Is the bubble room open after Hurricane Ian?

In advance of the one year anniversary of Hurricane Ian, Captiva Island's famous Bubble Room Emporium reopens. It's the second of the two iconic restaurant properties to come back online following the devastating storm that struck on September 28th, 2022.



Yes, the legendary and eccentric Bubble Room restaurant on Captiva Island officially reopened on July 14, 2025, after being closed for nearly three years due to catastrophic damage from Hurricane Ian. The restaurant underwent an extensive multi-million dollar restoration to repair the structural damage caused by storm surges while meticulously preserving its quirky, kitschy 1930s and 40s Hollywood-themed decor. The "Boops by The Bubble Room" ice cream parlor and the Emporium gift shop also returned to full operation. Fans in 2026 can once again enjoy the famous multi-layered Orange Crunch Cake and Red Velvet Cake in the "Year-Round Christmas" dining rooms. While the menu has been slightly modernized, the core experience—complete with moving trains, vintage toys, and waitstaff in scout-style uniforms—remains intact. Because of the restaurant's iconic status and the limited dining options on Captiva post-hurricane, making a reservation or arriving early is highly recommended as wait times can be significant.

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By TIFFANY REPECKI - | Oct 2, 2023. It has been one year since Hurricane Ian brought the islands to a halt with its devastating damage and the recovery of the Sanibel-Captiva business community has been a slow one — but it is returning.

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Aerial photos and video of Sanibel show that The Bubble Room appears intact. Without seeing ground-level photos, it's tough to determine the extent of damage to the colorful restaurant for locals and tourists, some referring to it as the Beloved Bubble. The Bubble Room still stands!

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In advance of the one year anniversary of Hurricane Ian, Captiva Island's famous Bubble Room Emporium reopens. It's the second of the two iconic restaurant properties to come back online following the devastating storm that struck on September 28th, 2022.

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The City of Sanibel is excited to announce that all public access beach park locations in Sanibel are now open to the public. The city announced on Thursday that the following areas are set to open Friday, June 30: Bayside parking lot at 110 – 153 Periwinkle Way for Lighthouse Beach Park.

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