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A veteran of more than 50 shows provides this guide and tips to "Buffett virgins" on how to be a Parrothead for a day.

Welcome to Jimmy Buffett Concerts 101
Tips & First-Timers Guide on Being a Parrothead for a Day

Parrotheads party – veterans and "virgins" – at Jimmy Buffett concerts.

Never been to a Buffett show?

No problem. Here's your "how to" party guide on being a Parrothead for a day. It's written by a veteran of more than 50 shows, so you can most definitely trust the source.

Be creative and bring a hula hoop to the parking lot party!

HOW TO DRESS

These girls have the Buffett dress code down perfectly.

This is the first question Buffett virgins always ask, because they want to fit in and don't want to look like, well, Buffett conceit virgins. (It's okay, by the way, all friendly people are welcome.)

The safe call is an Aloha (or Hawaiian, if you prefer) shirt. Enhance it with leis (plastic ones are fine). Shorts and sandals. You can add to this wardrobe with a grass skirt and Hawaiian-style straw hat if you like. Girls can even wear coconut bras. Guys, always wear a shirt. In short, look tropical.

:
"Look tropical" is the best advice for dressing for a Buffett show.

PubClub.coom Parrotheads party at Buffett in Las Vegas.

This pirate who looks at 40 has a boat drink by a, well, boat.

DO NOT wear jeans and a t-shirt. This is not Motley Crue; it's Jimmy Buffett.

WHEN TO ARRIVE: THE PARKING LOT PARTY

This is the most critical part of a Buffett show, for the full Buffett concert experience is not about what Jimmy and the Coral Reefers do on stage, but what the Parrotheads do before Jimmy and the Coral Reefers get on stage.

THIS is what Buffett shows are all about, partying in the parking lot. Buffett has no warmup band, no pre-concert activities, no advance entertainment.

Full-on tiki bars are set up in the parking lot for the tailgate party.

This portable tiki bar has boat drinks and more.

Ladies, watch out for the "fin spin!"

Beer bongs: Don't be surprised by anything you see at a Buffett show.

As daytime turns to darkness, the party continues until Buffett's on stage.

This is no solo or small group party, either. It's with everyone at the show. Parrotheads use the big parking lots at the venues to set up sand, tiki bars and party stations with huge blenders, Even Buffett-style bands play.

To experience it all, arrive at least five hours before the show. And be sure to have a large cup filled with your favorite drink to walk up and down the rows of motorhomes and other vehicles to fully soak in the scene.

There's a lot of great – and great looking – people to meet in the parking lot.

PubClub.com hears arguments from people who go to other concerts and say "yeah, we party there," but they do so in their small groups, not in the masses with everyone else at the show.

Think of it as tropical-themed football tailgagte party.

TAKE A PARTY BUS

PubClub.com travels to Buffett shows aboard a party bus.

The PubClub.com party bus crew at a Buffett show in L.A.

The best way to see a Buffett show is aboard a party bus. Check local bars that attract a Parrothead crowd to see if anyone is organizing a bus. Ask your fiends ("real" or Facebook).

If you find a number of people going who haven't figured out their transportation, organize your own bus. Call a local bus company and make the arrangements (it will cost about $800 plus tip for the day and big Greyhound-sized buses hold 47-50 people, so it's about $25 a head). But do this weeks in advance because at Buffett shows, buses go as fast as margaritas.

Let someone else do the driving so you can party on a bus!

One thing you do NOT want to do is drink and drive. If nothing else, bribe a friend to drive (offer them a free ticket for getting you there and back safely).

KNOW THE BASIC SONGS

At Buffett shows, there are fins to the right and fins to the left.

You don't have to be a full-on "Parrothead" (a term used to describe those who tend to live the Buffett island lifestyle) to enjoy Buffett's music and the show.

But there's a few songs and lyrics one should know before you go, considering people will be dressed like the "Captain and the Kid," or suddenly put their hands above their heads and sway back and forth to a song. It's not quite like when they throw rice or say "damn it, Janet," at the Rocky Horror Picture Show, but it's close.

Chances are you know Buffett's signature song, "Margaritaville." The big line in it is "there's booze in the blender, and soon it will render that frozen concoction that helps me hang on," and that's why you'll see huge blenders churning in the parking lot.

It's "Phins Up" for Parrotheads when Buffett plays "Fins."

Another key song is "Fins," which is about "land sharks," or guys hitting on girls at bars – and Buffett shows. It's a pretty good warning for good-looking girls that at Buffett shows there are "fins to the left, fins to the right." You'll see shark fins everywhere and Parrotheads often acknowledge one another by placing a hand on their head like a shark fin akin to when Alabama fans say "Roll Tide" when passing one another. During the show, when you hear the Jaws theme, that's the prelude to the song and thousands will put their hands over their heads and move their "fins to left, fins to the right."

There's also "Cheeseburger in Paradise" (so you'll see people grilling cheeseburgers in the parking lot), "Volcano" (don't be surprised to see an exploding volcano or two), "A Pirate Looks at 40" (the "ballad of Buffett, which brings out plenty of pirates) and "Let's Get Drunk and Screw" (that's true).

MARGARITAS OR BOAT DRINKS? OR LAND SHARKS?

There's booze in the (big) blenders and they do render at Buffett shows.

Another key question of Buffett virgins is "what do I take to drink? Margaritas or boat drinks?"

Well, that's really up to the individual, but PubClub.com recommends sticking with whatever you choose and not switching. Unless it's to beer. Land Shark Lager is the official Buffett "Phins Up" brew and is even served in his Margaritaville bars and restaurants.

Boat drinks, for those not in the know, are rum drinks with fruit juice. Rum and OJ, with a splash of grapefruit or mango, is a PubClub preference. Be sure and use good Caribbean rum.

ENJOY THE SHOW!

Buffett plays in his bare feet on the stage and the shows are fun!

Follow the crowd from the parking lot into the venue and then it's just a matter of enjoying the show! Buffett concerts are not intense; they are a party. Talk to people next to you and don't worry about a thing.

After all, it's Buffett!

Related: JImmy Buffett 2012 Concert Schedule