Arizona's first Margaritaville opens in Glendale

Arizona's first Margaritaville opens in Glendale, AZ

Jimmy Buffett's first Margaritaville Café in Arizona is officially open in true Parrothead fashion, with Pink Cadillac Margaritas, Volcano Nachos, clowns on stilts and colorfully dressed employees dancing to It's Five O'clock Somewhere.

Developers, local dignitaries and members of the media gathered to welcome the latest addition to Westgate City Center, the Glendale entertainment and dining district at Loop 101 and Glendale Avenue.

The two-story 20,000-square-foot restaurant features three bars, an airplane hanging from the ceiling, fishing boat booths and a gift shop. It sells everything from shirts and sandals to mini surf boards.

Perhaps the coolest feature is the sprawling ceiling. On it, an artist has painted a pirate's map of the West Coast with one minor variation: Glendale, AZ is a coastal city just off the New Arizona Reef.
The usually laidback Parrotheads wasted no time making their way to the restaurant.

"The creativity of everything they're doing is amazing," said Debbie Zinn, who was planning to order the Volcano Nachos and Buffett's signature Land Shark "loaded" with a drop of tequila. "It's a nice escape, the food is wonderful and the service is great."

For her husband, Matt, Glendale represents the fourth Margaritaville he's visited. And while the Las Vegas location boasts a faux waterfall and volcano, the restaurant chain has been improving with each new site.

"As they get more and more experienced, they add to their (tropical-island) theme," he said.

The restaurant is spread out over two floors, with patio and balcony seating overlooking Westgate's Jobing.com Arena and water fountain. At 5 p.m. each day, the $6 million WaterDance fountain shoots water synched to a set of Buffett mainstays such as It's Five O'clock Somewhere and Margaritaville, for which the restaurant chain is named.

For some West Valley residents, the opening of Margaritaville means a piece of paradise is now just a short drive away.

Margaritaville Café is located at 6751 N. Sunset Blvd., Suite E109, Glendale. For information, call (623) 772-0066 or visit www.margaritaville.com.
Scott Wong, The Arizona Republic

To buy or lease a condo or home near Westgate in sunny Glendale, AZ, please contact RE/MAX Desert Showcase at 623-979-8888.