Jacksonville is an appealing hybrid of beach and city life, and its selection of cocktail bars, local breweries and watering holes attest to this truth. Both visitors and locals enjoy the diversity of places to pull up a bar stool and chat with friends. But with so many choices, how can a thirsty patron narrow down the list?
To take some of the research off your shoulders (and leave you with more time to sip libations), we’ve rounded up a few of the best spots in different corners of the city. Whether you’re in the mood for a beach-side brew or a handcrafted cocktail in an urban environ, Jacksonville has it. Cheers!
Jacksonville’s quaint seaside neighborhoods — Neptune Beach, Atlantic Beach and Jacksonville Beach — are collectively known as “the beaches” and offer a culture all their own, as well as plenty of spots worth a post-beach-day drink. Whether you’re looking for a cool surf hangout or a brewery for craft beer elitists, you’ll find it at the beach.
Visit local staples, like Lemon Bar, an institution all its own in Neptune Beach where you can take in gorgeous views of the Atlantic as you enjoy a frosty cocktail and some delicious beachside fare from burgers and tacos to fresh seafood. We recommend the Mayport Shrimp, served grilled, blackened, lightly battered or coconut style, or the grilled wings. Pair with their signature drink, a Lemon Bar Freeze—made with citrus vodka and ice cream—to cool you off. After, stroll down to longtime local watering hole Pete’s Bar, a landmark legend owned by the same family for nearly 80 years. Visit the ATM first — this dive is cash only.
Locals and visitors alike adore Green Room Brewing, the area’s favorite (and first) micro-brewery. With seven permanent taps of beloved brews and nine rotating selections, you’ll surely find something you love. For a sweet nightcap, check out Count Shakula, a popular stout made with chocolate and oatmeal. Feeling parched after a beach day? Try the Diamond, a blonde brewed with orange blossom and honey, or Pablo Beach, a pale ale with citrus notes for summertime drinkability.
Mayport Road is an underrated corner of the Beaches, but Reve Brewing is poised to boost its popularity with the perfect beer-swilling scene. Fans of sours, imperial stouts and IPAs should definitely stop by, grab a crowler (like a growler but smaller, and in a can) and mingle with the eclectic crowd. There’s no kitchen on site, but you can bring your own food to pair with your brew.
Southern Swells Brewing Co., also in Jax Beach, focuses on sunny citruses, IPAs and double IPAs. Relax in the taproom or on the outdoor patio with a refreshing brew. For birthdays, weddings and other events, book the private dining room, complete with a farm table, for you and 24 close friends. If you need more room, guests can explore the whole 7500-square-foot brewery. Talk about a fun icebreaker!
Jacksonville’s city scene has evolved a lot lately, and it’s getting better all the time. Locals and visitors flock to Riverside and Downtown (about 10 minutes apart) for a variety of hip bars and restaurants, as well as other exclusively Jax attractions like The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, The Museum of Contemporary Art, The Riverside Arts Market, and The Southbank Riverwalk on the St. Johns River.
Beer drinkers who venture to Jax’s urban center (or the original location in Riverside) will appreciate the selection at Bold City Brewery, a craft beer powerhouse and home of the Killer Whale Cream Ale, a lightweight ale known for converting those who proclaim to only drink lagers. From wheats and seltzers to IPAs, everything else you could want is here, too. And for non-drinkers, the brewery recently released its first nonalcoholic cream soda.
A few blocks from the Museum of Contemporary Art is The Volstead, a lounge named for the federal legislation that ushered in Prohibition in 1920. Styled as a speakeasy, complete with artisan cocktails that pair well with the hip decor and tastemaker crowd, The Volstead has a vibe all its own. They even offer free swing dancing lessons on Sundays.
Intuition Ale Works is well-known as home of the 1-10 IPA, a West Coast beer that locals love, but they also brew a number of sours, stouts and pale ales that rank high. Stop by for a brew and a plate of barbecue from their culinary partner, MOJO. Don’t miss the special menu on game days—the brewery is just a block down from VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena which hosts concert and sporting events, and walking distance from the stadium where the Jaguars play. They even have a children’s menu, in case you want to cheer with the whole family.
If you’re a whiskey drinker, you’ll want to venture to The Rogue Bar in Riverside for its dive bar character, with a better selection of spirits. We hear from the regulars that their mason jar ring toss game is all the rage, as are the delicious happy hour tacos. Also in this historic 5 Points neighborhood, just a few steps down King Street is Kickbacks GastroPub, housed in a century-old building, and known for its enormous beer menu with 204 brews on tap and more than 1,000 bottled. Its updated counterpart, Goozlepipe & Guttyworks, features a 3-story bar with stage, mezzanine seating, a covered patio, and Belgian beer basement. Head down the block to Keg & Coin Arcade for a nightcap and a round of vintage games, like Pacman and Donkey Kong.
Right across the St. Johns River from downtown Jacksonville is San Marco, a picturesque neighborhood with iconic attractions such as the Three Lions Fountain, the historic San Marco Movie Theatre and plenty of opportunities for eating and drinking. Spend the day here, and then stay for dinner and a nightcap.
The Grape & Grain Exchange is a garden-to-bar concept where you can either pull up a stool and enjoy a botanical cocktail right in the midst of San Marco or take home a bottle for date night. With live jazz on most weekends in their hidden Speakeasy, The Parlor, and happy hours featuring local spirits, this hotspot will become your new fave place to see and be seen.
Craving dinner with flair after a busy day in one of Jax’s best neighborhoods? Look no further than Rue Saint-Marc for French comfort food in an upscale yet cozy environment. The cocktail menu features more than 50 recipes, all prepared with house-made shrubs, syrups and tinctures.
Beer enthusiasts on this side of town should be sure to check out Aardwolf Brewing for craft brews with thoughtful, creative names like Audible Eye Roll and Styrofoam Pony. Whether you pick up a growler for home or stick around and grab a bite from one of the featured food trucks, you’re sure to meet a new member of your own wolf pack.
Sidecar Jax, another watering hole you’ll be thrilled to discover in the San Marco neighborhood, boasts a lengthy whiskey list, a generous number of craft beers, ample outdoor seating and the best gin fizz in town, according to our trusted sources. Hungry patrons will be delighted to find V Pizza in the same building, serving wings, sandwiches and slices well into the evening. Plus, as of 2020, a booze-free cocktail menu is available for your designated driver.
Of course, this is just a small sample of the fantastic bars and breweries available in Jacksonville. We hope you feel inspired to try them all and even a few others on your own. We suggest you pace yourself. Be sure to tell friends and family about your experience and spread the Jax love. And please, always drink responsibly.