University Hill enters a new era
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University Hill in Boulder. Photo: Mitchell Byars/Axios Boulder
University Hill is growing up — but whether that's a good thing in the long run remains to be seen.
Why it matters: New hotel development and a fresh mix of businesses are reshaping one of Boulder's most distinctive neighborhoods and raising questions about whether the Hill can evolve without losing its student-centered character.
The big picture: The city has spent years trying to solve one of the Hill's fundamental economic problems: Its fortunes have traditionally risen and fallen with the CU calendar.
- City officials have pushed for more year-round activity and a broader mix of customers and businesses, especially post-COVID.
- Meanwhile, safety concerns surrounding underage drinking and large, out-of-control parties have also plagued the area.
- The effort to bring year-round business to the Hill is getting a major boost from the 2025 arrivals of the Moxy and Limelight hotels and higher-end restaurants.
- The added beds will also be crucial to the impending arrival of Sundance.
Yes, but: The Hill walks a fine line not to price out students — the area's lifeblood for the bulk of the year.
- The start of construction on the Moxy in 2021 forced out student favorites like Cosmo's, No Name Bar and Bova's.
State of play: Football season puts the Hill's past — and the stakes of its changing future — on full display.
- On game days, the neighborhood is a bridge between generations of CU fans, as students mix with alumni returning to familiar bars, restaurants and shops they frequented decades ago.
So with the Buffs' first home game around the corner, we take a look at the Hill favorites to help you plan your game day:
🍕 The Sink, 1165 13th St.: An institution since 1923, the walls are a living history of Boulder, adorned with signatures of former students and celebs like Guy Fieri and Bill Walton.
- Keep the game-day theme going with the Sink's legendary Buff Mac, a mac and cheese dish with buffalo sauce and chicken.
🥪 Half Fast Subs, 1215 13th St.: The longtime sandwich shop, which survived a fire a couple years ago, is a student favorite known for its enormous menu of food and equally formidable drinks.
- You can't go wrong with any of their cheesesteaks or po' boys.
- My thought bubble: In case the folks at Half Fast are reading this, please bring back the country-fried steak sub.
🧋 Lollicup, 1142 13th St.: This one offers a personal nostalgia trip for me — I was hanging out here with my friends drinking boba drinks before I knew boba was a thing.
🌯 Illegal Pete's, 1124 13th St.: The original location of the now-regional chain opened on the Hill in 1995, and though it moved around the corner in 2014, it's still a neighborhood favorite.
- I usually go for the fish tacos and burritos, since I can't get that at Chipotle or Qdoba.
🍛 Gaia Masala & Burger, 1116 13th St.: This late-night favorite blends Indian and American comfort food, serving everything from tikka masala and biryani to burgers, cheesesteaks and masala fries.
- Make sure to try their momos in chili sauce.
🍗 Fat Shack, 1110 13th St.: If someone with the munchies opened a restaurant at 2am, Fat Shack is what you'd get. Sandwiches stuffed with onion rings and chicken tenders, plus mac and cheese and mozzarella sticks.
- Get the deep-fried Oreos and dip them in the shake.
- Then renew your gym membership.