When we heard about Sugarshack Sessions, the promise was irresistible: a live recording of a band in an intimate backyard setting, blind-ticketed so you don’t know who’s playing ’til you walk in, paired with a full three-course meal, an open bar, and prime listening via Bluetooth headphones. And now that we’ve done it, we can say: it lived up to the hype!
Here’s a recap of our night, and the story behind how Sugarshack went from humble bungalow to a full-scale downtown venue.
Our Night
Starting off
We hopped on a golf cart from Sugarshack Downtown to head to our first Sugarshack Session. The ride set the mood: relaxed, excited, as though we were entering something special.
Once we arrived, we grabbed a drink from the on-site Chartreuse bar, got our headphones, found our seats, and waited for the show to begin.
The surprise lineup & live performance
Because session tickets are blind, we didn’t know which band we’d see — that element of surprise heightened everything. When the band finally started, the sound quality was studio-caliber, but the vibe was so human: you could feel the rawness of their voice, the strings, the little imperfections that made it real. The band was recording live during the session, and redid several songs to get them perfect.
The band
Based in Bonita Springs, Sun State Blues blends folk-rock, swampy tonk, and roots influences to produce a distinctly Floridian blues sound. All of their original songs sounded absolutely amazing, with or without the bluetooth headphones.
The dining experience
After the first song, our appetizer arrived, and it was fantastic — the entire room felt warm and welcoming. We really felt like we were at a party in a friend’s backyard, experiencing behind the scenes of a production, and suddenly realizing how much work goes into making a session feel effortless.
By main course time, the chef served up teriyaki bowls with diced pineapple and julienned veggies — playful and delicious. And afterward, as we moved to exit, we snagged some merch, picking up a limited edition session T-shirt to commemorate the night.
In short: this experience was truly one of a kind, and we’re already dreaming of going back again.
The Roots of Sugarshack: From Backyard to Downtown
To understand what makes a night like ours so special, it helps to know how Sugarshack began — and how far it’s come.
The early days: “It all started in a backyard”
Sugarshack Sessions was born in 2014 in a small backyard in Bonita Springs. A few friends wanted to capture live music in its rawest, most stripped-down form — something like MTV Unplugged or NPR’s Tiny Desk, but under palms and in Florida air.
Founder Eddie Kopp, along with a small crew of creatives, invited local and regional bands over. The first video shoot was on the back deck of Eddie’s home: a modest 12×12 platform that would later become legendary among fans.
It was on that deck that a friend quipped, “Hey, you guys have a cute sugar shack here,” and the name stuck. The house became known to artists as “The Sugar Shack,” and over time that morphed to “Sugarshack.”
From the beginning, the goal wasn’t profit — it was passion, discovery, and genuine connection between artists and fans.
Growth, challenges, and community building
Over time, Sugarshack grew. What started as a backyard video project blossomed into a full multimedia production company: they added higher-end audio and camera gear, hospitality staff, lighting, editing, and more.
Despite the increasing scale, the team has continuously emphasized intimacy, authenticity, and the magic of capturing music in its pure form. The ambient sounds — crickets, night air, small audience movement — became part of the charm.
Then came the Session Experience concept: opening the backyard to paying guests (but limited in number), offering headphones to keep volume considerate, delivering a curated meal, and treating attendees as part of the production.
Enter Sugarshack Downtown
In January 2025, Sugarshack stepped into a new chapter by launching Sugarshack Downtown, a 20,000 sq. ft. destination in the heart of Bonita Springs.
The new venue — a renovated historic building originally built in 1941 for automotive use — retains character while adding modern touches. They preserved heritage oaks, repurposed the building rather than tearing it down, and incorporated over 100 locally donated guitars into the decor as a tribute to community and music.
It seats over 400 guests, includes indoor and outdoor stages, two bars, and a full restaurant wing. The Downtown venue is meant to be a living, breathing expression of the Sugarshack vision: a gathering place where music, branding, dining, and local culture converge.
The transition from backyard sessions to a downtown venue was ambitious — the project cost was around $7 million, and they hired over 120 employees from a large applicant pool.
Reflecting on Our Session & What Makes It Special
What made our night magical echoes exactly what Sugarshack built its reputation on:
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Intimacy meets production: You’re close enough to feel the emotion but elevated to appreciate high-quality audio and visuals.
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Surprise and discovery: You don’t know who’s playing until you’re seated — it reinforces trust in the curatorial process.
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Hospitality as art: The food, drink, and setting aren’t afterthoughts; they’re part of the narrative.
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Community vibe: It feels less like a concert and more like being welcomed into a creative family.
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Respect for the raw: Imperfections aren’t edited out completely — authenticity shines through.
Walking out with a limited edition T-shirt, full and inspired, we realized this wasn’t just about watching music — it was about participating in a tradition being built.
Looking Forward
Sugarshack is more than a venue or a channel. It’s a creative ecosystem that blends music, storytelling, hospitality, and community. The jump to their downtown space signals that they’re aiming for scale without losing soul.
Want to have your own Sugarshack Experience? Click Here to join the waitlist for upcoming sessions.
