Set the mood

The RZA Steps Fully Into His Role As Creative Sage And Wisdom Holder

STEVE BRAMUCCIEDITORIAL DIRECTOR, LIFE/STYLE + CULTUREFACEBOOKTWITTER

MAY 13, 2020

There are moments you imagine for yourself as a teenager. Wild visions of success and wealth and coolness. Being smack in the middle some ultra-vivid “scene.” The sort of experiences that famous people seem to always have and the rest of us almost never do.

Moments like hanging out in the basement of a Staten Island mansion, watching The RZA, founder and architect of the Wu-Tang Clan, walk into the room with his crew. Seeing him dressed in a black leather jacket and boots, black jeans, and a black cap — no jewelry, no splashes of color. One part rockstar; one part austere Daoist.

Having him come over, dap you up with a “bong bong,” and ask how your vegan pizza tastes before drifting over to an Alesis Sample Pad in the corner. Bobbing your head as The Scientist starts tapping out a beat — something he can charge a whole hell of a lot of money for but is doing right now just for fun. Reminding yourself to stay in the moment and not text your fellow ’90s hip-hop nerds ’til later.

That all sounds equal parts incredible and unlikely, right? Hanging with The Abbot himself in the underbelly of a partially-restored mansion — once owned by a sea captain, now occupied by a collective of performing artists — discussing cashew cheese with Young Dirty Bastard (ODB’s son). But that’s precisely the situation I found myself in two weeks before the quarantine started.

And the most surreal part was still just percolating.

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The RZA Steps Fully Into His Role As Creative Sage And Wisdom Holder

Captain Barnes—gardens, pool, and a waterfront mansion with a past—is a dream setting for your next event.

Built in 1853 for an oysterman and his family, the house is both a testament to Staten Island’s shoreline history and a vibrant, ever-evolving world for creatives. One of the last surviving homes of Captains’ Row, it looks out onto the North Shore waterfront in Mariners’ Harbor, Staten Island—remote in feeling, yet still New York.

Inside, Captain Barnes unfolds across 5,000+ sq ft and four levels, with 12 rooms, 4.5 bathrooms, and a roof-level cupola. The architecture is a rare, eclectic collision—Italianate foundations with Moorish, Gothic, and palatial kitsch flourishes—filled with art, artifacts, and rooms that each carry their own mood. Formal, but never stiff. Elegant, but always alive.

This is a location with abundant natural light, atmospheric corners, and spaces that can shift to match your celebration—intimate dinners, milestone nights, performances, and private spectacles.

From the covers of W and British Vogue to live moments with RZA of Wu-Tang, Captain Barnes has hosted events that don’t feel “rented”—they feel inhabited. Step into the vibe, lose track of time, and let the night take its shape.

Additional Features

  • Optional adjacent parking lot: 60’ × 100’ paved lot available for an additional fee

  • Free street parking nearby

If you’re considering Captain Barnes for a special occasion, we understand what it takes—and we want you and your guests to leave branded by the night: inspired, altered, and fully in it.

The magic of the house can only be truly understood in person. We welcome scouts and site visits, and we encourage you to come experience it before you book.

A shiny, reflective disco ball hanging in a dark room with bright beams of light shining on it, creating a starburst effect.
A chef holding a tray of oysters garnished with lemon wedges at a restaurant or bar.
A creepy mannequin dressed as a vampire hunter with a beard, holding a candelabrum, in a dimly lit room with antique furniture, a mirror, animal head wall decor, and a sleeping tiger.
Silhouettes of people dancing and socializing in a dimly lit room with smoky atmosphere, backlit by a window.
A floral arrangement on a wooden table with vases and a vintage gramophone, featuring pink and white flowers, large green leaves, and a copper-colored gramophone horn.
Black and white photo of a group of people celebrating at a party, with a woman in the foreground smiling and men in suits behind her, some dancing and some drinking.
A person DJing in a dimly lit brick-walled room with a window, chandelier, and table with drinks and food.
A man in a white shirt appears to be dancing or embracing a man with a bald head and glasses at a party or social gathering.
A table of various dishes including salad, pasta, pie, and appetizers in a cozy, dimly lit brick-walled room with red lamps and a chandelier.
Living room with ornate gold mirrors, a harp, a sofa with patterned pillows, a chandelier, a brick fireplace, and a patterned area rug, seen through a glass door.
Two women, one in a patterned dress and the other in a wedding gown, posing backstage at a rustic event venue with wood beams, plants, and a disco ball overhead.
A woman in a shiny metallic dress is dancing next to a piano in a decorated room with a large window, an ornate mirror, and a patterned rug.
Decorative golden bird sculpture with outstretched wings in front of a lit Christmas tree adorned with red flowers and surrounded by red poinsettias.
Nighttime view of a backyard with a wooden staircase leading down to a garden, illuminated by colorful light reflections. There's a swimming pool in the background surrounded by chairs and trees, with two people near the pool area.
A decorated dining table with an outdoor-themed centerpiece of flowers, moss, and moss-like decorations, with various desserts and foods displayed, including a cake, cookies, and grapes, in a room with brick walls and a large window.
A three-tiered dessert stand with assorted cakes and pastries, surrounded by flowers and greenery indoors.
A table filled with fruits, flowers, a cake, a chocolate-covered treat with orange toppings, and a white rabbit figurine. In the background, a large window shows a bright outdoor scene, with some people visible inside near the window.
Two men dressed in elaborate costumes stand in a dimly lit, colorful room with purple and pink lighting. One is wearing a tall top hat and ornate clothing, taking a selfie, while the other, dressed in period attire, is looking at him. The room has a
Roast turkey with golden brown crispy skin, garnished with pine branches, surrounded by pomegranate and additional food dishes in the background.
A female DJ wearing headphones and a beanie, seen from behind, performing in a dimly lit venue with red and blue lighting, brick walls, and a window with a moth inside.
A person's hand holding a lit candle against a blue ceiling with ornate chandelier and decorative ornaments.
A man in a white shirt stands in front of a colorful religious portrait framed in gold, with a brick wall behind him. The man is contemplating the picture, with one hand on his chin and looking up. Several bottles of alcohol are on the table in front
A group of people at a party or social gathering, wearing sunglasses, posing for the camera inside a dimly lit venue with brick walls.
A young woman posing inside a room with ornate decor, wearing a lavender faux fur coat and shiny beige pants with sequins, standing near a partially opened door.
Arrangement of a mounted animal skull, antlers, and light green hydrangea flowers on a stone surface, with green leaves and a branch in the background.
Close-up view of a large, ornate chandelier with blue lighting, featuring numerous crystal beads and metal decorative elements.
Seafood platter of raw oysters on ice with lemon wedges, surrounded by orange flowers and green leaves.
Person preparing a seafood dish with a whole fish and grilled sausages on a silver platter decorated with flowers and leaves.
A decorated Christmas tree with lights, ornaments, and red ribbons, placed on a table with poinsettia flowers. In front of the table, there is a decorative reindeer sculpture, and the room has a rustic vibe with exposed brick walls and wooden floor.
View of an elegant room seen through a glass door, featuring a harp, ornate gold-framed mirrors, a chandelier, a vintage sofa with colorful pillows, and a patterned rug.
A man sitting on a gold and blue chair, dressed in traditional Native American-inspired attire, with face paint and a blanket. He wears a headdress made of a wolf skull with deer antlers and fur. The background is a weathered, painted wall.
A woman dressed in a steampunk-inspired, elaborate, colorful Victorian costume with a large skirt, standing in front of an antique wooden wardrobe mirror in a vintage room with peeling walls and a patterned area rug.
A group of people are sitting on a patterned rug in a cozy, vintage room with a fireplace and ornate furniture. One woman is lying on her side on the floor, while two men sit nearby, smiling and engaging in conversation. The room is decorated with fl
A woman dressed in an elaborate pink 18th-century style gown with lace sleeves and floral decorations, posing next to an antique wooden wardrobe in a vintage-styled room with peeling wall paint, a patterned rug, and warm table lamps.
A man with glasses and a beard stands in a dimly lit room with exposed brick walls, wearing a light-colored jacket. In the background, a DJ wearing headphones works at a turntable near a window with natural light coming through.
A casket sits on a wooden table surrounded by lit candles and floral arrangements, with a brick wall and religious artwork in the background.
A person is sitting on a stage in front of a microphone, performing or speaking. The stage has brick walls and colorful lights overhead. There is a large speaker and some electronic equipment nearby.
A nighttime scene of a brick house with a wooden door, decorated with outdoor string lights, patio furniture, and surrounding greenery.
A table with various dishes including sliced sausage, a bowl of greens, a tomato-based stew or sauce, and a wooden bowl, with candlesticks and a brick wall in a dimly lit setting.
Decorative ornate bronze sculpture on a black table next to a large speaker, with a brick wall in the background and a small patterned rug partially visible.
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