Julep Bar: Rock, without the hard edge

The drinking experience at nightclubs is dreadful unless you are into being ignored by indifferent women in tube tops — which sounds like my early 20s, come to think of it. But does it have to be? Yes, it does.

OK, maybe not. Boston has welcomed a slate of clubs this year that have aimed to enhance the cocktail experience in the club setting, like Descent, Storyville and the most recent Financial District opening, Julep. The rebranding of a onetime rock ’n’ roll-themed club, Julep has one thing going for it already: At least it’s not Revolution Rock Bar. 

Trish LaCount, the consulting beverage director of Julep, also runs the show at  Blue Inc. —  which is connected not only in spirit, but literally. The two share a kitchen, and Julep’s owners have a part interest in Blue Inc. LaCount is conscious of the disconnect between quality at the bar and a downtown Boston nightlife atmosphere.

“Revolution was a great place at one point,” she says. “I think, oftentimes in the club scene in particular, you have to refresh. With us coming in at Blue Inc., it drove the change that they wanted to make over there.” 

To that effect, LaCount has installed a menu of old cocktails and higher-quality spirits than you’d usually find getting spilled all over your shoes on a dance floor.

“Revolution ran into the problem that it really had the look of a nightclub even when it was five in the afternoon,” she says. “I think that can be off-putting.”

The redesign of the room has given it a softer, lounge feel than a twentysomething’s first post-Hard Rock Cafe training-wheel bar.

“It’s a challenge to switch from such a club-driven environment and cater to the after-work crowd. So far we’ve been really successful, really lucky — and conceptually, we’re where we want to be.”

Julep’s concept

The concept of Julep differs from LaCount’s designs at Blue Inc., which tend toward the whimsical and experimental. The menu offers traditional classics, like a Corpse Reviver, Aviation, Paloma and the bar’s namesake, Julep. She’s got an eye on the trendy-classic cocktail programs that have thrived, but would like to cut out the pretension, she says. If all goes well her standards will persist, even when the sure-to-be-crowded bar transitions into a night spot. To alleviate that potential problem, the featured cocktail menu will only be available until 10 p.m. on Monday through Friday. LaCount attests: “The people coming in after work are not the same people coming in at midnight on a Friday. We’re in the perfect area for it. That area is screaming for something a little more high-end. We’re happy to do it.”