The Whale on Fort Myers Beach granted live music past 6:30 pm

Writer: Rachel Murphy
Published: Updated:
live music
The band Briz & Lady CREDIT WINK News

The Fort Myers Beach Town Council has approved outdoor music for The Whale restaurant and extended its hours of play.

Music can now be performed there from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Up until now, The Whale was restricted to 6:30 p.m. during the week under an agreement that the previous owners had made. This is a temporary solution while the restaurant rebuilds a permanent home at its original location on Fort Myers Beach.

Some neighbors near the restaurant complained that amplified music was disturbing their peace.

“Asking me to do music un-amplified is like asking you to do a news report without a microphone,” said Brady Smith, a member of the family band Briz & Lady.

The owner of The Whale, Mike Miller, and musicians from across the beach got up and defended the right to rock to the town council.

live music
The Whale restaurant CREDIT WINK News

“This is a tourist island, and we need to have nightlife,” said Elizabeth Smith, a member of Briz & Lady. “We have to have it. Otherwise, the people coming to this island are going to leave and go somewhere else where there is nightlife. In order to keep the revenue flowing on the beach and help us all build back, we need the music.”

The Whale was the only restaurant that had an issue with live music because it was adjacent to residential properties. All other restaurants on Fort Myers Beach are currently compliant with the regular ordinances of music until 10 p.m.

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