15 Unique Craft Cocktail Bars & Their Must Have Cocktail

​In a city of makers, we don’t just stop at arts & crafts.

Jacksonville’s craft cocktail bars each bring their own fresh perspective to cocktail making. They even compete regularly to be named the most creative bartenders in the city. These cocktail purveyors are like our own local celebrities and best friends all in one, and they all love to welcome new folks in to taste their concoctions. Check out these local craft cocktail bars and their most well-known specialty cocktail they serve.

Dos Gatos

Neighborhood: Downtown
Perfect Outing: Drinks before going out to a show at the Florida Theatre
Unique Fact: Original cocktail lounge downtown
Must Try: Stolen Fish

Volstead

Neighborhood: Downtown
Perfect Outing: Drinks with co-workers
Unique Fact: Swing dance lessons on Sundays
Must Try: Baked Apple Sazerac

Grape & Grain

Neighborhood: San Marco
Perfect Outing: Date Night
Unique Fact: The Parlour, a speakeasy, is connected
Must Try: Old Fashion

Sidecar

Neighborhood: San Marco
Perfect Outing: Happy Hour
Unique Fact: Connects to a local Pizza joint.
Must Try: Tending Rabbit

River & Post

Neighborhood: Riverside Avondale
Perfect Outing: Entertaining Friends & Family
Unique Fact: Best Skyline views from a rooftop bar in the city.
Must Try: Bourbon & Berries

SIP Cocktail Bar

Neighborhood: Downtown
Perfect Outing: Drinks before a night out
Unique Fact: Enjoy overlooking the St. Johns River while sipping your delicious cocktails on the rooftop.
Must Try: The Southsider

Flask & Cannon

Neighborhood: Beaches
Perfect Outing: Fun night out with Friends
Unique Fact: This bar is the sister bar to Sidecar and is also attached to a V Pizza.
Must Try: Planet of the Apes

Orsay

Neighborhood: Riverside Avondale
Perfect Outing: Date Night celebrating a special occasion
Unique Fact: Orsay is a French Restaurant with Southern Influences
Must Try: QUIT MESSIN’

The Greenhouse Bar

Neighborhood: Brooklyn
Perfect Outing: Girls night out
Unique Fact: The Greenhouse Bar is a greenery-filled cafe stocked with a full coffee & bar space and houseplants galore.
Must Try: Espresso Martini

Lemon Bar

Neighborhood: Beaches
Perfect Outing: Sunday Funday
Unique Fact: Bathing Suits are appropriate attire
Must Try: Mai Tai

Gemma

Neighborhood: San Marco
Perfect Outing: Date Night
Unique Fact: This restaurant has a gorgeous rooftop that is perfect for a photo op.
Must Try: Strawberry Margarita

Cowford Chophouse

Neighborhood: Downtown
Perfect Outing: Fancy date night
Unique Fact: This restaurant is a former bank building
Must Try: The Danis Mule – Made with local Carve vodka!

Manifest Distilling

Neighborhood: Downtown
Perfect Outing: Drinks before a sporting event or show
Unique Fact: This distillery is located in the Sports and Entertainment District, making it the perfect spot for a pre-game or post-game drink
Must Try: Bees Knees

Grey Matter Distillery

Neighborhood: Beaches
Perfect Outing: Bar hopping
Unique Fact: They have seasonal themes where they transform their bar into an immersive experience with themed drinks
Must Try: Espresso martini flight

Mayport Garden Club

Neighborhood: Beaches
Perfect Outing: Impressing friends
Unique Fact: This is a speakeasy
Must Try: Sling Blade

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