Yes, it’s true.
Owner Danny Cheshire named this special space after singer Sinead O’ Connor’s breakthrough first album…”The Lion and the Cobra” released in 1987.
“Growing up queer in the 90’s had its challenges. I had a rebel spirit from the beginning and struggled with where to put this energy. Thank god some smart girl made my older brother a mix tape that I promptly stole that included the great 90’s feminist icons most importantly, Sinead O’Connor. Fierce, fickle, misunderstood, wildly underestimated, and bold. Simultaneously compassionate, fragile like a bird, brutally honest and filled with hope. Sinead quite literally opened my eyes to injustice, made me examine more closely what I was being taught in school and what I stood for.
I want “lion and the cobra” to harbour a safe space for any and all. One thing Sinead did so expertly was own her image and find power in that. After record execs tried to “sex up” her image, 19 year old Sinead showed up the next day with her signature buzzed hair and combat boots and was dropped on the spot. Later that year she went on to release “lion and the cobra” written and produced by herself to large commercial and critical success. One thing I know we can do is help our guests find their image and claim their power in it. Because sometimes it's the only power we have and it is powerful. This is a rebel song.”
Danny, Owner
