SAN DIEGO, CA — At Margaritaville Hotel San Diego Gaslamp Quarter, Jimmy Buffett's legacy is about more than music, beach vibes and frozen drinks. It's also about giving back.
The hotel will host its annual Day of Service from 5 to 9 p.m. Sept. 4 at the 5 o'Clock Somewhere Rooftop Bar, bringing together live music, tropical cocktails and a silent auction to benefit the San Diego Music Foundation.
The free event is part of Margaritaville's companywide Day of Service, held on Jimmy Buffett Day and during Labor Day weekend to honor the singer's legacy of philanthropy and community service.
"The event is all about honoring Jimmy Buffett's legacy," Miguel Lopez, general manager of Margaritaville Hotel San Diego, told Patch.
Lopez said the annual celebration brings together many of the elements that define the Margaritaville experience while supporting a local cause.
This year's event will feature a performance by Buffett Beach Band at 6 p.m., along with photo booths and a blender bike competition. A portion of the silent auction proceeds and rooftop food and beverage sales will be donated to the San Diego Music Foundation.
The festivities will continue throughout Labor Day weekend, with the "Keep the Party Going" souvenir cup special, and additional live music and pop-up experiences.
The San Diego nonprofit supports youth music education, professional development, local artists and public performances. The foundation has partnered with the hotel since it became Margaritaville in 2023, and this year marks the third Day of Service collaboration.
"What they do and what they represent — investing in local youth music education, professional development, public performances — helping preserve the San Diego music culture. It aligns so perfectly with what we're trying to do in our own corner of downtown," Lopez said.
Music is already an important part of the hotel's identity, with live performances regularly featured for guests. Lopez said the partnership with the San Diego Music Foundation also reflects Buffett's own commitment to philanthropy and supporting musicians and the arts.
"It's really that perfect blend of what we do, what they do, honoring Jimmy's legacy and giving back to community," he said.
Margaritaville properties around the world will participate in the annual Day of Service this year. In San Diego, the city proclaimed Aug. 29 as Margaritaville San Diego Day of Service in recognition of the local effort.
For the hotel team, Lopez said, the event provides an opportunity to step away from the day-to-day business and focus on the larger role the hotel can play in the community.
"Let's come together, let's take a breath, let's recognize what really matters today and really what matters in the big picture of community, of celebration, of taking care of one another," he said.
The celebration is open to hotel guests and the general public, with no tickets or cover charge required.
"We really want everybody to have an opportunity to see it," Lopez said.
The event comes as Margaritaville continues establishing its presence in San Diego. The hotel opened in the Gaslamp Quarter in summer 2023 as the brand's first city-center location on the West Coast.
Lopez said the hotel's goal is to offer both visitors and locals an affordable place to enjoy live music and experience the Margaritaville brand.
The rooftop setting is part of that experience, offering a tropical atmosphere in the middle of downtown San Diego.
"When we get to do these fun events, bringing together all pieces — the music, the food, the charitable component — all mixed together, it really represents all the pieces and pillars that are the brand, of why Margaritaville exists in the first place," he said.
Ultimately, Lopez said, the Day of Service reflects the hotel's broader view of hospitality.
"Even though we are a hotel, we are restaurants, for us, hospitality is much more than just a place to stay and eat," he said. "It's really about bringing people together, supporting local community and creating experiences that really have that lasting impact. A special day like this is an opportunity to bring all three together and celebrate the spirit of who Jimmy was."
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