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LIPH wrote:How about NYC? There's a nice big empty space where the ESPN Zone restaurant used to be in Times Square. There's a smaller space 7 blocks uptown from there where the Hawaiian Tropic Zone used to be.

I'm pretty sure NYC won't get it like Boston. There is already one at Mohegan Sun.

RainTree wrote:
I'm just wondering - for those of you who have a Margaritaville in your home town (or very close) - how often do you go there?

I go to any one I can when on business travel, but wonder if the fun wears off, or the prices don't make it worth it, for regular home town folks.

I get to the 3 Chicago-are CHiPs maybe twice a year. Although that may be declining due to my experience in a decline of service in the past year.

RainTree wrote:Yes, another reason to visit Chicago and friends.

I'm just wondering - for those of you who have a Margaritaville in your home town (or very close) - how often do you go there?

I go to any one I can when on business travel, but wonder if the fun wears off, or the prices don't make it worth it, for regular home town folks.

The original on Duval Street is the only *real* Margaritaville Cafe to me.
I was there the summer it opened back in the mid-eighties, and many (many) times since.
While vacationing in Myrtle Beach this summer,
I stopped in the one at Broadway at the Beach, just because .....

I was vastly disappointed. Had a beer, watched a video,
the kids sort of enjoyed the giant margarita blender when it spun into action.
That was it. Didn't even stop in the gift shop.

surfpirate wrote:

LIPH wrote:How about NYC? There's a nice big empty space where the ESPN Zone restaurant used to be in Times Square. There's a smaller space 7 blocks uptown from there where the Hawaiian Tropic Zone used to be.

Baltimore Inner Harbor lost their ESPN Zone too. Nice waterside spot for a Margaritaville there.

I agree....perfect! Oriole Park and Margaritaville........

This is the best news all day. But it sucks sucks the current place got outbid...but this one will be here at least 10 years

One more reason to get to Chicago more often

Navy Pier can get awfully cold in the winter, hope the location will be accessible by the inside hall.

looking4OPH wrote:Back to Chicago.....

WHOO, FREEKIN, HOO!!!

My sentiments exactly!

I should be thrilled I guess, but it's just not hitting me yet. I imagine I'll be there with bells on, I entertain the notion of applying for work there, and mostly I look forward to it as a potential venue for musicians I like to see, including members of the CRB.

However, to me...

"Margaritaville Chicago" is an oxymoron.

Tiki Bar wrote:However, to me...

"Margaritaville Chicago" is an oxymoron.

Had a conversation with another Chicago parrothead today. We decided of anywhere in the area, Navy Pier is probably the best for potential 'margaritaville' state of mind being on and surrounded by water. Put it on Michigan Ave. or River North or Gurnee or Schaumburg and it is just another mega dining place. That said, in the middle of February with the winds blowing off of frozen Lake Michigan, it will be hard to be in an island state of mind.

looking4OPH wrote:

Tiki Bar wrote:However, to me...

"Margaritaville Chicago" is an oxymoron.

Had a conversation with another Chicago parrothead today. We decided of anywhere in the area, Navy Pier is probably the best for potential 'margaritaville' state of mind being on and surrounded by water. Put it on Michigan Ave. or River North or Gurnee or Schaumburg and it is just another mega dining place. That said, in the middle of February with the winds blowing off of frozen Lake Michigan, it will be hard to be in an island state of mind.

I agree Navy Pier is a great place to put a Margaritaville and I think I'll wait till spring to visit. Heading up that way next May. Looks like a given we will stop up that way.

looking4OPH wrote:

Tiki Bar wrote:However, to me...

"Margaritaville Chicago" is an oxymoron.

Had a conversation with another Chicago parrothead today. We decided of anywhere in the area, Navy Pier is probably the best for potential 'margaritaville' state of mind being on and surrounded by water. Put it on Michigan Ave. or River North or Gurnee or Schaumburg and it is just another mega dining place. That said, in the middle of February with the winds blowing off of frozen Lake Michigan, it will be hard to be in an island state of mind.

I agree about the location... the lakefront is gorgeous, and definitely the way to go, as Navy Pier is always bustling when I visit.

Here's info on the exact location location location from the Navy Pier site:

Charlie's Ale House... The restaurant seats 85 plus 100 more in its summertime outdoor café.

http://www.navypier.com/pdf/PierMap.pdf

So it's Bubba Gump's at the entrance, then Harry Carey's, then the current Ale House... just before Crystal Gardens, ferris wheel, etc. I wonder if they're going to expand, because it sure doesn't sound very big, especially compared to the others I've been to (Key West, Vegas, Orlando).

Tiki Bar wrote:So it's Bubba Gump's at the entrance, then Harry Carey's, then the current Ale House... just before Crystal Gardens, ferris wheel, etc. I wonder if they're going to expand, because it sure doesn't sound very big, especially compared to the others I've been to (Key West, Vegas, Orlando).

Although I haven't been to the Ale House, was thinking the same thing about size.

A little more detail here....

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ ... 3196.story

Just a short daytrip for me.......however I dont approve of these Cold Weather Margaritaville's. It's going to kill the vib at the real Island one's.

Chicago is not anything close to what I think of when someone says Margaritaville

surfpirate wrote:

RainTree wrote:Yes, another reason to visit Chicago and friends.

I'm just wondering - for those of you who have a Margaritaville in your home town (or very close) - how often do you go there?

I go to any one I can when on business travel, but wonder if the fun wears off, or the prices don't make it worth it, for regular home town folks.

The original on Duval Street is the only *real* Margaritaville Cafe to me.
I was there the summer it opened back in the mid-eighties, and many (many) times since.
While vacationing in Myrtle Beach this summer,
I stopped in the one at Broadway at the Beach, just because .....

I was vastly disappointed. Had a beer, watched a video,
the kids sort of enjoyed the giant margarita blender when it spun into action.
That was it. Didn't even stop in the gift shop.

You'd probably like the NOLA one, especially the small bar area...or the tire swing bar, next to the balcony. Very friendly, authentic and manageably-sized.
(It WAS my first )

msu#1 wrote:Just a short daytrip for me.......however I dont approve of these Cold Weather Margaritaville's. It's going to kill the vib at the real Island one's.

Chicago is not anything close to what I think of when someone says Margaritaville

LOL msu, I agree but we gotta take what we can get and run with it.

I can't wait!!!! Is it too early to camp out?

Maybe Jimmy's people can figure out a way to bring the USS Silversides back to Navy Pier. Just think — the only Margaritaville with its own submarine!!

-"BB"-

Has anyone heard anymore about this project.

Am starting to plan a trip there for this summer.

KruzinParrots wrote:Has anyone heard anymore about this project.

Am starting to plan a trip there for this summer.

BUMP.

Wondered if our Illinois tax increase is enough to have this project fall through?

This afternoon on RM Steve said it will be opening this spring. No specific date, he just said it's the next Margaritaville.