As one of the most popular destinations in Florida, Jacksonville nightlife is a necessary experience for every tourist visiting this city. The diverse metropolis offers unique styles that cover every party place from beaches all the way to downtown Jacksonville. The city’s bars and pubs are famous for attractive cocktails, live music, and a host of entertainment opportunities. Here is a compilation of some of the finest places to visit to gain a first-hand experience of the nightlife in Jacksonville.
Jacksonville is one of Florida’s most popular cities. Skipping the nightlife is not an option. Experience the diverse metropolis that offers unique experiences for all party goers. Beaches to city life, Jacksonville has it all. The city’s bars and pubs are famous for live music, great cocktails, and a host of entertainment. This list gives you the top spots to visit and first-hand opinions on Jacksonville’s nightlife.
If you are planning to spend another nightlife on your next trip, we suggest checking out our Santa Barbara nightlife guide that you must enjoy.
Best Nightlife in Jacksonville
Unlike most other towns, Jacksonville is home to more than one party hub. Here, the bars on the beach, local breweries, restaurants with live music in historical buildings, etc. all come together to create a memorable nightlife experience.
Jacksonville has something for everyone. Bars, beaches, local breweries, restaurants and live music. Everyone can find something to remember in Jacksonville.
Immerse Yourself In the Beautiful Beaches
The Jacksonville coastline beaches are lined with an unending string of entertainment venues that are frequented by locals and tourists alike. Just head down to the Beaches Town Center and you can pick and choose from a wide range of options. The scene includes upscale pubs and lounge bars as well as some of the oldest watering holes in the country.
Jacksonville’s coastline is not just filled with beautiful beaches but also with so much to do. Head down to Town Center and choose from upscale pubs to lounge bars. Maybe even try a new restaurant or two. If you get tired of the beach, maybe try out local fresh water springs.
Enjoy Cocktails, Local beer, Live music in The Elbow
The intersection of E. Bay Street and N. Ocean is popularly known as ‘the elbow’ and comprises an eclectic mix of bars and venues. If you are looking for craft cocktails, local beer, live music, and DJ’s, then you will find all of these, and much more, in close vicinity.
Looking for craft cocktails, local beer, live music or just a good time. Come to the intersection of E. Bay Street and N. Ocean, popularly known as ‘the elbow’ you can find all these and so much more. You’ll leave Jacksonville with sweet memories.
Have Beer in Riverside
Next on our list is the King Street District that is home to more than 600 varieties of draft beers. You can eat and dine here into the wee hours of early morning as most joints remain open till 4.00 am. A must visit for serious beer lovers.
Up next is King Street District, home of over 600 types of draft beers. King Street is perfect for night owls as dining stays open until the wee hours of the morning. Most places staying open until 4 am.
Checkout the largest breweries in Jax Ale Trail
Jacksonville, Florida is home to the largest breweries in the world. For those exploring the Jax Ale Trail, you are likely to come across breweries of all different shapes and sizes. The tap rooms here offer some of the most tantalizing beer creations.
Jacksonville, Florida is home to some of the largest breweries in the world. If you like beer, come explore Jax Ale Trail. You can find breweries of all different shapes and sizes, taprooms galore with some of the most unique beer creations.
Shopper’s Paradise Southside and St. John’s Town Center
This shopper’s paradise completely transforms into a party hub as soon as the sun goes down. Here you can find some of the best dining and nightlife options that the Southside has to offer.
Southside and St. John’s Town Center has some of the best shopping you can do. As soon as the sun goes down shopper’s paradise turns into a nightlife hub. Come dine and experience Southside and St. John’s Town Center.
Catch Live Performances
Some of the finest places for catching Art performances include the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, San Marco, Jack Rabbits Live, and the Florida Theater. The music festivals here are home to different genres so make sure you find out what’s playing while you are in the city.
Looking for live entertainment, well look no further. Jacksonville has the finest places to catch live performances anywhere from the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra, San Marco’s, Jack Rabbits Live, and the Florida Theater just to name a few. No matter what genre of music you like, Jacksonville has something for you, just make sure to check who’s playing.
Top Places to Visit after Sundown in Jacksonville
Considering the number of options that are available in this party town, it is difficult to decide which ones to select. But make sure that you try and visit at least some of the following during the nights spent in Jacksonville.
There is so much to do in Jacksonville. It can be difficult to narrow down your options, so we have made it easier for you. Here are some must visit nightlife spots in Jacksonville.
1. Sidecar
The San Marco cocktail bar and urban beer garden is an unusual mix of modern and iconic. This is clearly reflected in the menu as both old fashioned drinks and new creations are listed alongside each other. But food and drinks are not the most attractive features of Side Car. Its appeal lies in its relaxed atmosphere that is perfect after a day of heavy ‘touristing’. You can even order the pizza from the spot next door and enjoy it with your drinks in the Side Car.
The San Marco Cocktail Bar and Urban Beer Garden is the perfect mix of modern and rustic. Reflected in their menu having all your favorite drinks, from old-fashioned cocktails to new creations. Sidecar’s atmosphere is perfect after a day of heavy ‘touristing’ with its relaxed feel and tasty cocktails. Grab a drink and enjoy a slice from the spot next door and relax at Sidecar.
2. The Parlour
The Parlour is another gem in the San Marco area. Famous for its live music and hand-crafted cocktail menu, The Parlour is not easy to find. But if you do manage to get here, then you can party to Jacksonville nightlife’s best kept secret. Since the place attracts locals as well as tourists, remember to make a turn around without a reservation here.
Hidden in Jacksonville is the city’s best-kept secret. The Parlor is another gem in the San Marco area. Famous for its live music and hand-crafted cocktails. The Parlor offers nightlife fun for not only its locals but to those visiting the city, but don’t forget to make a reservation before heading to this hot spot.
3. The Tavern
Tavern is certainly the most popular beach bar on Jacksonville beach. Complete with pool tables, live music, entertaining DJs and friendly staff, this joint is perfect for relaxing and enjoying the nightlife in Jacksonville. The place is surrounded with enough and more options to keep you busy the entire night. The Tavern has made it to our list of top three best places to enjoy nightlife as it is an excellent combination of good location, perfect ambience, and delicious menu.
The Tavern is the most popular beach bar on Jacksonville Beach. Complete with pool tables, live music, DJ’s and an amazing staff. The Tavern is perfect for both a relaxing and fun night out. The surrounding area is just as fun, with fun for everyone. The Tavern has made its way to our top three best spots for nightlife in Jacksonville. That’s what happens when you have a good location, perfect ambiance, and delicious food.
4. Dos Gatos
Dos Gatos is the best place to hangout especially if you are in the vicinity of the Florida Theater. The original cocktail bar located in downtown Jacksonville is made popular by its collection of highly skilled bartenders. This makes it a must-visit spot for those looking for something new. But if you are not up to it then you can even order from the vast collection on the menu catering to different pallets. They even have a satellite location in the stadium.
If you are near the Florida theater a must visit is Dos Gatos. This bar is a favorite among the locals and has some highly skilled bartenders. Making Dos Gatos a must-visit spot for those looking for a fun experience and good drinks. Dos Gatos does an amazing job catering to all types of taste pallets. They even have a location at the stadium nearby.
5. Volstead
The Volstead in downtown Jacksonville truly takes you to an entirely different era. The prohibition inspired decor is unique as well as comfortable and the signature cocktails add to the flavor or the evening. You can dress up in retro style to give an edge to your evening here. The Volstead remains one of the most popular watering holes in the city.
Volstead in downtown Jacksonville is a prohibition themed bar, taking you back in time to when liquor was a dangerous delicacy. With its unique and comfortable environment you are sure to find a signature cocktail to your liking. Come as you are or come dressed up in retro style to give your experience an added bonus. Volstead remains one of Jacksonville’s most popular spots.
6. Black Sheep
This Riverside restaurant boasts of one of the finest rooftop bars in the area. You can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the entire city from here and it is unparalleled by any other in Jacksonville. However, the marvelous scenery is not the only reason why patrons flock to the Black Sheep. Its urban chic atmosphere is perfect for enjoying hand crafted cocktails as you take in the Jacksonville nightlife. Call up in advance to make a reservation as it fills up really fast on any night of the week.
Rooftop bars are always cool, but Black Sheep is a unique Jacksonville must. You can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the entire city unlike anywhere else in Jacksonville. The beautiful scenery is not the only reason people flock to Black Sheep. Its urban chic atmosphere is perfect for enjoying a hand crafted cocktail as you overlook the city. Call in advance to get a reservation as it fills up really fast.
7. Suite
The Suite in Southside Jacksonville reeks of sophistication and glamour. This martini bar is also home to some of the finest DJs as well as live bands from all over the place. Its location makes it perfect for drinks after office as well as special occasions. All in all, it is the perfect place to mix and mingle with an entertaining crowd. The place is also large enough to cater to large parties.
If sophisticated glamour describes you, the Suite in Southside jacksonville is for you. This martini bar is home to some of Jacksonville’s best DJs as well as great live bands from all over the place. Come to the suite to mix and mingle and have a good time. Suite is also great at catering to larger parties.
8. Cuba Libre Bar
The Cuba Libre Bar is the best place in San Marco, Jacksonville to dance your night away. The music is entertaining on any given night attracting visitors from all over the city. You can sip on the deliciously cool mojitos when you get hot from all that dancing. Patrons are also allowed to order Cuban food from the Havana Jax restaurant next door and sit back and enjoy as they enjoy the music. If you can make it here before 10 pm then you can enter without paying the cover charge.
Cuba Libre Bar is the best spot near San Marco, Jacksonville to dance the night away. The music is lively and entertaining on any given night. Attracting visitors from all over the city to participate. You can sip on a delicious mojito while working on your two-step. Next door to Cuba Libre is Havana Jax, a Cuban restaurant that you must order from. Lastly, if you can make it over to Cuba Libre before 10 pm you can skip out on the cover charge.
9. The Rogue
The Rogue is, by far, the best place for whiskey connoisseurs. The selection of drinks is large, and the crowd could not be more pleasant to hang out with. The ring toss, bathtub, mason jars, all contribute perfectly to the retro ambience of the place. But the whiskey is the star of this West Jacksonville watering hole. So, make sure you mark attendance here on one of your nights in the city.
The Rogue is, by far, the best place for whiskey lovers. With a large selection of drinks and its chill vibes, the Rogue is a must-visit. The ring toss, bathtub, mason jars, all contribute to the retro vibes. Come to the Rogue for whiskey and good vibes.
10. The Lemon Bar
The Lemon Bar is home to live music all days of the week. While the bar is a bit of drive from the city, it is one that you should not miss if you are traveling to Neptune beach. The beach inspired cocktails are enough to make the trip worthwhile. Remember to order the Lemon Bar Squeeze, their signature drink, while you are here.
If you are traveling toward Neptune Beach make sure to stop at Lemon Bar. If live music, good vibes, seven days of the week sound good for you, then come stop by. This bar is a bit of a drive from the city, but it is well worth the drive. Beach-inspired cocktails are enough to make this trip worth it. Make sure to order their Lemon Bar Squeeze, while you are there.
11. Flask & Cannon
While the Jacksonville beaches are appealing enough on their own, joints like Flask & Cannon add to the entertainment factor. Here, you can savor over eighty varieties of rum all the while enjoying the cool sea breeze. This classic Tiki style place is sophisticated without being uptight or stuffy.
Jacksonville beaches are appealing on their own, but places like Flask & Cannon make the experience just that much better. A Tiki-style bar with a sophisticated feel is a must-visit. Flask & Cannon has over eighty varieties of rum all enjoyed near the cool sea breeze.
12. The Shim Sham Room
This Jacksonville beach cocktail lounge will transform you entirely to the rock n roll era. The drinks are remarkable, and the environment is perfect to kick back and relax. The place is split into 2 different bars appealing to different preferences. This affordable place is a fun way to enjoy the Jacksonville nightlife without too much hassle.
This Jacksonville beach cocktail lounge will take you straight to the Rock and Roll era. Shim Sham Room is a dual-bar experience with remarkable drinks and a fun environment. Come here for affordable drinks and a fun way to spend a night in Jacksonville.
Final Word
The party scene in Jacksonville is surely a happening one any day of the year. Some of the best party scenes begin long after the sun has set. However, you are likely to miss out on the fun if you are staying away from the fun districts or downtown Jacksonville. An easy solution to this is to swap the expensive city hotel room with vacation rental accommodation in the vicinity. These places offer comfort stays without breaking the wallet. At www.rentaltrader.com you can browse multiple options and select the one which meets all your criteria. You can fill in the web form for more information or call us directly and we can guide you on the best way forward.
Jacksonville is full of things to do. Having high traffic all year long, you won’t want to miss out on everything Jacksonville offers. An easy solution to taking your experience to the next level is not staying at your conventional hotel experience. Instead, find a vacation home rental near the heart of the city or closer to the beach. At www.rentaltrader.com you can browse for the rental that best fits your needs. Feel free to fill out the webform for more information or give us a call directly to help you with all your travel needs.
