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Our Favorite Jacksonville Bars for a Fun Night Out

Jacksonville, Florida, is a popular city in The Sunshine State because of its diverse attractions. You can go shopping downtown, relax at the Jacksonville beach, stroll around the Talbot Island State Park, or simply go bar hopping!

drinks toast after work at Jacksonville Florida bars

If you’re interested in the latter, I’ll share what I believe are some of the most rocking bars in Jacksonville, Florida, based on things like drinks, service, atmospheres, and more.

Check out my list to know where to get a drink next time you’re in Jacksonville!


The Volstead

115 W Adams St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 274-2832
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The Volstead, near the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), is an upscale cocktail bar with a lively environment.

I love going there on Sundays for elevated craft cocktails, like the Baked Apple Sazerac, and swing dancing night!


Black Sheep Restaurant

1534 Oak St, Jacksonville, FL 32204
Phone: (904) 380-3091
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Black Sheep is a popular American restaurant and bar near Memorial Park. They’re known for serving genuine farm-to-table meals, so you can expect fresh-tasting ingredients each and every time.

I like going for dinner and getting the Wild Georgia Shrimp and Grits or getting local beer during their happy hour.


Sidecar

1406 Hendricks Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: (904) 527-8990
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Sidecar is one of the best bars in Jacksonville, Florida, because you can get anything you desire — creative cocktails, tasty craft beer, strong whiskey pours, elevated wine selections, and more.

Given the variety, I tend to order something different every time I’m at this bar near Southside Park. Still, I recommend taking advantage of their extensive whiskey, beer, cocktail, and wine lists and trying something brand new to you!


Flask and Cannon

528 1st St N, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250
Phone: (904) 853-6633
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Flask and Cannon is an airy, cheerful bar with funky tiki-style cocktails near the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier.

I love going here with a group of friends because it’s fun to compare the styles of tastes of our creative cocktails or share a couple of their House Special pizzas, like the Carnivora or Pollo Calabrese.


Rogue

927 King St, Jacksonville, FL 32204
Phone: (904) 551-1350
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Rogue, in the Riverside area near Willowbranch Park, is a small and inviting bar with some of the friendliest bartenders you could hope for.

It’s one of the most fun places to get drinks even if I go alone because I’ll still end up having a good conversation with one of the staff or another customer.

They have an excellent whiskey selection, but I still always end up ordering their Bathtub Gin cocktail.


Dos Gatos

123 E Forsyth St, Jacksonville, FL 32202
Phone: (904) 354-0666
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Dos Gatos is a cool, trendy bar near the Northbank River Walk and the Florida Theater that attracts self-described hipsters.

I enjoy going here for their extensive craft beer selection, but it’s also a convenient place to have a drink before or after a show at the Florida Theater.

They also have karaoke nights on Monday that bring in a friendly and lively crowd.


River & Post

1000 Riverside Ave #100, Jacksonville, FL 32204
Phone: (904) 575-2366
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River & Post, near Cummerbund Museum of Art & Gardens, is a hot spot with a modern design, upscale far, and a trendy rooftop bar.

River & Post is one of the best spots for date nights because you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.

Blue crab beignets, fried calamari, and seared sea scallops are my favorite eats, and I try to order a different innovative cocktail each time I go (but I recommend the “Slow & Steady”).


Hoptinger Bier Garden & Sausage House

1037 Park St, Jacksonville, FL 32204
Phone: (904) 903-4112
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Hoptinger Bier Garden & Sausage House, in Five Points near Riverside Park, is a German-style beer garden with over 100 beers on tap.

This is the perfect place to go with friends because you can share one (or a few) of their giant pretzels with a beer sampler.

I always get the Beer Brat, a beer-packed bratwurst with caramelized onions, sliced salami, and other delicious ingredients.


Lemon Bar

2 Lemon St, Neptune Beach, FL 32266
Phone: (904) 372-0487
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Lemon Bar is another popular bar and restaurant located between Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach.

The best aspect of Lemon Bar might be its seaside patio seating, as the bright blue chairs and colorful cocktail drinks make for an ultra-cheery space. I always go during the daytime, so I don’t hesitate to order a Pina Colada or a Bahama Mama.


The Parlour

2, 2000 1, San Marco Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: (904) 396-4456
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The Parlour, near Balis Park, is a chic speakeasy with an intimate, cool vibe and an excellent variety of craft cocktails.

The menus are printed on old-timely newspapers, which is a neat touch, and the drinks seem truly inspired by the Prohibition era. I’ve ordered several different cocktails here and have never been disappointed.


Aromas Cigar, Wine, & Martini Bar

4372 Southside Blvd #101, Jacksonville, FL 32216
Phone: (904) 928-0515
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Aromas Cigar, Wine, & Martini Bar has an excellent name because its specialties are distinct in their high-quality aromatic characteristics.

You’d be remiss not to go to this bar in the Backridge neighborhood and not order all three things — a fragrant cigar, a crisp martini, and a smooth glass of wine.

Plus, they play Latin music on Saturdays and salsa dancing there is always so much fun.


Cuba Libre at Havana Jax

2578 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: (904) 399-0609
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Cuba Libre at Havana Jax is another great spot to go for salsa dancing, as well as to appreciate other Latin music.

This bar, in the St. Nicholas area, provides an easy atmosphere to chill, eat, drink, dance, or all four! I start the night there ordering delicious Cuban food like fried yuca and fried pork, then move on to the drinks.


Posting House

2018 Hendricks Ave, Jacksonville, FL 32207
Phone: (904) 738-7106
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If you’re looking for a wine bar with no trace of a pretentious atmosphere, you’ll love the Posting House near Balis Park.

Posting House is one of my favorite spots to go when I’m looking to try out different high-quality wines and champagnes and maybe have a beer or two in between!

I love going on Sundays when they have live jazz nights, especially for date nights.


Final Thoughts

Jacksonville is the type of bustling, lively city where you can visit a museum, stroll around the gardens, kayak on the river, and end up at a cool bar all in one day.

Did I forget to mention any of the best bars in Jacksonville, Florida? If so, let me know about more fun places to go out in the comments below!


Best Bars in Jacksonville

  1. The Volstead
  2. Black Sheep Restaurant
  3. Sidecar
  4. Flask and Cannon
  5. Rogue
  6. Dos Gatos
  7. River & Post
  8. Hoptinger Bier Garden & Sausage House
  9. Lemon Bar
  10. The Parlour
  11. Aromas Cigar, Wine, & Martini Bar
  12. Cuba Libre at Havana Jax
  13. Posting House
Please drink responsibly, be fully accountable with your alcohol consumption, and show others respect.

Written by Rocco

Rocco is a Florida State University alumnus with years of bartending and hospitality experience. From slinging hundreds of vodka sodas a night in jam-packed college bars to serving carefully crafted cocktails in upscale restaurants, there’s not much he hasn’t done behind a bar. Now, Rocco shares his knowledge and passion for all things alcohol-related here on My Bartender for bibulous readers everywhere to enjoy.

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