O’Connor’s: Where Everybody Knows Your Name

After being married for nine years, Tamara Manavi and her husband are getting ready to celebrate a new anniversary – their three-month anniversary of being the new owners of Lakewood staple, O’Connor’s Irish Pub. This is an exciting time for the Manavi’s, who have both raised their kids and are new empty nesters and felt ready to start a new adventure together.

“I have been waiting patiently for years to find the perfect spot for us,” said Tamara, adding that she’s always wanted to own her own bar/restaurant. “O’Connor’s has everything that I've always imagined in owning my own business. I'm excited for what we're doing here, and thankful for the support we've received."

Tamara says she's always wanted her own bar and always wondered what she would call it, but after realizing how much the community loved O'Connor's, she wouldn't possibly try to change its name.

“O’Connor’s Irish Pub has been in Lakewood for a long time and people love it here,” she said. “It’s a part of Lakewood and places like these, they’re a part of people’s lives. We’re not here to change it, or its history, we’re here to continue its history.”

Working in the hospitality industry for the last 20 years, Tamara has learned what people like and don’t like about a bar, but she also has learned what she likes and doesn’t like about a bar. “O'Connor's has a community feel to it, and that’s what I love the most; it’s family friendly, it isn’t stuffy and it has a kitchen,” Tamara said. “I have always wanted to run a business that has that ‘Cheers’ feel to it, where everybody knows your name, and O’Connor’s has that vibe. I want people to feel at home, to want to come to hang out with their friends, to eat good food and feel safe.”

While Tamara was born in L.A., she was raised in this area. “I’m so in love with this community, and especially how people just look out for each other,” she said. “There’s this small-town feel to Lakewood that I’ve never experienced before.” Truly, she said, she really wants to thank the community.

“I know it has only been three months, but I have met so many new people and it feels like we've been friends forever."

O’Connor’s has been a full-service bar and restaurant in Lakewood since 1959. Tamara has fully remodeled

O’Connor’s and set up a game room for kids, new pool tables, and a VIP area called The Emerald Room. Part of the remodel is also a new 40-foot bar and a brand new draft beer system.

While O’Connor’s has been around for years, this ultramodern O’Connor’s is one of Lakewood’s newest hot spots for good drinks, good food, great appetizers and good fun.

Tamara said she is excited to introduce the reinvented O'Connor's to the community and invites everyone to visit and experience it for themselves.

The new owner said that she wants O’Connor’s to be more than just a bar that serves good food and good drinks. “We really want it to be an experience. Everybody who comes to O’Connor’s is a VIP. O’Connor’s is my home away from home and I want other people to feel that way too,” she said, adding that she’s not going to to be a handsoff owner. “This is my baby, I want people to be happy when they come to O’Connor’s, and I expect people to be treated how I want to be treated when I am a customer.”

The last three months have been among Tamara's greatest accomplishments. In counting her blessings, Tamara said she’s always strived to live by grace – instilled in her by her mother, Stephanie. She was a single mother raising three daughters in the L.A. area and despite financial hardships, Tamara said, her mother always made sure to provide everything she could for her daughters.

“She made me strong. She gave us everything she could, even though it wasn’t a lot, she always made sure we had everything we needed.”

In honor of Women’s History Month, Tamara said that it’s her mom’s resiliency that she credits for her own strength and love for life. “Connecting with people is my biggest strength,” she added. “I’m a people person, and I love connecting with the community."

More often than not, customers will find Tamara at O'Connor's.

“I love Lakewood, I love O'Connor's and I love seeing how the community supports each other and how businesses support each other Even though Lakewood is a big City, it has a smallcity feel to it with a big heart,” Tamara said. “O’Connor’s has a big heart, too, and and I’m going to make sure that it doesn’t lose that.” ♦