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It seems that restaurant and bar owners will stoop to anything to get people in the door these days. From all day happy “hours” to cramped makeshift dance floors to solo guitarists that play a steady diet of cover songs they read out of a book in front of them, restaurants in SWFL are working hard to entice new customers and keep old ones.

The beauty of Miller’s Ale House in the Gulf Coast Town Center in Estero then, is that it breaks the desperate-for-business mold. You won’t be blasted by an over-pumped sound system and nobody will be crooning off key renditions of Simon & Garfunkel or Jimmy Buffet. When you walk into the bar you get exactly what the area needs: a laid-back place to enjoy good company and lots and lots of beer.

“Our motto is we cater to from wheel chairs to high chairs,” said general manager Jason Testa. “During the daytime you can come and see an older crowd, but at night it’s definitely younger – like early 20s to early 30s.”

Nick Krueger

Miller's Ale House in Estero: home to drunk FGCU kids, plenty of bar games and beer, beer, beer.

Yes, there are pool tables, but it’s not a grimy pool-hall scene, and yes, it is in a mall setting, but there is more than enough space both inside and out. The indoor bar seats 30 people, and the patio outside is just as spacious, seating at least the same number with plenty of standing room as well.

Beyond the spacious interior and popular outdoor setting, at Miller’s Ale House there is always something to do and see, even without the obligatory drink in hand. Golden Tee, a staple of any good watering hole, is next to the billiards and flat-panel televisions cover the walls and inner-bar area, offering sports fans ample views of whatever game is worth yelling at for the night.

However, perhaps the most interesting thing about the Ale House (as it’s lovingly referred to by its regulars) is its nighttime crowd. The minute you walk in the door you notice it; young people are everywhere! With FGCU and nearby student living only minutes away, Miller’s has become hotspot of choice for a younger crowd to spend their evenings.

And the college-age demographic goes beyond those downing beers and griping over missed shots on the pool tables – many of the employees attend FGCU as well.

“I’ve made friends with the regulars and hang out here with my friends,” FGCU junior and Ale House server Dan Zacka, 20, said. “I like working here, it’s laid-back, it’s fun and it’s a good experience.”

If a younger crowd with a fresh vibe isn’t enough to woo you, order a drink. The Ale House bartenders won’t serve you a ten-dollar martini or offer up happy hour drinks that come two at a time in Dixie cups. Instead, Miller’s has a great selection of beer and tempting drink specials all day, every day.

With an astounding 32 beers on draught, the Ale House easily lives up to its billing. And it’s cheap. Monday through Thursday buckets of Miller Light, Miller Genuine Draught, and Icehouse bottles come five at a time for a mere six bucks. Skyy Vodka and Captain Morgan drinks also go for $2.75 for single shots and $5 for doubles.

With a younger face both working and playing at Miller’s, a full food menu and a drink selection that calls for more than one night to fully experience, the Ale House has taken welcome steps to fill the college bar void. Looks like the people of Estero will be getting a little less sleep at night.