Introduction

Did you know Syracuse University used to be home to one of the most popular music clubs in Central New York? From 1969 to 1985, the basement of the now-demolished Kimmel Dining Hall welcomed some of the greatest musical acts of the time, including Talking Heads, James Taylor, and the Godfather of Soul himself, James Brown. The student-run, alcohol-serving nightclub became a renowned spot for anybody—both students and locals—looking for music and a good time. Nowadays, what was once known as Jabberwocky (or “the Jab”), and eventually became the MakerSpace, is just a mountain of rubble. The building was demolished earlier this year as part of a university effort to build more residence halls and increase student housing on campus. But the Jab lives on! Browse through this 360 image and learn more about the iconic rock ‘n’ roll club that now only lives in the memory (and photographs) of its most loyal regulars. Follow the numbers and look at the pictures, then, click on the arrow for a different perspective of the site.

How It All Started

Named after Lewis Carroll’s nonsense poem in the novel “Through the Looking Glass,” Jabberwocky came to be as part of a University Union effort to build a student union building in 1969. Unable to make that goal come true at the time, the university designated the empty, 2,800 square-foot Kimmel Dining Hall basement to UU, and thus, the Jab was born. During its first years of operation, the club served as a “de facto student union,” according to local musician and Jab regular Gary Frenay.

Jab Programming

The on-campus club not only served alcohol but also had a complete food menu, serving fast food staples like burgers, sandwiches, fries, and popcorn. The Jab was never a dull place as it offered different programming throughout the week, including open mic nights, trivia contests, boogie (disco) nights, and—what it is most known for—live band shows.

What Did the Jab Look Like?

The Jab at Its Peak

From 1969-1985, the Jabberwocky club became a beacon for small artists in Central New York. According to Founding Director of the Bandier Program, David Rezak, the music industry became aware of the "launch pad" potential of a small university venue in Upstate New York. Its proximity to New York City and its coverage in local media like WAER radio and the Syracuse New Times meant record labels could send their new artists and test them out with a small yet prominent crowd. Among these "new" artists were acts that would later go on to become superstars like Talking Heads, James Taylor, Bonnie Raitt, Taj Mahal, and Cindy Lauper. "I mean, [it was] just a litany of incredible artists coming to Syracuse," Rezak said.