Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville Gatlinburg TN
The popular Margaritaville restaurant chain had previously planned to open a new location in downtown Gatlinburg. The historic Midtown Lodge was demolished as plans were approved for a 13,000 square foot building to house the restaurant and retail shop. It was going to seat 400 guests and provide an entertaining new dining option in the Smoky Mountains. Recent events have caused Margaritaville to no longer pursue the Gatlinburg location and we explain why below.
While Margaritaville Holdings, LLC had sought a location in the Smoky Mountains, many believe that Pigeon Forge was the original desired location yet was not possible due to liquor by the drink being prohibited in Pigeon Forge. During the election on November 6, 2012 the city of Pigeon Forge received enough votes to pass liquor by the drink, which will now open the doors for many larger restaurants to build locations in Pigeon Forge…and it is rumored that Margaritaville is doing just that.
Our Pigeon Forge TN Guide website has all of the details including the possible location for the new Margaritaville Pigeon Forge restaurant, which you can read at:
https://www.pigeonforgetnguide.com/restaurants/margaritaville-pigeon-forge-tn/
If, however, it is decided to proceed with building a Margaritaville in Gatlinburg then we will update this post with that information should it happen.
arlette forlano
August 20, 2012 at 6:32 amI think it is a great idea…. It is always a fun place to go……..Good location…..A little bit of the tropic in Gatlingburg will bring a hint of paradise to the mountains…. Too bad it is not going to be rady in October!!!!!
James Black
August 20, 2012 at 6:39 amIts a great idea, I have been to another one and had a great time!
GAH
August 20, 2012 at 6:56 amNice addition to the strip. While i see a trend going to the newer franchises, I am hoping for more “local” sopts, such as Howards, etc.
I was hoping it was going to replace Dicks’ Last Resort, which is the absolute worst addition to Gatlinburg in years!
Bill and Glenda Hoisington
August 20, 2012 at 6:57 amGreat news, another reason to head to Gatlinburg as we’ll do in three weeks.
Amanda Moore
August 20, 2012 at 6:59 amJust went to the one in Myrtle Beach, and the food was great. I like the new restaurants that Gatlinburg has gotten in the past couple years, but I hope that the change doesn’t take away the local restaurants that visitors love as well.
Bambi WInter
August 20, 2012 at 7:23 amThat’s Great! Maybe this one won’t have 3 hr waits like the one at Myrtle Beach.
Dee
August 20, 2012 at 7:34 amWONDERFUL! Glad to hear this – can’t wait.
Ken Campbell
August 20, 2012 at 7:51 amGreat addition to an already diverse selection of venues in downtown. Looking forward to going to jb’s place as I’m a Parrothead and visit any of his restaurants regardless of where I go. The food and atmosphere is always good and fun for old or young. I usually make Gatlinburg one of my vacation spots each year.
Kim Perry
August 20, 2012 at 8:43 amGreat addition!!!! We go to Gatlinburg once every 2 to 3 months. We love it so much!!
Sheila
August 20, 2012 at 8:55 amYay!!!….Can’t wait,I visited the one in Flordia and I loved it!,I love Jimmy Buffett and the Margaritaville items he has,I still wear his Margaritaville hoodie I bought when I visited his restraunt several years ago!
nhp
August 20, 2012 at 9:07 amGood! Need something new to go to when we get there—hope it will be soon.
mzxine
August 20, 2012 at 11:35 amI go tc the mountains in the fall to see Christmas lights and fall leaves. I don’t wath to see tropical trees or margaritas. Don’t mess up the gatlinburg with beach drco. Please!
Faye Connelly
August 20, 2012 at 12:09 pmAbsolutely awesome ! Can’t wait , will be there for the opening and I hope Jimmy will too. Keep us posted. Great job!
ken werner
August 20, 2012 at 1:30 pmGreat addition to G’burg . cannot wait for it to open, another place to have fun and get a cold ONE?
Craig
August 20, 2012 at 4:43 pmI think this will be a fun and busy place. I agree with some of the other people that you need to keep as many of the local spots as you can. For us that have been going there for years, the old shops and restaurants are what keeps us coming back. Might want to put out a heads up for another anchor restaurant where Dicks last resort is. Have not heard one good comment about it. Fun atmospere but lousy food. Dont see it being around long.
Deb
August 20, 2012 at 8:32 pmOh joy. Yet another place to party. Trust me, the older patrons that keep coming back are not there to party. You can party anywhere. We come to the Smoky’s to get close to the Creator and enjoy the family oriented atmosphere of one of the most beautiful places in this country. God bless America and God bless the Smoky Mountains!
mike
August 20, 2012 at 8:41 pmGreat !!! love the one in New Orleans. Its a fun place.
Ann
August 21, 2012 at 12:25 amBring in on “Jimmy” …… I wish it would be ready in October as well 🙂 From Florida, and we
LOVE Margaritaville!
Harry Hudson Jr
August 21, 2012 at 9:25 amAt least its not another T-Shirt shop to junk up the once beautiful downtown Gatlinburg! I wish to Thank the people in charge who are being a little more discreet in choosing who they let open a business. Gatlinburg is begining to get back to the great family visiting place!!
Please keep reviewing and vetting!!
Gene
August 23, 2012 at 7:02 amI’m excited can’t wait
Janice
August 23, 2012 at 7:14 amNice to have another good restaurant going in downtown Gatlinburg…but the comments about the t shirt shops are true…don’t let them take over the better shops that everyone likes to go through. Walking through the shops in the fall are one of the best things about visiting Gatlinburg.
Terri
August 23, 2012 at 8:12 amWhat a great idea… to an allready perfect place !!
chuck
August 23, 2012 at 8:35 ami like Margaritaville but please take care not to lose the mountain charm
Dee
August 27, 2012 at 6:22 amWhile another business is a good thing, I just wish it were something more fitting for the mountains. What about a nice little bar that has live bands that play mountain/country music – with good country foods. A place that us seasoned folk can go and have a cold one and dance if one chooses – something less ‘hip’ and more like the local mountain living! After all – it IS the mountain atmosphere we are there to experience! And we did have the chance to eat at the Margaritaville in New Orleans – was not impress – too pricey for the average food served.
pam
August 27, 2012 at 3:18 pmMargaritaville and Jimmy Buffetare both great. I am from the south and live near the beaches of Gulf Shores .But in the fall my family loves to visit the Great Smokey Mts. WE always stay downtown Gatlinburg. We love the mountains, caves code,trails,ski lifts,mountain music .Please we don’t want to see Margaritaville .Leave this place on the beaches where it is 5o’clock somewhere.
John
August 28, 2012 at 5:51 amI agree with Pam, NO Margaritaville, please. This does not belong in the Smokies. Orlando yes, Smokies no. I just can’t visualize palm trees and beach themes in Gatlinburg…We need more mountain themed restaurants that serve good home style cookin’. Leave the mountains the mountains and the beach at the beach. Dolly does it best. She keeps her park family oriented with a mountain flair and for that reason our family will continue to visit. If Gatlinburg goes too far, we will find another place to go. Got to spend our money some where right?
alene
September 5, 2012 at 12:56 pmglad to see a nice restraunt go in but will probably be a little pricey for us.we cant afford to eat at expensive places with gas prices and motel that is most of our money.we stay down the street where this is going in so maybe we can enjoy the music.we dont drink.
Travis McGee
September 14, 2012 at 4:55 pmI noticed yesterday that the Midtown Lodge lot still says “For Lease” on it, so they apparently haven’t signed a lease yet. Either that or there will be other retail space in the location as well. I’m looking forward to it, but I wonder if it will actually happen.
wayne
September 29, 2012 at 3:19 pmthis sounds great, but i have a question. is there no free parking anymore. i was in pigeon forge a month ago. went to gatlinburg to check out the moonshine place. every time i found a place to park, they wanted 8 dollars. i just am not going to pay 8 dollars to go into a store for 20 min. i went back to pigeon forge where the parking is free!!!!!!!!!!
Sharon
June 28, 2015 at 11:12 pmRiver road is free
tammie
October 18, 2012 at 10:06 pmpark in the parking lot of smokey mountain brewery. get a parking ticket & if you you eat/drink in one of the restaurants there, get a receipt & show it to the person at the gate to exit and it is free parking!
the jimmy buffet restaurant sounds awesome! can’t wait!
John
October 23, 2012 at 7:50 pmGreat Idea! I don’t know why more one hit wonders don’t open restaurants
GStowe
October 28, 2012 at 6:50 pmI love Jimmy Buffet & Margaritaville, but not in Gatlinburg, I agree with the other lady, A good country bar/dinning area with mountain/country music for listening & dancing would be nice.
Scott C
October 31, 2012 at 5:53 amThis is the best news ever.We just came back from Margaritaville Myrtle Beach and talked about how cool it would be to get one in G’burg. It’s only an hour and a half from us .. Thanks so much
Rhonda
July 5, 2013 at 9:10 amOMG! I went to the one in Myrtle Beach but didnt get to go into the restaurant b/c it was so crowded. I was so disappointed. The outside bar and gift shop was so much fun to visit I cant wait to visit the restaurant. Cant wait!! Hurry it up though. Dont make us wait forever