There’s a World Class Brewery right in our back yard! Considering my involvement in the beer community of South Florida, it’s about damn time I went to visit The Funky Buddha Lounge and Brewery in Boca Raton, Florida. I’ve met the owners and brewers of “The Buddha” before, but not on their turf. In fact, last time I saw them, they were still experimenting home brewers with no license to sell their beers. They were still tying up the loose ends required to add “Brewery” to their name.
Last night I met up with some friends for a few beers and conversation. The Funky Buddha is the kind of place you might walk past and never even know what exactly it is. Located at the end of a strip mall, the only eye-catching part about the place from the outside is its name in Blue Neon. The charm, however, starts when you walk through the door.
From the entrance, you can see the entire place. Comfortable nooks with couches surround the outside while tables fill the center area. The bar area spans the entire back wall. The lighting is dim but not dark and provides a nice atmosphere to relax for a few hours. Several groups besides my own were doing just that, including one that was celebrating a birthday.
The bar offers traditional drinks and wine and tea, but The Funky Buddha is mostly well-known for its beer and hookahs. I don’t really know much about that latter, but they had a bunch of people smoking flavored tobacco from some crazy bong-like machines. As for the beer, two chalk boards show you what’s on tap. One board has Funky Buddha’s own beers, which have become famous for their quality and creativity. The other board has the guest taps which include half a dozen or so other craft beer selections. In addition, there are dozens of other bottled beers available. If you’ve never been there, I would recommend ordering a flight of beers, five sample-sized portions of their offerings.
The decorations and art are fun and unique. Funky Buddha has live music and open mic night other days of the week. If you’re hungry, they offer light bar fare. The service was excellent and the staff were knowledgeable about the beers they were serving.
Watch for these guys to continue with their success. If you’re a beer lover, this is a must stop for locals and visitors alike. They are located at 2621 N Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL 33431. When you do stop, feel free to take better photos and send them to me. I was frankly disappointed with the pictures I took and see the glaring limitations of my iPhone with less than adequate lighting.
