Molly’s Gemini Room: Redefining Salt Lake’s Nightlife

Molly’s Gemini Room is the newest and sexiest addition to Salt Lake City’s nightlife scene. Formerly known as Kennedy’s Cabaret, Molly’s Gemini Room officially opened in April under new owner Emilyne Guglietti. The rebrand promises Salt Lake a never-before-seen fusion of erotic dance, freestyle choreography, burlesque and live music. 

Guglietti has been a performer for 10 years, though owning a club is a relatively new career path for her. “[Opening a club] was a thought that had occurred to me but I didn’t think it was something I could do,” Guglietti says. “I didn’t know anyone who had done it or how I’d go about doing it. … I worked as a stripper for years, and seeing that the industry was not being run by women was curious to me. It’s a female-dominated field, but none of the leadership roles are being filled by women. I was like, ‘Man, I wish there was more of that.’ And then that turned into, ‘Should I be someone doing that?’” After that realization, Guglietti officially began the journey of opening Molly’s Gemini Room. 

Utah, a historically conservative state, has fewer sexually-oriented businesses (SOBs) than more progressive areas. Los Angeles has its fair share of SOBs and is home to Jumbo’s Clown Room which, according to Guglietti, is one of the most influential fusion clubs. Guglietti drew much of her inspiration for Molly’s Gemini Room from Jumbo’s Clown Room, saying, “It was a fusion in a way I hadn’t seen before. There were cabaret elements, there were pole dance elements and then there were stripper aspects that were just kind of fused together.”

Guglietti has spent her career performing under the stage name Molly Mormon, an overt yet humorous acknowledgment of the struggle of working as an erotic dancer in Utah. The business’s new name, Molly’s Gemini Room, was partially inspired by Guglietti’s decade of being Molly Mormon. “I chose Gemini in part because of my Gemini rising, in part because astrology is hot right now and in part because I like the duality of twins,” Guglietti explains. “My public persona has been Molly Mormon since I started dancing. The juxtaposition of being someone who had been Mormon when I started and going on to have success as a stripper felt like the twins: dualistic.”

“I chose Gemini in part because of my Gemini rising, in part because astrology is hot right now and in part because I like the duality of twins.”

Molly’s Gemini Room promises a sultry yet fun, sensual yet playful atmosphere. With a pledge to cultivate a fusion club to rival all others, Molly’s Gemini Room is sure to become a pillar in the nightlife community where patrons will see dancers who perform in all genres of erotic dance.  

Guglietti’s dedication to prioritizing the safety and enjoyment of performers fosters a vibrant and energetic atmosphere and showcases her commitment to reshaping industry norms. “I feel like I’ve been trying to get through to the industry that the path towards most success is to start treating these women with more humanity and more kindness and more respect,” Guglietti says. “That’s where my intentions came from, and that’s where my intentions are going forward.” This commitment will only further cultivate compassion and dignity, bringing the industry a new era of empowerment.

“I feel like I’ve been trying to get through to the industry that the path towards most success is to start treating these women with more humanity and more kindness and more respect.”

Molly’s Gemini Room features many talented and passionate dancers such as pole athlete Pyrex, erotic freestyler Indie and neo-burlesque dancer Sucker Punch Sally. Molly’s Gemini Room is co-owned and operated by Guglietti (Molly), her niece Sativa and pole dancer Carson.

Molly’s Gemini Room celebrated its grand opening on April 25 and is now open daily. The front half of the week is loaded with “Stripified” events that include Bingo Bango, Stripparaoke, Live Music/Comedy and Western Wednesday. Stay up to date on news and events at mollysgeminiroom.com or check them out on Instagram at @mollysgeminiroom. Find Guglietti at @mollythestripper.  

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