Entering the restaurant Piratz Tavern on Georgia Avenue is equivalent to walking on the set of Hollywood film "Pirates of the Caribbean." From the daggers on their side to shackles on their feet this crew is determined to be authentic. One of their famous nights is Theivn' Thursday and recently a young couple, out on a date, bantered back and forth with their bartender "Rouge."

Rouge (who prefers to use her stage name) has been aboard Piratz since July and she can't imagine a better work environment. Being called a pirate is what she enjoys about this job, but don't dare call her a wench! You may have to walk the plank. 

"I get to wear a corset to work, meet sword fighters, blacksmiths and pirate singers." 

Although she never really wanted to be an actress, Rouge likes the role-playing. She said it is mostly "just playing off the rest of the staff and letting everyone get carried away with the game. "

Maria Halkiotis, a regular customer, loves to play along with the Pirate theme and the customers enjoy her portrayal.

"I love the energy here. It isn't your regular bar – I like the craziness of it all. Rouge is fun and keeps us laughing."

Although Halkiotos and her date appeared to be pretty tame customers, Rouge said jokingly that the Tavern sometimes attracts odd characters. They range in age from, "just turned 21 to groups of friends 55 to 60 years old that come in and drink everyone under the table." 

"We have families with small kids, large birthday parties, techno geeks, stock brokers, lawyers, young professionals, pretty much everyone that comes in comes back," she added. 

When it comes to drinks, Rouge agrees that "the grog is definitely the most popular drink," especially given the novelty of drinking grog in a pirate bar. After that, the 666 and the Doubloon, two of our signature cocktails, are what she makes often.

If she had her choice, she would make her favorite cocktail called the Devils Triangle.

To make it use:

2 oz Jameson

1/2 oz Coconut rum

1/2 oz mango rum

Fill the glass with pineapple juice and mix in a splash of grenadine for color.