliff-diving shenanigans.

Follow along with the Casa Bonita revival via their Instagram.

This Trend Alert is excerpted from the A+ Future Trends Report 2024–25, a holistic deep-dive into what we know will impact hospitality operators in coming years. Learn how you can gain access to the full report here.