In the Media
March 27th 2023
Bay News 9
Beer Can Island owners say proposed land designation use would threaten recreation spot.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – The owners of Pine Key Tampa Bay, commonly known as Beer Can Island, say a proposed land use designation for the 9.2-acre spoil island puts its future as a recreation spot in question.
“This is a passion project from the beginning,” said co-owner Russell Loomis. “It’s always everybody’s dream to own their own private island, but this is a private island that we share with everybody. So, the dream is to keep this alive, keep this place beautiful, preserve it for the community.”
At a March 7 land use meeting, Hillsborough County Commissioner Michael Owen….
March 15th 2023
Channel 8
Hillsborough planning commission working to determine future of Pine Key, aka Beer Can Island
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A privately owned island in Tampa Bay is a subject of debate for Hillsborough County commissioners. The nugget of land, Pine Key, also called Beer Can Island, has been the center of a debate on changing land rights in Hillsborough County, amid recreation and zoning concerns.
Right now, the island is open to the public but privately owned. However, commissioners spent part of a planning commission meeting on March 7 discussing the island’s future, with concerns over safety and boat access.
March 8th 2023 –
Fox 13
Tampa Bay’s Beer Can Island recycled into Pine Key, seeks okay for additions
March 8th 2023
Tampa Bay Times
Hillsborough signals last call for the former Beer Can Island
The commission wants the 9-acre private island considered a preserve, not a commercial party site.
The Hillsborough County Commission is poised to yell “last call” for the offshore party venue formerly called Beer Can Island.
The owners of the 9-acre island, now marketed as Pine Key Tampa Bay, will be asked to abide by a proposed addition to the county’s land plan that would treat the island as a private nature preserve, effectively eliminating more intensive use as a commercial bar and special events center.
The move came from Commissioner Michael Owen after staff reported safety concerns….. Read More – Beer Can Island – Tampa Bay Times
October 17th 2022
Tampa Bay Times
Last Call for beer can island?
A continued zoning dispute between Hillsborough County and the owners of a 9-acre island in Tampa Bay is raising a question about the future of the offshore bar and event venue.
Is this the start of the last call for the property formerly known as Beer Can Island?
August 25th 2021
Tampa Bay Times
Tampa Bay’s Beer Can Island recycled into Pine Key, seeks okay for additions
The owners of a 9-acre island west of Apollo Beach are trying to put a lid on the beer can.
They announced last week on social media they were officially retiring the Beer Can Island name in favor of Pine Key Tampa Bay, and shutting down the Facebook page carrying the beer can moniker. The hats and other merchandise will now carry a PKTB logo rather than BCI.
“It’s Pine Key Tampa Bay. We’re getting away from the connotation of a wild, crazy island,” said Peggy Mathews, a marine biologist heading up government relations and environmental management for Pine Key Project LLC.
Read More – Beer Can Island – Tampa Bay Times
DEC 21, 2020
Tampa Bay Times
Hillsborough County tells Beer Can Island to shut down the party
Beer Can Island exists within a loophole because it lacks a zoning designation of any kind.
APOLLO BEACH — The two-year land use debate between Hillsborough County Code Enforcement and the owners of Pine Key — the popular boating and camping destination known by locals as Beer Can Island — might be coming to a conclusion.
Code enforcement has levied four violations against the owners including… Read More
AUG 03, 2019
Barefoot Sailing Adventures – Ep. 55, Bikinis and Beer 🌴 BCI Tampa
Part 7 of a series: Sailing Tampa Bay to Key West. Beer Can Island Tampa is a world class party island. The tiki bar is filled with women in thong bikinis celebrating
JUN 30, 2019
Bay News 9
Beer Can Island Overcomes Its Biggest Wave — Code Enforcement
Bay News 9 – HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. — Pine Key, better known as Beer Can Island, will now see brighter days…
- Hillsborough Code Enforcement drops violations against Beer Can Island
- Owners hit with 14-page citation after buying, cleaning up island in 2017
- Citation unclear of what things they were violating
- PREVIOUS:
- County Deems Structures on Beer Can Island Unsafe
“It was really deflating when you’re trying to do something nice,” co-owner John Gadd said.
Gadd and his business partners were hit with a 14-page citation from Hillsborough County Code Enforcement, saying they were in violation of things they are still uncertain about.
“It said you’re violating something in these 14 pages but it never defined what we were in violation of,” co-owner Cole Weaver explained.
They first bought the island in 2017….
JUN 28, 2019
The party continues on Beer Can Island as Hillsborough acknowledges its hands are tied
Tampa bay Times — Russell Loomis is throwing a victory party.
“All weekend,” he said. And he has just the place for it.
Around 18 months ago, at the bargain price of $63,650, Loomis and three friends bought 11-acre Pine Key — a popular boating and camping destination known by locals as Beer Can Island.
Loomis, Cole Weaver, James Wester and John Gadd sought to bring order to the once lawless island between Apollo Beach and MacDill Air Force Base…..
FEB 22, 2019
ABC Action News
Beer Can Island: A Boater’s Oasis in Tampa Bay
Located in the heart of Tampa Bay, Beer Can Island provides an oasis for Florida boaters. The island features a full sized tiki bar, sand volleyball court, campground, event stage and so much more. Watch Now ABC Action News
JAN 02, 2019
Bay News 9
County Deems Structures on Beer Can Island Unsafe
TAMPA, Fla. — The start of 2019 is going to be rough for the owners of Pine Key in Tampa — better known as Beer Can Island.
- County deems structures on Beer Can Island unsafe
- County says island needs to be rezoned if structures stay
- Inspection set for mid-January
Four friends bought the small island a year ago for $60,000 as a place to store their floating tiki barge. Now, Hillsborough County says some of the structures there are in code violation.
The bar is pretty much part of the island, along with an event stage, campground, and volleyball net.
Hillsborough County said those additions are in code violation, since there are safety concerns.
“Obviously if you’re not zoned to do that, you’re not legally able to do that,….
DEC 07, 2018
Fox 13
‘Beer Can Island’ owners hope to reach deal with Code Enforcement
TAMPA, Fla. (FOX 13) – Pine Key is an 11-acre island with no running water or electricity. Most people know the Hillsborough County boating destination as ‘Beer Can Island.’
Over the last year, the four friends who bought the property have worked to clean it up and make it safe for visitors.
“They’ve expended quite a bit of money and resources in doing that,” said attorney David Kronenfeld. “Anything from installing port-o-johns — so that there’s sanitary facilities on the island — to providing trash cans and pick up.”
Rules were established for visitors, there’s a campground, an event stage, and folks can buy food and drinks at the floating tiki bar.
But Monday, the owners got a notice of violation….Read More – Fox 13 – Beer Can Island
DEC 6, 2018
Tampa Bay Times
Hillsborough County says changes at Beer Can Island violate code
The party might be over at Pine Key, the popular boating and camping destination better known by locals as Beer Can Island. It was a year ago that four friends purchased the island located between Apollo Beach and MacDill Air Force Base.
The party might be over at Pine Key, the popular boating and camping destination better known by locals as Beer Can Island.
It was a year ago that four friends purchased the island located between Apollo Beach and MacDill Air Force Base.
Since then, they have implemented rules for visitors, installed portable toilets and trash cans, hosted concerts on a small stage, added investors and, at the beach’s edge, anchored what they label as floating structures.
All of this, they say, follows government guidelines.
Hillsborough County Code Enforcement states otherwise.
NOV 10, 2018
Fox 13
Owners of Beer Can Island to turn party spot into community attraction
TAMPA BAY (FOX 13) – Beer Can Island is nestled right in the heart of Tampa Bay and its new owners have big plans for the land’s future. Cole Weaver and his three friends bought Beer Can Island last December as a place to store their large 74-foot-long floating tiki barge. But since the purchase, they’ve re-imagined the Island and now have big plans for its future.
They’re working to turn the land into a multi-purpose community attraction.
A short 10-minute boat ride from Apollo Beach is all takes to reach Beer Can Island.
“We love just coming out here,” Aaron Brunelle said. “On the weekends and cruising out here it’s relaxing you can watch the sunset.”
It’s a beach lover’s paradise made possible by Cole Weaver and his three friends who purchased the island last December from an oil company for just over $60,000.
“We needed to relocate our floating tiki barge,” Weaver said. “Here and so we went out looking for some real estate and found Beer Can Island as our home.”
Beer Can Island – nicknamed for the beer cans left behind from boaters – is now the permanent home for their 74-foot-long floating tiki barge with a full bar.
Read More – Fox 13 – Beer Can Island
NOV 09, 2018
Tampa Bay Times
One year later, owners bringing order to the party on Beer Can Island
TAMPA — Weeks after four friends finalized a deal to buy 11-acre Pine Key, known by locals as Beer Can Island, a boater approached them on shore.
He said he represented a Tampa Bay Buccaneers player, their story goes, willing to pay $1.5 million for the property.
They had spent only $63,650 to buy the popular boating and camping destination, bereft of roads, drinking water, electricity — everything, really, except bushes and trees.
Still, they declined.
“We told him to add another zero,” said Cole Weaver, 33, who would not reveal the player’s name. “We have plans.”
It’s been a year now since Weaver, Russell Loomis, James Wester and John Gadd acquired their island from a nearby…
OCT 22, 2018
‘Beer Can Island’ gets a musical tribute
TAMPA (FOX 13) – An island famous to generations of Tampa Bay boaters now has its own song. Twenty-two-year-old singer and songwriter Matt Billor wrote “Beer Can Island,” named for the 11-acre island that now boasts a floating tiki bar.
The island, officially called Pine Key, was bought by a group of private investors.
Billor says he was inspired by his many trips to the island with family and friends.
“It kind of just started coming to me from my many years of coming to this island before,” said Billor. “Everybody always has a blast on this island.”
There’s also a music video shot over several days on the island.
The song is available on iTunes, Google Play, and Amazon. You can watch the music video on YouTube
APR 13, 2018
Fees coming to Beer Can Island
WFLA News Channel 8 – They begin in July. Watch Now – Beer Can Island – Channel 8
APR 09, 2018
Tampa Bay Times
Toilets and camping fees coming to Beer Can Island
TAMPA — When four friends bought the popular Tampa area boating destination known as Beer Can Island in December and decided to keep it open to the public, they knew ownership would not be all fun and games.
Still, they admit, they were not fully prepared for one of the cleaning duties: Toilet paper and human feces litter the bushes after busy days.
Owning an island is a dirty job, it turns out. Real dirty.
“You have no idea,” said co-owner Cole Weaver, 32, with a groan. “It’s not pretty, and it’s not fun to clean. Sometimes we have 1,000 people here in a day.”
So, this summer, the island will welcome a new addition: bathrooms.
APR 09, 2018
Beer Can Island’s new owners explain proposed fees
TAMPA (FOX 13) – Officially it’s called Pine Key, but locals know it as Beer Can Island. Late last year, when the island was purchased for $63,000, the new owners promised that it would remain “the People’s Island.” Read More – Fox 13 – Beer Can Island
FEB 21, 2018
Come sail away: Tiki Bay Island isn’t your average bar, or boat ride
Creative Loafing – Tiki Bay Island isn’t your average bar, or boat ride. Originally launched in October 2017, it’s a floating watering hole in the middle of the bay on which guests can sip their favorite cocktails, beer or wine surrounded by water. Read More – Beer Can Island – Creative Loafing
Jan 29, 2018
Meet the man behind the headstone on Beer Can Island
Tampa Bay Times – Last summer, a wooden marker was quietly installed in the center of Pine Key in Tampa Bay. It was shaped like a cross, but its inscription was irreverently reverent. Read More – Beer Can Island – Tampa Bay Times
January 19, 2018
Tampa Bay Times
Carefree but hardworking, partner in Beer Can Island just wants to hang out
APOLLO BEACH — Even on a foggy Wednesday morning, the newest addition to seven-acre Pine Key — better known as Beer Can Island — rises from the mist along the mainland shore of the Apollo Beach Nature Preserve. Read More – Beer Can Island – Tampa Bay Times
JAN 09, 2018
Big changes could be on the way for Tampa Bay’s Beer Can Island
TAMPA (FOX 13) – Pine Key, better known to locals as Beer Can Island, could be in store for some big changes. A group of local business partners have purchased the land with the hopes of making improvements, including adding their floating bar. Read More – Fox 13 – Beer Can Island
January 8, 2018
WTSP Channel 10
Floating Tiki Bar owners purchase Beer Can Island
Owners of the floating tiki boat were forced to search for a new location after losing their St. Pete docking spot. They approached the owner of the popular boating hangout Beer Can Island, who agreed to sell his undeveloped island for just under $64,000 Read More – Beer Can Island – WTSP Channel 10
January 7, 2018
Tampa Bay Times – Owners of floating bar needed home port, so they bought popular ‘Beer Can Island’ off Apollo Beach
Four partners in a tennis court-sized floating bar called Tiki Bay Island went looking for some waterfront property where they could anchor the portable business.
They ended up with a whole island, for what some might consider a bargain price — $63,650.
Of course, it has no roads or drinking water and they’re required to allow the previous owner to continue dumping sand there from dredging operations.
Still, they have grand plans.
“It’s crazy, isn’t it?” said Russell Loomis, partners with Cole Weaver, James West and John Anthony Gadd. “We went from owning a floating tiki bar to an entire island.”
Located between Apollo Beach and MacDill Air Force Base, it’s known on maps as Pine Key — 7 acres shaped like an apostrophe with sandy beaches surrounding a center of largely invasive trees and undergrowth.
But local boaters know it better as Beer Can Island, where adults have enjoyed cocktails, children have frolicked in the sand, and families have camped after dusk for decades.
The former owners took a hands-off approach, so trouble sometimes arose when alcohol flowed freely and no one worried about the rules. The new owners promise to keep it free while adding a few touches for safety.
“Everyone will be still be welcome,” said Loomis, 42, a software developer from St. Petersburg. “We’re not changing that.”…..
Oct 10, 2017
Tiki bar battle in the Tampa Bay area, owners claim the other bar owners are trying to shut them down
WFLA News Channel 8 –A battle between two waterfront bars is brewing in the Tampa Bay area Watch Now – Tiki Bay Island – Channel 8
May 14, 2016
Random video… Before we bought the island
Video Tour of Apollo Beach and Pine Key (more affectionately called “Beer Can Island) by Air and Sea. Check out how many MANATEE are in the aerial views!