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Jimmy Buffett Honda Center Concert & Tailgate Party Review

October 13, 2019 by kevinwilkerson 8 Comments

Parrotheads Miss Irvine Meadows But Adapt To Anaheim Venue For High Tide Tour

Jimmy Buffett tailgate party Anaheim CA
These girls show off their colorful personalities – and hats – during a Jimmy Buffett tailgate party. Photo: PubClub .com




By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Parrothead Blogger

Grass skirts, tropical hats and pop-up tiki bars popped up in Anaheim and not Irvine Meadows as Jimmy Buffett played a Southern California concert on warm and sunny October Saturday.

The location was the Honda Center

Once again, PubClub.com arrived aboard a party bus from Hermosa Beach.

As it has no single large parking lot like Irvine Meadows, the Honda Center officials did something ridiculous – they designated only one lot for tailgating and charged people a whopping $165 – $165! – for buses and motorhomes to park there. They sold spots in advance and thankfully for us, it was sold out and we parked our bus in another lot for $40. Unless you were hosting a parking lot party, there was no reason to have paid that high fee.

So a big thanks to those who forked over the money so all Parrotheads could enjoy what makes Buffett shows so special and different, the tailgate party.

The Tailgate Parking Lot Scene

The lot was about a quarter the size of the main motorhome area at Irvine Meadows, and there were five rows of tailgating. Two rows were rocking and PubClub spent much of our time parked on a couple of bar stools at a large and very comfortable pop-up tiki bar.

We then spent an hour jamming with seemingly everybody else on another row listening to and drinking to live Buffett music by Huntington Beach musician Alac Bauer, who was playing in front of a motorhome. He led a frenzy of fun, past the setting sun in the distance and almost right up until it was time to go inside the arena. He was provided courtesy of the Orange County Parrothead Club.

Jimmy Buffett tailgate party tropical signs
Tropical signs are a big part of the decor at a Jimmy Buffett tailgate party. Photo: PubClub.com
Jimmy Buffett Anaheim tailgate party
Which way to the party!? Everywhere! Photo: PubClub.com

There were colorful signs pointing to tropical destinations, several pop-up tiki bars, a ski shot, a spin wheel and the usual wild hats worn by loyal Parrotheads.

Jimmy Buffett Anaheim tailgate party Jimmy Groovy
Jimmy Groovy is as prominent at Southern California concerts as pop-up tiki bars. Photo: PubClub.com

Eventually we were joined by the ever-present Jimmy Groovy, who is a Los Angeles and Las Vegas fixture; this guy dresses up like vintage Buffett of the 70s and he looks pretty darned close to Jimmy.

The lot opened at 10 a.m., and we arrived about 3 (hey, we had a pre-party at Sharkeez in Hermosa!). Unlike Irvine, we drove right in with no traffic. The lot was about half full. That was surprising. It seemed to fill up by about 5.

The Anaheim PD officers on duty were exceptional. They were roaming around but out of the way. When people went up them they smiled and posed for pictures, at one time even allowing Parrotheads to put leis on them.

Overall, it was fun but not the frenzy of Irvine Meadows. How could it be with a lot that’s nowhere near as big as the former home of Buffett concerts and Lion Country Safari, which is now a home to a lot of residents as condos are parked where motorhomes used to be twice year.

Enjoy the photos!

Jimmy Buffett tailgate party Fins Up
Sitting at a tiki bar, these petty girls have their fins up at the tailgate party. Photo: PubClub.com
Jimmy Buffett tailgate party
This girl dressed up in tune with the Son of a Son of a Son tour theme. Photo: PubClub.com
Jimmy Buffett tailgate party
Margarita to go anyone!? Photo: PubClub.com
Jimmy Buffett tailgate party
PubClub.com party bus regular Stacy takes advantage of the mobile margarita. Photo: PubClub.com
Jimmy Buffett concert tailgate party bus
The 2019 PubClub.com Jimmy Buffett party bus crew. Photo: PubClub.com
Jimmy Buffett concert tailgate party
Girls prepare to do a ski shot at a Jimmy Buffett tailgate party. Photo: PubClub.com
Jimmy Buffett concert tailgate party
Parrotheads prepare to do the drink-filled spin wheel. Photo: PubClub.com
Jimmy Buffett concert tailgate party
The PubClub.com party bus crew parties at a tiki bar in the parking lot. Photo: PubClub.com
Jimmy Buffett concert tailgate party
People gather in one of the rows of motorhomes at the Buffett show in Irvine, CA. Photo: PubClub.com
Jimmy Buffett concert tailgate party
Stacy and The Kevbeaux pose with “Jimmy.” Photo: PubClub.com
Jimmy Buffett concert tailgate party tiki bar
This is one of the pop-up tiki bars at the Anaheim Buffett concert.
Jimmy Buffett concert tailgate party Anaheim PD
PubClub.com gives a shout out to the Anaheim PD for having tolerant and friendly officers cruising the tailgate party. Photo: PubClub.com

The Venue

Honda Center, unlike most every venue where Buffett plays, is an indoor venue. It is the home area for the Anaheim Ducks NHL team.

As an indoor sports area, it’s fine but it’s not good for concerts. The seats, while comfortable, are small and space is tight. The rows are so small the people behind you practically have their knees against your head.

As such, there was no room to stand up and dance and everyone pretty much had to stay seated and not move. Which, of course, is hard to do at a Buffett show!

Honda Center Anaheim beer & concession prices
Concession prices are sky high, especially beers, at Honda Center. Photo: PubClub.com

Concert prices were out the roof: $16, $18 and $19 for a beer and $12 for a tiny plastic cup of wine.

Security personnel were friendly and efficient. At one gate, they were asking Parrotheads to remove their headgear. Entry was through the “doorway” metal detector and girls had to use the clear plastic purses.

Honda Center is across the street from Anaheim Stadium, which is not in use this time of the year because the Angels did not make the playoffs. It has a huge, continuous concert and it’s outdoor. If Buffett comes back to the Los Angeles area, he should play there instead of Honda Center.

The Concert

Jimmy Buffett concert Honda Center Anaheim
Jimmy Buffett and the Coral Reefer band put on a good show at the Honda Center in Anaheim, CA. Photo: PubClub.com

He’s still got it. At 72 years old, Buffett sounds pretty much the same he always has, no crackling voice, no loss of range. And the Coral Reefers don’t just dial it in; they play with the same spirit they have had have for decades.

The set list included several classics such as “Son of a Son of a Sailor” and “Banana Republic,” which long-time Parrotheads appreciated.

The show lasted a little less than two hours and only included a brief break by Buffett as he excited the stage about halfway through it. The music continued non-stop, tho as Robert Greenidge played on the steel drums.

All in all, it was fun and entertaining, just like all Buffett shows.

#JimmyBuffett
#HondaCenter
#tailgateparty
#finsup

Filed Under: Jimmy Buffett Tagged With: Jimmy Buffett Honda Center, tailgate party

Comments

  1. Duncan Crowl says

    October 14, 2019 at 10:00 am

    He didn’t do BANANA REPUBLIC. I WISH

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      October 14, 2019 at 10:58 am

      Maybe I heard it in my mind! Do you know what he did play? I can never remember! Thanks.

      Reply
    • Dan Watts says

      October 14, 2019 at 6:26 pm

      Agreed Debi. I would have loved to have seen something in this article about the great job that the Orange County Parrot Head Club did to entertain the parking lot from 10:00 am until 7:00 pm with the DJ, Dave Jensen, and the live music with Alec Bauer. No Buffett concert review is complete without comments from the parking lot.

      Reply
      • kevinwilkerson says

        October 14, 2019 at 6:45 pm

        Actually Alec is mentioned in the article; in fact there’s an entire paragraph about it. I went up to him afterward to chat with him and get his card. That being said, I added acknowledgement to the OC Parrothead Club with a link to the website. Again, thank you for providing this great parking lot entertainment!

        Reply
  2. Debi Stephens says

    October 14, 2019 at 3:55 pm

    The Orange County Parrot Head club put on a great party with DJ Dan and Alec Bauer rocking the parking lot! Our club was so glad everyone enjoyed themselves. Come join us at http://www.ocphc.org

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      October 14, 2019 at 3:57 pm

      Yes you did and thank you so much for that; the last hour-plus it was THE place to be in the parking lot! PubClub wants to forward this article to Alec, who was great entertainment. Fins Up!!!

      Reply
  3. Jack Thompson says

    October 17, 2019 at 11:20 am

    We flew down from Portland, Ore. Home is Battle Ground, Wa. Daughter and I had a blast!!! Life is good!

    Reply
    • kevinwilkerson says

      October 18, 2019 at 8:12 am

      That’s awesome!

      Reply

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