THE PREMIER L G B T Q + BUSINESS & SERVICE DIRECTORY Vol. 5 SOUTHWEST FL SCAN QR CODE TO VIEW THIS ISSUE ONLINE Bar Guide & Event Schedule
1 TABLE OF CONTENTS RESTAURANT GUIDE EVENTS SCHEDULE BAR GUIDE LGBTQ+ ORGS & ATTRACTIONS BUSINESS DIRECTORY ABOUT02 04 06 14 15 16
LGBTQ+ Southwest Florida
Naples is known for its great shopping and dining on Fifth Avenue, excellent fishing and world-class golf courses, not necessarily for being a gay hotspot. But that doesn’t mean that gay bars and gay-friendly accommodations can’t be found. With more than a hint of cosmopolitanism, Naples attracts its healthy dose of gay and lesbian travelers every beach season.
Fort Myers’s gay scene might not be as loud as in Florida’s larger cities, but it’s definitely there! Neighborhood bars are casual and tend to cater to a friendly crowd. And expect to get your game on, as several of the bars now offer space for gaming tournaments. Fort Myers is just a short drive away from Port Charlotte, if you’re looking for more local fun.
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ABOUT
RESTAURANT GUIDE
A Table Apart
Buzzy but unfussy nook serving a sustainable menu heavily influenced by Hawaiian flavors.
4295 Bonita Beach Rd SW Bonita Springs, FL
Artisan Eatery
All-day American cafe with weekend brunch, coffee, beer & wine served up in a comfy setting.
8951 Daniels Pkwy, Fort Myers, FL
BHA! BHA! Persian Bistro
Elegant, white-tablecloth restaurant offering Persian specialties such as kebabs & duck fesenjān. 865 5th Ave S, Naples, FL
Cracklin’ Jack’s Steak, ribs, seafood & fried chicken plus Southern-style sides dished out in a down-home setting. 2560 39th St SW, Naples, FL
Fancy’s Southern Cafe Cozy eatery featuring familiar Southern fare such as chicken & waffles, sweet potato soufflé & more. 8890 Salrose Ln #101, Fort Myers, FL
Fish Tale Grill by Merrick Seafood Spacious, contemporary venue featuring upscale seafood dishes, a bar & a fish market.
1229 SE 47th Terrace, Cape Coral, FL
Ford’s Garage
Auto-themed joint serving burgers & pub grub in a setup with vintage cars suspended over the bar.
1719 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL
Fuse
Easygoing, airy eatery serving a range of eclectic global fusion such as BBQ bao, plus beer & wine.
2500 Tamiami Trail N #114, Naples, FL
Harold’s
Warm, casual venue featuring hearty, locally sourced meat & seafood & a large wine menu. 15250 S Tamiami Trail #107 Fort Myers, FL
Lehne Burger
Burgers with many toppings & sauces, plus shakes & beer, in a bright retrostyle space with a patio.
1232 Cape Coral Pkwy E, Cape Coral, FL
Mediterrano
Bright, turquoise-hued eatery offering upscale Mediterranean cuisine & umbrella-shaded patio tables. 336 13th Ave S, Naples, FL
Petar’s Restaurant
Sophisticated American cuisine & wines are presented in a polished setting with an open kitchen.
3300 Bonita Beach Rd SW #120 Bonita Springs, FL
Point 57 Kitchen & Cocktails
Chic setup for updated American fare, cocktails & wines, Sunday brunch, bar snacks & happy hour. 3522 Del Prado Blvd S, Cape Coral, FL
Romeu’s Cuban Restaurant
Humble dining room serving a large menu of homestyle Cuban fare, from Cubanos to oxtail plates. 6800 Dykes Rd, Southwest Ranches, FL
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EVENTS SCHEDULE
animation, sci-fi and fantasy, the promoter wanted to bring that style event to Fort Myers, Florida. For more info visit: swfloridacomiccon.com
DECEMBER
DEC 10
THE NUTCRACKER - FORT MYERS
Gulfshore Ballet, with dancers from Gulfshore Ballet, and the Gulf Coast Symphony bring Tchaikovsky’s holiday classic to life with new choreography by Iliana Lopez & Franklin Gamero. For more info visit: bit.ly/3htFFEH
DEC 20-21
THE NUTCRACKER - NAPLES
Naples Ballet returns to Hayes Hall for a fantastical retelling of The Nutcracker as local dancers from Naples Ballet and professional soloists from around the world perform with the Naples Philharmonic to bring Tchaikovsky’s timeless tale to life. For more info visit: bit.ly/3huX1RM
the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over!
For more info visit: bit.ly/3tlChP4
FEB 3-5
ARTFEST FORT MYERS
On the first weekend in February, ArtFest will once again enliven the Fort Myers waterfront. Enjoy exceptional art by more than 200 selected artists, plus lively entertainment, delicious food, and fun children’s art activities. Overlooking the beautiful Downtown Fort Myers riverfront and yacht basin, this FREE art event welcomes all members of the greater Southwest Florida community. For more info visit: artfestfortmyers.com
FEB 25-26
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EVENTS SCHEDULE
For more info visit: bit.ly/3WRb7gd
MARCH
MAR 11-12
SHRIMP FESTIVAL
The Fort Myers Beach Lions Club Shrimp Festival is the major event of the year for Fort Myers Beach. The local Lions Club heads the individual events of the festival such as the parade, exhibition, Queens
naplesart.org/national-art-fairs
APRIL
APR 23
CIRQUE GOES TO THE MOVIES! Exceptional cirque artists —aerial flyers, acrobats, contortionists, dancers, jugglers, balancers, and strongmen — bring the magic of cirque to the concert
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BAR GUIDE
Seventh South
Modern Southern dishes & craft cocktails.
849 7th Ave S #101, Naples, FL
Bambusa
Bar & Grill
Informal American tavern with small plates, Tex-Mex dishes, pizzas, burgers & happy hours.
Empire Plaza, 600 Goodlette-Frank Rd Naples, FL
Cruiser’s Lounge
Easygoing gay bar serving up cocktails, drag shows, karaoke & dance nights, plus happy hours.
1517 SE 47th Terrace, Cape Coral, FL
Dylan’s Drafthouse
Easygoing bar & grill offering pub fare from sandwiches to entrees, along with many beers on tap.
1258 Airport-Pulling Rd, Naples, FL
Sea Salt
Modern seafood dishes with global salts & spices served in a hip, upscale space with patio seating. 1186 3rd St S, Naples, FL
The Real Macaw Restaurant
Caribbean-inspired bar/eatery with tropical decor & seafood fare, plus outdoor seating & live music. 3275 Bayshore Dr, Naples, FL
Whiskey Park
Energetic tavern featuring craft beers, whiskey & bar grub, plus pool tables, live music & a patio.
3380 Mercantile Ave, Naples, FL
Yabba Island Grill
Airy setting with outdoor space serving seafood, steaks & other casual eats, plus cocktails.
711 5th Ave S, Naples, FL
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LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATIONS & ATTRACTIONS
Equality Florida
The largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s LGBTQ+ community. eqfl.org
GLSEN
A national organization fighting for every student’s right to a safe, supportive education. glsen.org
LGBT Community Fund of Southwest Florida
Engages like-minded individuals and organizations to increase philanthropic support in Southwest Florida for the unique challenges and opportunities facing Southwest Florida’s LGBT. lgbtswfl.com
Naples Pride Center
Uniting and empowering the LGBTQ+ community of SWFL, to educate and foster equality for all. naplespride.org
Prism
PRISM aims to provide LGBTQ+ youth in South Florida and beyond with the education and support they need to live a happy, healthy life. prismfl.org
SW FL Harmony Chamber of Commerce
The SWFLHCC exists to promote networking within the existing LGBTQ and LGBTQ friendly business and professional community, to promote business opportunities for chamber members. swflhcc.org
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16 BUSINESS DIRECTORY CRUISES Cruise and Travel Ventures LLC ............ 5 ESTATE PLANNING Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O’Gara .................................................. 3 LAWYERS Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O’Gara .................................................. 3 LITIGATION Pannone Lopes Devereaux & O’Gara .................................................. 3 MORTGAGES Cross Country Mortgage ..................... 11 NON PROFIT Red Cross .................................................... Front Inside Cover, Back Inside Cover TRAVEL Cruise and Travel Ventures LLC ............ 5
