AMHERST — In a small vestibule in the basement of 30 Boltwood Walk, at the end of an awning-covered ramp leading to Brick & Mortar Realty’s office, music can be heard coming from what appears to be a wall of filing cabinets.

For those who know how to make their way through a concealed door in the wall, what awaits is a place where they can order mixed drinks and original cocktails and a space featuring brick-lined walls and arched openings, with eclectic decor such as artwork featuring scientific drawings and paintings through the ages.

Those not familiar with The Archives, though, first have to get there. They may first try the locked door to the real estate office, before finding a handle in the filing cabinets to make their way in.

This process of discovery has been part of the appeal of what some are calling a speakeasy, an almost secret drinking establishment, that opened late last summer.

“We like to think of it as a place you bring your friends and have it be somewhat of a surprise for them,” says Greg Stutsman, who created The Archives concept with his brother Jeff Stutsman.

While Greg Stutsman said speakeasy connotes a specific era, usually Prohibition in the 1920s where establishments sold alcoholic beverages illegally, The Archives is not evoking that image and is fully permitted and legal.

The Stutsmans took space in a downtown building most recently occupied by the Kaiju restaurant they had run, transitioning that to takeout and delivery during the pandemic and then closing it last spring. “We did a pivot and thought this would be a great use of the space,” Greg Stutsman said.

“Part of the charm of the space was that it’s off the main drag and hidden away,” he added.

Both have worked in restaurants and run establishments for many years, and also are able to draw on their familiarity with similar venues.

“The basement space reminded us so much of the great cities around the world that have similar bars tucked away,” Jeff Stutsman said.

Seclusion by design

The Archives goes out of its way to remain secluded, even though it is just steps away from Town Hall.

“We have no outside signage,” Jeff Stutsman said. “It’s not a published address.”

“We won’t be putting a sandwich board out on the street, I can tell you that,” Greg Stutsman said.

Publicity has come from Instagram, other social media and old-fashioned word of mouth, the brothers said. Even as word as gotten out, the element of surprise remains and its online presence states, “find this hidden bar in downtown Amherst for craft cocktails and a collection of curiosities.”

Part of the fun with the place came at the block party in September, when some who came downtown that night were given business cards advertising The Archives. But those cards didn’t have its name or address, only an A on one side and a QR code to scan on the other side for a general description of its whereabouts.

In fact, the Amherst Business Improvement District had a similar Facebook and Instagram social media campaign. “Ready for a secret? Downtown Amherst has a new hidden gem of a bar, a speakeasy tucked away? Can you find it?”

BID Executive Director Gabrielle Gould said she appreciates what The Archives means for downtown nightlife coming out the pandemic. “The Archives continues to reinforce Amherst as an incredible place to work, live and play,” Gould said.

While some of the element of surprise may be fleeting, that atmosphere is what the Stutsmans hope will continue to draw people. It is open from 5 p.m. to midnight Tuesdays through Sundays.

Once inside, cocktails and more

The selling point is the 14 original and classic cocktails, Jeff Stutsman said that the menu explains the contents of each drink, with an aim for them to be approachable and novel.

Among the original creations are the Sinaloa Sling, for $16, with tequila, mezcal, aperol, lime, grapefruit cordial and tajin, and the Study Abroad, also $16, with sipsmith gin, beet shrub, cynar 70, lemon and honey syrup. Some are also available as non-alcoholic. Classics include the Naked & Famous, for $15, with mezcal, yellow chartreuse, aperlo and lime, and Bijou Blanc, for $16, with plymouth gin, green chartreuse, suze, dolin blanc and dolin dry.

Other drinks are draft beers, red, white and sparkling wines, whiskeys and scotches, all under the auspices of Robert Garrison, the bar manager, one of six employees.

“Having a conversation with the bartender can expand the menu,” Garrison said.

The Archives doesn’t allow outside food and drink, but small snacks and desserts are available like the Potato Potato Dip, with potato chips, potato salad and bacon, and Creme Brule, with choice of fall spice or cappuccino, a partnership with CremeBru.LA. Though there is a kitchen, no entrees are available.

So far, the Stutsmans have found a diverse crowd in the space. While not part of the bar crawl for college students, they are welcome, along with young professionals and people going to or coming from a show at The Drake or a film at the Amherst Cinema. Greg Stutsman said the business community and town have been welcoming.

The actual build out included putting up a new wall for the real estate office, where Greg Stutsman, who is also a realtor and owns The Quarters arcade in Hadley, can meet with clients. That shrunk the size of The Archives space, making it more intimate, with the bar the focal point and imitation candles providing much of the light. It has a capacity of about 50.

The Stutsmans aim to prioritize the experience.

“People can escape from Amherst and their worries,” Greg Stutsman said.

The art on the walls is a collection of conversations reflecting the natural sciences “The academic nature of this region was a focal point,” Greg Stutsman said.

Within the bar is a popular area called The Lounge that features vintage furnishings, including couches, lamps and a large wall curtain.

“This is a place people can linger and have conversations,” Jeff Stutsman said. “It’s so nice that you can remove yourself from the world when you’re down here.”

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.]]>