By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com San Diego Blogger
Jimmy Buffett couldn’t be there but from up above, he sent his right-hand music man and long-time Coral Reefer Mac McAnally in his place and the replacement for “the boss” did an oustanding job by performing at the grand opening of the Margariaville Resorts in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter in October 2023.
With his deep and recognizable baritone voice – “the only one I have,” he joked to PubClub.com after the show – McAnally began his performance with a Buffett classic “Changes in Attitudes, Changes In Lattitudes” and ended it with the National Anthem of Parrothead Nation, “Margaritaville.” The latter had the VIPs and special guests who were fortunate enough to be there – hey you had to be there! – race to the edge of the small stage as the celebrated not just the event but the moment as well as legend and memories of Jimmy himself. It was a very special moment.
McAnally also sang “It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere, which was quite appropriate – and expected – considering the event took place at the hotel’s poolside 5 O’Clock Somewhere bar. The hotel also has a ground-level Margaritaville bar; PubClub.com has a review of it here.
@pubclub.com PubClub at the gramd opening of the #jimmybuffettsmargaritavile in San Diego! #jimmybuffett #margaritaville #finsup #pubclub #sandiego #partytime #drinks #partytime ♬ original sound PubClub
The event itself was over the top and McAnally was the floater on top of the margarita. In fact, when people walked in, we were handed a margarita from a wall of margaritas. There were also hollowed-out coconuts filled with coconut milk – with rum added upon request – labed martinis from Snake Oil and whatever else you wanted from the smiling bartenders.
Food was abundent, as well featuring samples of what is served in the restaurant – tuna, pulled pork cut right from a roasted pig and, of course, cheeseburgers in paradise.
The Margaritaville hotel San Diego is located at the corner of 6th & J streets. Its website is Downtown San Diego Hotels | Margaritaville Gaslamp Quarter (margaritavilleresorts.com)
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It was a great venue. The service was fantastic. Mac play some of Jimmy’s, some of his, and others.
Hist stories were great to hear. My eye’s leaked a bit last night.
Glad I got the chance to attend.
Totally agree! Same here on the leaking eyes.