The Stakeout Revival
Where Legends Linger & Celebrations Take Flight
High atop Outlaw Hill, where the desert air turns gold at sunset and the Rio Grande Gorge stretches endlessly toward the horizon, sits a place that has always attracted those with a taste for the extraordinary.
Our New Mexico Wedding Venue’s Rich History
Once a hideout for outlaws like Billy the Kid and the James Gang — and later a haunt for 1970s counterculture icons like Dennis Hopper — The Stakeout has always been more than a building. It’s a lookout, a gathering place, a legend.
Today, that legend is reborn.
After nearly a decade of silence, artist and designer Janie and her husband Mark brought the Stakeout back to life. The once-dark warren of rooms has been transformed into an airy, light-filled Taos wedding venue that frames the sweeping views of Taos Mountain, Mesa Pedernal, and the endless New Mexico sky. Every detail of the restoration — from the hand-carved doors to the three adobe fireplaces — honors the venue’s Wild West roots while elevating it for modern New Mexico weddings & celebrations.
But a venue is only as unforgettable as the people behind it. Enter CJ, Meredith, and Cecilia — the team that birthed and manages the business. With their combined experience in hospitality, food + beverage, design, and marketing, they have created a truly outstanding venue and restaurant. Alongside Taos Pueblo-born chef Julian Lujan, whose culinary style fuses Pacific Rim flavors with fresh, local New Mexican ingredients, they have created an event experience that is seamless, luxurious, and deeply rooted in place.
Whether it’s an epic wedding, a one-of-a-kind private dinner, or a VIP celebration, the Stakeout blends romance, history, and jaw-dropping scenery in a way no other venue can. Sip world-class cocktails, dine on menus sourced from nearby farms and ranches, and dance under a sky so clear it feels like you could touch the stars.
More than a venue — it’s a story you become part of.
From its outlaw past to its modern revival, The Stakeout remains a place where people come to mark moments that matter. Here, history whispers through the walls, sunsets set the stage, and every celebration becomes legend.
This Could Be You ♡
We would have a million weddings together & each time we would choose The Stakeout!
Everything about this venue was perfect! The property was absolutely beautiful, but the real hidden gems are the people! The owners Jen and John made us feel like family and we only knew them for a short amount of time. Their social media guru was the extra bridesmaid we didn’t know we needed! Our day was absolutely magical thanks to them! This venue has EVERYTHING you need as a couple, Kelly and I would have a million weddings together & each time we would choose The Stakeout!
Brooke F – Bride
Follow along @thestakeouttaos
