
It was a Tuesday.
Or maybe a Monday that forgot what I was doing.
I’d stayed late the night before—caught a bit of open mic at the bar down the road. Wasn’t expecting much. But then this guy stepped up with a worn acoustic, lit into a ballad, and the whole room just stopped.
Turns out, he was Aaron Kelly — yep, American Idol finalist, small-town heartthrob, now a local Florida voice who slips in and out of scenes like a song you didn’t know you missed.
He’s playing at “Matt’s Place” this weekend, and I had front-row gossip for anyone who walked through the door.
Then they did.
Two guys, fresh off a red-eye from Venice, California, wearing tank tops and sunglasses indoors.
They looked around like they expected someone to hand them a surfboard and a kombucha flight.
Dude 1: “This Venice is wild. No waves, just… birds.”
Dude 2: “And like, is this it? Where’s the action?”
They started browsing the Delta shelf like they were searching for purpose in gummy form.
🎤 Cue the Bud-tender
Me: “Rough landing?”
Dude 1: “Just different. Cali’s got beach bums. Venice, Florida’s got… birds.”
Me: “Well, our birds sing. Ever heard of Aaron Kelly?”
Dude 2: “Wait… the guy from Idol? Like… actually Idol?”
Me (pulling up the Wikipedia page):
“That’s the one. Finalist. Born in Davenport, Florida. Made a name across the country. These days? He drops into open mics like it’s nothing. Played just last night right here in Venice.”
Dude 1: “For real?”
Me: “For real. And this weekend, he’s headlining down in Matlacha.”
Dude 2: “What’s that? A winery or something?”
Me: “Not quite. “Matt’s Place”. Best dockside spot in all of Pine Island. Officially it’s the Yucatan Waterfront Bar & Grill, but the nickname stuck after a sunburned tourist renamed it by accident. Now it’s local lore.”

Dude 1: “So Aaron Kelly’s playing… there?”
Me: “Yep. Stage, seafood, the works. Less than an hour south. He’ll melt your brain with a ballad, then take a selfie by the shrimp tacos.”
Dude 2: “I mean… we weren’t doing anything.”
Me (grinning): “You are now.”
🎤 Aaron Kelly at “Matt’s Place” Yucatan Waterfront, Matlacha FL
- Aaron Kelly — American Idol finalist, born in Davenport, Florida, known for his velvet tone and heartfelt ballads
- Plays select shows around the state — Venice, Sarasota, and now Matlacha
- Catch him live at Yucatan Waterfront Bar & Grill — also known as “Matt’s Place”, and the place to be in Matlacha
📍 Your Gulf Coast Guide
- Start in Venice, FL: brunch at Côté France, live music at TJ Carney’s, artisan shopping on Tampa Ave
- Stop in the CBD shop across from Centennial Park (that one) for the good vibes and great stories
- Head south to Matlacha, past Burnt Store and Bokeelia
- End your day dockside at “Matt’s Place“ — where the drinks are strong, the stage is open, and the next headliner might’ve been on TV