Update: Alright, for real this time.

After multiple delays, Margaritaville will finally and officially debut in the east bank of the Flats on July 11. A soft open is scheduled for July 3.

***

(Updated 5/19/17): The date is set. Clevelanders can officially get wasted away at Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville when it opens in the Flats East Bank Tuesday, June 27.

For those looking to work at the highly-anticipated island-themed chain restaurant, a hiring event is set for May 22-24 at the Aloft Cleveland Hotel. In a press release the company said they were looking to hire 200 new employees. 

Find out more information at margaritavillecleveland.com. 

***

(Original story 5/5/2016): Well, they are rumors no more. On Cinco de Mayo, no less, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville has confirmed that Cleveland will be the site of one of its iconic restaurants. The island-themed chain, with two dozen locations, will take over the spot in Flats East Bank originally earmarked for Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar and Grill.

Margaritaville, which launched in Key West, Fla. in 1987, is now a global brand inspired by the “carefree” lifestyle of singer, songwriter and author Jimmy Buffett. The festive restaurants strive to evoke the sort of tropical escapism Buffett characterizes in his music.

The expansive complex will be comprised of a full-service restaurant, multiple bars, a performance stage and retail store – all of which will be at home on Cleveland’s waterfront.

“We are thrilled to bring the Margaritaville experience to the Flats in Cleveland and to continuing to work closely with our great partners from The Wolstein Group and Fairmount Properties,” said David Crabtree, President/CEO of International Meal Company U.S., the operator of Margaritaville Cleveland. “We look forward to bringing escapism to the city and becoming active members of the Cleveland community.”

The approachable menus are loaded with casual fare like fish and chips, coconut shrimp, fish tacos, and, yes, Cheeseburgers in Paradise. Of course, most of the patrons are there for the margaritas and “boat drinks.”

Look for the Cleveland location to open later this year. 

This article appears in May 4-10, 2016.

For 25 years, Douglas Trattner has worked as a full-time freelance writer, editor and author. His work as co-author on Michael Symon's cookbooks have earned him four New York Times Best-Selling Author honors, while his longstanding role as Scene dining editor has garnered awards of its own.

8 replies on “Margaritaville Officially Opens in Cleveland July 11”

  3. Margaritaville in Sandusky….ah the memories. Is that place still open? Jimmy is a notorious bloodhound when it comes to his brand, so I never could understand how that place stayed open.

  4. Margaritaville makes more sense in warm-climate, tourist-oriented New Orleans and Key West, where Jimmy at least has some real history,

    Better to open a Pat Daileyville, so we can enjoy him while he is still among the living…when he’s not at PIB or in the Keys.

    What the hell does Buffett have to do with the history of the Flats…or Cleveland? It’s just a chain theme-bar now…with his name on it, The logo should be a dollar sign instead of a parrot.

    Chuckles the Clown

  5. It’ll just take business away from other places in Cleveland. Only so many people to go around in a city that keeps losing population.

  6. Buffett is a brand now, after so many years, and has nothing to do with Cleveland’s history…well, maybe about as much as an Applebees’s or a Friday’s…

    But hell, I’ll take Parrotheads over those suburb-dwelling, shit-kicking, flag-waving, gun-toting, cowboy-driving, USA-chanting, Storm Trumper wannabe country fans any time.

    Chuckles the Clown

Comments are closed.