Jimmy Performs at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach

Jimmy Buffett was in South Florida on Saturday afternoon to perform for the official grand opening of the Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort.

photo by Shannon Kaestle for Miami Herald

As the sun dropped and the rain drifted out to sea, thousands of people massed along the Broadwalk in front of Margaritaville for the official grand opening of the Buffett-themed resort that now stands as the beach’s new centerpiece. The $150 million attraction offers more than just 349 rooms, eight bars and a spa — it’s also a beacon of hope that this snowbird paradise will at last become a first-class tourist destination.

“Let’s put the top down on this place!” Buffett shouted to kick off the one and a half-hour free concert.

The high-tech, slickly produced Live Nation Jimmy Buffett concert production — bigger and louder than anything Hollywood beach has ever seen before — was greeted by veteran Parrotheads and Hollywood locals but did not come without controversy; residents took to social media in the days before to decry what some criticized as a VIP-only exclusive event.

But most of the stage was visible, and by the time Buffett took the stage at 4:30 p.m. it was already 5 o’clock somewhere. The complaints had, for the most part, been drowned down with a few beers, some shots of tequila and Buffett magic.

Read more here.

View the set list from the show