Piratz Tavern

Glad to see this place closed. it was a dump. I guess because we weren't dressed for the act, We didn't count as much ~ Not as important as the pirate clientele.

Grog? Check. Dim-lit corners? Check. Wait staff with a sense of humor? Check. An outdoor patio? Chizeeeck!

This place is way better than I expected.

Granted, I dropped by on a weeknight and consumed only a beverage. However, in our brief time spent here we had a great time.

There was literally no one around other than the waitress when we walked in. The front bar looked abandoned and there were no patrons in sight. Luckily, the waitress greeted us with spirit, humor and wits and made sure to lead us to the back where we found a clean, polished and dimly lit back area with just a few low key folks hanging out.

A friend and I dropped by here just to continue our conversation that we had started over at Quarry House, so the quiet back room was perfectly peaceful and great for carrying on a conversation. Yes, you have to make your own fun, but hopefully you're in good company.

Overall, I was so pleasantly surprised by my experience here. After hearing about Piratz for years, I think I was ready for the worst. I expected it to be dingy, run-down, obnoxious and corny but I found it to be none of the above.

Guess you've just gotta give it a shot and be ready for anything.

Grog is on deck for my next visit!

Giving a second review since we stopped in for a beer since we were stuck in the area. We pushed our way past a group singing a sea shanty to get to the bar in back. After approaching the bar and ordering a beer the bartender asked if we wanted a table. We said sure, so he told us then we had to sit and wait for a server to take our order.

Seriously, he wouldn't take the order.

When the server came by we got our first two beers and drank them. The table next to us got their bill after what seemed like a significant amount of drinking and expressed shock at the amount. After some time of sitting with empty bottles we got up to leave, figuring if the server was never coming back we would just guess at how much we owed and pay the bartender. Luckily, then the server remembered we existed and gave us a tab.

Before I begin, I want to say that Piratz is a different kind of bar/restaurant. If you're not a very open minded kind of person and are used to a certain restaurant feel, this is most likely not the place for you. Just ask yourself this: could you go to the Maryland Renaissance Festival and have fun? If your answer is "no, the people there scare me because they wear costumes and are enthusiastic", then you probably should not go to Piratz Tavern. If you go, you will most likely complain about the atmosphere like many people already have. So save yourself the trouble and pick a yuppie bar. :]

Now, if your answer is "yes, I like to try new things!" then I suggest you give this place a go. I did, and I enjoyed it very much. Here is my experience:

I came here with three other friends last Saturday night before catching a movie at the AFI theater. We made it just before happy hour ended (which is at 7pm, by the way) so we ordered a bunch of grog (their specialty drink) and sangria. Both were good - the sangria wasn't top notch but it wasn't syrupy and gross like a lot of places make it. As for the grog - if you enjoy ginger and clove you will enjoy this drink. It's basically that + rum.

We ordered our meals and it came very quickly. Everything I tried was tasty - but not the absolute best thing I've ever had. I got a steak sandwich, which was good, and the fries were awesome - they're like steak fries but a little crispier and with sea salt. My friend got a caesar salad and hated it - only because they make the dressing fresh there and if you're not aware, caesar dressing is made with anchovies (she hates fish, go figure). So I gobbled it up for her because I love traditional caesar salads. My other friends got sandwiches as well, and they both said theirs were pretty good.

The portions were a bit small I think, so we ended up splitting their steak on a stone after one of the pirates walking by suggested it. It was quite a sight - literally an Australian steak sizzling on a stone. We got it medium rare and had the delight of seeing it cook right in front of us. It came with three sauces - all of which were outstanding. However, for the price I don't think it was worth it - I believe it was $27 for a 6-8 ounce steak.

Oh, and we found out that the chef is actually from Brazil, which inspired a lot of the items on the menu. Pretty neat.

We continued to drink and as it got late, there was a troubadour performing irish/scottish songs with the bar. It was really cool to have that kind of entertainment in that atmosphere - you really can't find anywhere else in the DC area that will have this kind of vibe. And later they had a Jack Sparrow lookalike who was actually pretty good (and not just because we were drinking ;] ).

Now as for service, it was a mixed bag - some of the pirates were helpful and our server was great, but there was one strange guy who was trying to fit in with the theme but he came across a little weird. I think he needs to take acting lessons or get into it a bit more, because it ended up being awkward for him. Overall though I think the people here truly enjoy what they do, and that's what makes it special.

I believe there were kids in the front when we were there - and they do have a section with a fishtank, pirate themed books and sitting area, etc so I'd imagine bringing a kid during the daytime wouldn't be a problem. They also have a tiki bar in the back which looked sweet, but my friends wanted to sit close to the bar. Lots and lots of pirate decorations obviously, which was awesome in my book.

So overall if you're looking for something unique, not insanely pricy, and with good themed drinks (they also had mead! I LOVE MEAD), then check this place out - but only with an open mind first!

OMG!! Love this place. I have been coming here for at least 3 years and no I don't dress like a pirate. I come for the friendliness, food and happy hour.

I was first introduced to this place when having lunch with a girlfriend. It was quaint and friendly and the food was good. The servers really make you feel comfortable and at home. I came back one evening to see if this could become my new local watering hole... glad to say YES!!! The happy hour specials and drink varieties are unbelievable. Even to having a happy hour on Saturday (12 pm - 7 pm).

The servers get to know you and greet me every time I walk in. The food is wonderful. This is not fast food ( I don't expect lightening service) each dish is made to order. I like that personal touch.

Great place, Great fun, Great food!

This place has received a lot of flak, but let me tell you, our experience here Saturday afternoon was very enjoyable.

Maybe because we had the patio to ourselves? Did you know they have a large patio out back? You can't see it from the side street (Bonifant) because of the wooden fence completely surrounding it, which is good because there is nothing to look at beyond the confines.

I love the patio and all day happy hour on Saturday. All day meaning working hours of 12:30 - 7pm. The specials are great:

$3 Amstel, Blue Moon, Corona, Heineken
$4 Cider, Negro Modelo, Red Stripe, Sam Adams
$5 Heavy Sea Beers (Go Baltimore!)
$5 Piratz Drynks
1/2 Price Grog, Sangria and most appetizers

The three of us chilled out on a beautiful afternoon with a pitcher of red sangria. For $11.50 we all felt pretty snockered. Two of us had mozzarella sandwiches (The TaskMaster) for $7, and one had the mozzarella and tomato salad (Jack Tar) for $8. With the sandwich we got either the side salad or crispy potato wedged fries.

All in all a pretty good lunch deal for three for $35.00. I don't know what it's like when they are busy, but our server, Teach was pleasant and always available. The patio is a great place to while away a lazy Saturday afternoon. Happy hour is available on Sundays too from 4-7pm.

So if yer lookin' to get drunk like a drunken sailor set your sail this way.

Belly dancer was cool. Being unable to buy more then one beer at a time??? that sucked!!! with only one bartender on a friday night im waiting to put in an order for like 15min and then 10 min the second time!!!

It can get very loud inside and outside with drunk people and all the street noise.

I have had the food before, its average at best. I agree that they need to pick between either a Pirate themed bar or just be a restaurant. You cant be both...

i did notice the servers seemed annoyed all night. that can be just tonight but from many others saying the same thing its a bad trend...

I've known about this place for ever and have always meant to stop by and see the outdoor patio. My son talked me into going there for dinner. I had seen the Bar Makeover episode. At first I thought the owner was nuts. But I hate that host guy sooooo much I was rooting for the pirates.

But the food is really what matters, we were there for dinner on a Wednesday. Two diners were leaving as we were seated. sO WE HAD THE WHOLE PLACE TO OURSELVES. I had the bison burger with bacon and smoked gouda. I was concerned that it would be dry. The waitress recommended ordering it a bit rarer than usual(hence the bloody oozing on the plate). It was spot on! I had a pint of Yeungling and fries. Pretty good. Pretty reasonable. Pretty sure I'll go back.

Piratz Tavern.... Arrrghhh! There I did it. It is almost necessary to be cheesy after going to this cheesy pirate themed tavern.

I am giving Piratz one star for being unique in the area and one star for the wall they have made from bottle corks. That's it.

We went at 8 PM on a Wednesday. There were zero tables inside the whole time we were there and two other tables on the patio. One of those two turned out to be somehow connected to the tavern.

Piratz has a full menu. The food is average and nothing to really Yelp about. Friends of ours enjoyed the quirky cocktails like a Davey Jones shot and piratz grog. They were out of the first thing I ordered, so I was given a list of everything else they were out of.

I decided on a pulled pork Jamaican jerk sandwich. It was indeed good. Not so heavy on the pork and it was sliced not pulled. The fries were a small portion and were OK.

The server (dressed in pirate garb) kept pulling plates off the table quickly, sometimes trying to take things while people were still eating off of them. He let us know the kitchen was closing an hour earlier than posted so we would have to settle up with him and go see the bartender if we wanted more drinks.

The place was decked out in some cool and some lame pirate themed stuff. It is not busy and worth checking out if you have no expectations. It is about 2-3 blocks from the metro and about 2 blocks from all of the new downtown Silver Spring shopping.

Like Rob M. my hubby and I went here and received iffy service. So, pardon the pun-- but Piratz still needs to get its sea legs.

I am all about things pirate (arrrgh!) so we soldiered through. Let me explain the layout. You walk in, and see a hostess station. There is a basket of "toys" such as skull rings and eye patches. Totally child size though. I wanna ring, dammit.

After the hostess station, there is a kid's area/play area with pirate books and a television. Odd.

The decor was expected- nautical and pirate themed stuff on the walls. One wall is made of cork and that's the one we sat closest to so I kept touching it. Mmm. Corky.

Now, about the service. It took forever. Like, for-ev-er for a server to acknowledge us and come to our table to take our order. I got the sweet corn soup (after waiting at least 20 minutes for our food, and that's after the 20 minutes we waited for the waiter) and the turkey leg entree. Food was good, but not sure if it was worth the wait.