The first half of the 2025 Sundance Film Festival is in the books, taking with it an array of extraordinarily exclusive VIP events, parties, panels, and celebrity gifting suites. From highly curated conversations with Broadway’s brightest stars and Hollywood’s A-List elite, to luxurious wine tastings, celebrations of diverse voices, incredible musical performances and spa-like treatments, this year’s festival promised unforgettable experiences, and it did not disappoint.
In fact, Sundance Film Festival, 2025 had some of the best invite-only lounges in recent memory, giving attendees a true taste of luxury, an escape from the icy cold winter air, wind and snow. Out of the dozens of high-profile brands that tried, and often failed, to deliver a truly premium experience, here are the top five best VIP lounges that Sundance 2025 had to offer.
5. Shutterstock Chalet and Portrait Studio
Dates: Jan. 24-26, 2025
Location: 558 Main Street
FINAL GRADE B-
This cheeky ski chalet-style two-story lounge featured award-winning Hollywood photographer Jay L. Clendenin, who created a custom invite-only portrait studio exclusively for official festival photos, of which attendees could witness in real-time from monitors located around the venue. Everyone’s favorite moving picture maker, GIPHY, created made-to-order custom GIFs for all celebrity attendees and VIP guests.
(Celebrity Attendee Tyler Sebago at GIPHY, Photo Credit Pop Wrapped Entertainment Group)
(Celebrity Attendee Tyler Sebago at GIPHY, Photo Credit Pop Wrapped Entertainment Group)
The chalet lounge provided warm refreshments and of course, who could forget Entertainment Weekly’s exclusive Awardist Must List Party, which was packed to the gills with some of Hollywood’s most celebrated talent.
Celebrity guest attendees included “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” star Rose Byrne and director Mary Bronstein; “Kiss of the Spider Woman” star Tonatiuh; “Rebuilding” stars Josh O’Connor, Meghann Fahy and Kali Reis; “Love, Brooklyn” stars André Holland, DeWanda Wise and Roy Wood Jr., and director Rachael Abigail Holder; “Oh, Hi!” stars Logan Lerman and Molly Gordon, and director Sophie Brooks; “Bubble & Squeak” stars Himesh Patel and Sarah Goldberg; “Peter Hujar’s Day” stars Ben Whishaw and Rebecca Hall, and director Ira Sachs; “Together” stars Dave Franco and Alison Brie, and supermodel, Tyler Sebago.
The second story balcony, overlooking main street, was great for gawking, people watching, and snowball fights, and attendees were given complimentary lip balm and hand lotion, which was a cute touch for those of us struggling in the 10-degree weather. The Shutterstock Chalet, however, was sorely lacking in musical ambience of any kind, and felt rather empty at times.
4. Music Lodge and Media Studio
Dates: Jan. 24-26, 2025
Location: 255 Main Street
FINAL GRADE: B-
Music Lodge has a long and storied history in Park City as the oldest continuing invite-only VIP lounge of its kind. At its peak, Music Lodge attracted more than 90% of all celebrities attending the Sundance Film Festival and has gifted millions of dollars in gifts to its celebrity and VIP guests since its debut 20 years ago. Music Lodge has hosted unforgettable performances by legendary musicians such as Sting, John Legend, Andra Day, Foo Fighters, The Doors, Arcade Fire. Its media studios have also welcomed Neil Young and the late great David Crosby.
Hollywood’s top stars have always been ingrained in the fabric of the lodge, including Jack Black, Nicole Kidman, Hilary Swank, and Daniel Radcliffe, as they have joined key media for intimate fireside chats in past years.
For the first time this year, the Music Lodge hosted the International Media Center attracting foreign journalists with global audience and viewership of more than one billion, including the UK’s BBC, France’s Canal Plus, Spain, Germany, the United States, Italy, Brazil, Dubai and the Middle East, and Australia.
2025 saw a massive reduction in offerings from Music Lodge, especially in the music and gifting department, however, what Music Lodge lacked in ambience, it made up for in experience.
Invite-only celebrity VIP guests had a chance to relax by the fireplace with an endless abundance of cocktails, and zero-proof mocktails. A special Wellness Lounge offered a sanctuary feel and an array of special treatments that included Oxy Health Hyperbaric therapy sessions to recharge & recover on a cellular level, CellSound Aesthetics to tone & tighten the face and body with no side effects or downtime, Enlighten Wellness chair massages and “Rise and Shine” yoga sessions w/ celebrity DJ/TV star Jon Gosselin, ReClinic vitamin drips, peptide therapies and a multitude of pick-me-up shots.
Music, however, was not entirely lost in this year’s offerings. Special performances by members of Smash Mouth, Train, and a spectacular performance by Careshmeh French-Dean breathed life into the space. Legendary DJ, and reality TV star, Jon Gosselin, kept the crowd moving in between panels.
Founder, event producer and marketing expert, Lisa Precious has constantly evolved Music Lodges’ annual offerings, creating decades of memorable Sundance Film Festival events.
“Twenty years ago, what began as a collaborative idea with a friend has grown into a festival legacy I’m deeply honored to steward. The Music Lodge has become a celebration of creativity in all its forms, where actors, musicians, and filmmakers come together to merge something truly unique, which grew into worldwide media coverage and hosted press studios. This event was really built on the dreams and efforts of so many incredible individuals. I’m endlessly grateful for the support that has allowed this vision to thrive,” Precious said.
3. Chase Sapphire Lounge
Dates: Jan. 24-28, 2025
Location: 660 Main Street
FINAL GRADE: B
Chase Sapphire Reserve returns to Sundance Film Festival for its 15th year as a presenting sponsor, and although this lounge is not technically “invite only,” it is exclusive, and it was packed, almost to the point of uncomfortable at times. Chase Sapphire Reserve card members and a guest are only able to gain entrance by showing their credit card at the door, and of course, there were a ton of high-profile celebrity special guests who were invited to partake in all the festivities.
VIP guests enjoyed a private photo studio offering a token reminder of their attendance, with Director Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson being one of the first celebrities to take advantage of the commemorative opportunity.
Throughout the weekend, pop up events took place frequently at the lounge, including the Twinless cast party, with special guests, director James Sweeney, and actors Aisling Franciosi, Dylan O’Brien, and Lauren Graham posing for photos, and dancing the night away.
On Friday, January 24, Himesh Patel, Sarah Goldberg and Dave Franco greeted guests at the “Bubble & Squeak” cast party, where an exclusive Q&A took place. Conan O’Brian also made a star-studded appearance along with Sarah Jessica Parker.
Broadway, and TV superstar, Sara Bareilles, who wrote the music for and appeared in Broadway musical, “Waitress,” made a surprise special appearance, immediately following her performance at Sundance Institute’s Friday night fundraising gala. “Waitress” was nominated for Best Original Score at the Tony Awards.
This year also featured an all-new restaurant pop-up experience located adjacent to the lounge. As per the rest of the experience, restaurant reservations were only available to Chase Sapphire Reserve card members. Chase described their flagship lounge as “a comfortable place to unwind in between Sundance Film Festival events and screenings.” We’d have to agree.
2. Acura House Of Energy
Dates: Jan. 24-27
Location: 550 Swede Alley
FINAL GRADE: B
Also celebrating its 15th year as a presenting sponsor at Sundance Film Festival, Acura went all out for its’ “House of Energy.” The ample, multi-use space was bustling with activity from sunup to sundown.
What made this lounge great was the partners Acura was able to attract, and the panels, events, and shows those partners had to offer. Partnerships with IMDb, ASCAP, Gold House, and Variety, plus events with GLAAD, WIF, and Producers Guild of America made for a very memorable weekend, which celebrated much of what makes independent filmmaking great.
Highlights included film partnerships with Max Walker Silverman’s “Rebuilding,” starring Josh O’Connor, Meghann Fahy and Kali Reis, Rachael Abigail Holder’s “Love, Brooklyn,” starring André Holland, Nicole Beharie, and DeWanda Wise.
Acura, of course, had plenty of A-list panels, happy hours, and a “Women In Film” hosted brunch for women, nonbinary, and trans filmmakers. The space also hosted the ASCAP Music Cafe, a brand-new installation by stop motion auteurs the Ambriz Brothers and the Acura ZDX, an all-electric vehicle that’s been designated the “official vehicle” of Sundance.
Overall, due to premium programming, the lounge was a great success, but oftentimes felt impersonal, cold and corporate, much like a car dealership.
1. Ericka Nicole Malone Entertainment Indie Directors and Creators Lounge
Dates: Jan. 24-27
Location: 427 Main Street
FINAL GRADE: A+
(Ericka Nicole Malone On The Red Carpet, Photo Credit: Pop Wrapped Entertainment Group)
The winner of this year’s award for best invite-only VIP lounge was a no-brainer. Unlike nearly every other VIP lounge at Sundance, the Ericka Nicole Malone Entertainment Indie Directors and Creators Lounge truly was an exclusive, immersive, invite-only, star-studded affair.
(Printz Board & Butter Funk Family Performing, Photo Credit: PopWrapped Entertainment Group)
Ericka Nicole Malone, in her fifth year’s offering, struck ambience perfection in having a gorgeous lounge that looked rich, but never self-indulgent, felt full, but never crowded; engaging, but never overwhelming, with music that was loud, but never overpowering. Thousands of flickering candles cast a warm glow, over the more than ample space, a stark contrast to the snowy weather just outside, the temperatures dropping to below zero at times. Everything about this lounge felt luxurious, but cozy and approachable.
(Ericka Nicole Malone Lounge Audience, Photo Credit: Pop Wrapped Entertainment Group)
This year’s extraordinary program included exclusive performances, appearances and conversations with some of the biggest names in entertainment, including Broadway legend Cynthia Erivo, star of Wicked, and THE COLOR PURPLE, for which she received Tony, GRAMMY, and Emmy Awards, hip hop royalty DJ Spinderella, Printz Board and the Butter Funk Family, the soulful melodies of electric/acoustic rock & soul artist Jessica Betts; Niecy Nash-Betts; Wendy Raquel Robinson, DJ Pee .Wee (Anderson .Paak, Silk Sonic): DJ Q-Nice; Mali Music; and the Salt Lake City Mass Choir.
(Ericka Nicole Malone, Jessica Betts Niecy Nash-Betts, Wendy Raquel On Red Carpet, Photo Credit: PopWrapped Entertainment Group)
Supermodel, Tyler Sebago, oversaw all the red-carpet arrival interviews, including exclusive, intimate, sit-down conversations with all the biggest stars, including Board, Betts, and of course, Malone herself.
(Printz Board & Supermodel Tyler Sebago, Photo Credit: PopWrapped Entertainment Group)
“Cashmere and Chocolate, was this years’ theme, chosen to honor and amplify diverse storytellers while addressing important issues facing underrepresented voices in the entertainment industry,” said Malone.
The lounge was unquestionably the premier three-day activation during the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. The event took place from January 24-26, 2025, at The Cabin, 427 Main St., Park City, UT 84060.
Over the years, Malone has welcomed icons Ruth Carter, Ken Whittingham, Rose Catherine Pinkney, Robi Reed, the legendary DJ Spinderella, SWV, and many, many others.
As for what’s next in 2026, Malone tells us exclusively, “It will be worth the wait.” – of that, we have no doubt.
All of the photos included in this copy are courtesy of PopWrapped Entertainment group, and are provided at no charge, with unlimited, non-exclusive use.
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