Interview with a Mob Boss

BRIAN COHEN, SELF-PROCLAIMED MOB BOSS, IS THE PROPRIETOR OF GALVESTON’S MOB BAR, A THEMATIC VENUE PAYING HOMAGE TO THE GALVESTON OF THE PAST. OUR TEAM CAUGHT UP WITH BRIAN TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE BAR AND THE BOSS.

TELL US ABOUT MOB BAR? IS IT GALVESTON-SPECIFIC? WHAT MAKES MOB BAR UNIQUE?

Mob Bar is a 1920’s themed Speakeasy with Sinatra & Jazz Music, Burlesque Shows, Gangster movies playing, Criminal Lineups, Selfie Walls, and Prohibition Cocktails. Mob Bar was created in Downtown Los Angeles just 30 days prior to Covid shutting the world down in 2020. I stumbled upon this entertainment complex in Galveston and originally wanted to make it a country bar called Moonshine Cowgirls. Once I did my due diligence, I realized the strong Galveston mob history, and here we are two years later adding two more mob-themed bars inside the complex; Mob Beach and Godfather Hookah. There is a new Mob Bar in LA and more on the way Nationwide.

WHAT, IF ANY, TIES DO YOU HAVE TO THE MOB?

I am just a businessman. He said shifty-eyed.

HOW DID YOU BECOME A MOB BOSS AND WHAT ARE THE PERKS?

IF YOU ARE INTO GALVESTON’S RICH MAFIA HISTORY, SHROUDED IN SECRET GAMBLING CASINOS AND SEEDY ACTIVITY, YOU MIGHT JUST LOVE MOB BAR. GALVESTON’S NEWEST ANSWER TO NIGHT LIFE AND GOOD TIMES!

This ain’t the Royal Family. I outworked, outhustled, and destroyed any obstacle in my way to become the Mob Boss. You need to be fearless, strong, confident, intelligent, relentless, & sacrifice more than you can imagine to get what you want. The perks? The perks are worth the sacrifice. Fuhgeddaboudit!

WHAT CAN LOCALS EXPECT FOR BEING A PART OF “THE FAMILY”? DO YOU OFFER LOCAL INCENTIVES?

Our locals are amazing and certainly part of the family. Without them, we would be Sonny Corleone at the toll booth. We offer local discount drinks & always take care of our Galveston locals especially when they dress in 1920’s gear. Typically, we know our locals but if you are a first timer just show the Mobtender your local ID so we can get you a Complimentary Bloodbath shot & locals discount.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT GALVESTON’S LONG TIES TO THE MOB AND GAMBLING?

Being a New Yorker, I grew up around it. I never imagined such mob history on a small island in Texas. It’s American history and shaped a lot of what you see in Vegas today.

ANY ADVICE FOR THOSE WANTING TO JOIN UP, JUMP IN, OR SIGN ON AS AN UNDERBOSS?

Never rat on your friends and always keep your mouth shut!