An Interview With LUPEC’s Misty Kalkofen


Ladies United for the Preservation of Endangered Cocktails is a powerhouse group of women who gather to drink cocktails, help women’s organizations, and in their own words, “dismantle the patriarchy one cocktail at a time.” Recently we had a chance to catch up with LUPEC’s Misty Kalkofen, who also tends bar at Drink.

MP: What inspired the creation of LUPEC?
MK: A few things. I’d had read about the Pittsburgh chapter years ago and had always thought it was a very cool concept…the marriage of classic cocktails, women’s history and philanthropy. In January of 2007 I revisited their web site and the wheels starting turning. I personally had been trying to find a cause that I could donate time and energy to but was having a hard time deciding on one because there are so many that are so worthy. Also, due to life, work, etc I felt like I didn’t have many opportunities to exchange thoughts and ideas in a group of strong women. The wheels started turning and I decided to reach out and see if there would be any women interested in starting a chapter with me.

MP: What types of women are members of the organization?
MK: All types! We come from different backgrounds and age groups. Many of us work or have worked in the hospitality industry but not all of us.

MP: What seperates LUPEC from other social clubs?
MK: The multi-faceted focus of the organization is one which you don’t see very often. And we are marrying 3 topics that most people don’t usually see as necessarily compatible. For us, cocktail history in many ways walks hand in hand with women’s history. For example, proper women would not have been seen in a bar prior to Prohibition. Prohibition was the great equalizer as far as the barroom was concerned. And I think in order to properly support our fellow broads today we need to have a clear understanding of how we arrived at this point in time.

MP: What are some of LUPEC Boston’s favorite locations to have a cocktail?
MK: Drink, Eastern Standard, Craigie On Main, Rendezvous, Green Street , Toro, Tremont 647

MP: Any word on whether a LUPEC book will be coming out soon?
MK: Well we already have printed 2 editions of our Little Black Book of Cocktails, the proceeds from which have thus far benefitted the Friends Boutique at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the Women’s Wing of the New England Center for Homeless Veterans. And hopefully there will be continued interest so we can continue publishing and selling in for worthwhile causes.

[Photo: LUPEC]

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An Interview With LUPEC’s Misty Kalkofen