How Newport Harbor Became Orange County’s Wildest Summer Party
Straight out of a beer commercial, the Newport Beach Boat Tie-Up Party turned an upscale harbor into one of Southern California’s wildest summer scenes. PubClub.com covered three of the events—in 2008, 2009 and 2010—and looks back at a party that has quietly slipped into local legend.
By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com Editor & Publisher
For the ultimate party in Newport Beach’s suntanned summer, just add water.
And that is just what people did in the middle of the Newport Channel in late July once a year for the Newport Beach Boat Tie-up Party. There were boats, boat drinks, a floating band, babes, boys and beer. And it was a splashing, smashing hit.
Yachts, offshore boats and pleasure craft, lined up side-by-side, tied together by pride and a partier’s pursuit. Captains stocked their vessels not only with libations but lovely ladies, as boastful bikinis could be seen from, ahem, top to bottom. Some people went into the drink between drinks – intentionally or not – as they make their way from one end of the scene to the other.
It was like Devil’s Cove of Lake Travis in Austin, Texas on Memorial Day and Labor Day Weekend, and even reminded me of the multi-day island-hopping Interline Regatta in the British Virgin Islands.
It was fun in the sunshine, wildness on the water, a party in paradise, as much good times as anyone could have with a few clothes on – the sexy girls were in sexy bikinis, of course – Margaritaville on the water, a permanent reminder of a temporary feeling.
It was well organized, well run and well executed. It was adults acting like college students but still being responsible because they are all, well, adults.
The first beers were popped around Noon and there was a full frenzy by 2 p.m. Guzzling guests, in attire suited to such an event, arrived via a hired shoreboat known locally as a Duffy with regularity throughout the afternoon. Eventually hundreds were on dozens of decks, walking on water from boat to boat, party to party. By 5 – tie-up veterans would say they could set their watches by it – the Orange County Sheriff’s boat would come along to decide enough fun is enough and chasd away the mild-mannered revelers like a barbecue chef swatting flies at a picnic.
All this did was send the boats down the channel to a dock at Balboa Peninsula where two bars await the afterparty. After all, the attitude here is be nice because, well, it’s just another shitty day in paradise.
The star of this buoyant bar was Orange Connty’s man about town, someone I referred to as “OC Al.” He was the instigator, the organizer, the one to know to get that elusive invitation. Because of the limitations of the channel, tie-up space was limited, making it an invitation-only event. “I’m sure if a boat of girls come along we can fit you in,” the pre-event e-mail announcement announced to captains. “But if you’re four guys on a speedboat, keep on going.”
Some scallywags dressed in pirate outfits would sometimes try to take part of this bountiful booty, but settled instead for circulating around the action in their dingy.
I’m not sure whatever happened with the Newport Beach Boat Tie-Up Party but I was sure glad it was there to experience it in its heyday. The
Q&A
What was the Newport Beach Boat Tie-Up Party?
It was a once-a-year, invitation-only event involving 20 or so boats that “tied up” to one another in the Newport Beach channel. Hundreds of people partied on the boats, going from one to another while a band played and providing a soundtrack to the fun.
Where did it take place?
Newport Beach, CA.
Why did it end?
All good things must come to an end. One reason is many of the boat captains began to age, get married and started families.
Could it ever return?
It could but it needs an organizer like “OC Al” to do it, boat owners willing to allow strangers on their boats and, of course, the local police and harbor patrol to allow it. You would also have to keep minors from crashing it, which previously was not a problem but could be today.
Now Hop on the Party Bus To More PubClub Classics
• The Legendary Manhattan Beach 4th of July Party Scene
PubClub Classics is a look back at fun events and places, some of which no longer exists. They are written by Kevin Wilkerson founder of PubClub.com, a nightlife expert and award-winning journalist who has covered destinations, events and nightlife for more than two decades. While working as a newspaper reporter, he received an Associated Press award for investigative journalism.
Leave a Reply