Piano bar will crack up visitors

 
Boca Raton's FunKey Nutz is all about music and good times.

By Heather C. McCalla
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Posted October 6 2006

There were 4,482.

That's how many bras hung over the stage at Hugh Jorgan's, The Dueling Piano Bar, formerly located in downtown Delray Beach.

After closing in February and refurbishing an old dinner theater on Boca Raton's Mizner Boulevard, the piano bar has reopened with the same concept but donning a new name, FunKey Nutz.

According to Mike DiBartolo, co-owner and operator of the piano bar for more than seven years, all those bras went down with the building, literally. Before closing, Hugh Jorgan's had a monthlong contest for patrons to guess the number of bras hanging up. The grand prize was the 4,482 bras. Mike Garcia, a regular at the former and present location, came the closest, but he chose not to take them down. So, when the previous location was torn down, the bras went with them. Since reopening in July, about 100 bras have been sacrificed and offered up to the bra gods.

"People will say, `Let's go to the bra place' when they don't know the name," DiBartolo said. "The girls love it."

Yes, the "girls" certainly do. On a slow Thursday night, piano players Morgan "Chest Nutz" Phillips, Mark "Sacco Nutz" DeWeese and Gary "Deez Nutz" Giampaolo entertain over a dozen women who obviously enjoy singing and dancing along to a comical yet spirited rendition of My Humps by the Black Eyed Peas.

Among them are birthday girls Cynthia Dejoie and Jackie Syverson, who flew all the way from Pennsylvania for a long weekend with friends. Having visited the previous location, Dejoie and Syverson said that FunKey Nutz was a much-anticipated event during their visit to South Florida.

"We tried to go last March, but it was closed," Dejoie said. "We don't have a lot of stuff like this back home."

Truth be told, there's not a lot of places like FunKey Nutz in South Florida. Boasting the motto of serving "warm beer and lousy food" until 2 a.m. (to get your grub on, you must get there before 12:30 a.m. when the kitchen closes), this bar ain't your average watering hole. It doesn't attract the average crowd, either, as a man streaks across the bar wearing nothing but boxers.

With the 10 house rules hand-painted on the front door (including such words of encouragement as "Have fun!" and "Shut up and sing!"), it doesn't take long to realize that you come to FunKey Nutz for one thing: to have fun. Unlike karaoke, you don't have to get onstage to sing; all that is required is singing along as you sit, dance or streak across the bar.

Chest Nutz begins singing Gloria's Gaynor's I Will Survive. As the lights dim and the mirrorball twinkles, Tina Docksteader of Boca Raton queues up and puts on her veil. Practicing for the real thing on Saturday, Docksteader and her closest friends are celebrating one last night of the single life before she takes those marriage vows. Before she heads down the aisle, though, Docksteader prepares to faithfully obey FunKey Nutz rule No. 2: Shut up and sing!

"It's fun here. It's diverse ... they are funny and talented," Docksteader said. "It's fun to go out and be fun and quirky with your girlfriends."

Ah, but the million-dollar question: Is Docksteader willing to part with her bra?

"I didn't know I was coming here or I would have gone to the thrift store!"

FunKey Nutz will have to do without her bra, at least for now.

Heather C. McCalla can be reached at hcmccalla@sun-sentinel.com.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Spacer    
Spacer Spacer Spacer Spacer Spacer
 

Piano bar gets new home, name

By Dan Scapusio
Special Correspondent

August 20, 2006
 

The pulsing, collective energy coming from FunKey Nutz, The Dueling Piano Bar, could be heard from around the corner in Royal Palm Place in Boca Raton.

This was the opening of the former Hugh Jorgan's, The Dueling Piano Bar, a popular party landmark in the Pineapple Grove section of downtown Delray Beach until urban renewal forced a move to Boca Raton. Last call was Feb. 25, as the bar made way for a five-level parking garage.

"It's a little bit different atmosphere, it's a little bit more sophisticated, but at the same time just as rowdy," said Derek Lubsen of Wellington.

Along with the move to 303 SE Mizner Blvd. in Boca Raton came a name change.

"We felt that Boca Raton needed a fun place where people can go out and have a great time," bar owner Mike DiBartolo said. "So we used the name fun for fun times, key for piano keys, to coincide with the piano players and the entertainment, and nutz because you have a nutty time when you come here."

The bar had a soft opening July 7 and a grand opening July 22, which DiBartolo said drew about 500 people. It's open Tuesday nights for karaoke, and Wednesday through Saturday nights with the dueling pianos.

Delray Beach bought the old Love's Drug building that housed Hugh Jorgan's in November 2005, in conjunction with the expansion of Old School Square Cultural Arts Center. The tenants had a few reprieves but finally had to move out.

"We were expecting to stay longer in Delray," but the city was anxious to knock the building down, DiBartolo said. It was torn down in May and June, according to the demolition company, The BG Group.

Hugh Jorgan's faithful have shown their support and loyalty during the process. "Our first night, we were slammed," said waitress Renata Lauto, 22, of Boynton Beach. "It was all regulars that we knew. It was nice to see everybody that came in. We have a loyal following, loyal customers that come back."

The grand opening featured the piano players doing what they do best: taking requests, playing the songs with gusto and spurring the crowd to sing along. A chorus line of waitresses took the stage periodically to sing and dance, and one of the bartenders did a solo.

Among those present were Boca Raton Mayor Steve Abrams and his wife, Debbie Abrams, who was given the honor of doing the ceremonial ribbon cutting FunKey Nutz-style, which meant stringing a long line of bras together from one end of the stage to the other. The city's first lady took the scissors and snipped the line in two amid a din of shouts and applause.

"I was a big fan of Hugh Jorgan's," said Julio Salvet, 26, of Boca Raton, "I'm still here because I love this place."

Regulars such as Salvet brought in new faces. Jonathon Rotiz, 28, who was visiting from Atlanta, plans to move to Palm Beach. "FunKey Nutz is great, it's a great atmosphere," Rotiz said. "You can see people from 21 to 50. It's fun; it's a happening place."

The regulars seemed to take the move well.

"I think it's more Boca. I think it's fancier. I like it," said Tuula Blackmon, 43, of Boca Raton. "It's the same atmosphere."

Even the mayor chimed in, with a smile.

"We haven't had this much fun in Boca Raton since Addison Mizner walked around with this monkey on his shoulder," Abrams said of the quirky, famed architect credited with creating the look of Boca Raton.

Staff Writer Erika Slife contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2006, South Florida Sun-Sentinel


BOCA RATON NEWS
BUSINESS NEWS

Hugh Jorgan’s then, FunKey Nutz now! 
Dueling Piano Bar comes to Boca
 
Published Friday, March 24, 2006
by Corey Siggins
 
After six wild years in Delray Beach, the dueling piano bar Hugh Jorgan's is bringing its special form of entertainment to Boca Raton.

The bar, which has been renamed FunKey Nutz by owner/operator, Mike DiBartolo, will make its new home at Boca's Royal Palm Place. An opening date is expected near the end of May.

According to DiBartolo, previous customers of his establishment can expect to find more of the same at the Boca location.

"It's going to be just like the old place. In fact, I believe it's going to be even better," DiBartolo said. "We're set to be Boca's best-kept secret."

Originally found within the historic Love's Drugs building in Delray's downtown area, the bar was a popular gathering place among South Florida residents.

A typical weekend night at Hugh Jorgan's would see numerous customers packing the bar wall-to-wall, singing along to past and current songs performed by the bar's three pianists.

"People would come from all over South Florida," DiBartolo said. "They would travel from as far south as Fort Lauderdale to as far north as Jupiter."

A raunchy sense of humor often underscored the proceedings, with the musicians throwing naughty lyrics into a song while being encouraged by the audience. Bras dangling from the ceiling were a common sight.

Hugh Jorgan's also became known for marriage proposals frequently occurring there between its more diehard patrons. The bar was even featured in an episode of The Learning Channel's "A Wedding Story."

Last November, Delray officials purchased the Love's Drugs building for $2.75 million from the Love family in order to turn the site into a five-level parking garage.

The development is part of an ongoing endeavor to expand Old School Square and construct an adjacent park.

"The city told me they wanted to keep the bar here, and we certainly hated the idea of leaving Delray. Unfortunately, it didn't work out," DiBartolo said. "Boca, though, has been very receptive and helpful to us. We couldn't ask for anything better."

He added that the name change reflects the switch to a different spot.

"Since we're starting over again, I thought a brand-new name was appropriate," DiBartolo said. "Rest assured, the same spirit will still be there."

Boca Mayor Steve Abrams, who was present at Hugh Jorgan's during its last weekend of operation at the end of February, looks forward to visiting the new location.

"I've been saying to people, 'We might have lost Scripps, but we gained Hugh Jorgan's,'" Abrams said.


Contact Corey Siggins at 561-549-0845 or at csiggins@bocanews.com.
 
Copyright 2006 - Boca Raton News

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Hugh Jorgan's piano bar moving from Delray to Boca

<A HREF="http://adserver.trb.com/event.ng/Type=click&FlightID=473659&AdID=205619&Custom=&TargetID=57507&Segments=165,237,322,673,692,755,1600,2167,3391,3907,3909,7209,7785,7801,50417,52005,52641,54438,56778&Targets=11061,58944,50660,55436,2812,59254,11846,59459,59551,57507&Values=31,43,51,60,72,81,90,100,110,150,287,291,328,333,388,433,449,591,834,903,998,1016,1051,1065,1066,1089,1091,1093,1105,1112,1136,1212,1260,1263,1309,1604,1606,1617,1648,1653,1654,1664,1681,1737,1745,1748,1754,1786,1787,1788,1837,1839,1863,1870,1871,1887,1890,1892,1939,1956,1957,1978,1985,1987,2011,2017,2035,2036,2044,2087,2106,2161,2273,2281,2283,2297,2353,2377,2380,2548,2625,2720,2765,2782,2804,2805,2806,2838,2861,2863,2902,2915,2938,2948,2971,2975,3005,3023,3047,3051,3055,3058,3061,3065,3088,3113,3117,3153,3215,3238,3242,3257,3258,3277,3278,3286,3331,3333&RawValues=USERAGENTID%2CMozilla/4.0%2520(compatible%253B%2520MSIE%25206.0%253B%2520Windows%2520NT%25205.1%253B%2520SV1%253B%2520.NET%2520CLR%25201.0.3705%253B%2520.NET%2520CLR%25201.1.4322%253B%2520Media%2520Center%2520PC%25204.0%253B%2520.NET%2520CLR%25202.0.50727%253B%2520InfoPath.1)%2CTID%2C1491bkm11vu8hk&Redirect=http://www.sun-sentinel2.com/advertising/sexsecond/contest.html" target="_top"><IMG SRC="http://brt.trb.com/ads/Network/spacer.gif" WIDTH=160 HEIGHT=240 BORDER=0></A>

By Erika Slife
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

February 24 2006

It is where men and at least one woman have popped the question, and it recently was featured in an episode of The Learning Channel's A Wedding Story.

But with bras dangling from the ceiling, and whoops and hollers in the background, Hugh Jorgan's, The Dueling Piano Bar, in Delray Beach is hardly just a place for romance.

It's also a place to party.

The rocking piano bar at 92 NE Second Ave. is planning a farewell bash Saturday, its last night in Delray Beach. The bar is in the Love's Drugs building, which is scheduled for demolition in March.

The city bought the building in November, with plans to turn the site into a five-level parking garage, said Richard Hasko, the city's director of environmental services.

The development is part of a larger plan to expand Old School Square and build an adjacent park.

"It's sad they're even letting us leave," owner Mike DiBartolo said. "It's something that Delray needs. Unfortunately, it has to be at our location."

When the bar reopens in Boca Raton in the spring, it will sport the new name FunKey Nutz but still harbor the same free-for-all attitude. The new location will be at 303 SE Mizner Blvd., in Royal Palm Place, south of Mizner Park.

"Now that we're moving, it's a perfect time to change the name," said DiBartolo, who bought the bar from its original owner several years ago. "What's my vision for the next place? To be 10 times better than this place."

After six years of piano entertainment, the bar has earned its playful reputation. It has been a popular destination for birthday bashes and bachelor and bachelorette parties. Loud laughter, obnoxious catcalls and a sense of humor are encouraged for entry.

"You hung out and had a great time and sang songs. For awhile there, it was one of Delray's best-kept secrets," said Vicky Oakley, 36, of Delray Beach, who was a regular. "I remember back in the day, they had a line around the block."

On a typical night, two pianists duke it out on stage, belting out lyrics racier than the next, the crowd inciting them. An assortment of colorful bras and ladies' underwear hangs from the ceiling, gifts from patrons who left their unmentionables in exchange for T-shirts.

One recent night, a young woman celebrating her birthday triumphantly held up a black brassiere laden with sparkles, to the cheer of the crowd.

DiBartolo stresses the raunchy atmosphere is all in good fun.

"One good thing is women feel real safe when they come here," DiBartolo said. "There is no trouble in this place."

More than local residents have streamed in and out of the bar. Celebrities have made their entrance, including Mark Hamill of Star Wars fame, and Wayne Rosenthal, the Marlins' former pitching coach, DiBartolo said.

"Unannounced, you'll see a limo pull up and someone runs into the club," he said.

DiBartolo was at first resistant to relocating, but he started searching for sites elsewhere when he realized there was no other option.

"Obviously we would have liked to stay at least through season, but it's not going to happen," he said.

At the going-away bash, the bar will give out free T-shirts and other party gifts. Management will announce the winner of a month long contest for who can guess the number of bras hanging from the ceiling. The winner will receive the six-year bra collection, $100 to be spent at the bar the evening of the going-away party and one year of free cover charges for the winner and a guest at the new location.

Reservations for the last evening are encouraged, DiBartolo said. The cover charge is $6 and there's a two-drink minimum.

For more information, check the bar's Web site at www.funkeynutz.com. or call 561-272-7887.

Erika Slife can be reached at eslife@sun-sentinel.com or at 561-243-6690.

Copyright © 2006, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Welcome | Come inside FunKey Nutz | Calendar | Birthday Club

Reservations | FunKey Humor | Menu | Newsletter | Photo Album  

Directions | Family History | FunKey Business | Job Opportunities

Corporate Events/Private Parties | Operating Hours | Merchandise

Contact Us

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

©2006-2007 FunKey Nutz The Dueling Piano Bar. All Rights Reserved.
Comments? Webmaster@FunKeyNutz.com