Photo: Stephen Clarke
There are not many restaurants in George Town where you would feel comfortable sitting down to eat in your swimwear. But at Margaritaville, anything goes.
It’s the life’s-one-big-party vibe that makes Margaritaville the first, and often only, port of call for cruise ship visitors. They step off the launch and immediately wander (very slowly) straight across the road and make a beeline for Jimmy Buffet’s restaurant franchise.
Margaritaville has no delusions of grandeur. It does not pretend to be anything other than what it is: big, loud, fast paced and fun - with an exaggeratedly Caribbean theme. Jimmy Buffet music is pumped out throughout the three bars, two dining rooms, pool deck and balconies, while patrons knock back the trademark margaritas and rum cocktails as fast as the bartenders can pour them.
Mr Buffett’s widespread appeal is that he sings about the carefree, easygoing Caribbean lifestyle that many of his fans can only dream about. He paints a picture through his lyrics – a picture that his restaurants recreate - of warm, lazy days, the sand between one’s toes and frosty island drinks.
If you are stuck in a rut, and have lost sight of all that is great about life on a tropical island, a visit to the restaurant of one of the Caribbean’s greatest advocates might just put you right back on track.
Hot days, cold drinks, mellow tunes and a menu packed with all your island favourites – what more could you want? The usual suspects (conch fritters, jerk chicken wraps and coconut shrimp) all make an appearance, but there are also some unexpected twists such as chicken carnival soup (roast chicken and veggies in a spicy tomato broth), a fried chicken and pecan salad and the catch of the day, pan seared with herbs and spices and topped with a mango butter sauce.
The menu would not, of course, be complete without a selection of cheeseburgers in paradise: choose to add jerk sauce, bacon, onion rings, blue cheese, jalapenos and more.
It’s light hearted entertainment all the way: music videos play on flat screen TVs, children and adults whizz down the water slide, bartenders initiate drinking games and Jose the magician confounds customers – and staff – with his sleight of hand.
A staff of 65 ensures that however busy it is, nobody sits with an empty glass before them, and food comes out fast. Locals get VIP treatment during the lunch rush – their food orders are pushed to the top of the list, to ensure they can eat and get back to work in good time. And as if that were not enough, residents receive a 10 per cent discount as well.
Once the cruise ships depart, the atmosphere chills out. Open from 9am until 9pm, Margaritaville is one of a shrinking number establishments in George Town that is now open in the evenings. With happy hour running from 5pm to 7pm, locals can shake off the stresses of the day with $3 beers, $4 well drinks or $5 margaritas. What are you waiting for? Live the Caribbean dream! WH
For more information, call 949-6274.