Paul Kushner
Jackson, Mississippi, may not be the first city that comes to your mind when you think of nightlife, but it’s a hidden gem that deserves exploration.
The “City with Soul” uniquely blends Southern hospitality and urban excitement.
Locals looking for a new spot to grab a drink or travelers passing through can benefit from this list of the best bars in Jackson, Mississippi.
So, set ready to experience the variety of bars this city has to offer!
The Apothecary at Brent’s Drugs
655 Duling Ave, Jackson, MS 39216
Phone: (601) 366-3427
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The Apothecary at Brent’s Drugs sounds like a place you’d go to pick up your monthly prescriptions, but it’s a lively, comfortable bar in the Fondren area near the Fondren Art Gallery.
I love the eclectic 1950s design and moody, low-red nighttime lighting at this bar almost as much as I love their delicious mixed drinks.
The bartenders are skilled, creating concoctions so good that they might help you heal wounds, which is perhaps the point of the cheeky drug store name!
Ole Tavern
416 George St, Jackson, MS 39202
Phone: (601) 960-2700
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If you’re wondering where to get a drink between Downtown and Belhaven, I’d highly recommend checking out Ole Tavern, a classic, friendly pub near the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum.
After exploring the town and leaving work, Ole Tavern offers a welcoming place to catch up with friends, drink a few beers and simple cocktails, and eat fried catfish.
I also appreciate their nightly events, like Wednesday night karaoke and Monday night trivia. Wherever you go, I suggest grabbing the Monte Cristo sandwich alongside a Long Island iced tea.
Library Lounge
734 Fairview St, Jackson, MS 39202
Phone: (601) 948-3429
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Library Lounge is a fun, dog-friendly spot in town near Millsaps College. I love coming here with a decent-sized group of friends and hanging out in the spacious outdoor patio area.
The food and drinks are divine, way better than I originally expected. They serve fan favorites like martinis, G&Ts, and mojitos.
And in terms of food, you can’t go wrong with the Asian chicken bowl or the seafood gumbo. Plus, they have food specials each day of the week, like Simmons fried catfish on Fridays and Jay’s meatloaf on Wednesdays.
Fenian’s Pub
901 E Fortification St, Jackson, MS 39202
Phone: (601) 948-0055
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Fenian’s Pub, a boisterous Irish pub located near the Belhaven Mountain Bike Trails, is one of the most fun places to go out if you like live music, karaoke, great people, and incredible Irish food.
They serve tasty traditional Irish dishes like Shepherd’s Pie, corned beef, and leek soup, which are all to die for.
Plus, it’s a highly entertaining bar any night you go. There’s either karaoke, a live band, trivia night, or else. If you live in Jackson, this may soon become your go-to spot.
The Bulldog
6111 Ridgewood Rd, Jackson, MS 39211
Phone: (601) 978-3502
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The Bulldog is undoubtedly one of the best bars in Jackson, Mississippi, for that All-America, classic bar feeling. You’ll get a lively atmosphere, classic bar eats, and too many craft beer options to count!
Whenever I’m in the mood for craft beer and juicy burgers, I head to this bar in the Tougaloo area, near County Line Plaza, and have a great time ordering flights and sharing fried plates with my closest pals.
And when the weather is nice and mild, we like to sit on the patio out back.
F Jones Corner
303 N Farish St #3227, Jackson, MS 39202
Phone: (601) 983-1148
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F Jones Corner is undoubtedly one of the best bars in Jackson, Mississippi, because it’s hard to find anything wrong with it.
It’s a classic, no-frills spot with great food, a friendly atmosphere, and nightly blues shows – what more could you ask for?
The prices are reasonable, too, especially during happy hour. I usually come for the happy hour and stay for the show, enjoying menu items like lemon pepper chicken and standard good drinks all the while.
The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen
1200 N State St #100, Jackson, MS 39202
Phone: (601) 398-4562
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If you’re a fan of the Mediterranean style but are also a die-hard Southern cooking fan, you’ll appreciate The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen, a restaurant and bar that fuses these two ideas together for a fabulously tasty result.
Located near the Belhaven hospital, The Manship’s menu is extensive, and the food is so delicious, but I especially love their wood oven margarita pizza, shrimp & grits, and fried catfish.
The drinks are just as great -they make a wonderful bloody mary and have an extensive wine list to choose from.
Martin’s Downtown
214 State St, Jackson, MS 39201
Phone: (601) 354-9712
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Martin’s Downtown is another fantastic restaurant and bar that also operates as a live music venue.
It’s located in a convenient spot right by the State Street and Peart Street bus stops, so it’s the perfect place to meet up with friends who live all over town.
The beer list is lengthy here, so I like to go when I’m in the mood for a hoppy IPA or ice-cold lager.
But the main appeal of Martin’s is the live music performances, which create a buzzing atmosphere throughout the space.
And if you’re hungry, don’t hesitate to order the fried green tomatoes!
Caet [seafood I oysterette]
1000 Highland Colony Pkwy Suite 9015, Ridgeland, MS 39157
Phone: (601) 321-9169
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Caet is a seafood restaurant and bar in Ridgeland, near the Ridgeland Wildflower Field. Caet is one of the most fun places to get drinks for weekend lunch because the vibes are just right – not too boisterous but not too dry.
For food, I recommend getting the shrimp & grits here, but their oysters are the main attraction.
And for drinks, they have a full bar, but you can’t go wrong with any option off their wine list. Getting a white wine with their daily fish special is a great move!
The Iron Horse Grill
320 W Pearl St, Jackson, MS 39203
Phone: (601) 398-0151
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The Iron Horse Grill is a restaurant, bar, and music venue located in the heart of downtown Jackson, near the Jackson Convention Complex.
It was the Armour Steakhouse when it was built in 1906, and it’s now considered a landmark in Jackson, making it both a historic visit and a delicious one!
I recommend an order of the chile con queso and BBQ chicken quesadillas alongside the Runaway Train cocktail or The Water Horse.
Hal & Mal’s
200 Commerce St, Jackson, MS 39201
Phone: (601) 948-0888
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Hal & Mal’s, in the heart of Downtown, is one of the best spots to get drinks due to the tasty regional fare and funky, hip vibes every day of the week.
The live music here is always excellent, usually featuring old-school tunes like jazz and classic rock.
And in terms of food and drinks, my favorites include the gumbo, catfish, and seafood bisque for food and the Abita Strawberry or Crosstown Traffic for draft beer.
Sam’s Lounge
5035 I-55, Jackson, MS 39206
Phone: (601) 391-2540
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If you’re heading north of Downtown near Tougaloo, head to Sam’s Lounge. This bar is one of my favorite spots for the most classic, casual, down-to-earth bar vibes.
Sam’s Lounge is a great place to hang out with friends or make new friends, drink a few beers, and play a couple of rounds of pool.
It may seem like nothing special, but it has a special place in my and many Jackson residents’ hearts.
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