Juniper Provides a Potent Escape in Providence

Morgan Clark Snyder Jr. and Brian Oakley put their own spin on craft cocktails at the hidden speakeasy, Juniper. Photography by Angel Tucker

What was the original plan with Juniper? Was a high-end cocktail bar always the vision? 

The PVD Sour. Photography by Angel Tucker

Morgan Clark Snyder Jr.: It was always intended as a cocktail bar, but high-end was never the term we looked at. Conceptually, we always wanted to have it be whimsical and fun and represent our personalities in ways we can’t express in other things we do.

Brian Oakley: We originally talked about what we thought we’d do when we retire. We thought it’d be fun to do a hole-in-the-wall amaro bar, and then a week later, Morgan was like, ‘I have keys to this weird room. Let’s do it.’

You guys, especially you, Brian, have a presence on Juniper’s social media. How did that come to be?

Brian: Buttonwoods was moving locations, so I was alone a lot while Morgan was tending to that. Suddenly, being alone was part of it and with working at Julian’s, Pizza J, being a dad and a husband, I really don’t have much alone time. The bar, in its small way, facilitates that need as well as a creative need. In those quiet hours where it is just me doing prep and listening to Bowie, I get to pose those introspective questions and moments you see in the videos. A lot of the videos are just me talking to myself. Sometimes the videos are not menu drinks, but riffs of me just playing around.

Morgan: It’s his inner dialogue. My working theory is that the videos are Brian’s brain on camera. He’s so pop-culture focused, it comes out in the Reels.

Oakley adds zest to the Señor Tortoise. Photography by Angel Tucker

Your head bartender, Justin Brody, has a background as a chef. How do you think his understanding of ingredients plays into his mixology? 

Morgan: It influences his mixology skills. His knowledge retention level is incredible. We ran out of Nonino [a type of Italian herbal amaro] one time and he improvised. He loves getting people excited about what we do.

Brian: Morgan and I are more into conceptualizing while Justin is more scientific. I joke with him that he’s like C-3PO. He understands ingredients and is so passionate about it.

What do you think makes Juniper different? 

Morgan: Our uniqueness stems from the fact that we don’t think we’re unique. We’re just trying to have a good time and create a good atmosphere with genuine hospitality. Treating everyone like they’re the most important person in the room goes a long way.

Brian: It’s a space for all people. With our other jobs, we don’t have connection like we get to have here. It’s a place where I personally can be myself and relax and let what happens happen.

Check Instagram for the week’s password. Juniper, 55 Cromwell St., Providence, instagram.com/juniperbar_ri

The Señor Tortoise. Photography by Angel Tucker