By the time Acura House of Energy officially opened its doors at 8 p.m. on January 23rd,, the line had already formed at 7:15. At Sundance, being fashionably late is starting to feel outdated. People want in early, while the energy is fresh and the drinks are still flowing.
Inside, the party was immediately busy. Blue lighting washed over the space, giving it a sleek, tech-forward feel that matched the night’s soundtrack. There were photo-ops in the different corners of the space. DJ Cardi kicked things off from 8-9 p.m. with steady techno beats woven into well-known hits, setting the tone as guests gathered near the DJ booth, dancing despite the fresh snow Park City had finally deemed us worthy to have.
The crowd pressed in quickly, with a long line forming at the cocktail bar almost as soon as the music started.
Acura House of Energy was designed to be accessible, open to the public, capped at 300 people, strictly 21-plus and it showed in the mix of attendees. Filmgoers fresh off screenings mingled with creatives, media members and plenty of out-of-state visitors looking to warm up and make connections. It felt less like a velvet-rope moment and more like a communal exhale after a long day of films and cold sidewalks.
“I love to relax after seeing a couple of films, so this was on my list to hit this weekend,” said Jason Goldstein, visiting from North Carolina. “Since I’m not a local, I really just want to meet people at this party and make some new friends.”
That sentiment echoed throughout the space. Sundance parties have always been about more than just music and drinks; they’re networking hubs disguised as dance floors. Within the crowds, guests compared screening schedules, swapped recommendations and laughed about the shared delusion that they’d somehow “just stop by for one drink.”
As the night went on, DJ Nice took over from 9-11 p.m., shifting the vibe, but keeping the room packed. People danced closer together, the lighting deepened and the conversations got louder. For many, it was the kind of setting Sundance thrives on casual but intentional.
“Coming to Sundance, for me as an actress, I want to meet filmmakers and producers to help my career,” said Sabrina Quijano, an aspiring actress visiting from Los Angeles. “We come to parties like this to have fun, but also to meet people in a relaxed setting.”
By the end of the night, Acura House of Energy had done exactly what a Sundance kickoff party should bring people in from the cold, turn the music up and remind everyone that the festival is as much about connection as it is about what’s on screen.
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This story is jointly published by Salt Lake magazine and non-profit Amplify Utah to elevate perspectives in local media through student and emerging journalism.
