You can’t swing a rubber chicken in Key West without hitting a world class watering hole. Captain Tony’s, Sloppy Joe’s, Hog’s Breath, Louie’s Backyard, Schooner Wharf, The Green Parrot, Blue Heaven, The Bull (and, for the more adventurous, Garden of Eden upstairs) and, of course, Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville on Duval Street. Now, you can add one more to the long list of “must visit” places the next time you’re getting your Southernmost drink on: The Smokin' Tuna Saloon.
Owned and operated by a partnership of five individuals, including well known Trop Rock singer/songwriter, Scott Kirby, Smokin Tuna is located just off Duval. Scott and some friends were on stage for the Grand Opening party on June 17th and the group have big plans for the future. I got a phone call from “Mr. Lucky Enough” while he was enjoying some down time in Washington State and talked to him about the new venture…
Thanks for the call, Scott – have you got a few minutes to talk about your new place in Key West?
“No problem, Fred. And, yes, I can definitely talk now. I’ve got three shows up here - including a house concert on Thursday, but I’ve got a couple days off and I’m going to spend them in the San Juan Islands. So, I’m just sitting here right now waiting for the ferry.”
A lot of buzz about your new bar, The Smokin' Tuna Saloon. Did you have any prior restaurant or bar experience?
“Only from the standpoint of having spent a lot of time in both of those – especially the latter! But, no, I’ve never run or owned one before.”
So what made you want to do it now?
“Do you know Charlie Bauer?”
I know the name but don’t think we’ve ever met….
“If you have ever been into Hogs Breath in Key West, chances are you ran into Charlie. He was the founding Manager – ran that place for about 20 years. He is also the founder of the Key West Songwriters’ Festival, which is the largest festival of its kind in the world. He approached me about, maybe, opening a place in Key West – someplace that would be set up specifically to showcase live, original music. We looked for over a year, until we found what we felt was just the right spot."
An existing bar?
“It was called The Alamo. It’s got a great open air layout – two bars and an elevated stage, all of it outdoors. But, the bars are covered, there is a brick floor, and it’s all surrounded by three historical buildings, which cut off any wind or noises from the street. So you sort of feel like you’re inside, until you look up and see the sky.”
Did you have to do any major work to get it the way you wanted it?
“No major renovations, if that’s what you mean. We re-did the two bars, gave them more of a tiki bar feel, and put in a Mackie sound system for the stage, to fit the kind of music we’re going to be doing – speakers, subwoofers, and a sound board. Other than that, it was mostly some cleaning, painting, sprucing up."
Count your blessings. I spent almost ten years in the bar and restaurant business - was an owner/manager of a couple places here in Atlanta - and it seems there is always at least one big unexpected problem when you’re trying to get a place open!
“Yeah, we were lucky, I guess. No ‘horror stories’. Of course, we had been looking for a while, checked the place out pretty thoroughly."
What was it that you liked about this particular spot?
“As I said, we wanted a music room and this place is perfect. It’s got an intimate feel – with the brick floor, surrounding buildings, and a big tree to provide some shade – but can hold a few hundred people, and the acoustics and sight lines to the stage are great. It’s got a great vibe, right in the heart of Key West on Charles Street but a little off the beaten path, about 150 feet off Duval…”
That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, a chance to get away from the crowds. What’s in the three buildings?
“One holds our offices, another we’ll use for private parties, and the last one is our merch shop. Before we even found the bar, Charlie has an idea for the logo and we knew we were going to want to have t shirts. So far, the merch has been doing great. People love it…”
What about food?
“Right now we’ve got a temporary menu but our plan is to be a good, casual dining place with a lot of fresh, local fish. One of the partners is a chef. He owns another place in Somers Point, at the New Jersey shore, has had it for almost thirty years, and he’s working on a permanent menu. We will have it up and running in September. We have already implemented some of his recipes – like Smoked Tuna. “
What can people expect at the bar?
“It’s full service. You can get cheap tequila if you want, all the way up to single Malt Scotch. We also have a good wine selection, several drafts, and a good selection of bottled beer – including our own ‘Smokin Tuna Ale.’ ”
So, you have food and drink covered. But, you said the place is primarily a live music venue. What are your plans in that direction?
“I’m really excited about the music. The stage will hold a six piece band comfortably, and – as I said, the sound system, acoustics, and sight lines are all excellent. We’ll have music seven nights a week, from local songwriters, to well-known trop rockers like Hugo Duarte, John Frinzi, and James White, to national touring acts like Robert Earle Keen. Deblois Milledge and Mass Acoustic are two more shows I’m looking forward to.”
Cover charge?
“There won’t be any cover charge except for the bigger shows, which will be ticketed. On November 2nd, during MOTM, we’ve got Peter Mayer coming in. I’ll be opening that show, with Dave Edmisten and some other friends. We expect to have about 400 people here that night.”
Can you buy tickets in advance for that?
“Yes. Tickets for Peter Mayer are $25. They go on sale August 1 through keystix.com”
How often will you be playing there?
“I’m planning to be there at least one week a month from October through the Songwriters’ Festival, which is in May – including the whole week of Meeting of The Minds.”
You’re on the road six months a year. Who is going to be running “The Tuna” when you’re not there?
“Charlie is the Managing Partner, he’ll be handling the day to day. My responsibility will be more the music and marketing. I’ll be doing a monthly newsletter, doing interviews like this, that sort of thing. As you said, I’m on the road at least half the year, so can’t be there all the time. Two of the other partners own Fury Water Sports, they’re successful Key West businessmen, so they will also be very involved.”
The place sounds awesome, Scott. I think I found my new favorite hang out in Key West! I can’t wait to check it out when my wife and I are down there in November…
“Please do come by, let me buy you a couple of beers!”
It’s a deal. Good luck with it and thanks again for calling, Scott.
“No problem. Always good talking to you, Fred.”
