Cheeks – Waterfront Tiki Dining in Marinatown

Located in Sunset Harbor Village within Marinatown Yacht Harbor, Cheeks Tiki Bar & Grille brings a lively waterfront dining experience to North Fort Myers with a blend of coastal food, crafted cocktails, and laid-back island energy. Positioned directly along the Caloosahatchee River, Cheeks has quickly become a social gathering spot where boaters, locals, and visitors come together for casual dining, live music, and marina views. Designed as what the owners describe as an “upscale dive bar,” the restaurant embraces fun, community, and resilience — reflecting Southwest Florida’s evolving waterfront culture.

A Waterfront Comeback Story

Cheeks opened in late 2023 after its ownership team lost their previous Sanibel Island restaurant to Hurricane Ian. Rather than leaving the area, the owners rebuilt inland at Marinatown, creating a new waterfront destination that carries forward the island hospitality spirit while serving a growing riverfront community. The concept focuses on welcoming families, boaters, and even pets in a relaxed environment that feels both casual and community-driven.

Tiki Atmosphere with Local Energy

The restaurant features open-air seating, tiki-style décor, and waterfront views overlooking marina docks and passing boats. Guests can dine outdoors beneath thatched roofing or gather around the bar for cocktails while live music sets the tone for the evening. Cheeks promotes a vibe centered on crafted drinks, coastal-inspired food, and easygoing island living — a combination that has helped it quickly gain a local following.

Live entertainment and music events are frequent, reinforcing its role as both a restaurant and neighborhood social hub within Sunset Harbor Village.

Casual Coastal Menu & Social Dining

The menu focuses on approachable American and coastal favorites designed for relaxed waterfront meals. Guests can expect items such as tacos, sandwiches, seafood dishes, wings, and shareable appetizers alongside specialty cocktails and happy-hour offerings. Reviews frequently highlight the outdoor tiki patio and marina views as central to the experience, where dining feels more like a waterfront gathering than a traditional restaurant visit.

The emphasis is on fun, flavor, and atmosphere — food meant to complement music, conversation, and time spent near the water.

Dock-and-Dine on the Caloosahatchee

Cheeks sits directly within Marinatown Yacht Harbor, making it a natural dock-and-dine destination. Boaters traveling the Caloosahatchee River can tie up nearby and walk directly into the restaurant, reinforcing the boating lifestyle that defines this part of Southwest Florida. Its location places guests just minutes from downtown Fort Myers by boat or car while maintaining a quieter marina setting.

The Real Estate Connection: Marinatown’s Growing Appeal

Restaurants like Cheeks highlight why North Fort Myers’ riverfront communities are gaining attention among buyers. Marinatown offers marina access, riverfront condos, and boating-friendly neighborhoods positioned just across the bridge from the Fort Myers River District. Buyers are increasingly drawn to areas that combine waterfront living with approachable pricing, boating convenience, and proximity to downtown dining and entertainment.

Dining at Cheeks provides a real glimpse into everyday life — neighbors arriving by boat, live music drifting across the marina, and a community centered around waterfront connection.

A New Social Anchor for the Marina

As Marinatown continues evolving into a destination district, Cheeks adds fresh energy alongside longtime waterfront favorites. Its mix of live entertainment, casual dining, and community atmosphere reflects the broader shift toward lifestyle-focused waterfront living in Southwest Florida.

Planning Your Visit

Cheeks Tiki Bar & Grille
3448 Marinatown Lane
North Fort Myers, Florida 33903
Phone: (239) 471-7253
Waterfront indoor and outdoor seating
Dock-and-dine marina access
Live music and events regularly scheduled

Tip: Visit during live music hours or sunset for the most vibrant marina atmosphere.

Why It Matters to Buyers

Today’s buyers increasingly look for communities where lifestyle happens naturally around the water. Cheeks demonstrates what riverfront living near downtown Fort Myers feels like — casual waterfront dining, social gathering spaces, and boating access woven into everyday life. For many visitors, discovering places like Cheeks becomes the moment North Fort Myers shifts from hidden gem to waterfront opportunity.