VERY DISAPPOINTED! We were there the Sunday night of June 2nd and received the WORST service ever at your location and on the entire street. I am a frequent customer of your bar. We are always there watching Bigg Willie and the All Purpose Blues Band. I am an owner of a media company and radio stations in the SWLA area, so we play them on our stations. I like to go and get pics and video to share online some of our artists, which in turn is promoting you guys!
I have never seen anything like this time.....I brought the whole family with me, and bragged about this place for weeks. We get there and can't bring any drinks in, (I know thats a policy, but really? Most bars there allow it). So we stood outside and all helped my mom down her frozen margarita. After we all had brain freeze we walked in. As soon as I sat down I ordered me a Hand Grenade. Well the woman working that night (I am sure you can find her name on your schedule for June 2nd at 8pm) was HORRIBLE! She brought my drink and no change and quickly start hounding my family telling them (fussing-like) they all had to get drinks. While she's doing that, I turned and asked her how much the hand grenade was, because I gave her a 20 and never got change. Well that pissed her off and she said to give her a damn chance. Well I work in clubs 4 nights a week and NEVER do you serve the next person without giving the previous customer's change, especially after they have already received the drink!
She continues with my mom, and my mom made the comment, "will you bring me my change?" Because of what she had seen just happen with my drink! Well that really pissed her off. At this time my dad said he would take a drought bud-light (which he gets every time we go there) and she said that you guys don't carry that. My dad said he'd settle on the bottle and then before she could let my mom tell her what she would have, she again hounded her to by a drink. My mom told her "look if you would stop yelling at me, you would hear my order"....well at that point she told them they were banned, kicked out, and to leave or she was calling the police! (NOT A LIE!) UNBELIEVEABLE!
At this point, I am seeing my parents leave, so the rest of us, as famililes do...we left to see what was wrong. We about 30min later my girl friend made me go back because she said she knew I wanted to listen to the band that we could go for a while by ourselves...(since we weren't kicked out lol). So we get back to the door to be turned away by your pirate guy who said we we're no longer allowed in! REALLY?? What a birthday weekend waste.....Your club lost at least 200 bucks before tips, because A. we planned to stay for hours. B. we were like the only one's there at the time!
I would like to know that this has been looked at and wanted to make sure you knew the dates, to take care of this person before she runs away ALL of your business on Sunday nights! The blonde that we normally see wasnt there, and I regret that, because she was always sweet!
I recently visited the Funky Pirate on a trip to NOLA on an off season week, HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS! Â (May 13th) This is probably the only bar on Bourbon Street I will ever go back to check out. Â The night we went, Jerry Brown, was performing and man... he blew the socks off me with his saxophone! Â The drinks were cheap and the music was insanely good. Â Then Jerry blew my mind when he and his group performed Prince's "Purple Rain" in a blues rendition. Â CLEAN UP ON AISLE NINE PLEASE! Â
Just a note to non-smokers, this place is allows smoking inside, but thankfully there are seats by the door and a patio to retreat to if you need a breather.
Funky Pirate was definitely my favorite spot on my recent visit to NOLA. Â It seems that while many Bourbon Street spots are favoring top 40 cover bands, this establishment has held true to the blues/jazz roots.
As other reviewers have mentioned, Big Al and the Blues Masters are kickass. Â We hd so much fun watching them perform that we went back every night. Â Big Al is such an awesome performer, and I would highly suggest anyone visiting NOLA to go check him out!
Funky Pirate has no cover, but they do enforce the one drink upon entry, one per set rule...but seriously, I don't think that is a hardship on Bourbon Street. Â
The atmosphere is super divey, but in my estimation that lends itself to great service,cheap drinks, and fun entertainment. Â By the way, Jen is the coolest bar tender ever. Â
Bottom line-Funky Pirate is a must for anyone wanting to experience the real Bourbon Street!
One of my greatest wishes is for a Funky Pirate here where I live. I think Denmark could use one!
Was in N.O with a group of friends and on the first night we ventured down Bourbon St. to experience the whole thing. Since it's definitely a different way of partying than what were used to (even though young Danes are known for their drinking)...
Anyway.. We bar hopped and found that most of the places on the street wasn't for us. That is until we stumbled upon the Funky Pirate!
Unfortunately Big Al was out sick, so we didn't see him. It also meant (I guess) that there weren't many people in the bar. Which was great for us!
We sat at the bar and had the best bartender, who was so nice aaand easy on the eye(= 4 very happy girls). Doing all we could to make him ring the bell... Okay, maybe we were a bit tipsy when we came in.....
For me the vist became extremely fuzzy after 3 grenades and a shark attack. I actually don't remember anything past that. And woke up with a dozen photos of some chrome car rims.. Hmmm
Needless to say we went back the 5 nights following that.
I really liked how easygoing the whole place was. Great place!
Dive bar with live blues act. It was a Wednesday night and it was full of old people partying like they're in their 20s. Screaming at the blues band (who were in their mid 50s+ and may or may not have F bombed every other sentence ... or maybe that was at another bar. Bar hopping gets fuzzy sometimes.)and dancing in front like groupies. I didn't know what to make of the whole thing.
A single waitress who somehow kept tabs of the whole joint, and was super prompt.
On another note, $3 shooters in test tubes when the signs around the bar blinks!
A bearable bar smack dab in the middle of Bourbon Street? I've found it in Funky Pirate. Not only bearable, but a good place to catch some good blues acts that play on the regular (Big Al, and the trio that plays on Sunday late afternoons), cuz it's intimate and what's more, no cover, just a drink minimum (one. One?! Yes, one.) The Bloody Marys are as decent as you're going to get in just about any New Orleans bar and all drinks are just 2 bucks more for a double. Can't argue with that, right? Even during Mardi Gras, this place was a refuge from what was going on outside on Rue Bourbon.
Do check out the sweet little courtyard in the back, which affords you to still hear the music and enjoy the (sort of) fresh air (if such a thing is possible in the FQ).
If you're into divey jazz bars, the Funky Pirate awaits you!
I, for one, am greatly adverse to jazz and blues. I know, I know, but baby, I was born this way. I wish I could appreciate that type of music, but that is just never gonna happen.
The Funky Pirate is a small venue and when the band is playing, you can't speak to your group without having to shout like a banshee. I don't do well with loud noises. Hence the reason for my deep seeded fear of vacuum cleaners.
They do make some seriously good and affordable drinks. I was terribly partial to their pina coladas. If you're looking to get rowdy, order a hand grenade. They hit like a bulldozer! The bar staff is lovely and the bands that do play are pretty cool cats so if you're ever on Bourbon Street, check it out.
First of all: it's Funky, and that's cool. They have live music - also cool. On Monday's, they have free Red Beans and Rice, cooked by someone who knows how to cook - and that's awesome!
Secondly: they were one of only a couple of places open during Hurricane Isaac, during which time I needed a drink and some shelter and I got both with a smile and a hug.
I can't yet tell you about the full menu but I will go back for drinks, fun, and food.
Remarkably good dive location on Bourbon Street. The floor has a very poor flow pattern and can be hard to navigate when things get busy. The bar is very cluttered, but they live up to the pirate theme well.
The key differentiator at this location is the service. Our bartenders were personable and efficient. They did their jobs and made drink recommendations to highlight the businesses featured cocktails and enticed us to sample some of their beers and cocktails. If you want to get drunk fast, enjoy a hand grenade or a cannon ball shooter. Â Our bartender, David, was excellent.
They have live music and featured blues when we visited. Â Overall, the bar exceeded our expectations and was a good time.
How could someone not stop in a barrrrrr called the Funky Pirate?!
Minus the shwag and the specialty grenade drink this bar feels like a Deep Ellum bar. Â That might have everything to do with the bald headed, tattooed, pierced bartender that is from Dallas. Â But this bar was a great stop from the crowded bars on Bourbon Street. Â When in Rome... Â we had to order the grenade drink which is some fruity electric green drink served in some ridiculous plastic glass with a tiny grenade on top. Â Too fun!
We had a good time chatting up the bartender. Â Then low and behold a great blues band came in and played. Â I could have listened to those guys all night.
This bar is definitely on my places to revisit next time I'm in the big easy.
Cheap drinks, a bar with a ton of character, and the flat out best blues on Bourbon Street. Â Whether Big Al Carson is playing (a legend of a man, btw) or the Blues Masters, you are in for a treat. Â
Get here early to be assured a seat- they fill up fast and that's just another example of how everyone who is anyone knows this is a spot to be. Â Truly easy times here in the Big Easy.
Looking for blues? Â This place was suggested by a local. Â Said to catch Big Al. Â He wasn't here but the the Blues Masters were and they were singing and playing the blues.
A funny quirk - local ordinance allows drinking in the streets if it's not a bottle, so every bar has plastic cups available. Â Just pour your drink in a plastic cup supplied up at the bar, and walk to the next drinking hole or club.
If your looking for live Blues on Bourbon this is the place to be! Â Blues singer Big Al Carson is FANTASTIC! Â He's charismatic, crowd-engaging and can sing his ass off. Â
The drinks are cheap here... But the main reason to choose this dive over the others is the music. Â
It gets REALLY PACKED so if your coming with a group early arrival is definitely suggested.
This is a teeny, tiny place but it's quite good just for the music. We were here on a Monday night and they had a bues band playing and they were excellent. Drinks were a little weak and the bartender we had was a little...unpleasant....she just seemed very grumpy. But, the prices were good and this was definitely some of the best live music I heard while I was in New Orleans. I'd come back here again for sure maybe on a Saturday when there are more people around. When we were there, we were the only ones so the band wound up having to stop playing early. Still, it was fun.
Review Source:I went here at like 2PM. Â On a Sunday. Â Maybe I have some partying issues, but that's another post. Â Needless to say, me and my buddy were basically the only people in this place, and after looking at the drink menu, we decided to order a shark attack. Â Little did I know, I was going to be in for a ride. Â After watching him make one of the strongest drinks I have ever seen, the bartender absent-mindedly spashed a little plastic alegator in it and placed it in front of me. Â He then said, "Don't drink it." Â I followed his orders, I mean, it's called the Funky Pirate, and I don't wanna mess with any Pirates.
The next think he did was get a big plasic shark and fill its mouth with red alcohol. Â he proceeded by strolling over to the other end of the bar. Â Then all at once he rang the LOUDEST bell and yelled "SHARK ATTACKKKKKKK!!!!!!" Â He sprinted to my drink and shoved the shark to the bottom, causing a big splash. Â People from outside stopped to look in.
Never before have I applauded a bar tender. Â Again, we were like the only people in here on a Sunday afternoon which made this whole thing 10x funnier. Â
Oh yeah, the drink was pretty awesome, too. Â tasted like, I dunno, some kind of melon? Â It was $8 I think. Â Best deal of the trip.
Want to experience the thrill of a shark attack without the risk of losing your leg? Who doesn't?? Which is why everyone should check out Funky Pirate!
I can't attest to how packed the bar can get with the massive Bourbon street crowds or how good their live music is because I started drinking right after lunch. They always say the early bird gets the worm. No worm for me, just a mini alligator... let me explain.
I walked in and looked at their drinks up on the wall. Two stick out to me: Horny Gator and Shark Attack. My friend got the horny gator last time she was in nola and didn't experience any of the benefits that the name of the drink promises so I decided to pass and go for the Shark Attack. Good choice!!
The bartender starts pouring and he doesn't stop until he reaches the top! Half way in he tosses in a mini plastic alligator into the cup. The "bait" if you will, you've got to lure the shark over somehow. He topped off the drink and set it down in front of us. I must say I was a little disappointed. I just paid $8 for a plastic swamp creature in my drink. BUT WAIT! All of a sudden my drink was under attack!! Whistles started blaring and the bartender started ringing a huge bell at the bar. Then you hear him scream SHARK ATTAAAACK!! Out of nowhere a shark dives into my drink and the blood of my mini alligator turns my drink red! (A tasty shot of some red liquor in the sharks mouth.) Best $8 spent on Bourbon St. Great drink, great entertainment, and now I can say I was attacked by a shark without having to show scars to prove it.
Sound too good to be true? Watch these drunken fools do it themselves! (It's not as fun as when the bartender does it but fun to watch nonetheless.)
<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dq_E4wc60Avk&s=346a5cc423c6809d707bc73ba88607101c81c52867c689c03e91ecaa8627f620" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.youtube.com/w…</a>
This bar is part of the Tropical Isle & Funky Pirate family.
Tropical Isle Bourbon at 721 Bourbon St.
Tropical Isle Original at 600 Bourbon St.
Tropical Isle Bayou Club & Music Bar at 610 Bourbon St.
Little Tropical Isle 435 Bourbon St.
Funky Pirate at 727 Bourbon St.
New Orleans Grapevine at 720 Orleans Ave.
The afternoon entertainment, is provided by none other than Mark Penton and the Pentone's. Â If you like Blues, you'll love Mark Penton. Â Fabulous vocals, great guitar, great bass and lots of classic blues plus some original stuff that rocks the house.
We really can't get enough of that guy.
Big Al Carson is the Funky Pirate. Â If you're in New Orleans and you're adventurous, fun, and like the blues, make sure you check out the Funky Pirate when Big Al is playing. He's was a highlight of our trip. Â But beware, if you're a lady between the ages of 18-108, he might sing a song just for you...one that might make you blush or need a cigarette afterward. Â :^)
No cover, but the waitresses are on your immediately as you enter the place. $5 for a soda and $6.50 for beer.
Went to this place during Mardi Gras 2010 week and it was great and one of the better places on the strip if you like bigger crowds, dancing, and drinking all the same time going along music that you can dance too. If you ever on Bourbon St be sure to check this place out, you won't be disappointed.
Review Source:I was in NOLA for a wedding. A wedding means one thing in my family, it's going to be a whirlwind of ridiculousness! The Funky Pirate was the first stop in this whirlwind. My brother let me know that our family was stationed at the Funky Pirate. His directions were typical. Our conversation went like this
"It's on Bourbon street"
"but where on Bourbon street?"
"on Bourbon street"
I still couldn't tell you the cross street or what number it is but it's near where the neon signs end on Bourbon. I guess it's obvious we're family. Anyway, my friend and I throw away our slushy drinks and head into the bar to see a site. This incredible site is Big Al and boy is he BIG! I'm talking like 500 pounds big. He's part of a pretty rad band.
Now are you ready for the hands down best moment while at the Funky Pirate? Seriously, are you ready? If you're not take a deep breathe, it's that good. Phew, I'm glad we did that.
So, Big Al is singing and I'm perched on my bar stool nodding along. And then he stops singing and points at me. I over course assume "who me?" and turn around looking for the person behind me. But, Big Al wanted me! (ick) So I reluctantly come forward and step on stage, of course Big Al remains comfortably on his chair. So Big Al proceeds to tell me that I have great ta tas but he used a more vulgar word the exact moment my brother steps into the bar. His eyes have never gotten so wide out of shear anger/surprise/disgust. I'm surprised he didn't bum rush the stage and attempt knocking him off his chair. But alas all Big Al wanted was for me to go collect his tips. I made my rounds and gave my brother a meditation CD. Okay, I didn't but I did have to talk him out of a tree.
It was first of many experiences to come on this trip to New Orleans, but why not put your best foot forward. Why go somewhere that isn't totally memorable regardless of what state you're in on Bourbon Street?
We visited the Funky Pirate this past weekend while in NOLA. Â It was a lot of fun. Â We especially loved Big Al Carson, what a wonderful voice, puts on a great show. Â The granades are a bit much, too sweet and too strong for me, but I tried them once so that's a good thing. Â We stayed thru three sets of listening to Big Al, the next night we returned but left shortly after the first set as the band was not even up to par with Big Al. Â We love the blues so we will surely return to the Funky Pirate next time we are in NOLA.
Review Source:Big Al Carson (apparently ~550 lbs according to his billing) is a fun act to watch. Â He has a good voice and improvises to engage the audience, putting everyone in a good mood. Â The atmosphere of Funky Pirate is pretty low-key. Â They offer a bunch of what I think of as "New Orleans" type of drinks - lots of juice mixed with rum served in an enormous plastic vehicle. Â We tried a hand grenade and found it really sweet and dangerously potent. Â I would come here again!
Review Source:I had a totally different experience from Chris A. Â I absolutely LOVED this place. Â We found out about this place from the innkeeper at our B&B. Â We really wanted something authentic and the Funky Pirate delivered. Â Six nights a week you can show up at the Pirate and hear Big Al sings the blues. Â He has an amazing singer and he says some funny shit improvising between songs.
The Pirate is also home to the drink the "Hand Grenade". Â I have to admit when I saw people walking around with a neon green tall drink cup with a grenade at the bottom I thought it was stupid. Â It reminded me of those cups you get when you are a kid at Great America or the zoo. Â They are like sippy cups shaped like a alligator. Â Anyhoo, the drink is bright green just like the cup and tastes like a green Pixie Stick. Â Sounds nasty right...OH NO... this drink is so good! Â A side note but something very important to remember is that this drink is one of the strongest mixed drinks they serve on Bourbon Street. Â It has a bunch of stuff but the craziest ingredient is the Everclear. Â Two of these and you are on your way to a great night in New Orleans.
After my success with Pirates Alley and Lafittes Blacksmith Bar I was starting down the road to a themed drinking adventure based on Pirates. Â So, when we walked by the "Funky Pirate" I thought "woohoo another Pirate joint!"
Man, I shoulda checked that at the door. Â This is the worst of all that New Orleans typically offers. Â It's too loud, too dirty, everyone is too drunk, too young, too stupid. Â If I was 21 again I might feel different, but this place is completely bereft of one thing that has become important to me over the years: Â CLASS.