Jacksonville doesn’t get the hype of Miami or Orlando, and that’s exactly what makes drinking here fun. Jax is a river-and-beach town with a bar scene that mirrors its personality — unpretentious, a little rough around the edges, and fiercely loyal to its own. Craft breweries dominate, but the cocktail game has quietly leveled up in the last few years.
The Volstead
Downtown — A speakeasy-style cocktail bar hidden behind an unmarked door downtown. The bartenders are serious about their craft, building drinks with house-made syrups and fresh-pressed juices. The vibe is intimate and moody. Order: their old fashioned variation or ask the bartender to improvise based on your spirit preference.
Intuition Ale Works
Downtown — One of Jax’s flagship breweries, operating out of a massive warehouse space near the stadiums. The taproom is lively on game days and chill on weeknights. They’ve been brewing since 2010 and know what they’re doing. Order: Jon Boat Coastal Ale — the quintessential Jacksonville beer.
Bold City Brewery
Riverside — Housed in a former fire station, Bold City has been a Jax institution for over a decade. The taproom is no-frills, the beer is excellent, and the food trucks outside rotate regularly. Order: Killer Whale Cream Ale or Duke’s Brown Ale.
The Ritz
Murray Hill — A beloved dive bar and live music venue that anchors the Murray Hill strip. Cheap drinks, punk rock energy, and a crowd that spans every demographic in Jacksonville. Order: PBR and a shot — you’re at The Ritz, not a cocktail lounge.
Casa Marina Hotel Bar
Jacksonville Beach — A historic oceanfront hotel with a rooftop bar that delivers some of the best sunset views in Northeast Florida. The cocktails are beach-appropriate — refreshing and not too fussy. Order: a mojito or a rum punch while watching the Atlantic turn gold.
Kickbacks Gastropub
Riverside — Part arcade bar, part gastropub, Kickbacks has vintage games, trivia nights, and a menu that goes way beyond typical bar food. The craft beer list leans heavily local. Order: a local draft and whatever’s winning on the specials board.
Hoptinger Bier Garden & Sausage House
Riverside / San Marco — A German-inspired beer garden with communal tables, massive steins, and an impressive import list alongside local craft options. The sausages are legit. Order: a liter of something German and a bratwurst plate.
Poe’s Tavern
Jacksonville Beach — An Edgar Allan Poe-themed burger-and-beer joint steps from the ocean. It sounds gimmicky but the execution is solid — great burgers, cold beer, and a patio that catches the sea breeze. Order: The Tell-Tale Heart burger and a local IPA.
Dos Gatos
Downtown — A cozy craft cocktail bar on the same downtown block as The Volstead. More relaxed than its neighbor, with a good whiskey selection and bartenders who can talk you through it. Order: a whiskey sour or their take on a Sazerac.
Jacksonville’s drinking is concentrated in a few key areas: Riverside/Avondale for walkable bar-hopping with local flavor, Downtown for the growing cocktail scene, and Jacksonville Beach for salt-air drinking with ocean views. Don’t sleep on Murray Hill either — it’s small but mighty. Check the Jacksonville venue directory for all the spots, and our Jacksonville city page for crawl routes and event info.