From casual dives to trendy hotspots, sundown in Jacksonville sheds light on entertainment options as diverse as the local landscape.

A Great Place to Meet, proclaims the red neon sign casting a crimson glow on the unassuming brick building at the core of downtown Jacksonville Beach. The Ritz, crown jewel of the beaches social scene, has long been a favorite watering hole for coastal residents. In recent years, its popularity has spread like wildfire "across the ditch" (local slang for any place west of the Intracoastal waterway), becoming one of the hottest gathering places in town. Don't miss $1 Guinness night every Wednesday.

Just north of the Ritz, at the intersection of Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach affectionately known as "the triangle," resides a local legend, Pete's Bar. Reportedly the holder of the oldest liquor license in Jacksonville, Pete's first opened its doors in 1933. The clientele is an eclectic mix ranging from salty seaside dwellers to the college crowd looking to save a buck on the nightly $.25 drafts and $.25 pool. Noted author and frequent visitor, John Grisham, used Pete's Bar as inspiration for the smoky pub featured in his 2000 best-seller, The Brethren.

Infusing the revitalized Downtown district with an air of glamour and sophisticated style, the Twisted Martini at the Jacksonville Landing has become a magnet for the city's young and beautiful since its opening. Offering upscale entertainment and live music including jazz, blues, pop and funk, the riverfront lounge is a tantalizing taste of life on the VIP side of the velvet rope. Weekend evenings attract an enormous crowd, but the bar offers one of the best happy hours in town. Wednesday through Saturday, beginning at 4 p.m. premium cocktails are only $4.

Another Downtown favorite is Tastings: A Wine Experience. This unique wine bar is a treat for the novice or experienced wine connoisseur. You won't be able to select a favorite from the more than 100 wines in-house. Each are available by the taste, glass or bottle. For an entertaining evening with friends pickup a "Fee Per Tasting" card to sample as many wines as possible, each poured from a high-tech gadget, allowing just a sample of each flavorful wine.

Just minutes from Downtown and a world away from the ordinary, experience a touch of the exotic at the Cuba Libre Bar, the first upscale Latin club in Jacksonville. From the sizzling sounds pulsating through the dance floor to the best Mojitos in town, Cuba Libre offers an authentic taste of Cuban culture within the heart of Northeast Florida. Take part in free salsa lessons on Tuesday, then show off the new moves during "Big Salsa Night" every Friday and Saturday.

Across town in the neighborhood of Mandarin, your funny bone gets a work out at The Comedy Zone. This 21-and-up club brings the best comedic performers to Jacksonville, including Larry the Cable Guy, John Heffron of Last Comic Standing fame and Sheryl Underwood of HBO's All-Star Def Comedy Jam. Drink specials and appetizer menu available nightly.

Offering an evening alternative in a family-friendly environment, the Murray Hill Theater provides live Christian entertainment every Friday and Saturday night within an alcohol-free and smoke-free nightclub atmosphere. Listen to the hottest acts in Christian contemporary and rock in the renovated historic auditorium, relax in the onsite café and outdoor patio, or play the video games and pinball in the theater lobby. Ages 16 and up admitted alone, all ages welcomed when accompanied by an adult.

Nightlife Listings