Lake Lifestyles: Smooth sailing at Jolly Rogers Grub and Grog

It was a rough maiden voyage for the pirate ship Jolly Rogers – shoal water, shot, shell and flame. Captains Christie and Joe Jung stood to at the helm through it all, piloting the ship into clear water. 
Anchored on the 4.5 mile marker of the Gravois Arm, Jolly Rogers Bar and Restaurant was built on the wharves of good ideas and dreams.
The Jungs opened the hotspot in 2008 after months of planning, construction and hard work. All that went to the bottom when a late-night fire burned Jolly Rogers to the ground.
Like all good pirates faced with the Queens flag, they threw a party among the ashes. The ‘Bash in the Ash’ sent the blues off the plank and with the help of employees, family and even a few neighboring bars, Jolly Rogers was ship shape for the 2009 season.
“We had such success with the whole theme and layout. This time we went right back in with what we had with a few modifications,” Joe said.
The pirate-themed restaurant is larger than before; there are more boat slips and the gift shop has been expanded. For the little buccaneers there is a fenced playground reminiscent of a Caribbean hideaway.
In the middle of the open-air restaurant sits a classic 1965 Owens wooden cruiser that serves as the bar with beer taps built right into the bow.
Before the fire, a 1973 John Allman cruiser held the place of honor. Joe won’t say how it surfaced.
“It mysteriously, through pirating skills, appeared at Jolly Rogers,” he said. It was such a unique craft that customers were challenged to guess the make and model.
An even more intriguing resident of the bar is Corona, the pirate parrot. Corona squawks more pirate lingo than anyone on staff. She’s the most popular of all the crew, Joe admits.
“There are probably more pictures taken of her than of the dam,” he said.
Corona asks where the rum is and tells people to walk the plank. The African grey parrot is a longtime member of the Jung crew and the perfect compliment to this pirate getaway on the Gravois.
It’s fun for all the mates at Jolly Rogers, so belly up to the bar for a grog or sit down for waterfront dining.

If you go
2844 Polk Drive, Rocky Mount • 573) 392-0700 • www.grubngrog.com