The Honolulu Advertiser has an article on the private show that Jimmy Buffett played last night at his new Waikiki restaurant: Jimmy Buffett’s At The Beachcomber:

Jimmy Buffett christened his new Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber restaurant in Waikiki in style last night, putting on a nonstop two-hour concert for invited guests and VIPs.

“I refuse to participate in this recession,” Buffett told a cheering crowd, many of whom wore balloon animals in the shape of shark fins and parrotheads.

Dressed in his trademark yellow T-shirt, red board shorts and standing in bare feet, Buffett brought out old standards like “Come Monday,” “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and “Margaritaville,” played “Dukes on Sunday” with local favorite Henry Kapono and jammed all night alongside ukulele virtuoso Jake Shimabukuro and most of his Coral Reefer band.

He also premiered some new songs, basically putting on a full concert preview for fans who also came to town for Buffett’s concert tomorrow night at the Waikiki Shell.

Read the entire article here.

Also, check out the set list from the show here.

TicketMaster now has the February 28th Jimmy Buffett show at the Waikiki Shell in Honolulu, Hawaii listed.

Tickets will go on sale this Saturday (the 31st) at 9 am Hawaiian Standard Time (2 pm eastern). Prices are $75 – $125.

Click here for TicketMaster purchase link

Update – Tickets for the February 24th show at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center go on sale to the general public this Saturday (the 31st) at 10 am HST (3 pm eastern) through www.mauiarts.org/tickets, in person at the box office, or by calling 1-808- 242-SHOW (7469).

Ticket prices are $56, $66, $86 plus applicable fees; a limited number of $126 premium seating tickets will also be available.

Early ticket purchasing is available for donors supporting the MACC. Learn more here. The early purchase period begins at 10 am Thursday and runs through Friday.

We have been told that PHIP Club members received an e-mail this morning stating that Jimmy Buffett will play two dates in Hawaii in February:

Tuesday, February 24th – Maui
Saturday, February 28th – The Shell in Waikiki

No word yet on ticket sales or prices.

Buffett is also playing a private show for the opening of his newest restaurant, Jimmy Buffett’s At The Beachcomber in Honolulu. Landshark Lager is giving away a trip for two to attend the show (register here). The date is not yet known, but the official sweepstakes rules say that the anticipated travel is February, March, or April 2009. It’s possible that Jimmy will play this private show while he is in Hawaii for these two shows.

(hat tip to Jr. Mint for passing this along!)

BuffettWorld reported back in February that Jimmy Buffett plans to open Jimmy Buffett’s At The Beachcomber at the Ohana Waikiki Beachcomber in Waikiki, Hawaii. The original plan was to open by the end of the year, but now the opening date is slated for early 2009:

It’s taking $15 million to build out 22,000 square feet for the new 400-seat Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber. And it will be every bit an adventure in paradise.

Simulated sunsets and rolling surf. The Hot Spot Bar where action will surely be volcanic. Ocean Waves Dining Booths for the North Shore vibe. You’ll enjoy music from up-and-coming local talent and food that’s not too complicated but full of flavor: fresh seafood, juicy burgers and casual island favorites. Cocktails will find tropical inspiration, too, with boat drinks, ice-cold brews and of course, signature margaritas.

Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber opens in early 2009.

Jimmy Buffett, along with Outrigger Enterprises Group, have unveiled plans for a new restaurant in Waikiki, Hawaii. Construction will begin soon on “Jimmy Buffett’s At The Beachcomber,” with completion scheduled for the end of this year.

OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber’s $21 million revitalization momentum continues with Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber and is slated to open in late 2008. Construction of the $15 million project will start soon. The venue will occupy more than 22,000 square feet with customer seating of 400.

“Our partnership with Jimmy Buffett has made it possible to bring this unique new concept to Waikiki,” said Dean Nakasone, general manager of OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber. “Guests staying at the newly transformed OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber will get to enjoy Jimmy’s island-style magic, making their stayhere even more special.”

Jimmy Buffett’s at the Beachcomber will occupy a prominent location on Kalakaua Avenue above Macy’s in the OHANA Waikiki Beachcomber hotel’s lobby level. The restaurant is a festive celebration of Jimmy’s adventurous lifestyle and the natural wonders of Hawaii. Guests will be able to choose to dine or enjoy their favorite beverage in open air lanais or within one of theextraordinary island atmospheres created throughout the facility.

“From the first time I rode a wave at Canoes on Waikiki I began to figure out how I could get back to Hawaii on a more regular basis to that One Particular Harbour,” said Jimmy Buffett. “I’m not the first nor will I be the last traveler to do so, but now with the partnership of the great folks at Outrigger Hotels, I have realized my dream and we will soon be open in Waikiki. I have had a long love affair with Hawaii and her people. Mark Twain called these ‘the loveliest fleet of islands anchored in any ocean’ and I couldn’t agree more. I have written many stories and songs inspired by my time in Hawaii and can’t wait to see what the future holds in the land that is so far but yet so near. Mahalo.”

Learn more about Buffett’s business empire here.