Sharon Harbin and Kristy VanBrunt, Southold siblings and business partners, have brought a new vibe to Greenport in their quirky bar, Rocco’s Twisted Sisters.
The space, open Monday through Friday from 4 to 9 p.m. and from noon to late on weekends, offers a moody yet fun and cozy feel when you walk through the door.
A pool table anchors the space and custom art hangs on the walls, the menu is rife with all the classic cocktails and drinks you could ask for, plus pizza and free chips achieve the come-as-you-are vibe that Harbin and VanBrunt are striving for.
“Our design was based on being eclectic and not off-putting for people that live in the community that don’t want fancy,” says Harbin. “They want to come in and be comfortable.”
The pair, who worked in the food and drink world for years, including stints at Whiskey Wind Tavern and Legends, were offered the opportunity to try their hand at running the bar business with this property and took it.
“It was super scary but I said, ‘What’s the worst that happens, we fail and we go work for other people again?’” says Harbin. “But if we don’t take a chance on this, we’ll never know.”
Thanks to their consecutive years watching others run bars, they felt they knew what it took to start one of their own.
So far so good, Harbin says, as the community has welcomed Rocco’s Twisted Sisters with open arms.
“This time of year, it’s all locals and they’ve fully embraced us and I’m so grateful,” says Harbin. “They want us to succeed and they show up for us every day. It’s beautiful.”
The bar’s name was inspired by Harbin and VanBrunt’s rebellious personalities.
“People come in here because we’re not perfect people,” says Harbin. “We’re human and I feel like people related to our authenticity.”
Harbin, who started making art in her mid 30s, decided to hang some of her work on the walls for décor, despite never having any desire to show her pieces in galleries or put it up for sale.
Ironically, a customer asked to purchase a piece for their aspiring artist daughter.
“I felt like if I could sell that piece and inspire another artist by letting her have that, it was worth it,” says Harbin.
Those are the types of connections the women are looking to facilitate in the bar, which officially opened in November.
“Even though we designed it to be very homey and welcoming, at the end of the day I think it comes down to the energy in the room,” says Harbin. “Your bartender is welcoming you, making you feel seen, heard, valued, appreciated, loved and not judged. I hope we’re creating an environment like that.”
Rocco’s Twisted Sisters is located at 4545 Rte. 25, Greenport, 631-333-2700, or check out on Instagram here.
