You've got linoleum floors, quarts of Tecate for $2.50, a jukebox with songs you probably don't…read moreknow, the occasional dice game, and zero gringos, except when I'm there.
This is a beer-only hall, where the choices are regular-size-bottle and caguama (quart) of Tecate, in rojo or azul (rojo is the red-labeled regular Tecate, and azul is blue-labeled Tecate light, for those watching their girlish figures). There appears to be wine available in a massive jug
The locals will stare at you, then smile, then introduce themselves. By evening, El Pirata has a fun and friendly crew of people in their 30s-60s just hanging out. By day, I've been there with 75 others all dressed as pirates, but that's another story.
El Pirata is right around the corner from Papas and Beer, Hussongs, and all your touristy drinkups -- yet exists in another world, in another land, and in another time, a time long before cruise ships began spilling thousands of day-trippers into the town.
It's a little hard to find, especially at night, as there's no lit-up sign and just a doorway. Check it out, mateys, and bring your friends, but don't tell everyone.