Winds of Change Continue as Cabasca’s Reopens and Ricochet Closes

Beverage Underground raises a glass to toast the end of the iconic Ricochet Nightclub in Fort Myers and also to the celebrate the re-opening of Cabasca’s in a new South Fort Myers location. We are all sad to see the end of Ricochet as they prepare to close the doors after14 years of business. Owner Keith Stengel opened 14,000 square foot club as a country bar and live entertainment venue and through the years it became known for a Tuesday promotion called ‘coin night’ and live music that spanned all age groups and types of music. Despite a rise in crime in the area and a shift south and east to the Alico Road corridor it was the City of Fort Myers’ ban on 18 year olds that crushed the business. Concert attendance depended greatly on admission of the 18-21 year old demographic.

“Without concerts, Ricochet cannot exist,” says owner Keith Stengel. “The city has stifled them with that under-21 ban.

“It’s crushed us in every sense of the word, and we never fully recovered.”

Stengel sued the city and won kind of… receiving an allowance that lets him hold 15 concerts a year. But application must be made at least 21 days in advance – something that’s nearly impossible to book and promote touring bands that typically play the area on off nights and at confirm at the last minute.

Although Ricochet is set to close, rumors suggest that Stengel may just hold on to his license and get back in the game with a new ‘out of the city’ address, and try to get closer to South Fort Myers or Estero after a spring and summer break.

Cabasca’s known for Tex-Mex food and great Margarita’s closed their location on Fort Myers Beach in September and has moved to the former Cin Cin location in Cypress Square on McGregor Boulevard at Cypress Lake Drive. They managed to flip the popular night spot known as Cin Cin and will bring their great food and plenty of Live entertainmnet according to manager Michelle Thomas. The plaza is best known for years as the home of The Prawnbroker and The Oyster Shell and in more recent years Blu Sushi and Bagel Bagel have become destinations.