{"id":39538,"date":"2024-03-15T16:44:59","date_gmt":"2024-03-15T23:44:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/?p=39538"},"modified":"2024-05-24T00:24:07","modified_gmt":"2024-05-24T07:24:07","slug":"jimmy-buffetts-margaritaville-to-close-at-flamingo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.casino.org\/vitalvegas\/jimmy-buffetts-margaritaville-to-close-at-flamingo\/","title":{"rendered":"Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville to Close at Flamingo"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A longtime fixture at Flamingo Las Vegas, Margaritaville restaurant, is set to close this summer.<\/p>\n

Margaritaville opened at Flamingo in 2003.<\/p>\n

For two decades, Margaritaville has been a triumph of vibe and Jimmy Buffett’s brand over, you know, quality and value. Over time, Margaritaville has wasted away, and now Las Vegas will do what it does best, make something new.<\/p>\n

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This parrot is no more. He has ceased to be. He’s expired and gone to meet his maker. He’s a stiff, bereft of life, he rests in peace! He’s kicked the bucket, he’s shuffled off his mortal coil, run down the curtain and joined the bleeding choir invisible.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jimmy Buffett, a national treasure, passed away on September 1, 2023 at age 76, reportedly never having found his lost shaker of salt.<\/p>\n

The impending closure of Margaritaville is unrelated to the death of Jimmy Buffett, however. It’s a lease thing.<\/p>\n

The closure of Margaritaville follows the recent trend (at least at Caesars Entertainment) of casinos bringing restaurants in-house, rather than leasing space to third parties.<\/p>\n

That’s why Caesars has so many deals with celebrity chefs. The venues are operated by Caesars Entertainment’s Food & Beverage team, and the chef gets a few percentage points (typically 5% of gross) to help with marketing, but otherwise Caesars keeps the lion’s share of the revenue.<\/p>\n

In any other town, Margaritaville would be considered hugely successful, but for comparison purposes, Hell’s Kitchen (just across the street from Flamingo) makes about eight times the revenue as Margaritaville. Time to go.<\/p>\n

Margaritaville’s footprint is a massive 32,000 square feet.<\/p>\n

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Let’s just say the burgers weren’t the only things featuring cheese.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We warned you Margaritaville could close. Our sources are always right, eventually.<\/p>\n

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Intriguing: Source says ending Margaritaville licensing deal at Flamingo (cost is reportedly $750,000\/year) has been discussed for some time and could be on the table again due to current challenges and recent merger. One to watch. https:\/\/t.co\/IIDGy79foK<\/a><\/p>\n

— Vital Vegas (@VitalVegas) December 22, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n