08/20/2025
OK Tuna Fam! First off, we appreciate your extreme patience with us on getting news out as we work through the move. We also appreciate all of you who’ve avoided joining into the Coconut Telegraph rumors (some are funny, some are ridiculous, but most all were done with love).
So then, here’s the real story and an update..as many of you know, after nearly 10 incredible years, the lease on the property for the Smokin’ Tuna was suddenly terminated at the end of April 2024. We were forced out of our long time home so that the property owner could launch a new venue, The Alamo.
This impacted more than just a building—it displaced 50+ employees, countless musicians, and a community that made the Smokin’ Tuna what it was. We immediately began working to reopen, finding a potential new home in the backyard of 218 Duval (just next door). It’s been a real grind getting this property ready, as many of you have chronicled in your pics and posts.
As if being kicked out wasn’t enough, the same property owner has since gone to great lengths to block us from reopening next door. We've faced expensive legal battles, city planning hurdles, and countless, deliberate roadblocks meant to wear us down. Still—we didn’t quit.
We’ve fought hard, and we continue to do so today. Our plans were finally approved by the city, and we were hopeful and excited to open. We were “this close” to announcing a grand reopening several months ago…but again, more legal attacks came—this time against both the City of Key West and our new landlord at 218 Duval, all designed to stop us from moving forward.
Even with city approval in hand, the opposition continues and with it, more costs, more delays, and more livelihoods on hold, plus hundreds of more “hold your tongue” moments.
So what's next? We’re going to keep pushing forward! While you/we wait, we’re going to launch the online merch store soon to help cover legal expenses and support our team until we can finally reopen and welcome you back. You’ll see a link to buy those items here soon, we promise. You’ll also see more updates when we can confidently report what the future holds.
For now…THANK YOU, WE LOVE YOU, AND WE CAN’T WAIT TO WELCOME YOU BACK TO THE SMOKIN’ TUNA SALOON!