Botanical Brewing Taproom — Restaurant in Cape Coral

Owners: I really wanted to give this place a chance recently, and just on a whim bc it looked cool driving by. I couldn’t stay inside the venue long enough on account of the non-existent sound design. The sweet, friendly employees seem to at least “get” the issues wrt where the owners have & haven’t spent money yet for this establishment. Whoever the live act was that evening: they were clearly doing the best they had with what equipment they probably carted along themselves. Again, unknown if the live act was paid or unpaid. If you’d like to keep this establishment established, please first attend to the INTERIOR NOISE ISSUES waaayyyyyyy exceeding what is OSHA-approved as safe for regular patrons, employees, and folks like me who just want to try a place out because it looks cool when you’re driving past. Additionally, the menu is cute, but far too complex and confusing for a non-regular, walk-in sort of customer. I am still in sonic/sensory/neurological pain, both ears from a very brief visit last night. It’s nearly noon EST the next day. Please fix it before someone who has more nerve damage than me is physically/neurologically hurt worse than I currently am, and sues Botanical Brewing for legitimate damages into merely merely inactive records on Sunbiz. Regular people need to earn a living (your employees), and should be able to check your place out - whether or not they are physically able to safely & painlessly spend money at the venue. Employees ESPECIALLY shall not be subjected to unsafe noise levels WHATSOEVER without proper PPE, certified training on how to safely & effectively fit-test + use the employer-provided PPE as per US CFR. Regarding OSHA:: the phrase “Regulations are written in blood.” Mine happened over decades of Actual Safety Culture profession. I still got nerve damage, despite otherwise being in excellent health and absolutely insisting on employer-provided PPE as per US Federal Codes. Legally it does not matter how, when, why or how often whichever employee is on shift during live events. Employers MUST provide PPE & training. Right now CCPD would be hard-pressed to prioritize responding to an OSHA-unsafe interior noise hazard scenario. They most assuredly have better things to do. Please do better for your employees, live acts and at least regular patrons. Mdrchōd, not cool. Not...

I have been frequenting Kava Culture for a very long time now. My experience with this company has always been nothing short of amazing. I was first introduced to kava and kratom a few years ago by my girlfriend and I have been hooked ever since. I have never been to a place where everyone always makes you feel so welcomed. I can honestly say that the friends I have made here have turned into my extended family. As someone who was new to the area, I came here not knowing really anyone. Between Kava Culture Fort Myers Beach and Botanical, I have met the most amazing people. I normally do not write reviews for anything, but I feel strongly that two people deserve credit where credit is due. These two are Jason and AJ. These two amazing, kind hearted and caring people are what make this place such a special and welcoming environment. Their energy and spirit really do light up the room. Jason was one of the first kava tenders that I met while frequenting the Fort Myers Beach location. My girlfriend and I have gotten to know him over time and he has been nothing but great to us. It is a privilege to call him a friend. Jason is very knowledgeable and passionate about kava and kratom and is always thrilled to talk about it with new patrons. I have seen him first hand work very hard to help bring this company to where it is today. The amount of people that show up for his shifts are unbelievable. There is honestly is something special going on when he is running the bar. It truly is my favorite time of the week when AJ and Jason are working-They have become very good friends of mine. I feel as if management doesn't give them enough credit for all that they do. These two are very highly valuable assets to this company and they should be grateful to have them. I highly recommend this place to anyone who is looking for something unique...

EDIT - they think I’m a former/disgruntled employee 😂 I am not. I am a former loyal customer that has grown to be appalled by their business practices.

SECOND EDIT: Federal regulators enacted a nationwide ban on new noncompete agreements so good luck to them and their attempts to be petty against former employees.

THIRD EDIT: I was brought back to my review due to engagement. I’d like to correct another blatant falsehood they are claiming: that they pay their employees a fair wage. If being paid 30% or less of the AMI is considered “fair,” then sure…. I guess? But I doubt any normal personal would consider below-poverty wages as a “fair wage.” They tote results from their annual employee survey, but they are out of their minds if they think staff would be honest about what they really feel. Retaliation is a very real concern.

Apparently they delete reviews that they don’t like so I’m repeating what I said before: grossly overpriced for the product. They advertise they are superior because they don’t use extracts, but if that’s the case, then their drinks should actually be CHEAPER than the market average. I also was offended that they suggest we tip a minimum of 25% just to have some underpaid and exploited employees pour a few drinks. I’m questioning the ethics of how this company is operated and the legality of some of their practices. What I also disliked is that they basically offer only high sugar drinks/flavors. For a company that boasts being about wellness, they seem to offer very little in the way of healthy alternatives for drink additives. Oh, and to be back on the topic of ethics and practices - the fact that they delete reviews that they dislike because it shines a light on the seedy underbelly of what they do says all there is to know about them. Which is why I am now lowering my previous review from...