After more than a year of watching the former Imperial River Laundromat transform along Old 41, Downtown Bonita Springs’ newest cocktail spot is officially here.
Hide A Wai is now open in Downtown Bonita Springs, bringing fresh-pressed sugarcane mojitos, locally distilled rum and a laid-back Old Florida atmosphere to one of downtown’s most unique little spaces.
We got a sneak peek inside before the official opening, and this is one of those places where the finished product really lives up to the anticipation.
We sampled three mojitos — the House Mojito, Strawberry and Coconut — and every one tasted incredibly fresh. The House is a great place to start, but the Strawberry and Coconut each bring something completely different to the menu. What really sets all three apart, though, is the fresh-pressed sugarcane juice.
Rather than relying on the typical simple syrup used in many mojitos, Hide A Wai makes its signature drinks with fresh sugarcane juice sourced locally from Farmer Mike’s U-Pick in Bonita Springs.
The result is a mojito that tastes bright, refreshing and noticeably fresh without being overly sweet.
And the drinks are only part of the story.
From Alligator Bay to Hide A Wai
Hide A Wai comes from brothers Ben and Alex Voss and their partner Matt Slaughter, the team behind Alligator Bay Distillers.
The original distillery was located in Punta Gorda, but Southwest Florida — and Bonita Springs in particular — has long been home for the Voss family. Ben was born and raised in Naples before moving to Bonita Springs in 2011.
The idea for this next chapter took shape following Hurricane Ian, which destroyed Alex’s home. Rather than simply rebuilding what they had before, the family decided to take the opportunity to create something new.
They had already been interested in bringing their concept to Downtown Bonita Springs, but finding a property wasn’t easy.
Because the team wanted to continue actively distilling its own rum, they needed a property with the appropriate zoning while still remaining within the downtown area.
Then they learned the former Imperial River Laundromat property was becoming available.
“We had about two weeks to make a decision,” Ben previously told us. “We jumped on it immediately.”
The location gave them the rare combination they were looking for: a small property in the heart of Downtown Bonita where they could also distill on-site.
This Isn’t Your Typical Mojito
This Isn’t Your Typical MojitoThe star of Hide A Wai’s menu is undoubtedly its fresh-pressed sugarcane.
According to the owners, Hide A Wai is the only bar in the area making its mojitos this way.
Fresh sugarcane juice replaces the more traditional sweeteners and gives the cocktails a flavor that immediately stands out. After trying three different versions during the sneak peek, the freshness really is noticeable.
Along with its signature House Mojito, expect rotating and seasonal flavors, alcohol-free “faux-jitos,” coffee and a selection of easy bites including charcuterie, sandwiches and salads.
The team has also been developing a sports-drink-style beverage made with sugarcane juice and electrolytes, plus its own rum-based take on ranch water.
Rum is the focus for now, but the owners have also discussed collaborating with other distillers to eventually bring additional spirits into the mix.
A Small Space Packed With Details
Hide A Wai is intentionally intimate.
With 45 seats and a total capacity of 62 people, it’s considerably smaller than the team’s former Punta Gorda location. Instead of focusing on distillery tours and tastings, this concept feels much more like a neighborhood cocktail bar.
The setup is casual: order your drink at the bar, grab a seat and hang out.
But don’t mistake casual for simple.
One of our favorite things about finally seeing Hide A Wai finished was discovering just how much detail went into the space.
The owners worked with Carlos of Black Mangrove Woodworks in Bonita Springs to design the outdoor furniture, while Keith Kozma of Kozma Welding & Fabrication created custom metalwork throughout the property.
You’ll see it in the backlit privacy wall near the entrance, the metalwork surrounding the bar and Hide A Wai’s signature gator emblem incorporated into the design.
There are also little nods to Florida’s agricultural history hidden throughout the property. The bases beneath the tables mimic railroad tracks, while vintage-style tractor seats bring another touch of farming history into the space.
It’s the kind of place where you’ll probably notice something new the second or third time you visit.
Yes, They’re Actually Making Rum Here!
Hide A Wai isn’t just a mojito bar.
The team will actively distill rum right here in Downtown Bonita Springs.
They already have rum aging in barrels, including spirits that will age anywhere from three to eight years. While the regulations surrounding this location mean Hide A Wai won’t operate like the bottle-sales-and-tastings experience of the former Punta Gorda distillery, the rum-making operation remains very much a part of the business.
That makes Hide A Wai an especially interesting addition to Downtown Bonita: the cocktails you’re sipping aren’t simply being mixed here — the team behind the bar is actually producing the spirit itself.
Another Reason to Spend the Night Downtown
The opening of Hide A Wai adds yet another completely different concept to the rapidly growing Downtown Bonita Springs nightlife scene.
The team plans to operate seven days a week, with later hours on Fridays and Saturdays, and they have plenty of ideas for what comes next.
Future plans have included live music, Latin nights, speed dating, silent discos, and other themed events.
But even without the events, Hide A Wai already feels like an easy place to meet friends, grab a mojito and stay awhile.
After following this project from the early plans through construction — and watching the concept evolve along the way — it was exciting to finally sit down, order a drink and experience the finished space.
And if our sneak peek was any indication, the fresh-pressed mojitos are going to be the thing everyone talks about.
Hide A Wai is now open in Downtown Bonita Springs on Old 41 in the former Imperial River Laundromat property.
Opening Hours:
Monday–Friday: 3pm–10pm
Saturday: 11am–10pm
Friday: 11am–9pm
Follow @hideawai for the latest hours, mojito flavors, and upcoming events!
Check out our Instagram Reel for an inside look at the soft opening!
Subscribe to the SWFL.Life newsletter for more new restaurant openings, development news, and things to do across Southwest Florida!
