The Best of Long Beach—

Pirate Fun in Long Beach

Ahoy, mateys! If it’s a pirate’s life for you, slap on your eye patch, raise the Jolly Roger, and chart a course for Long Beach, because there are entertainments galore along the shore for scallywags and rum runners alike.

From pirate-themed escape rooms and taverns to piratical celebrations and a full on, weekend-long pirate invasion on the coast, Long Beach is home to some of the scurviest swabbies to sail the seven seas.

DRESS THE PART

Avast me hearties, and listen well! Did ye know Long Beach has its own pirate-themed shop where you can purchase all the pirate-themed goods your pillaging heart may desire? At The Pirate’s Cove (419C Shoreline Village Dr), find pirate clothing, pirate hats, and other sundries to suit you, as well as nautical gifts and Long Beach souvenirs. Plunder this booty so you can show up in your pirate finery at the next gathering of swashbucklers.

PIRATE INVASION

This annual two-day event brings mermaids and buccaneers to the shore for gallivanting, pillaging, and rum-swigging, with pirate costumes and nautical talk welcome. Founded in 2007 by the proprietor of Alfredo’s Beach Club, today the Pirate Invasion features pirate ships and encampments, daily pirate battles with pistols and cannons, live bands, rum tastings, food vendors, activities for kids, and the chance to greet the King of Spain and his court at the lighthouse. To keep tabs on the next Invasion, follow @pirateinvasionlongbeach on Instagram.

ESCAPE ROOM

You’ve been captured by pirates in the middle of the night and thrown into their dungeon–time is running out, and if you don’t escape you can look forward to walking the plank or worse! Try your cunning and exercise your wits at this family friendly escape room at Paniq Room Long Beach (327 Pine Ave) to fully immerse yourself in pirate role play. This 60-minute game for two to eight players is rated as medium-level difficulty and recommended for players age 8 and up.

TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY

Roxanne’s (1115 E Wardlow Rd), the playful pub in the Cal Heights neighborhood, reliably celebrates Talk Like a Pirate Day every year on September 19, hosting mermaid meet-and-greets, belly dancers, live bands, and more mayhem. Bring your crew to celebrate in a room full of pirates for interactive fun and pirate partying all night long.

FIND A PORT IN THE STORM

Set sail for Port City Tavern (4306 E Anaheim St) to enjoy Long Beach’s nautical bar for themed craft cocktails and spinning yarns by the firepits on the back patio. Try the Siren’s Seduction, a vodka libation flavored with passionfruit hibiscus and lime. For sober sailors, sip on the High Tide, a zero proof concoction made with cucumber, lime, elderflower, and tonic. Port City Tavern should also be part of every pirate’s holiday pub crawl, with their Nauti or Nice pop-up arriving in December.

Author

Claire Atkinson

Claire Atkinson is a Southern California native who has lived in Long Beach for over 20 years. She spends her free time visiting local parks, farmers markets, and museums, and loves learning about Long Beach history and culture.