If you frequent the South Cape and its many bars and eateries, chances are you\u2019ve walked through the door at BackStreets Sports Bar.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Nestled along Southeast 47th Terrace, BackStreets has been a staple in the city now for three decades. And it\u2019s time to celebrate.\u00a0<\/p>\n
BackStreets Sports Bar will host its 30th Anniversary Block Party this Saturday from 3 to 10 p.m., featuring an evening full of live entertainment, top-notch food trucks, and top-shelf spirits and drinks.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This free and open-to-the-public party marks a milestone year for BackStreets, where multitudes of locals and visitors alike have made friends and memories.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Shelly Walton, owner of BackStreets since it all began in 1995, said she couldn\u2019t ignore the achievement and wanted to do something special for the community, the bar\u2019s patrons, and all that make the longstanding spot what it is today.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI just felt that 30 (years) felt special,\u201d Walton said. \u201cThree decades just hit me hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
The BackStreets Block Party lineup features classic local bands that have played at the venue time and time again, as well as some new faces. The day will include performances by \u201cDJ Mad Mel,\u201d \u201cRed Hannah,\u201d \u201cDeep Cover,\u201d \u201cTwo Looping Vibes,\u201d \u201cTimothy Craig,\u201d and \u201cRock Republic.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI was pretty impressed by them, so I wanted them to finish the show,\u201d Walton said of \u201cRock Republic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Having opened in the mid \u201990s, Walton said there were some tough times in the beginning, with the South Cape a shell of what it looks like today.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople thought I was crazy to open up there,\u201d she said. \u201cI told them, \u2018Well I\u2019m going to open up and I\u2019m going to make something there.’\u201d<\/p>\n
The building BackStreets is in was for sale, but Walton didn\u2019t have the funds at the time to purchase.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAll I had was good credit,\u201d she said. \u201cSo, I decided that I was going to buy a job for myself, and I was going to open this place up. They agreed, and I guess I talked them into it. I got lucky.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walton said a close friend also helped her purchase the building, which had a $50,000 asking price. She said she was eventually able to pay that friend back in full.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Naturally, a lot has happened over 30 years in business in a then-budding city. From economic instability, to natural disasters, to a pandemic, Walton has seen it all.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI wanted to be a bar owner, and I ended up being a weather man, (a doctor), and a contractor,\u201d she said. \u201cMy team is looking at me for guidance for each event.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the biggest changes for Walton and BackStreets was the arrival of major hurricanes, including Irma and especially Ian. Instead of riding out the storm and even having \u201churricane parties,\u201d the tune changed with the devastation brought on by a near Category 5 storm.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter Ian, it was a totally different ballgame,\u201d Walton said. \u201c(Staff) are nervous and want to go home and board up their houses. We don\u2019t stay open and have hurricane parties. We put our flood panels up and we pray that it turns and we shut down. Before we used to just ride through it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The COVID-19 pandemic was unprecedented for the entire world, and certainly businesses in the food and beverage industry.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was no one to lead, no one to tell us (anything),\u201d Walton said. \u201cWe\u2019re just hearing pandemic and we want all of our people to be safe, so we just closed down.\u201d<\/p>\n
BackStreets did eventually reopen, but nothing without worry from staff.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThey were nervous, scared, and as much as they said they wanted to work, they were concerned with working and taking something home to a family member, or not being able to see an elderly family member, or their child, or someone with a weak immune system. So we closed down again.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just been rough navigating those waters.\u201d<\/p>\n
Walton said when the Streetscape project downtown completed, and more business leaders opened up shop in the area, the South Cape started to boom.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The South Cape Hospitality and Entertainment Association, of which Walton is a part, also began doing monthly events to bring even more attention to the historic downtown area.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cCape Coral was considered taboo,\u201d Walton said. \u201cBut when (established business owners) decided to come to the Cape, it was like, \u2018thank you, we\u2019re not taboo anymore.’\u201d<\/p>\n
Walton said since the beginning, BackStreets has always been a place for all walks of like.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can be wearing a $5,000 suit, or a tank top and shorts,\u201d Walton said. \u201cAll are welcome in my restaurant.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom older people to younger people, we have all jived in this, and I\u2019ve always been pretty proud of that. If you come in my bar and don\u2019t treat my staff right\u2026 same with customers and my staff \u2014 I don\u2019t tolerate any of it.<\/p>\n
\u201cEverybody feels comfortable at BackStreets. A single woman can come in and sit at the bar, and we\u2019re going to protect her.\u201d<\/p>\n
At BackStreets\u2019 Block Party, there will be a VIP exclusive experience for $100. The VIP package includes a swag bag with anniversary goodies, a BackStreets 30th anniversary T-shirt, custom drink coozies, a private VIP bar, three drink chips, access to the VIP area in front of the stage with private, air-conditioned bathrooms, and a $100 gift card to Optimal Wellness.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Food trucks on-site will include Nickel City Red Hots, and Taco Worx.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople have been coming to our place for years, and they get a good product and good service,\u201d Walton said. \u201cWe plan on having that same good product and good service on our 30th anniversary. You\u2019re going to see a lot of great bands. We\u2019re going to be rocking all day, and will continue inside after.\u201d<\/p>\n
No blankets, chairs or outside coolers are permitted. BackStreets Sports Bar\u2019s Anniversary Party is a 21-plus event.<\/p>\n
BackStreets Sports Bar is at 915 Southeast 47th Terrace.\u00a0<\/p>\n
For VIP Tickets, visit\u00a0eventbrite.com\u00a0and search \u201cBackStreets 30th Anniversary Block Party.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more information on BackStreets, visit\u00a0www.backstreetssportsbar.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n