Buddha Bar & Grill

Do not be put off by all the folk in cowboy hats. Although clearly the minority at this place, I did not have a bad time. My major complaint was the bar service. I must have sat at the bar for 25 minutes before I was even asked if I wanted a drink. Several groups of folk who arrived after me, were being served before I did. On Sunday there is a live band that plays cover songs all night. I didn't think they were particularly bad but the one thing i did like is that the young guy singing had a YMCMB jersey on, which I found odd for Ft. Myers (maybe me just being a bit closed minded). I liked the idea of the bar. Apparently it used to be an old sushi restaurant that was converted. It is easily located by the GIANT golden Buddha statue sitting outside.

Ah, the Buddha. A place that brings me back to days of high school speculation surrounding what was in that massive statue's belly. Money, the Fountain of Youth, drugs, Jimmy Hoffa, omitted footage from the Zapruder film, KFC's eleven herbs and spices, every classroom hamster that passed away in Lee County elementary schools, Crystal Pepsi, he who put the bomp in the bomp-bomp-bomp?

Never knew and never will - it's a protected landmark, which is why, so the story goes, the Happy Buddha Chinese Restaurant forcibly became the Buddha Bar & Grille after purchase almost a decade ago.

It's a fun bar and I kill a few double-talls every venture home to see the folks. Things that relegate the Fort Myers icon to A-OKville:
- It's abysmally smokey. I realize it's still allowed when liquor constitutes most of a biz's revenue, but that knowledge doesn't refresh up the only pair of jeans I packed! GENIUS THOUGHT: travel Febreze vending machine at the door. Cut me a check, Mother of Invention.
- The live music, while appreciated and oft head-bobbed to, nullifies conversation. Completely. On the bright side, I can fingerspell "Y-u-e-n-g-l-i-n-g" in two seconds flat. On the dark side, all bartenders know what I'm asking for.
- Finally, the barstaff, even when rolling three deep, need a 'nother round flag down more than they don't. In a rectangular bar with no island, this is unheard of.

Love the darts, heavy pours and groupies that Drunk Mom Dance front and center stage. All night. Every night.

casual hang out

live music
last I knew they served pizza. Great drunk snack.