Southwest Florida Event Center
Southwest Florida Event Center
Southwest Florida Event Center
3
This location was reported permanently closed
About
A WORLD-CLASS LIVE PERFORMANCE VENUE Located in beautiful Bonita Springs, Florida, the SWFL Event Center is a state-of-the art, world-class event facility serving Lee, Collier, and the surrounding counties. This facility offers many unique amenities, including world class theatre, a state-of-the art culinary test kitchen for commercial kitchen rentals, Teatro one of our event spaces used for private and corporate events.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.0
110 reviews
Excellent
22
Very good
22
Average
12
Poor
17
Terrible
37
beachandsun064
Bonita Springs, FL56 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Nice venue. Plenty of parking. Too few wait staff to handle a full house ordering drinks and dinner during the show, Tables way too close together. Food average. Inexperienced wait staff. Concert volume way too high.
Written February 16, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
abe
5 contributions
Mar 2022
saw a great all star band featuring Todd Rundgren. the venue was nice and intimate.
everything else was a disaster. we were seated in the wrong general admission area and after an hour were booted out only to find the section we were supposed to be in was filled. had to speak to 4 officials before the situation was fixed. extremely understaffed! everyone was complaining about the delay in getting their food. A table erupted in mock applause when one of their party was finally served. I won't be back
everything else was a disaster. we were seated in the wrong general admission area and after an hour were booted out only to find the section we were supposed to be in was filled. had to speak to 4 officials before the situation was fixed. extremely understaffed! everyone was complaining about the delay in getting their food. A table erupted in mock applause when one of their party was finally served. I won't be back
Written March 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda R
Cape Coral, FL54 contributions
Oct 2017 • Couples
We were really looking forward to this evening as we live the music of Frank Sinatra. Ordered dinner at 6:30pm. It started off good with our appetizers. The shrimp cocktail was great, 5 huge shrimp! Then we waited...and waited...and waited. It is now 8:30pm. I finally had to text them on their “issue” number on the screen that we hadn’t received our dinner yet. Someone came by and dropped off only my meal, the Prime Rib that I ordered cooked medium. This thing was as hard as a rock and way over cooked. 5 minutes later they brought my other two guests their meals. We asked the waiter about my meal and he said “that was the last of the Prime Rib they were all out”. Hmmm, two hour wait for my food and they were all out of Prime Rib...what a surprise. Not one person offered to rectify this matter. Not the waiter, not Management, no one! I wasn’t looking for a freebie at all, I ust expected my meal at a decent time and to be cooked as I ordered it. Given this place is under new ownership, they have a LOT of issues that need attending to. The service, the follow up, and the kitchen. Once the performance started I saw many people actually get up and leave. Many left their plates of food behind untouched. “Sinatra” finished around 9:15pm and we very promptly received our check...of course. It’s fitting that they automatically put a 18% gratuity on the bill. At this point it wasn’t worth arguing over so we paid and left. I will have to seriously think about returning unless someone (thats you owners) get their act together and make changes to their service and staff, to be exceptional, as it should be.
Written October 8, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback. We are sincerely sorry that you was not happy with your experience here. We have upgrade our soundproofing and you will love our new acoustics! We are also under new management and are making the necessary changes to make this SWFL Event Center amazing.
Please join us on Wednesday, October 9th with 2 complementary GA Seats to the "Love and Theft" Concert.
Give your email name: FayeB802 at the check-in for free general admission for 2 people.
Lobby Doors Open at 5:30pm. Theater Doors Open at 6pm. "Back to Chicago" (Chicago Tribute Band) will take the stage 6:30pm-7:30pm. Love And Theft go on stage at 8pm. We hope you join us for a fun-filled evening!
Thank you,
SWFLEC Management Team
Written October 8, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Jefftey1
Rockville, MD2 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
This venue deserve some of it's bad reviews. But, it is not as bad as some of the reviews lead you to believe. Based on my visit last week to see Jackie Mason here are the facts. Basically it's like going to your local VFW hall for a wedding with 500 guest. The food was pretty good for a buffet. The acoustics were not good. Some decorating was done but it needs the help of a sound specialists. Just because you have large speakers and a few sound absorbing panels on the walls, does not mean it's going to be easy to hear the act. I can't imagine what a musical group would sound like here. The help was ok but not great. Calling it a "Petorming Arts Center" they want you to think it is a "classy" venue. It is not. Again, think of a VFW or Fire Hall. The acts are the acts. If you don't go with too high expectations, you should be ok with this "hall". Just know this is no Artis-Naples or Barbara Mann Theatre. It' not run particularly well. So again, keep your expectations low and you should be fine.
Written February 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback. We are sincerely sorry that you was not happy with your experience here. We have upgrade our soundproofing and you will love our new acoustics! We are also under new management and are making the necessary changes to make this SWFL Event Center amazing.
Please join us on Wednesday, October 9th with 2 complementary GA Seats to the "Love and Theft" Concert.
Give your email name: FayeB802 at the check-in for free general admission for 2 people.
Lobby Doors Open at 5:30pm. Theater Doors Open at 6pm. "Back to Chicago" (Chicago Tribute Band) will take the stage 6:30pm-7:30pm. Love And Theft go on stage at 8pm. We hope you join us for a fun-filled evening!
Thank you,
SWFLEC Management Team
Written October 8, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Scubagirl999
Naples, FL289 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
We literally bought the first tix available to this event. Table 50, seats 1 & 2. From the seating chart, these should have been the 2 seats against the stage, instead seat 1 was against the stage and seat 2 was behind me. Seats 3 & 4 were opposite us. Table 50 was supposed to be dead center as there were tables 10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80,90. But we were off center. Tables are so close that when you are seated the back of your chair is against the back of the chair behind you - you are literally touching the person behind you. No aisle so once you are seated that's it. Seats are lined up so everyone is sitting directly behind someone else at a ling table row. A man in a wheelchair had purchased the seat next to my husband - 3rd seat back. He didn't even attempt to access the seat as there was zero room. You would think buying a ticket for a seat at a table would be accessible. There were speakers on the floor of the stage which totally blocked my view of the left side of the stage. Also, it meant I was about 4 feet from the speaker the entire performance. The left side of my face and ear started hurting halfway through the performance so I had to turn my chair so the right side of my face faced the stage. This meant I pretty much couldn't see anything because of that darn speaker. My left ear and left jaw are still sore 2 days later. If someone told me I could hand pick my seat, I don't know what I would do. If you have front row tix, your view is blocked and you're blasted by the speaker. If you sit a bit further back in the tables, you can't get out and you're looking over a row of heads. Overall venue building is hip. Perhaps they are too focused on many people having a table so they can eat from their buffet? Just give people a good seat!!! Very disappointing. Loved the band of course, but did not feel like we had the best seats in the house even though that's what we paid for. I don't think we'll go back because I would kick myself for spending money risking getting another terrible view.
Written April 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback. We are sincerely sorry that you was not happy with your experience here. We have upgrade our soundproofing and you will love our new acoustics! We are also under new management and are making the necessary changes to make this SWFL Event Center amazing.
Please join us on Wednesday, October 9th with 2 complementary GA Seats to the "Love and Theft" Concert.
Give your email name: FayeB802 at the check-in for free general admission for 2 people.
Lobby Doors Open at 5:30pm. Theater Doors Open at 6pm. "Back to Chicago" (Chicago Tribute Band) will take the stage 6:30pm-7:30pm. Love And Theft go on stage at 8pm. We hope you join us for a fun-filled evening!
Thank you,
SWFLEC Management Team
Written October 8, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
John C
Bonita Springs, FL39 contributions
Feb 2017
A couple of months ago, one of our favorite bands, Gaelic Storm, was booked to play here. I checked out the website for the date and cost, then check our schedules. I went back to the site to buy tickets and the concert was no longer posted. The band still had the site on it's tour. So I facebook messaged the band about the event. They got back to me quickly and said they were coming there. I called the venue and the person in the ticket office said the concert was NOT on their schedule. I sent a message back to the band. The contacted the Venue and told me that the place was double booked for the night, but was fixed. I went back to the SFPAC web site and the event was back for 8pm, so I booked seats.
The day of the event came.A Message from Southwest Florida Performing Arts Center:
"We wish to inform our guests that due to traveling schedule the performance for Gaelic Storm will begin at 9:00 PM EST with Doors Opening at 6:30 PM EST . The morning of the event, I got an email saying, "
A couple of days before the event, a local band we follow, posted that they were booked at this venue for the same night. I thought, it was now going to be a great evening and The Good Bad Kids would be the opening act at 8pm.
NO NO NO,,,,,
We get there at 7:30pm to find out, from an usher that they double booked and the band would start after 9pm.
9:30 rolled around and they finally let everyone in through a single door of a double door entrance.
The band started about 10 minutes after we sat down. But the sound system really sucked. They could not complete a proper sound check, so the first couple of songs, you could not hear all the instruments. It got better, but the placement of the speakers were the worst. On the floor next to the stage. I only heard the band with one ear. There is enough space above the stage to mount the speakers to produce a better sound. Just check out the Bonita Springs center of the Arts down the street. They know how to produce a good sounding event.
I worked a a performing arts center for over 7 years seeing hundreds of acts. We NEVER lied to our patrons and we NEVER blamed the performers, even if it was our fault or sometimes theirs. Disgusting. We may never be back.
The day of the event came.A Message from Southwest Florida Performing Arts Center:
"We wish to inform our guests that due to traveling schedule the performance for Gaelic Storm will begin at 9:00 PM EST with Doors Opening at 6:30 PM EST . The morning of the event, I got an email saying, "
A couple of days before the event, a local band we follow, posted that they were booked at this venue for the same night. I thought, it was now going to be a great evening and The Good Bad Kids would be the opening act at 8pm.
NO NO NO,,,,,
We get there at 7:30pm to find out, from an usher that they double booked and the band would start after 9pm.
9:30 rolled around and they finally let everyone in through a single door of a double door entrance.
The band started about 10 minutes after we sat down. But the sound system really sucked. They could not complete a proper sound check, so the first couple of songs, you could not hear all the instruments. It got better, but the placement of the speakers were the worst. On the floor next to the stage. I only heard the band with one ear. There is enough space above the stage to mount the speakers to produce a better sound. Just check out the Bonita Springs center of the Arts down the street. They know how to produce a good sounding event.
I worked a a performing arts center for over 7 years seeing hundreds of acts. We NEVER lied to our patrons and we NEVER blamed the performers, even if it was our fault or sometimes theirs. Disgusting. We may never be back.
Written February 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara S
new york55 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
To say that they are amateurish would be giving them to much credit.
It is run by idiots . Their seating plan is for a restaurant not a theater.
After purchasing my tickets we saw we had to sit at a table and
My chair did not face the stage ! I asked for a refund and was told that
It was not the policy. Box office workers said they had never been inside
The theater. I had stop payment on my credit card. Things to do in Naples or Bonita Springs don't goo here .
It is run by idiots . Their seating plan is for a restaurant not a theater.
After purchasing my tickets we saw we had to sit at a table and
My chair did not face the stage ! I asked for a refund and was told that
It was not the policy. Box office workers said they had never been inside
The theater. I had stop payment on my credit card. Things to do in Naples or Bonita Springs don't goo here .
Written February 12, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StephenS310
Naples, FL66 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
We went to see the Dinner Show starring Jakov Smirnoff. He was very funny. The Buffet was terrible, inedible, really awful.The roast beef was tough and could not be cut easily. It was dried out, cold, not even suitable for dog food. The chicken was overdone dry and could almost not be cut. The pasta was just ok and the string beans were good but cold.
This was all a surprise as we had eaten here in the Teatro Resteurent during Christmas week 2016and the food was quite good.
After this Dinner Show I will hesitate to return to eat here or pay to see a show..
This was all a surprise as we had eaten here in the Teatro Resteurent during Christmas week 2016and the food was quite good.
After this Dinner Show I will hesitate to return to eat here or pay to see a show..
Written March 31, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback. We are sincerely sorry that you was not happy with your experience here. We have upgrade our soundproofing and you will love our new acoustics! We are also under new management and are making the necessary changes to make this SWFL Event Center amazing.
Please join us on Wednesday, October 9th with 2 complementary GA Seats to the "Love and Theft" Concert.
Give your email name: FayeB802 at the check-in for free general admission for 2 people.
Lobby Doors Open at 5:30pm. Theater Doors Open at 6pm. "Back to Chicago" (Chicago Tribute Band) will take the stage 6:30pm-7:30pm. Love And Theft go on stage at 8pm. We hope you join us for a fun-filled evening!
Thank you,
SWFLEC Management Team
Written October 8, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
themomster1
Naples, FL50 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
We are four seniors including a wheelchair. We arrived 2 hours early to purchase dinner beforehand. Seating is similar to an elementary school lunchroom that includes a small stage, but tables are closer together here. There are two small sections that face the stage, but the majority must turn their chairs. Chairs were so tightly packed, that several times the woman next to me shifted in her seat and her left butt cheek rested on my lap. I could only see the middle of the stage horizontally, so lifted myself up with my hands and looked to the right for 1 1/2 hours.
While we were eating dinner, the front door was open to let people in and the sun stayed in our eyes for 20 minutes. I worried that had there been a fire, the people near the doors should get out but many would be trampled. I have heard that "base" in a sound system is very difficult when you get older. This was proven as we were all very uncomfortable from the sound system. The dinner was comfort food and twice the price it should be (mac/cheese, chicken strips, prime rib, corn/cob.) We sat in general admission with the VIP seats starting next to me. Our evening cost $150 for two with no alcohol.
I would love to see the acts that they have coming up, but for the uncomfort of the evening, I will hope I see them elsewhere.
While we were eating dinner, the front door was open to let people in and the sun stayed in our eyes for 20 minutes. I worried that had there been a fire, the people near the doors should get out but many would be trampled. I have heard that "base" in a sound system is very difficult when you get older. This was proven as we were all very uncomfortable from the sound system. The dinner was comfort food and twice the price it should be (mac/cheese, chicken strips, prime rib, corn/cob.) We sat in general admission with the VIP seats starting next to me. Our evening cost $150 for two with no alcohol.
I would love to see the acts that they have coming up, but for the uncomfort of the evening, I will hope I see them elsewhere.
Written March 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your feedback. We are sincerely sorry that you was not happy with your experience here. We have upgrade our soundproofing and you will love our new acoustics! We are also under new management and are making the necessary changes to make this SWFL Event Center amazing.
Please join us on Wednesday, October 9th with 2 complementary GA Seats to the "Love and Theft" Concert.
Give your email name: FayeB802 at the check-in for free general admission for 2 people.
Lobby Doors Open at 5:30pm. Theater Doors Open at 6pm. "Back to Chicago" (Chicago Tribute Band) will take the stage 6:30pm-7:30pm. Love And Theft go on stage at 8pm. We hope you join us for a fun-filled evening!
Thank you,
SWFLEC Management Team
Written October 8, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Liz P
Bonita Springs, FL23 contributions
Feb 2017 • Couples
I had attended the Atlantic City Boys as well as the Frank Sinatra tribute band. I can't understand how the Family who owns this venue hasn't hired the correct staff to put a system into place that doesn't create the situations that occurred on both of my visits. Last night I stood in line in the parking lot for 50 minutes when we entered the venue that clearly had to many tables. The lines for food were at least 100 people long and the flow of people getting the food was dangerous. The food is definitely worth the money except my chicken was cold. 12 for a mixed drink is to high when you could buy the bottle for 15. So needless to say most people didn't have any drinks. Has the management thought of maybe serving the tables "Family Style" cutting down on the confusion. Making the experience more intimate. How about getting a set designer to make the stage look and feel like it's a upscale venue. There are so many things that could be done to make this a more enjoyable experience. As of today they still haven't figured it out.
Written February 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yes but don’t shine your “flashlight” up in the air like a lighter!
Written February 25, 2018
what is the difference between ordering tickets P1,P2,P3,P4. The descriptions for each are all the same except the price. Also where do you select your entrees. I am also visual impaired and would like to sit close up and not sure what to select. I did read many of your reviews from customers and they seem to have issues on seat selection as well. thank you
Written October 9, 2017
If you can’t view the seating layout online call the office. Kim is super nice and helpful. P1 is closest to the stage P5 the farthest away and is not all wheelchair accessible.
Written February 25, 2018
I am confused as to the difference between ordering tickets P1, P2,P3,P4. The description for each are the same however the price is different. Also where do you select your entrees?
Written October 9, 2017
The menu has changed and all food is ordered at the table unless you are seated in an area that does not have wait staff. I would ask when being seated about service at your table. Even though they should tell you.
Written February 25, 2018
Hi,
I know of no reason you could not take your 15 year old to the concert especially if you think he is appropriate and good entertainment.
If it's a concert + a buffet I would avoid the buffet we had terrible food at a show +buffet. I believe they may have done away with it.
So if you go, eat ahead of time and enjoy the show.
Written May 20, 2017
cynthia s
Holtsville, New York
We are a party of seven for the jimmy buffet show. What time should we get in line. We have tickets
Written January 25, 2017
An hour before showtime should do it. Getting into the parking area is not easy. Unless you have preferred seating go to tjhe left rear and get a seat with a long a Long fixed bar and have a drink from the nearby booze concession.
Written January 26, 2017
SWFLAandESUX
Bonita Springs, Florida
Why does the management, Scotty in particular feel the need to steal tips from the Bartender's and divide them among bussers and others who had absolutely nothing to do with earning them? And why has he THREATENED so many disgruntled employees? This place could NOT BE RAN WORSE! Why is Scottie not in jail?
Written January 21, 2017
This place does need some improvement in a lot of area's.
I have only been there once so I do not have an answer for his particular issue.
Written January 22, 2017
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