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Best Sports Bars in Fort Myers, Florida: New Back Roads Nashville Sports Bar
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Best Sports Bars in Fort Myers, Florida: New Back Roads Nashville Sports Bar

Introduction

Fort Myers is one of Florida’s fastest-growing sports-viewing cities – fueled by NFL Sundays, SEC college football weekends, snowbird tourism, and the massive student population around Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU). And heading into the 2025–26 sports season, the region is getting a major new addition: Back Roads, a Nashville-themed country sports bar rebranding the beloved Pelican Larry’s University Village location. With upgraded interiors, expanded sports-bar amenities, and a live-music-meets-sports vibe, Back Roads is set to become one of the most important new sports destinations in Southwest Florida. FGCU students, locals, and visiting fans will finally get a bar that blends big-screen sports, country energy, and late-night college atmosphere under one roof. Below is our full profile of this new Fort Myers hotspot – plus a curated list of the 10 best sports bars near Back Roads for anyone exploring game-day options in the area.

Featured Bar Profile

Pelican Larry's Raw Bar and Grill
Pelican Larry's Raw Bar and Grill
4
Fort Myers, Florida, United States
(239) 260-9463
www.pelicanlarrysuv.com
Fresh seafood served daily with a fun twistLively atmosphere perfect for all occasionsOutdoor patio for sunny dining experiencesSignature cocktails complement every dishFriendly staff dedicated to excellent service+1
Fresh seafood served daily with a fun twist
Lively atmosphere perfect for all occasions
Outdoor patio for sunny dining experiences
Signature cocktails complement every dish
Friendly staff dedicated to excellent service
Vibrant events and live music on weekends
Hover to explore details
Notable Features
View Bar Details
Pelican Larry's Raw Bar and Grill
Pelican Larry's Raw Bar and Grill
Fort Myers, Florida, United States
Fresh seafood served daily with a fun twist
Lively atmosphere perfect for all occasions
Outdoor patio for sunny dining experiences
Signature cocktails complement every dish
Friendly staff dedicated to excellent service
Vibrant events and live music on weekends

Top 10 Sports Bars Near Back Roads (Fort Myers, FL)

Below are additional top-ranked sports bars in Fort Myers for football, basketball, and year-round game-day viewing.

1. Miller’s Ale House – Fort Myers

Address: 4400 Kernel Cir., Fort Myers, FL 33916 Website: https://millersalehouse.com/locations/fort-myers/

2. Stevie Tomato’s Sports Page

Address: 9510 Marketplace Rd., Fort Myers, FL 33912 Website: https://stevietomatos.com/

3. Rusty’s Raw Bar & Grill – Estero

Address: 20041 S Tamiami Trail, Estero, FL 33928 Website: https://rustysrawbar.com/

4. Glory Days Grill – Fort Myers

Address: 5050 Daniels Pkwy., Fort Myers, FL 33912 Website: https://glorydaysgrill.com/

5. Shoeless Joe’s Sports Café

Address: 13051 Bell Tower Dr., Fort Myers, FL 33907 Website: https://shoelessjoesfortmyers.com/

6. Varsity Sports Bar & Grill

Address: 17647 S Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, FL 33908 Website: https://varsitysportsbarfl.com/

7. Duffys Sports Grill – Estero

Address: 8024 Mediterranean Dr., Estero, FL 33928 Website: https://duffysmvp.com/

8. Buffalo Wings & Rings – Fort Myers

Address: 11751 S Cleveland Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33907 Website: https://wingsandrings.com/

9. The Bottom Line Sports Bar

Address: 18251 S Tamiami Trail, Fort Myers, FL 33908 Website: https://thebottomlinesportsbar.com/

10. Fuzzy’s Taco Shop – Estero (Sports Viewing Friendly)

Address: 20041 S Tamiami Trail, Estero, FL 33928 Website: https://fuzzystacoshop.com/

Conclusion

Fort Myers continues to strengthen its position as one of Florida’s most exciting destinations for sports-bar culture, and the opening of Back Roads marks a major milestone. By blending Nashville-inspired country charm with a full sports-bar setup, Back Roads is poised to become a flagship venue for FGCU students, traveling fans, and year-round locals. Whether you’re planning a Saturday college football marathon, catching the NFL slate, or enjoying a night of live music with game coverage in the background, Back Roads delivers a dynamic new option for the region’s fast-growing sports community. Combine that with the many high-performing sports bars nearby, and Fort Myers is ready for one of its strongest sports seasons ever.

Bibliography

Local News & Business Coverage (Authoritative Regional Sources)

These sources help verify bar openings, nightlife trends, and local sports culture.
  1. News-Press (Fort Myers / Naples Daily News) – “Pelican Larry’s to Become Back Roads Nashville Sports Bar” https://www.news-press.com/
  2. Gulfshore Life – Southwest Florida Food, Nightlife & Culture Coverage https://www.gulfshorelife.com/
  3. Florida Weekly – Fort Myers Edition (Dining, Bars, Local Sports Watching Guides) https://www.floridaweekly.com/
  4. Business Observer – Southwest Florida Hospitality & Bar Industry Updates https://www.businessobserverfl.com/
  5. WINK News – Fort Myers Community & Business Stories (including restaurant openings) https://www.winknews.com/

Sports-Watching & Florida Sports Travel Sources

Provides authoritative context on sports culture, NFL/college fan engagement, and statewide bar recommendations.
  1. Visit Florida – “Sports & Recreation in Florida” https://www.visitflorida.com/
  2. Travel Channel – “Best Sports Bars in Florida” https://www.travelchannel.com/
  3. USA Today Travel – “Top U.S. Cities for Sports Fans & Sports-Bar Experiences” https://www.usatoday.com/travel/
  4. ESPN Southwest Florida – FGCU, NFL, & Local Sports Commentary https://espnswfl.com/
  5. Major League Baseball – Spring Training (Fort Myers hosts Red Sox & Twins) https://www.mlb.com/spring-training

Fort Myers Tourism, Nightlife & Area Guides

  1. Visit Fort Myers – Official Tourism Guide (Events, Nightlife, Things to Do) https://www.visitfortmyers.com/
  2. Fort Myers Beach Observer – Community Coverage Including Events & Nightlife https://www.beach-bulletin.com/
  3. Eater Miami / Eater Florida (Nearby regional food & bar coverage) https://miami.eater.com/
  4. Southwest Florida Travel & Entertainment Articles (Local publications) https://www.swflorida.com/

FGCU & College Student Community Resources

Essential because Back Roads’ audience includes a large FGCU student base.
  1. FGCU Athletics – Game Schedules, Fan Info & Regional Sports Community https://fgcuathletics.com/
  2. FGCU School of Entrepreneurship – Bizzy App Background & Student Startups https://fgcu.edu
  3. College Student Discounts & Local Business Apps (Bizzy App) https://bizzyapp.com/ 

Hospitality & Bar Industry Insight

  1. National Restaurant Association – Bar & Restaurant Trends https://restaurant.org/
  2. QSR / FSR Magazine – Growth Trends in Bar Concepts & Live-Music Venues https://www.fsrmagazine.com/
  3. Nation’s Restaurant News – Florida Hospitality Market Trends https://www.nrn.com/