Vybe Opens at Bell Tower in South Fort Myers as Harold Balink's Sixth Restaurant

FORT MYERS, Fla., June 10, 2026 — Vybe, a new wine and whiskey bar with chef-driven shareable plates and live music, has opened at Bell Tower Shops in south Fort Myers, marking the sixth restaurant from celebrated Southwest Florida restaurateur Harold Balink. Located at 13499 S. Cleveland Ave., Suite 245, the venue brings an upscale yet relaxed concept to one of Fort Myers' most active dining corridors, filling a gap Balink identified in the local hospitality market.

Vybe was developed in partnership with Matthew Baum, founder of Bonita Springs-based restaurant group Wolverine Management, and follows a direct approach by Bell Tower's leasing team to Balink to open a concept at the shopping centre. Balink declined to relocate his flagship restaurant Harold's, which continues to operate at 15250 S. Tamiami Trail, but agreed to create a new concept suited to the Bell Tower environment.

A Bar Concept Built Around What Fort Myers Was Missing

"Our guests wanted a place to enjoy a great cocktail before dinner or live music and a nightcap after and they couldn't find that kind of experience anywhere in Fort Myers," Balink said in a statement. "Vybe will fill that space: upscale, comfortable and always about genuine hospitality."

The concept draws direct inspiration from Crü, a Bell Tower restaurant Balink co-operated with the late Shannon Yates during the Great Recession. That partnership ended when the two entrepreneurs went their separate ways Balink eventually building Harold's into one of Southwest Florida's most recognised dining rooms. Vybe represents his return to Bell Tower 17 years later, with a format refined by that intervening experience.

The beverage programme anchors the experience. The bar stocks more than 200 liquor brands, with a curated whiskey and wine list sourced from producers around the world. The cocktail menu spans classics to more adventurous creations — the Old Fashioned, for instance, is built with Bulleit 95 Rye and Demerara. A full wine list complements the spirits selection.

Shareable Plates From a Chef With Deep Southwest Florida Roots

The food menu moves away from traditional full entrees in favour of chef-driven gourmet small plates and shareables designed for a social table. The approach suits an evening-focused venue where guests arrive at different times and stay through multiple rounds of drinks and dishes.

Balink brings formidable culinary credentials to the concept. His career in Southwest Florida stretches back to the 1990s, when he served as executive chef at the King's Crown at South Seas Plantation on Captiva Island a coastal dining destination that remains a touchstone for long-term residents of the region. Harold's has since earned consistent critical recognition in Fort Myers as an award-winning fine dining address.

For a broader look at the small-plates and wine bar format that shapes Vybe's menu philosophy, HCP Good Food's sharing plates collection offers useful context on the style of social dining the restaurant champions.

Indoor Bar, Outdoor Patio and Weekly Live Music

The venue offers both a modern indoor bar and an expansive outdoor patio, giving guests the option to choose their setting depending on the occasion and the evening weather. Florida's outdoor dining culture and Bell Tower's open-air design make the patio a natural focal point for the concept.

Weekly live music performances form a consistent part of Vybe's programming, giving the bar a different energy from a standard dining venue and positioning it as a destination for an entire evening rather than a pre- or post-dinner stop alone.

Vybe opens Tuesday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to midnight and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. The venue is closed on Mondays. Further details are available at vybefortmyers.com.

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