After 25 years of rocking Fort Myers, concert venue Buddha LIVE has shut its doors on McGregor Boulevard.
The Buddha’s new owners, Matt and Melanie Mikesh, announced the news July 1 on Facebook. They blame their decision on costly repairs needed at the decades-old building, a former Chinese restaurant until it became The Buddha Bar and Grill in 2000.
“We regret to inform everyone that Buddha Live is closing effective immediately,” they wrote in the late-afternoon post. “The severe infrastructure issues with the facility have become too costly and we are not willing or able to continue funding the reconstruction of a building we do not own.
“We attempted to get the situation solved with the landlord as the issues (roof, sewer, air conditioning, etc.) are with his building, and our requests were denied. … We appreciate your patronage and your support of live music.”
The closing comes just 1½ years after the Mikeshes took over the business in December 2023 and renovated the place, including upgrading the women’s bathroom and repainting the venue’s roadside Buddha statue from red to gold.
The Buddha LIVE building is owned by C P T Ming & Associates Inc., according to the Lee County Property Appraiser’s Office. The owners couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.
Buddha LIVE was home to rock, country bands in Fort Myers
Buddha LIVE ― one of Fort Myers’ oldest music venues — has been a longtime home to local and touring rock and country bands, including tribute acts and recent shows by touring bands Molly Hatchet, L.A. Guns and George Lynch of Dokken and Lynch Mob.
The Buddha’s upcoming ticketed shows will continue, the owners wrote on Facebook. They’re just moving to a new venue: Mango Rita’s Rhythm House in Fort Myers.
“All ticketed shows are a go as planned!!!” Matt and Melanie Mikesh wrote. “They (Mango Rita’s staff) are even moving the Buddha LIVE sound system to their location!!! Any and all tickets are being transferred in the upcoming days and ticket holders will be notified directly. The shows will go on as scheduled!!!”
Those shows include former Megadeth members David Ellefson and Jeff Young and tribute bands celebrating the music of Aerosmith, Creed, Godsmack and Duran Duran.
‘Live music matters. Local venues matter.’
Fellow concert venue Nauti Parrot Oasis mourned the loss of Buddha LIVE on Facebook soon after the announcement.
“It’s with a heavy heart that we learned about the closing of Buddha Live, one of our fellow local music venues,” the Fort Myers venue and restaurant wrote July 1. “They’ve been a home for countless artists, unforgettable nights, and a vital part of the live music scene here in SWFL. Their absence is a real loss to our community and the musicians who make it come alive.”
Nauti Parrot encouraged Southwest Florida residents to support live music by going to shows at their venue and elsewhere.
“Sometimes that means a cover charge, and we understand that not everyone loves it,” they wrote. “But it’s one of the ways we can continue to bring you the top-tier talent that makes your nights unforgettable, while also making sure those artists and employees can keep doing what they love.
“Live music matters. Local venues matter. And your support truly makes all the difference. Here’s to keeping the music alive, together.”
Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. To reach him, call 239-335-0368 or email crunnells@gannett.com. Follow or message him on Facebook(@charles.runnells.7), Instagram (@crunnells1) and X (@CharlesRunnells),
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Buddha LIVE closes in Fort Myers after 25 years of rock and country bands. Here’s why
Reporting by Charles Runnells, Fort Myers News-Press / Fort Myers News-Press
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