The Best 13 Bars in Jacksonville

Are you looking to discover the best bars in Jacksonville?

Then we have you covered!

On this page, you’ll find the official shortlist of all the bars in Jacksonville. (More in-depth further below). And, each with why it’s best to go.

Feel free to check out each bar’s official profile to find out more and to find out which is best for you.

We’ve also created separate shortlists for each genre you might like to visit on your time out.

So check out these articles as well:

Furthermore, you can get on the guest list or book a table with bottle service on some of the more exclusive bars. We are happy to help you out with either.

13. Dos Gatos

Dos Gatos is a hipster hangout for handmade cocktails & martinis along with games, music & other theme nights. Nestled downtown across from the Historic Florida Theater, Dos Gatos mixes Latin flare with an incredible and expansive drink menu to earn its spot in the best bars in Jacksonville. If the extensive alcohol list weren’t enough, bartenders would happily help you create a custom cocktail with their house-made syrups, shrubs, and sours—so even the pickiest drinkers are sure to find something that suits their taste. Dos Gatos has a cozy atmosphere and a vintage style that is both cool and casual. 

They arrange events every week and drink specials on Friday and Saturday nights. Thursdays might not be conventional drinking days, but the 90’s kid in me loves DJ Hollywood’s 90’s rock playlists for “Thursday is the New Friday.” Dos Gatos is Jacksonville’s original cocktail lounge. It is present directly across from the historic Florida Theater. A well-trained cadre of cocktail artists will be on hand nightly to demonstrate the art of the drink. Are you currently in St. Augustine? They’ve got your back. DG St. Augustine is one of the few areas in the Old City where you may dance. Don’t overlook the upstairs Lounge bar! When your drinking obsession requires a home, the light is constantly on. Dos Gatos is absolutely 21+ only, so don’t try to push your luck! Dos Gatos is another downtown Jacksonville bar. 

Cocktail artists instead of regular bartenders may be found across from the Florida Theater, and a separate lounge bar is above. Dos Gatos is always for those above the age of 21! This is one of Jacksonville’s earliest cocktail bars and should be on anyone’s list of places to visit if they want to experience the city’s nightlife. Dos Gatos offers a variety of drinks as well as a normal menu. The Senor Extravagante is Dos Gatos’ version of the Negroni or the Fresh Air, created with its private-label tequila. The Red Dawn is a twist on the Moscow Mule, and the Raspberry Lagerita is a beer-and-cocktail hybrid. If you appreciate Castle Ottis, one of St. Augustine’s magnificent castles, there is a second site.

12. Black Sheep Restaurant

Black Sheep Rooftop is one of Jacksonville’s Riverside bars. After a fantastic dinner at Black Sheep Restaurant, one of Jacksonville’s best restaurants offering creative American cooking, walk up to the rooftop bar for a nightcap. You may start your evening at the rooftop bar for sunset. This is one of Jacksonville’s greatest rooftop bars, with a lounge that overlooks the St. Johns River and is a sleek and elegant area to have a drink. Try a specialty cocktail such as the Black Sheep Manhattan, 1208 Surf Avenue, Lover’s Quarrel, or Park Street Collins. 

Viewing the sunset, you may order roasted oysters, fried okra, poutine, and Korean beef short ribs from the bar menu. Located in historic Five Points, Black Sheep Restaurant isn’t far from Riverside Park and the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens. It has a modern, clean atmosphere that is perfect for professionals. The restaurant offers fresh and diverse brunch, dinner, and dessert menus, but the rooftop bar takes it to the next level. You can sip your choice of draught beer and munch on bar food while enjoying the spectacular view. Black Sheep Restaurant’s cocktails feature bold flavors and unique pairings if beer isn’t your thing. Their “Dusty Boot” mixes bourbon with simple syrup, lemon, lime, and Jerry Thomas bitters, finished with cracked pepper and smoked sea salt rim. 

The classy and beautiful Black Sheep Restaurant rooftop bar is an excellent date-night venue that’s also extremely popular for corporate gatherings, banquets, and mixers. It’s one of Jacksonville’s trendiest and best happy hour spots. Black Sheep Restaurant’s all-day Sunday happy hour, which overlooks the Jax skyline and is decked out with a stunning outdoor fireplace display, is a weekly hit, and night owls appreciate that bar food is served beyond 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The rooftop bar does not accept bookings but may accommodate parties of 30 to 50 people depending on the night. The Rooftop is one of the few sites in Jacksonville where you can get a bird’s eye view of the city while drinking a refreshing drink and nibbling on some great appetizers.

11. Lemon Bar

Lemon Bar is often regarded as one of Jacksonville’s most fantastic beach bars. This laid-back beach bar on Neptune Beach, located on the Atlantic Ocean, includes live music and outdoor dining! The Lemon Bar is for those over the age of 21 and provides beachy drinks, including rum runners, pina Coladas, and the distinctive lemon bar freeze. Enjoy the outside seaside breeze while sipping a few cocktails or dining from the bar menu on the wooden deck while listening to live music. If you’re searching for one of the finest happy hours in Jacksonville, stop by Monday through Friday from 11 am to 5 pm for $3.50 beverages. Other specials include Taco Tuesday with $3 tacos and $4 margaritas and Wednesday and Thursday Stolichnaya drinks. 

If you are looking for an Airbnb on a private island 6 minutes from the beach, check out this cute cottage! Situated right on the ocean at Neptune Beach, the view from Lemon Bar can’t get any better. Located inside the Seahorse Oceanfront Inn, casual beach vibes carry through Lemon Bars atmosphere, menu, and drink list. Open from mid-February until Thanksgiving weekend, Lemon Bar offers a variety of drink options, whether you like yours frozen, mixed, on tap, or in the can. They also offer daily specials and a happy hour until 5 pm from Monday to Friday. Go on a Taco Tuesday for $3 tacos and $4 Margaritas on the rocks! The Lemon Bar in Neptune Beach brings together ocean air, flip flops, and Pina Coladas in a bustling social atmosphere. The Lemon Bar is Jacksonville’s small piece of heaven, located about 12 miles from downtown along Atlantic Blvd. 

Enjoy tropical cocktails and delectable bites such as Ahi Tuna, Mayport Shrimp, and delicious Hamburgers. Welcome the evening with the greatest happy hour on the beaches and a calm atmosphere to have a drink with friends while watching the moon rise. At this boisterous oceanside watering spot, ride your bikes to the bar and meet up with old friends. You can cool off with a Rum Runner or Lemon Bar Freeze. We chose it for the best nightlife because The Lemon Bar exemplifies the relaxed coastal attitude that Jacksonville’s beaches are known for a while, still offering a wonderful view and reasonably priced beverages.

10. The Parlour

If you want to relax and enjoy a drink to wind down, the Parlor in Jacksonville is just the place. Creatively hidden behind a sliding bookcase in historic San Marco’s Grape & Grain Exchange, this speakeasy bar welcomes guests with homey vibes and soft jazz. Their menu focuses on a “garden to glass” concept and relies on locally sourced ingredients to make their signature and seasonal cocktails. The Parlor is open from 5 pm until 2 am but is closed on Sundays and Mondays. Pro tip: If you want to enter the Parlor through their alternate side door entrance, you will need to know the password or pay a fee! The password changes daily, so check their Facebook for the latest one before you go. Are you seeking one of Jacksonville’s best-kept secrets? If so, go to the Parlour, if you can locate it! 

It was previously necessary to know! You must first visit Grape & Grain in the San Marco district and then venture behind the sliding bookshelves to locate this handmade drink speakeasy! OR enter from the alley; search for the black awning! This speakeasy collaborates with local farmers from the surrounding region to provide exceptional beverages with live music in a dark and classy setting. The days of entering the Parlour with a password are long gone, and it is now accessible to anybody who dares to enter. 

If you are looking for a stylish and exciting night out, The Parlour is one of the top bars in Jacksonville! Ideal for eating in the region. What could be more appealing than a hidden treasure that only a select few can discover, much alone get on the list to enter? Although not as difficult to join as a conventional speakeasy, The Parlour has enough mystery to keep the interested visiting. The Parlour, located in the center of ancient San Marco, is known for its handcrafted drinks and live music. There is a side entry into the lounge, or if you prefer the stealthy path, enter through the Grape and Grain Exchange’s underground corridor (nope, not telling where). Have fun!

9. Sidecar

San Marco is also home to Sidecar, a semi-industrial style bar featuring a concrete floor, brick walls, exposed air vents, and some of the best drinks in Jacksonville. Located just off interstate 95, you can find parking within walking distance to Sidecar at the nearby Kings Avenue or Gary Street parking garages. Sidecar has weekly cocktail specials, seasonal drinks, and enough beer on tap to keep even the thirstiest guests happy. They also have a Late Night Pizza Party from 11 pm until 1 am on Fridays and Saturdays, making them one of the most fun bars in Jacksonville too! Sidecar’s rustic and intimate decor aims to make every client feel like a family member.

Along with its sweet and delectable drinks, the establishment is known for cooking fantastic oven-fired pizzas and exquisite burgers. The walls are adorned with charming hanging lights and painted murals with attractive bubble motifs, and many inventive drink selections are available every day. Don’t miss the Broken Bicycle, a drink made with Irish whisky, lemon, honey, apple bitters, and a delicious apple chip. What was once a popular cocktail bar in a developing area is now a welcoming spot for all Jacksonville inhabitants and visitors alike. Sidecar provides a charming combination of whimsy and craft; see what they have on the menu for you. I had a great time here and want to return soon. 

I had the Sidecar with Brandy Sainte Louise, dry curacao, lemon, and turbinado when I was here. Other cocktails suggested by the bartender included the Pisco Punch, Jazzy Belle, and 1934 Cosmo. So, this is one of the best bars Jacksonville has to offer! If you are in town, we highly recommend visiting this venue at least once. Go with your family, friends, or loved ones! It will be a memorable experience.

8. Flask and Cannon

Flask and Cannon’s tiki bar charm fits right in with its location beside Jacksonville Beach. With ample oceanfront parking right across the street, beachgoers can stop by for expertly crafted cocktails adorned with orchids or served in pineapples, coconuts, and tiki mugs. Flask and Cannon have an all-day Happy Hour on Sundays and from 3 to 7 pm the rest of the week. If you’re going out as a group, order their Flaming Scorpion Bowl! It serves a minimum of four people, and with flavors like lime, grapefruit, pineapple, honey, and passion fruit—it’s a tropical dream. If you have spent the day at one of Jacksonville’s many beaches or islands, stop by Flask and Cannon for a traditional cocktail with a seaside ambiance. 

The cocktails are presented with a tiki flair, such as flowers, drinks served with coconuts and pineapples, and waiters dressed in Hawaiian shirts. Flask & Cannon is a V Pizza location where you may have a bite to eat and a beverage with a laid-back ambiance. Visit one of the several tables with wood-paneled walls. On Tuesdays at 7:30 pm, they organize a trivia session so that you can spend a fun weekday evening at one of Jacksonville’s beach bars. If you’re going to the beach and want to try something different, stop by Flask & Cannon for unusual drinks with a vintage touch. 

Sidecar’s beachside sibling offers over 80 types of rum to delight the palette. Taking a break from today’s excessively sugary rum beverages, Flask & Cannon returns to the original Tiki style with well-balanced and sophisticated mixtures. Flask & Cannon has all the elegance without the stuffiness. When you visit this welcoming bar dishing up some serious cocktails at pricing that won’t break the bank, it’s all about the beach atmosphere, sunlight, and fun. Flask & Cannon is recommended for Best Nightlife because it brings back the historic Tiki Bar while fulfilling the thirsts of a contemporary population. Our expert tip: Flask & Cannon is housed in the same building as V Pizza, ensuring that your hunger is as well satisfied as to your thirst.

7. The Rogue

Jacksonville’s Riverside neighborhood is home to the Riverside Arts Market, Willowbranch Park, and The Rogue. Set apart by an extensive whiskey selection and eclectic Moulin Rouge vibes, The Rogue is one of Jacksonville’s best and most fun bars. Visiting The Rogue isn’t complete without a bathtub selfie (trust me!) and trying out your hand at a ring toss game. If your ring lands on any of the bottles, you get a free shot of the alcohol it landed on! Stop by on Tuesday for Blackjack night or Happy Hour every weekday from 5 to 7 pm. 

If you’re searching for a whisky-friendly pub, go no farther than The Rogue. The Rogue is known for its extensive whiskey selection and unassuming population. It offers an intimate dive bar ambiance without the dodgy characters. The vintage ambiance of the pub is as much a selling point as its famed happy hour and legendary mason-jar-ring-throw game. Take a bath selfie, try your hand at the ring throw, and discover your new favorite whiskey. Make The Rogue your first visit after dark as you appreciate everything King St. has to offer. 

We recommend this venue for Best Nightlife because you’ll like The Rogue’s vintage decor, relaxed clientele, and extensive whiskey selection. Our expert tip: Play the ring toss game for a chance to win a shot of whichever bottle your ring lands on. They have exciting happy hour deals from Monday to Friday between 5 pm and 7 pm. So, there is $1 off drafts and $1 off good drinks during that time. Also, there is a $5 Blue Plate (PBR and Whiskey shot). So, this is one of the best bars Jacksonville has to offer! If you are in town, we highly recommend you try this venue at least once. Visit the bar without family, friends, or loved ones for a memorable time. 

6. River & Post

River & Post is a full-service restaurant with a rooftop bar and unbeatable views in Jacksonville’s Five Points neighborhood near Riverside. It has seafood & steaks with a regional twist in a contemporary space with a rooftop bar & scenic views. It’s within easy walking distance to Riverside Park and the Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens, and parking can. They also offer a Saturday and Sunday Brunch, making River & Post excellent for both day trips and nightlife. Suppose you’re wondering where to get a drink in Jacksonville, which also has great food. In that case, River & Post’s rooftop lounge offers a selection of charcuterie, salads, flatbreads, appetizers, and even sushi. Happy Hour is from 3 to 6:30 pm to get your evening started early. 

The elegant River & Post, one of Jacksonville’s restaurants with exquisitely stylish design, is Jacksonville’s best spot to impress a date or your boss during a business meeting, with valet service and an incomparable view of the St. Johns River and Downtown Jacksonville. Outdoor sofas and fire pits complement the slick rooftop bar, open until 2 am. In the event of bad weather, there is a retractable roof and a linked indoor bar where you can still enjoy the view. River & Post is a culinary-driven restaurant in a pleasant, modern environment that strives to wow our customers with great food, impeccable service, and unique accommodations for every occasion. 

The team behind River & Post took a dominating perspective of Jacksonville’s environment and joined the city’s culinary scene with a beautiful seafood-forward cuisine and efficiently the most incredible rooftop view in town, with a restaurant located high atop a landmark Riverside building. While the 450-seat restaurant provides excellent cuisine, atmosphere, and beverages, the rooftop lounge offers some of the most creative cocktails in town, handmade nightly for visitors.

5. Hoptinger Bier Garden

If you’re looking for something to do in Jacksonville, the Hoptinger Bier Garden and Sausage House offers two locations: one in Five Points and one in Jacksonville Beach. You’re never far from delicious Bavarian-inspired food and beer, whether in the city or at the beach. Both locations are open for breakfast until 2 a.m., with a late-night menu available after midnight. Their Five Points facility includes two different levels and a rooftop lounge, giving you plenty of room to chill out. The drink menu at Hoptinger Bier Garden comprises classic cocktails, beer cocktails, and a draught beer selection so extensive that it should have its index. The choices seem endless, with 60 rotating taps and a “Build Your Own Bloody” menu for custom Bloody Marys. 

This 5 Points bier garden, another late-night venue whose non-residential location allows them to serve on the roof until 2 a.m., gets points not just with its beverages but also with a variety of outdoor activities, including billiards, foosball, shuffleboard, and more. Hoptinger Bier Garden, with its wacky steampunk art on the rooftop bar, is popular with the professional happy hour set for its creative, handmade drink presentation in the relaxed rooftop lounge. The lounge is open Thursday and Friday nights, as well as all day and all night Saturdays and Sundays, and there is a Hoptinger Bier Garden on Jacksonville Beach. 

Hoptinger Bier Garden is located in both Jacksonville Beach and Five Points. Hoptinger is a German-inspired Bier Garden that serves over 60 beers on tap and has an incredible menu of German-inspired cuisine. The Garten at the 5 Points location is one of the greatest rooftop bars in Jacksonville, with drinks such as the Kick-Ass Paloma, Riverside Sour, Watermelon Mojito, and various beers on tap. Even though each level has a somewhat distinct ambiance, you may go from one to the other in the same facility. Another distinctive drink menu, including mules, ritas, and on-the-rocks drinks, is available on the second level of the 5 points location. Happy hour is from 4 to 7 p.m. on the main level, with $5 wells, $3 bar appetizers, and $10 beer flights. 

4. Aromas Cigar & Martini Bar

Aromas Cigar & Martini Bar is situated in the Shoppes of Deerwood Lake in southeast Jacksonville. It’s not far from St. John’s Town Center and the Markets at Town Center, both located just off Southside Boulevard. Aromas are one of Jacksonville’s greatest places to unwind after a long day. Aromas, Florida’s largest cigar bar, invites patrons to enjoy live music while drinking and smoking cigars in the main area or taste over 200 beers from the Ice Bar in their Beer House. Aromas also provide Club Robusto membership for sophisticated cigar enthusiasts, where members may socialize and relax. In line with their luxury aesthetic, they also impose a more formal dress code after 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, so leave your bathing trunks home. 

Aromas stand out as a Premier Nightlife Venue in an age of fly-by-night enterprises, open-and-close eateries, smoke-filled back rooms, and sleazy dive pubs in out-of-the-way places. Aromas have been blowing past the competition for over a decade, commanding a reputation in the industry as the biggest Cigar Bar in the Southern United States. Aromas Cigar Bar is the result of several separate operations and experiences that all work together to provide the consumer with the utmost in Tobacciana Lifestyle: 

First, there’s Aromas’ main bar, which has live musicians on stage and a bar with over 100 Vodkas, over 50 Tequilas, 50 Scotch & Whisky options, and about 150 Rums, all topped with a slew of liqueurs and spirits to satisfy any connoisseur’s palate. Then you shift your attention to the humidor, a Tobacco Mecca with brands like Opus X, Diamond Crown, Ashton, Arturo Fuente, Graycliff, Romeo y Juliette, and nearly every other top brand cigar waiting to be picked for a relaxing session. Then there’s the wine cellar, which would make any sommelier jealous, with over 300 kinds of Vino to select from and vintages dating back to the 1960s. All of this occurs in the venue’s first chamber, which is incredible. You next proceed to the Club Robusto Private section for the elite group of colleagues. So, this is one of the best bars Jacksonville has to offer!

3. Cuba Libre at Havana Jax

Cuba Libre is one of Florida’s largest nightclubs but takes it further by offering authentic Cuban food and salsa dancing. It is a festive venue that hosts Latin salsa dancing plus happy hours with Cuban drinks & appetizer specials. It’s located just off Atlantic Boulevard in the St. Nicholas area and has its parking lot. Cuba Libre, named one of the “Best of Jax 2021,” features late-night food, live bands, and hookah in addition to its nightclub, which has a full liquor bar and VIP section. On weekends, the doors open at 9 p.m., and Saturday is Latin night, so put on your dancing shoes! Visit Cuba Libre if you want to spice up your night. The music is pumping, and the dancing is scorching! Get a salsa class, and then practice your dances all night. 

If you become hungry, go next door to Havana Jax restaurant and enjoy some classic Cuban food. Back on the dance floor, listen to live music while mixing and mingling, then drink a Mojito and admire the vibrant artwork. Cuba Libre draws a varied clientele from all around Jacksonville who come for the excellent atmosphere, live entertainment, and unusual beverages. Furthermore, they provide easy on-site private parking, so you don’t have to park a mile away. If you prefer it spicy, go to Cuba Libre, conveniently located minutes from downtown. Since 1994, Cuba Libre at Havana Jax has been the main event hall and nightclub. 

Cuba includes a dance floor, a large-screen projection television, soft leather couches, stunning indigenous artwork, and unique Caribbean cocktails. With over 20 years of expertise in the nightlife industry, it is one of Florida’s largest and most inventive nightclubs. Cuba’s crew provides the greatest visual experience in the Jacksonville region by playing all your favorite songs on its famed LED screen and hosting concerts and sporting events. Their crew knows how to make your night out with friends memorable. Cuba has Happy Hour promotions as well as regular special events. We nominate Cuba Libre for Greatest Nightlife because it attracts a varied clientele and has the best Latin dance. Our professional advice: Arrive before 10 p.m. to avoid the cover fee.

2. Intuition Ale Works

Craft beer enthusiasts may follow their instincts to Intuition Ale Works‘ microbrewery and taproom, whose rooftop bar overlooks the St. Johns River and offers stunning views of Downtown and the Jacksonville Jaguars EverBank Field. Delicious artisan beers, outdoor live music, and rooftop events complement the casual “shorts and a T-shirt” atmosphere. The taproom is home to One-Off Wednesdays when a brand-new, limited-edition beer is tapped and offered for a single day only. The brewery organizes a family-friendly Family Game Night featuring a bouncy house, cornhole, and many videos and board games. You won’t miss the rooftop’s weekly communal yoga lessons. 

A bit of nirvana for all rooftop/craft beer enthusiasts. This Jacksonville-based artisan brewery not only makes approachable, tasty, and innovative beers but also has an amazing rooftop beer garden. While the significant attraction may be the extensive selection of wonderful craft brews, the in-house restaurant, The Kitchen, serves a complete pub grub menu. The rooftop hosts live music and rooftop performances several times every month. Intuition Ale Works is a rooftop/craft beer enthusiast’s paradise. This Jacksonville-based craft brewery was founded in 2009 to produce accessible, tasty, and innovative beers. It also has a great rooftop beer garden. The huge open-air terrace is only two floors above, but it gives great views of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ TIAA Bank Field, the city skyline, and the St. Johns River. 

The major attraction of the rooftop bar is (of course) the extensive selection of delectable craft brews. If beer isn’t your thing, you’ve come to the wrong place, but there’s also wine and cider on tap, and hungry patrons can enjoy a complete menu of pub grub from The Kitchen, the in-house restaurant. The environment at Intuition Ale Works is pleasant, welcoming, relaxed, and bright. Both in the indoor tap room, where you may play tabletop games while drinking and eating. Also, live music and rooftop concerts are held many times a month on the rooftop. So, this is one of the best bars that Jacksonville has to offer! If you are in town, we highly recommend visiting this venue at least once!

1. The Volstead

The Volstead is ranked first on our list of the top bars in Jacksonville, with good reason. This speakeasy-style tavern in downtown Jacksonville delivers Gatsby-style charm and handcrafted drinks. Finding The Volstead, hidden away and disguised as a post office mere blocks from the St. Johns River, is simply the first step in your trip. Happy Hour is from 4 to 7 p.m., and their beverage menu includes beer, wine, spirits, and inventive custom cocktails. The drinks are the true stars of the show here. The Volstead delivers familiar classics as well as adventurous cocktail combos. 

If you want to learn how to manufacture your own, they even provide a seminar! The Volstead is a speakeasy-style downtown Jacksonville bar that serves specialty drinks. The Volstead is a prohibition club that serves some of the greatest beverages in a comfortable setting. You could walk right by since the window advertises the Jacksonville Post. Come to Swing Dance on Sundays at 7 p.m. for free instruction, refreshments, and a great evening! OR live music performances. Their Bear Necessities, Flip Flop Rock, Garden Variety, and Why not Me are among the trademark cocktails available for $12. During Happy Hour, they have $7 drinks, wine, and beers, such as Cigar City from Tampa! This is one of the greatest bars to go to after dinner if you want to continue the evening in style. 

The Volstead brings back the art of artisan cocktails while paying honor to Jacksonville’s history in the prohibition era. As you go in, you’re welcome to make yourself at home in the classic living area, which has a television and comfortable couches. After passing through the velvet curtain, you’ll be met by black-and-white movies projected larger-than-life on the walls. Once you’ve completed your voyage back in time, you’ll be treated to a wide variety of traditional and unique drinks served by personnel dressed in 1920s attire. The Volstead, for all its flair, is nonetheless relatively relaxed. Do you want to add some throwback flair to your date night attire? Cool. Do you want to relax and take in the atmosphere? Take a chance. This top River City whiskey club is all about the beverages and the community.

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