Cardinal Sigitas TamkevičiusLithuanian Cardinal, Former Soviet Prisoner of Conscience & Champion of Religious Freedom

#SelfMade Raven's Head Public House Wix Story

Name: #SelfMade Raven's Head Public House Wix Story
Uploaded: 2015-12-07T14:34:20+00:00
Duration: 31 s
Channel: Cardinal Sigitas Tamkevičius
Description: In this brief interview, Speaker A recounts how a chance trip with a friend led them from Hampson to New York, where they bartended on the Upper East…

7 Dec 2015 · 1 min

Watch on YouTube

0:31

In this brief interview, Speaker A recounts how a chance trip with a friend led them from Hampson to New York, where they bartended on the Upper East Side before discovering the Raven's Head Public House. Speaker A describes John’s interior design, highlighting the 1900s‑style Ho’s Parlor and the Edgar Allan Poe‑inspired raven imagery that defines the bar’s aesthetic. Speaker B shares his Irish farm heritage, linking personal lineage to the bar’s ethos. Together they emphasize the bar’s role as a neighborhood community centre where people share joy and sorrow, and they frame the venture as an embodiment of the American‑dream narrative: hard work can transform a block and create lasting positive impact.

I actually came here by Fluke. Me and a friend of mine, we were in Hampson and said that we were going to go to the airport and get on the next flight. Next flight was New York. We bartended on the Upper east side as young men. I think everyone has aspirations. Still in your own spot and try to be successful. He came upon this place and I was going, yeah, I like this place myself. And John designed the place as well. When you go downstairs, you see Ho's Parlor, 1900s style. Edgar Allan Pro. The Raven. Raven's head picture on the wall beside the bar. That's John's.
Both my parents grew up on farms over in Ireland. Zach, very handsome man. Well, that's where I get it from. No, no, I said your dad was handsome. Skips a generation to see what you've had in your mind and put your hands on to build it. That, to me is something special.
The bar is usually the community centre. They come to cry, they come to laugh, share the good times, the bad times. And when you can embrace that and navigate somebody through that experience inside, there's a reward for being a part of somebody's positive experience. People come in and say, you know what? I love what you've done. You've made the block better. If you work hard, anything can happen in this town. It's the greatest thing. I'm American thing.