Margaritaville coming to the Windy City


The Midwest’s first Margaritaville restaurant brings a new dining and entertainment experience to Navy Pier on the lakefront in downtown Chicago

The Island experience is coming to the Midwest as Navy Pier has announced the addition of Margaritaville to its exciting array of restaurant offerings. When Margaritaville opens on Lake Michigan in Chicago next spring, visitors won’t have to travel any further than Navy Pier to be transported to the tropics. It will be more than a dining destination; it will be an entire change in latitude (and a change in attitude.)

I am a Parrothead, so this is awesome news! You know how everyone has a Bucket List of things to do/places to go before they die? My personal bucket List is to visit every Margaritaville restaurant. I've been to two (Myrtle Beach and Orlando), and since this one in Chicago will make 17 locations, I've got some work ahead of me.

So I called 1-800 COCO-TEL and asked to speak with Jimmy Buffett...

“I couldn’t be more excited about Margaritaville arriving on the shores of Lake Michigan,” said Jimmy Buffett. "From my earliest days in the city, playing the Quiet Knight on Belmont, to the pinnacle of live performances, to me singing in front of the ivy wall at Wrigley Field, I have had a long and wonderful history and affection for the people, the music, the art and the food of the Windy City. I have always thought Chicago as a beach town, a pretty big one, but still a beach town. I am happy to call Navy Pier home to Margaritaville. Fins Up Chicago."

A visit to Margaritaville will be a vacation in itself! Inspired by the travels and songs of Jimmy Buffett, Margaritaville is for anyone who wants to get away any day of the week to have a good time and a great meal. The beat of island party music and dockside atmosphere will be the backdrop for a trip that will not soon be forgotten.

If the navy Pier Margaritaville is anything like the two I've been to, then the Midwest is in for a welcome change in Latitude. A bit of the Florida beachfront will be scooped up and relocated to Lake Michigan, so all of us who speak without an accent will be surrounded by boat drinks, juicy fruits and other tropical tidings from the land of Buffett.

So I called up this guy in Chicago...

“We are thrilled to welcome Jimmy Buffett and his iconic establishment to Navy Pier,” said Jim Reilly, Trustee of Navy Pier. “This will be a great opportunity for visitors and Chicagoans alike, to seek out this new, year-round Navy Pier attraction while enjoying live entertainment and the lakefront.”

The restaurant will feature classic American and island inspired cuisine as well as nightly entertainment and live music. In addition to the signature “Cheeseburger in Paradise”, the menu will offer seafood, steaks, fajitas, regional favorites and of course Margaritas, boat drinks, frozen concoctions and cold beer.

Margaritaville’s laid back atmosphere, casual dining, bar and entertainment will soon be a favorite with both tourists and Chicago’s local residents.

Save me a booth!

ABOUT MARGARITAVILLE
Since launching its first location in Key West, Margaritaville has expanded to some of the most popular US destinations including: New Orleans, Orlando, Las Vegas, Myrtle Beach, Panama City Beach, Glendale, Mohegan Sun Casino, Nashville, and Jimmy Buffett’s at The Beachcomber in Honolulu, Hawaii. International locations can be found in Jamaica, Mexico, Grand Turk, Grand Cayman and Canada. The new Margaritaville Beach Hotel in Pensacola Beach, Florida opened July 2010 and Margaritaville's second hotel location is currently under development in Hollywood, Florida. Visit www.margaritaville.com.

ABOUT NAVY PIER
Navy Pier is located at 600 E. Grand Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. As the Midwest's #1 tourist and leisure destination, historic Navy Pier is one of the nation’s unique recreation and exposition facilities, attracting more than 8 million visitors a year. Visit www.navypier.com.