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Best Bets: Beach Music
By Chelle Koster Walton
By Chelle Koster Walton
Aruba, Jamaica... ooo, I'd rather take you to Fort Myers, Pine Island, Sanibel and Fort Myers Beach – if you're looking for tropical tunes and island rhythms, that is.
With a bit of the Beach Boys, a riff of Jimmy Buffett and a backbeat of reggae, calypso and steel drum, the live music scene on The Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel delivers island flavor and tropical harmony.
 Greg Roché |
A number of local musicians perform the island sounds that visitors from cold northern climes long for. Danny Morgan, one of the area's longest-playing bands, does Jimmy Buffett along with original tunes, including Captiva Moon and Beautiful Sailboard Ride. Versatile John McLane plays everything from sax to steel drums. Greg Roché and Noble Hochmeister are two other local talents with a tropical twist. They cover the Beach Boys, Buffett, Bob Marley and others with guitar and vocals. For purely positive vibrations, The Reggae All-Stars is an all-Jamaican band with a sound that won't let you sit still. For a bit of Cajun-Zydeco flavor, look for The Yard Dogs. Watch for these artists to appear around the area, and read below to find out where you can hear them and others live.
 Parrot Key Caribbean Grill |
For those in search of true beach party tunes, look no farther than the clubs of Fort Myers Beach. Greg Roché and Noble Hochmeister perform regularly at Pink Shell Beach Resort. Around the Times Square area, music drifts across the waves from Cottage Bar, Beach Pierside, Beached Whale and Lani Kai Resort. The Yard Dogs frequent the stage at Pinchers Beach Bar & Grill at the Holiday Inn.
Parrot Key Caribbean Grill lives up to its name, with tinkling sounds from the islands. The biggest party in Fort Myers Beach takes place Sundays on the bay at The Bridge Restaurant, where the Reggae All-Stars entertain partiers, who arrive by boat or car.
 Keylime Bistro |
On Sanibel and Captiva Islands, resorts, restaurants and clubs host musicians on a regular basis, many of them with a Caribbean flair. On Sanibel, the Jacaranda Bar is the hottest spot for dancing, often to reggae bands. John McLane is a regular at Thistle Lodge Sunday brunch at Casa Ybel Resort, and Danny Morgan plays twice weekly at Traders Café, a favorite among locals.
Captiva Island is always jiving, and you can hear tunes spilling out of Keylime Bistro at Captiva Island Inn and RC Otters just about any time of day. Steel drum and other solo acts entertain six nights a week on the beach at Mucky Duck. For dancing, hit the Crow's Nest at 'Tween Waters Inn. Danny Morgan also performs on Captiva Cruises' Sunset Serenade excursions.
 Bell Tower Shops |
In downtown Fort Myers, you're likely to hear blues or jazz at popular clubs including City Tavern. If you're in a mellow mood, slip into Bell Tower Shops for Fridays at the Fountain evenings, featuring contemporary, easy-listening music. Nearby at Shoeless Joe's in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, guitarist and singer Jeff Key entertains.
 Yard Dogs |
Cape Coral is home to the Yard Dogs, who perform weekly at the Twisted Conch, a Caribbean-style grill. Live country and rock-and-roll bands fill the streets during the Coconut Festival, held in November.
 Ragged Ass Saloon |
Don't necessarily expect "tropical tourist tunes" in Pine Island, where the locals tend to favor classic rock, blues, bluegrass and country rock. Do expect funky, let-your-hair-down fun at Ragged Ass Saloon, Bert's Bar & Grill and Woody's Waterside. The latter often presents solo artists who play island tunes.
If you go...
Beach Pierside Grill, 239-765-7800, www.piersidegrill.com
Beached Whale, 239-463-5505
Bell Tower Shops, 239-489-1221, www.thebelltowershops.com
Bert's Bar & Grill, 239-282-3232
The Bridge Waterfront Restaurant, 239-765-0050, www.thebridgerestaurant.com
Captiva Cruises, 239-472-5300, www.captivacruises.com
City Tavern, 239-226-1133
Coconut Festival, 239-573-3121
Cottage Bar, 239-765-5440
Crow's Nest, 239-472-5161
Cruise-In Block Party, 239-997-0047, www.fortmyersrock.com
Jacaranda Bar, 239-472-1771
Keylime Bistro, 239-395-4000, www.captivaislandinn.com
Lani Kai Resort, 239-463-3111
The Mucky Duck, 239-472-3434, www.mucky-duck.com
Parrot Key Caribbean Grill, 239-463-3257, www.myparrotkey.com
Pinchers Beach Bar & Grill, 239-463-5711
Pink Shell Beach Resort, 239-463-6181 or 888-847-8939, www.pinkshell.com
RC Otters Island Eats, 239-395-1142
Ragged Ass Saloon, 239-282-1131
Shoeless Joe's, 239-210-2486, www.cpfortmyers.com/dining.php
Thistle Lodge, 239-472-9200
Traders Café, 239-395-3151
'Tween Waters Inn, 239-472-5161, www.tween-waters.com
Twisted Conch Seagrill, 239-542-6622, www.twistedconch.com
Woody's Waterside, 239-283-5555
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