Here on the Gulfshore, you can splurge for a box seat in a glamorous performance hall, pay nothing at all for a charming street performance or opt for a variety of productions in between from Broadway to opera to orchestra. Residents and visitors alike have shown their love of theater by filling the seats and supporting an ever-expanding cultural season.
“Florida Rep made national headlines again in 2013 when The Wall Street Journal raved that Florida Rep is ‘superlative!’ For the fifth consecutive season, acclaimed drama critic Terry Teachout told 2 million readers that Florida Rep is ‘one of America’s top repertory companies!’”
—ROBERT CACIOPPO, FOUNDER AND PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, FLORIDA REPERTORY THEATRE
“Southwest Florida has one of the most extensive and diverse theater scenes for a relatively small population area. In Naples alone, choices range from professional touring companies to local repertory theater to outstanding community theater. The Naples Players, which in 2013 celebrated 60 years of theatrical excellence, is recognized both financially and artistically as one of the most successful community theaters in the nation. Although some may consider Naples a resort community, our theater scene is year-round. There is something for everyone and all are affordable.”
—JOHN F. SOREY III, MAYOR OF NAPLES AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NAPLES PLAYERS
MARCO ISLAND
Performing Arts
THE MARCO PLAYERS, 1055 N. Collier Blvd., (239) 642-7270. Provides theatrical productions that benefit the community, volunteers and local organizations. themarcoplayers.com
Live Music/Dancing
SNOOK INN, 1215 Bald Eagle Drive, (239) 394-3313. Casual entertainment daily. Live music Friday through Sunday, 6-10 p.m. snookinn.com
STAN’S IDLE HOUR, 221 Goodland Drive, Goodland, (239) 394-3041. stansidlehour.net
NAPLES
Performing Arts
ARTIS—NAPLES, 5833 Pelican Bay Blvd., (239) 597-1900. Home to the Naples Philharmonic. Hosts more than 300 events per year, including concerts, performances, exhibitions and educational events. artisnaples.org
CLASSIC CHAMBER CONCERTS, (239) 434-8505. Provides world-class musicians and concerts at the Sugden Community Theatre Naples. classicchamberconcerts.org
GULFSHORE PLAYHOUSE, 755 Eighth Ave. S., (239) 261-7529. Offers educational opportunities and high-quality theater, from classics to contemporary works. gulfshoreplayhouse.org
THE NAPLES PLAYERS, 701 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 434-7340. Creates and performs high-quality, affordable amateur theater. naplesplayers.org
OPERA NAPLES, 2408 Linwood Ave., (239) 963-9050. Stages operas with professional artists and supports opera education for local artists. operanaples.org
THEATREZONE, 13275 Livingston Road, (888) 966-3352. Professional equity theater company presenting musicals and world premieres. theatrezone-florida.com
Live Music/Dancing
BITES in the Lobby Lounge at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, 280 Vanderbilt Beach Road, (239) 598-3300. Live music every Friday and Saturday night. ritzcarlton.com/resortsofnaples
BLUE MARTINI, 9114 Strada Place, (239) 591-2583. Live music, drink specials, dancing, outdoor patio bar, stage room, VIP area. bluemartinilounge.com
CAMPIELLO RISTORANTE, 1177 Third St. S., (239) 435-1166. Live jazz music throughout the week. campiello. damico.com
NOODLES ITALIAN CAFE & SUSHI BAR, 1585 Pine Ridge Road, Suite 5, (239) 592-0050. La Noche on Friday nights from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., Club Nooshi on Thursday nights. Provides live entertainment. Stylish dress, two full bars. VIP and bottle service. Outdoor seating and lounge. noodlescafe.com
RUSTY’S RAW BAR & GRILL, 2700 Immokalee Road, Suite 13, (239) 597-5013. Provides live entertainment.
SOUTH STREET GRILL, 1410 Pine Ridge Road, Suite 4, (239) 435-9333. Live music throughout the week, karaoke on Tuesdays, reggae on Sundays and open-mic on Thursdays. southstreetnaples.com
SUNSET BEACH BAR at The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, 851 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., (239) 261-2222. Solo guitarist Wednesday through Sunday.
YABBA ISLAND GRILL, 711 Fifth Ave. S., (239) 262-5787. DJ and dancing Fridays and Saturdays from 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. gr8foods.net
BONITA SPRINGS
Performing Arts
CENTER FOR THE ARTS BONITA SPRINGS, 26100 Old 41 Road, (239) 495-8989. Provides art expression and education, featuring eight studios, an art library and two galleries. artcenterbonita.org
Live Music/Dancing
SNEAKY PETE’S, 3465 Bonita Beach Road, (239) 498-8887. Live entertainment seven nights a week, including karaoke on Mondays. sneakypetesbonita.com
THE STAGE, 9144 Bonita Beach Road, (239) 405-8566. Dining and dancing. Open Thursday through Saturday. thestagebonita.com
CAPE CORAL
Performing Arts
CULTURAL PARK THEATRE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, 528 Cultural Park Blvd., (239) 772-5862. Live performances, adult and children’s educational programs. culturalparktheater.com
Live Music/Dancing
THE JOINT AT CAPE HARBOUR, 5785 Cape Harbour Drive, Suite 108, (239) 542-0123. Waterfront cabana bar with live music Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
MONKEY BAR & STEAKHOUSE, 1428 Lafayette St., (239) 549-8800. Live entertainment seven nights a week. monkeybarandsteakhouse.com
FORT MYERS
Performing Arts
BARBARA B. MANN PERFORMING ARTS HALL, 13350 Edison Parkway, (239) 481-3033. Presents a variety of touring productions, including Broadway shows, musicals, plays, dance and ballet programs, and concerts. bbmannpah.com
BROADWAY PALM DINNER THEATRE, 1380 Colonial Blvd., (239) 340-6862. Features buffet dining and Broadway’s best musicals in a 450-seat dinner theatre. Includes Off-Broadway Palm Theatre, a 100-seat black-box theater. broadwaypalm.com
FGCU THEATRE LAB, 10501 FGCU Blvd. S., (239) 590-7268. Florida Gulf Coast University’s Department of Visual and Performing Arts stages productions in this black-box theater. theatrelab.fgcu.edu
FLORIDA REPERTORY THEATRE, 2267 First St., (239) 332-4488. Professional regional theater company that produces Pulitzer Prize- and Tony-winning comedies, dramas and musicals. Named “One of America’s Top Repertory Companies” by The Wall Street Journal. floridarep.org
GULF COAST SYMPHONY, (239) 277-1700. Community orchestra that performs a variety of classical and pop performances at local venues. gulfcoastsymphony.org
LEE COUNTY ALLIANCE FOR THE ARTS, 10091 McGregor Blvd., (239) 939-2787. Facilitates and nurtures the creation and education of arts and culture, and promotes area artists and organizations. Live performances, monthly art exhibits, festivals and other events. artinlee.org
SEMINOLE GULF RAILWAY, 2805 Colonial Blvd., (239) 275-8487. Theatrical troupe presents a murder mystery aboard a moving train; guests help solve the crime while enjoying five courses. Reservations required. semgulf.com
SOUTHWEST FLORIDA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA, 8290 College Parkway, Suite 103, (239) 418-1500. Performing since 1961, presenting classical and pops concerts November through April. swflso.org
THEATRE CONSPIRACY, 10091 McGregor Blvd., (239) 936-3239. Performs works including world premieres and Southwest Florida premieres. theatreconspiracy.org
Live Music/Dancing
BUDDHA BAR, 12701 McGregor Blvd., (239) 482-8565. Live entertainment Wednesday through Sunday starting at 10 p.m. Ages 21 and older.
CITY TAVERN, 2206 Bay St., (239) 226-1133. Live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. mycitytavern.com
CLUB 1527, 1527 Hendry St., (239) 770-8368. Open Thursday through Sunday 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
GROOVE STREET GRILLE & DISCOTHEQUE, 8595 College Parkway, Suite 300, (239) 437-2743. Open Thursday through Saturday. groovestreet.com
INDIGO ROOM, 2219 Main St., (239) 332-0014. Karaoke and dancing. Open until 2 a.m.
SPIRITS OF BACCHUS, 1406 Hendry St., (239) 689-2675. Open Monday through Saturday. spiritsofbacchus.com
Comedy
LAUGH-IN COMEDY CAFE, 8595 College Parkway, Suite 300, (239) 479-5233. Featuring national touring comedians. 21 and up. laughincomedycafe.com
FORT MYERS BEACH
Live Music/Dancing
THE COTTAGE BEACH BAR & GULFSHORE GRILL, 1250 Estero Blvd., (239) 765-5440. Live music Monday through Saturday from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. for the over-21 crowd. gulfshoregrill.com
DOC FORD’S FORT MYERS BEACH RUM BAR & GRILLE, 708 Fisherman’s Wharf, (239) 765-9660. Live bands every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. docfordsfortmyersbeach.com
SMOKIN’ OYSTER BREWERY, 340 Old San Carlos Blvd., (239) 463-3474. Live music from 6-10 p.m. on the outside deck. smokinoyster.com
VALERIE’S LOUNGE & LIQUORS, 17264 San Carlos Blvd., (239) 466-7788. Live entertainment from local and touring bands.
SANIBEL/CAPTIVA ISLANDS
Performing Arts
BIG ARTS CENTER, 900 Dunlop Road, (239) 395-0900. Schein Performance Hall, 414-seat concert hall, galleries, sculpture garden, classes, workshops, concerts, speakers and more. bigarts.org
BIG ARTS HERB STRAUSS THEATER, 2200 Periwinkle Way, (239) 472-6862. The 160-seat theater presents shows ranging from comedy and vaudeville to musicals and drama. bigarts.org
Live Music/Dancing
THE JAC BAR, The Jacaranda, 1223 Periwinkle Way, (239) 472-1771. Live entertainment nightly. jacarandaonsanibel.com
KEYLIME BISTRO, 11509 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, (239) 395-4000. Live entertainment seven days and nights. captivaislandinn.com
RC OTTER’S ISLAND EATS, 11506 Andy Rosse Lane, Captiva, (239) 395-1142. Live entertainment daily. captivaislandinn.com
