It's a place where you'll find characters named Dirty John sipping a beer poured by Heather Woody Woodstock.
And while the characters of Bert's Bar and Grill in Matlacha have always been a part of its charm, it's only a fraction of its draw.
"Our sign says it all," said owner Bernard Johnson. "Good food, cold beer and a million dollar view."
The waterfront bar and grill, which is located at the foot of the Matlacha Bridge, offers a bar, an indoor dining area and an outdoor deck.
"People sit out there and watch the dolphins swim," Johnson said. "Some people bring their own coffee in the morning and sit out there."
Johnson said the restaurant's specialty is its seafood. It even partners with a local shrimper and serves fresh Gulf shrimp daily. Their burgers and pizza are top sellers as well.
"Our food, we buy the best and sell low," Johnson said. "It's the best value you'll find."
Johnson has owned Bert's for 12 years. But it's been around much longer.
"It's over 70 years old," Johnson said. "It's one of the oldest bars in Lee County, if not the oldest. It's been written about in every major newspaper. The Miami Herald had us listed as one of the top five dive bars in the state of Florida."
While the dimly lit bar area, which is said to always have an assorted cast of characters sitting about, definitely gives off the dive bar vibe, many patrons, like Dirty John Esarey, are just out for a good time and some relaxation.
Esarey, who has a dual braided grey beard beaded with tiny skulls, oversized skull rings on numerous fingers, a tattoo on his forearm and large heavy looking bracelets, at first glance gives off an intimidating appearance. But with a smile as big as the skulls on his rings, he's quick to offer you a drink and conversation.
Live music is also big at Bert's and can be found there multiple times a week.
"The bar, the bar is a bar," Johnson said and laughed. "It's a fun place."
The dining area and the outside deck offer more of a family vibe as it outlooks to the Gulf.
Dinner prices range from around $8 to $17.
