Sisters in space: Katherine Taylor and Jessica Taylor-Mitchell open the Jupiter Club in Easthampton’s Eastworks
Published: 10-03-2024 3:49 PM
Modified: 10-03-2024 4:44 PM |
Sisters Katherine Taylor and Jessica Taylor-Mitchell were born to host, but they weren’t expecting to make a business out of it. Then, a sprawling 6,300-square-foot space with sweeping mountain views became available in Eastworks, and they saw the potential for something special.
“It sort of fell in our lap,” said Taylor. “We weren’t searching for a change of career in our 40s.”
The Jupiter Club lies in Suite 121, the former home of the Apollo Grill and subsequently the 121 Club, but those who frequented either of those previous establishments would hardly recognize the space now. Taking inspiration from the mill building that houses it, the Jupiter Club’s interior is a marriage of the elegant and the industrial, with a dark and moody cocktail lounge leading into a sunlit event space. Since opening in July, the cocktail lounge has been open to the public at the end of the week, but the sisters have plans to shift away from that model as their event bookings stack up.
“The idea is people can come hang out, have cocktails,” Taylor said. “Once they get in here, it sort of sells itself. Ultimately, our goal is to be a private event space and not have the cocktail bar.”
Making a space that “sells itself” didn’t come without its challenges. From replacing the kitchen floors to repainting and painstakingly screwing small light bulbs into new, elaborate light fixtures, Taylor and Taylor-Mitchell spent over a year making the space their own. While it’s been a labor of love, getting this business up and running seemed to them the obvious move to make once a space became available.
“We’re always together anyway, and this is our thing,” Taylor-Mitchell said. “If we had to pick a thing, it would be hosting parties, serving drinks and making spaces look nice.”
In addition to their main bar and event space, the Jupiter Club also will use a suite across the hall as a “flex space,” which the sisters envision being used as a bridal suite, dressing room or even a break room for people who want to get away from the crowd at their event.
While the physical space they have acquired offers opportunities for exploring different types of gatherings and decor, being one of the owners of a cocktail bar also has given Taylor-Mitchell the creative space she’s been craving to try out new drinks. Taylor-Mitchell has been racking up bartending experience over the years, and now she gets to craft menus that are entirely her own.
Article continues after...
Yesterday's Most Read Articles
From perfecting classic combinations of pineapple and rum to experimenting with blue cheese infused liquors, Taylor-Mitchell said she’s been having “a lot of fun” playing with flavors and visuals behind the bar.
“I’ve been creating drink menus cross-referencing recipes and using ChatGPT,” she said with a laugh. Taylor-Mitchell has been playing with ChatGPT as a way to come up with new recipes. She might ask it to combine different drinks, or to create something new with a seasonal flavor palette she gives it. Then, she said, she’s able to “talk to” the engine, asking it to make a recipe less sweet, or perhaps add bolder flavors.
Taylor-Mitchell also takes pride in the number of offerings made available to patrons. As she mixes drinks, those sitting at the bar can glance at the rows of bottles lining the walls behind her, the eclectic shapes and colors of the bottles reflecting the curated variety contained within. So far though, she said the crowd favorite cocktail has been the “Madam President” — a tropical mix of citrus, coconut and rum with a helping of Chai cardamom syrup.
The suite itself, located centrally on the first floor of Eastworks, also is a familiar one to Taylor-Mitchell. It was the site of her own wedding reception when she got married. She knows firsthand how the cavernous event space in Suite 121 serves as a blank canvas that can be transformed into a lively and unique venue, and when Eastworks hosts its open studios, she and her sister plan to participate by inviting the community to witness an example of that transformation.
Taylor explained that they plan to decorate the space as if for a wedding during open studios, allowing people to explore the space and imagine what their own event might look like there. They also plan to host an open studios after party for the artists and tenants in the building.
Though Taylor explained that the Jupiter Club is still in an “experimenting” phase and seeking to build a reputation as a premier event space in the area, they already have quite a few events on tap. Aside from weddings, corporate events and other private parties, the Jupiter Club also will be hosting several public events, such as the after party for the Monster Arts Project on Saturday, or the upcoming Ghoulesque show by Bon Appetit Burlesque on Oct. 12.
The sisters also believe that the versatility of the space, which can hold seating for 200 people, lends itself to small concerts, watch parties and other gatherings. Those who book the space also can customize their events with preferred vendors and caterers, as well as dedicated event coordination. The starting rate for renting the space ranges from $7,500 to $9,500 and includes tables, chairs, and white linens.
For those curious about experiencing the Jupiter Club’s unique ambiance firsthand, the cocktail bar is currently open from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, but this may soon shift to Fridays and Saturdays. The Jupiter Club also hosts monthly “lounge nights” featuring various kinds of music and beverages. More information on lounge nights and other events is available at jupiterclubevents.com.
Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.