Rooftop Bars, Smoked Mullet & Your Summer Bucket List 🏙️🦐☀️

Hey There,

I’m writing this second issue from Puerto Rico, where my boys are busy wreaking havoc with their grandparents in the same neighborhood my husband called home from birth to sixteen. (That’s them in the photo below—pure summer-vacay bliss, and help from Manny’s mom and dad for summer vacation.)

Between the mofongo, pastelillos, and an embarrassing (and accumulating) number of chillo victims, I’m still thinking about everything happening back home in Naples. The dining scene is a live wire right now—new spots opening, long-timers evolving, and a few surprise closings that have locals buzzing.

That’s why this issue is packed:

• Naples Rooftop Challenge – three rooftops, one summer, your vote

• Summer 2025 Bucket List – insider moves you can only pull off in the off-season

• Mini Guide: Fireworks of SWFL – bookmark it for July 4th

• Weekend Wave: More Than Just What AI Pulls From The Internet

If you try something from this newsletter—whether it’s Jimmy Perry’s smoked mullet or that elusive Kaleidoscope x Wolfmoon croissant—email me at [email protected] or tag @thenaplescurrent on Instagram.

And - if you’re enjoying these weekly dispatches - please forward them to a friend (or three) and urge them to subscribe. The more locals we reach, the better the tips, recs, and stories we can share.

You are the reason a real community newsletter works. Please keep in touch.

¡Hasta pronto!

Thanks,
Carolyn Dion-Cervoni
Writer, local resident, founder of The Naples Current

📸 Follow Us or Forever Wonder What You Missed

Follow us on Instagram: @thenaplescurrent
It’s like the newsletter… but with more food pics and fewer commas

Challenge: How Many Rooftops Have You Claimed?

Take the Naples Rooftop Challenge

Three rooftop bars. One open-air summer. Which one wins your vote?

The sun is out, the kids are in camp, and there’s no better time to explore Naples’ rooftop scene than right now. With the recent opening of Tigress at The Perry Hotel, Naples now boasts three true rooftop bars — and I want to know what you think.

Full disclaimer: I’ll be honest and say that I didn’t initially think the rooftop-bar-vibe was really all that “Naples.” The city has a height restriction of 42 feet on commercial buildings (yes, I know)  - so there aren’t many opportunities for restaurants to develop a rooftop scene.

I want to know what you think. Please vote in this issue’s poll and  I’ll let you know (1) the results of our poll and (2) my personal favorite in the next issue.

1. Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar

📍 4270 Gulf Shore Blvd N (The Village Shops on Venetian Bay)
🌐 baysideseafoodgrillandbar.com

Open since 1990, Bayside is a classic — and one that many locals forget about until they’re reminded how good it really is. Located in Venetian Village, Bayside offers a refined but relaxed rooftop experience on its second-floor open-air deck. Didn’t know it was there, did you? The breeze off the bay is great, and they have a way to close off the bar area if it starts raining.

🦐 Try: Coconut Shrimp ($24) or the Crispy Calamari ($22)
🍹 Sip: The Venetian Cooler

2. Limón Rooftop Bar

📍 455 12th St S (atop the AC Hotel Naples 5th Avenue)
🌐 limonrooftop.com

Limón opened in December 2023 and brings a Mediterranean-inspired flair to downtown. While it sits atop the AC Hotel on Fifth Avenue, the building's lower height limits the view — you’re mostly overlooking a busy intersection, with some visible utility lines. Still, the ambiance is upscale and comfortable, with indoor-outdoor seating and a central firepit that adds a cozy glow.

🍕 Try: Flatbreads ($18–$19)
🍹 Sip: Crimson Sunset Margarita ($15)
🎉 Happy Hour: Sunday–Thursday, 3–5pm | All food $12 | Cocktails $10–$12

3. Tigress Rooftop at The Perry Hotel

📍 221 9th St S (at The Perry Hotel)
🌐 perryhotelnaples.com

Tigress is the newest and, for the moment, the trendiest of Naples’ rooftops. Since opening on January 11, it’s become a local Instagrammer’s/reviewer’s best friend. The views are great but seating is seriously limited. This is the time of year to take your very own selfie at Tigress.  

🥗 Try: The lunch bowls and appetizers (menu here)
🍸 Sip: The Fujian Paloma

Ready to Take the Challenge?

We want to hear from you. Try all three rooftop bars and then tell us which one takes the crown. Tag us on Instagram @naplescurrent and use the hashtag #NaplesRooftopChallenge to weigh in.

The Essentials

🌊 The Weekend Wave: 5 Events to Check Out

…and why I’d go!

Welcome to the Weekend Wave! Each week, we’ll deliver our top five events for the weekend—plus, a quick note on why I’d go.

1. 🦐 Farmers Market Seafood Boil with Jimmy Perry

Date: Saturday, June 28
Time: 10 AM–2 PM
Location: 800 Neffs Way, Naples, FL 34119
Jimmy Perry is serving up Gulf-fresh garlic shrimp bowls, Key West pink shrimp, tilapia, catfish, and smoked mullet straight from his boat to your plate.
Why I’d go: Because seafood tastes best when it’s caught and served by the fisherman himself. Show up early—this one’s cash only and worth every bite.

2. 🌲 Ancient Forest Tour at Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary

Date: Friday, June 27
Time: 7:00 AM
Location: Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary
Take a 2.25-mile guided walk through the world’s largest remaining old-growth bald cypress forest—protected since 1954. You’ll hear stories about Corkscrew’s history, ecology, and the trees that have stood for centuries. Small group, early start, big impact.
Why I’d go: Because 500-year-old cypress trees put things in perspective—and this is the quiet, immersive start to summer that everyone needs.

3. 🎶 Live Music All Weekend at Sugarshack Downtown

Dates: June 27–29
Location: Sugarshack Downtown, Bonita Springs
A hip new live music venue with an intimate vibe and a young, local following. This weekend’s lineup covers blues, funk, alt, and reggae rock:
• June 27 @ 7pm: EG Kight Trio (Blues/Rock)
• June 28 @ 1pm: The Line Up Band (Jam/Funk)
• June 28 @ 7pm: East Harbor (Alternative)
• June 29 @ 1pm: Moonstone Trio (Jam/Funk)
• June 29 @ 6pm: Sprout (Reggae Rock)
Why I’d go: If you haven’t checked out Sugarshack Downtown yet, this is a good weekend to check it out Five bands, three days, and a seriously cool scene.

4. 🍍 Tasting the Tropics at Naples Botanical Garden

Dates: Saturday–Sunday, June 28–29
Time: 9 AM–2 PM
Location: Naples Botanical Garden
Explore tropical fruits from around the world with tastings, demos, garden tours, and tropical snacks.
Why I’d go: Eat your way through paradise—plus, kids are free all summer. I would encourage you to go early and wear sun screen and bug spray.

5. 🎶 Jason Gray Live in Concert

Date: Saturday, June 28
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Naples Seventh-day Adventist Church
Contemporary Christian artist Jason Gray performs an intimate, hope-filled set of originals and favorites.
Why I’d go: This event was shared by one of our readers and it is open to music lovers of all religious persuasions. Check it out and keep the recommendations coming!

The Essentials

Looking Ahead 👀: Where are you planning to catch the fireworks?

Reader Challenge: Naples Rooftop Challenge

☀️ Summer Bucket List 2025: 5 Things to Do This Summer

My Personal Bucket-List - But - Please Send Me Yours!

to [email protected]

Let’s be real: July in Naples might melt your sandals, but it’s also the best-kept secret for locals. Here are 5 things you can actually do in summer that are borderline impossible during season:

1. 🚗 Park Wherever You Want on Fifth Avenue South
Seriously. Pick a spot. Any spot. Stroll Fifth without circling the block five times—and while you’re there, treat yourself to a summer special or grab a perfect cold brew from Fifth Avenue Coffee Co. (Yes, the coconut cold brew is still elite.)

2. 🍽️ Go Where the Snowbirds Can’t
Blackbird? Open. Estia? Bookable. The Turtle Club? Shockingly doable. Now’s your chance to slide into that mid-week reservation and pretend this level of access is normal. (It’s not.)

3. 🍸 Grab a Craft Cocktail at Beeline — Instantly
No velvet rope. No waitlist. Just walk in, order something cheeky, and post up under the fake tree with friends. The Bee’s Knees hits even better when you didn’t wait an hour for it.

4. 🥐 Get a Croissant from the Kaleidoscope x Wolfmoon Collab
Normally a feeding frenzy. But in July? There’s a decent chance you’ll walk in and actually snag one of those gorgeously flaky croissants without a pre-dawn stakeout. (You’re welcome.)

5. 🧀 Score a Cheesesteak at Cheesesteak.com
No lines out the door. No sold-out sign in the window. Just that messy, melty perfection from cheesesteak.com while it’s still hot. Go early-ish, but not panic-early.A Buzz-Worthy New Arrival at Mercato 🐝

🤝 I have the best readers…ever!

I may be new to the scene—but I’m not shy. Our first issue had a phenomenal response and I’m excited for everything to come!

If you’re a local business, event organizer, chef, artist, or just someone doing something cool in Naples, I’d love to hear from you.

Interested in partnering, collaborating, or getting featured? (Have an event coming up?)
Shoot me a note: [email protected]

Let’s make something great together.