Atlantic Beach

Hawker’s Atlantic Beach– Best Atlantic Beach Bars

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Eleven locations and counting, Hawker’s Asian Street Fare is fast becoming a favorite location around the entire southeast.  Here in Jacksonville we have two locations and the Neptune Beach spot is a popular hangout because of the great food and amazing bar selections.  Clean and brightly lit, this bar is the furthest thing from a local dive bar and that might be what you are looking for tonight.  The decor is one of what you might expect to see in an Asian street market and the food far exceeds what you could possibly expect from the same.  Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, Hawker’s is nearly always full and that speaks volumes.

Top 5 Drinks and Eats at The Hawker’s Atlantic Beach

hawker's atlantic beachWe would be remiss if we didn’t break down our thoughts on the five best food and drink options available at The Hawker’s Atlantic Beach in Atlantic Beach.

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Our Thoughts on The Hawker’s Atlantic Beach

You can get a full entree at Hawker’s Asian Street Fare, but we were with a large party and decided to go with the plentiful options of small plates to try something new and we are so glad we did. There are more options available than we could try and every one of them were prepared and served, fresh, hot, and fast. The food was a culinary exploration of Asian flavors and we look forward to trying more on our next visit.

This initial visit was punctuated by lavish cocktails selected from the lengthy menu of specialty and classic mixed drinks as well as a mind-expanding introduction to Japanese whiskeys and a variety of sake. A decent wine list and a good selection of beers including some local brewery offerings make Hawker’s Asian Street Fare the total package, great food and drink is a fantastic atmosphere waiting for you to discover something new.

Other Recommended Bars in the Atlantic Beach Area

The Fly’s Tie – Best Atlantic Beach Bars

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Not to take anything away from any other of our favorite Irish pubs and restaurants in the area, there is room in our hearts for all these places, but if you’re looking for a truly Irish Pub experience where you’ll enjoy the dark corners, sip your beer in a friendly crowd, and enjoy some fantastic rowdy music, The Fly’s Tie Irish Pub is the spot to hit when you’re in Atlantic Beach. Just off Atlantic at Sailfish Drive, this lovingly dirty dive bar is a great place for a few brews among friends, even when you walk in alone, everyone is friends at The Fly’s Tie.

Top 5 Drinks and Eats at The Fly’s Tie

The Fly's TieWe would be remiss if we didn’t break down our thoughts on the five best food and drink options available at The Fly’s Tie in Atlantic Beach.

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Our Thoughts on The Fly’s Tie

We had to turn around when searching for this place the first time we were there, the building is so small and unassuming, you could drive right past it without knowing what you’re missing.  Our first visit was to catch some of the local bands that make their way to the Fly’s Tie stage (as small as it is) and once there we enjoyed some fantastic burgers and cold beer.

We don’t think this will every make anyone’s list of the world’s cleanest, brightest, most popular bars, and that is precisely why we love it there.  You come to The Fly’s Tie for the beer, the music, the camaraderie.  You come here for the reality of an authentic experience, not for the imported cookie cutter image of what bars think we want, but for what we really do want, a great local bar where they serve more than beer, they serve friend.

Other Recommended Bars in the Atlantic Beach Area

RagTime Tavern – Best Atlantic Beach Bars

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You can find dozens of bars at the popular Atlantic Beach location, and with the revitalization that saw business flock to the beach, one bar stayed true to its form and gave the patrons what they wanted. Ragtime Tavern Seafood and Grill has seen its fair share of the changing beach life, but this spot remained a favorite of locals because it offers the roots and connection to the sand that feels like home to the beach neighborhood. The wide-open floor plan somehow remains quietly intimate while offering a great view across the room for people watching and casual conversation.

Top 5 Drinks and Eats at RagTime Tavern

ragtime tavernWe would be remiss if we didn’t break down our thoughts on the five best food and drink options available at RagTime Tavern in Atlantic Beach.

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Our Thoughts on the RagTime Tavern

The wooden interior decor brings that large open space down to size and keeps RagTime Tavern’s atmosphere calm and quiet even when the space fills up with plenty of patrons. The handcrafted beer menu offers a great range of local brews and seasonal options when available. The kitchen is visible in the back, where they are preparing some of the best bar food you’ll get anywhere.

Focusing on a decidedly Cajun appeal to seafood, you can get a bowl of their amazing Seafood Gumbo or Shrimp and Grits, and if you’re not in the mood for New Orleans cooking, the Filet Mignon is superb. The menu is fantastic, the beer options are refreshing, and the general feeling when we were inside RagTime Tavern was one of a happy and jovial “local joint”, one where good food and drink is expected, and great friends are welcomed. This has become one of our favorite spots to frequent when we’re out at Atlantic Beach.

Other Recommended Bars in the Atlantic Beach Area

Poe’s Tavern – Best Atlantic Beach Bars

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Any of us “city-dwellers” who have cruised the beaches here in Jacksonville knows that the afternoon often ends up for many of us by turning north on 3rd street and heading back into town on Atlantic Boulevard, but now we have another reason to stop there at that corner and prolong the beach life; Poe’s Tavern.  This freshly kept bar and restaurant plays on the old-world charm of past century decorations and the romance of Edgar Allen Poe’s time but don’t let the antique look fool you, this place is upscale and happy, a great place to spend the evening when you’re looking for great drinks and even better food.

Top 5 Drinks and Eats at Poe’s Tavern

poe's tavernWe would be remiss if we didn’t break down our thoughts on the five best food and drink options available at Poe’s Tavern in Atlantic Beach.

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Our Thoughts on the Poe’s Tavern

We first stopped at Poe’s Tavern thinking it was a bar, and it is, but Poe’s is so much more than that.  The beer menu is filled with plenty of craft brews, local brews, and beers you’ve got to try.  You can get a Bud anywhere, but Poe’s knows your tastes demand something a little different.  On our visit we tried the “Fluffernutter Spread” stout.  Oh it tasted as unusual as it sounds, but that’s the point, at Poe’s you can get any flavor of beer from “Unicorn Farts” sour to “Oberon Ale” wheat and everything in between. 

And if the beer menu wasn’t enough, the Poe’s Tavern creates a menu of bar foods worthy of an entirely upscale kitchen in a fine dining establishment.  Their burgers are exceptional and anytime you can grab an amazing burger, unusual brew, and dine outdoors with the gentle breeze of the beach washing over your evening, we are a fan and have returned to Poe’s Tavern regularly.

Other Recommended Bars in the Atlantic Beach Area

Pete’s Bar – Best Atlantic Beach Bars

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On the corner of 1st Street and Lemon Street, one block from the waves and directly across the street from Neptune Beach City Hall, you’ll find an unassuming one-story building that always looks like it needs some small amount of repair, with an old fashioned neon outline sign hanging over the door displaying the simple moniker, “Pete’s Bar”.  A self-proclaimed “Five Star Dive Bar”, this is the place to be when you want to get a sense of what old-school bars can offer.  Dark enough to drink, bubbly enough to hold a conversation, this family heirloom has been handed down and remained in the family that keeps “Pete’s Bar” running like a bar ought to.

Top 5 Drinks and Eats at Pete’s Bar

pete's barWe would be remiss if we didn’t break down our thoughts on the five best food and drink options available at Pete’s Bar in Atlantic Beach.

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Our Thoughts on the Pete’s Bar

When we stepped inside, there was a moment of trepidation that we were intruding on a private affair, the bar had been there for so long, and the atmosphere was one of familiar camaraderie, would we belong? Would we be accepted by the locals? The moment the door closed behind us, we knew we needed not worry. The bartender cheerily asked us what we’d have and once that firs beer was poured, we were “Pete’s” regulars.

Happy bar patrons and lively action around the neighborhood, this is everything you want in a community bar, even if you’re from across town. Holidays and events are often celebrated at Pete’s either as the starting point of the festivities, or where everyone ends up hanging out after the day ends. The pool tables are cheap and the jukebox is upgraded, so order up the drinks and pull up a stool, Pete’s Bar maintains the look and feel of the old wooden floor bar while making each and every patron feel welcomed.

Other Recommended Bars in the Atlantic Beach Area

Ocean 60 Restaurant- Best Atlantic Beach Bars

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Boasting of their fresh catches directly off the boats from around the corner at Mayport, it is entirely likely that you will be hard-pressed to find fresher or tastier fish anywhere in Atlantic Beach unless you cast the line and set the hook yourself.

For twenty years Ocean 60 has been providing a wide array of succulent seafood dishes, equally hearty land-based foods, and a martini bar that can’t be beat. The main dining room, the friendly bar, and the casual martini bar all make for excellent locations. Relax at Ocean 60 when you’re looking for a great evening of good food, good drinks, and good times.

Top 5 Drinks and Eats at Ocean 60 Restaurant

ocean 60We would be remiss if we didn’t break down our thoughts on the five best food and drink options available at Ocean 60 Restaurant in Atlantic Beach.

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Our Thoughts on the Ocean 60 Restaurant

Ocean 60 just north of Atlantic Boulevard and First Street is one of those places that has been a landmark in the neighborhood for years and there is no secret to why. The success of this fabulous restaurant and bar is due directly to their dedication to service and to the absolute perfection they produce from the kitchen. We enjoyed the atmosphere but the food really speaks for itself.

The fresh fish options were plenty, and if you’re not into seafood, the “turn” entrees were hearty and satisfying. The bar service was fast and knowledgeable, and the seating was dispersed enough to still have an “open and airy” feeling wven when at capacity.

If you’re looking for something slightly more intimate and cozy, step inside their martini lounge where the lights are dimmed, the drinks are stiff, and the live music soothes you from the modern world problems, even if just for a little while. Ocean 60 is an Atlantic Beach staple for a reason, it works!

Other Recommended Bars in the Atlantic Beach Area

Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar – Best Atlantic Beach Bars

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Routinely celebrated as serving one of Jacksonville’s finest margaritas, Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar is more than a local watering hole, it is a hub of activity and a local meet and greet locale for obvious reason: it has amazing food, out of this world drinks, and a friendly vibe that just permeates the crowd and creates instant friends among strangers.

The Lunch and dinner menus offer a funky blend of Latin food mixed with modern style and the drink menu is several pages long because in addition to the already lengthy offering of various beer, wine, margaritas and specialty cocktails, Flying Iguana features over one hundred different tequilas.

Top 5 Drinks and Eats at Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar

flying iguanaWe would be remiss if we didn’t break down our thoughts on the five best food and drink options available at Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar in Atlantic Beach.

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Our Thoughts on the Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar

Settling down for a meal at Flying Iguana Taqueria & Tequila Bar was supposed to be a simple and casual dinner, but it turned out to be so much more enjoyable than “just” dinner. Hearty helpings of modern Latin style foods filled out bellies as we took in some locally brewed beers.

Be warned, the seafood paella serves more than just one guest! We received an education in tequila and while that wasn’t our particular drink of choice, we came away with a deeper appreciation and understanding of the spirit. Tequila is so much more than that potent drink we tell “bad stories” about, it can be sweet, tasty, and oh so good.

Mix the evening up with some of the tastiest tacos we’ve had in Jacksonville, and the staff at Flying Iguana hosted us as friends, gave us a great night out, and possibly created a tequila fan where there wasn’t one before.

Other Recommended Bars in the Atlantic Beach Area

Coop 303 – Best Atlantic Beach Bars

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Reclaimed wood posts, freshly painted brick, and clean and contrasting lines give the outward appearance of Coop 303 a sophisticated look with a down to earth sensibility. The interior is just as alluring and welcoming.

Brunch, lunch and dinner menus loaded with delicately crafted dishes celebrating local food tempt you to come back and eventually try one of everything on the menu, and with two full bars, each deeply stocked with premium bottles, you can enjoy Coop 303 every day or night, indoors or with breezy rooftop dining, and always try something new and refreshing. The food and drink entice you, the friendly staff welcome you.

Top 5 Drinks and Eats at Coop 303

coop 303We would be remiss if we didn’t break down our thoughts on the five best food and drink options available at the Coop 303 in Atlantic Beach.

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Our Thoughts on the Coop 303

The Coop 303 menu says it serves up regional Florida foods, but we believe they are selling themselves short with this humble description. The food here is amazing and not what you’d expect from the “local cuisine” moniker. While you may be able to get the food locally anywhere, only in the kitchen at Coop 303 is it prepared in such a way that makes your mouth water and savor each and every bite.

The wine list is well-rounded and they keep some local breweries on tap. The cocktail menu is stocked with the traditional drink fare as well as some new creations that are perfect to try while taking in the sunset on their rooftop garden patio. The warm ocean breeze seems to amplify the already magnificent sense of enjoyment while dining and drinking at Coop 303. We will be back many times and hope to see you there!

Other Recommended Bars in the Atlantic Beach Area

The Lemon Bar – Best Atlantic Beach Bars

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One block south of Atlantic Boulevard and right on the sand is the unassuming Lemon Bar, right at the public beach access lot at the end of Lemon Street. Don’t let the “plain” appearance fool you, this place has everything you need for a fun and entertaining day at the beach.

Cold drinks, frozen drinks, hot food, live music, and a livelier crowd. The Lemon Bar gets even hotter as the sun goes down with a nightlife scene that outshines the already popular daytime crowds. A locally favored hangout for good reason, the Lemon Bar offers everything you want in your local beach bar.

Top 5 Drinks and Eats at The Lemon Bar

the lemon bar jaxWe would be remiss if we didn’t break down our thoughts on the five best food and drink options available at the Lemon Bar in Atlantic Beach.

Our Recommended Drinks

While The Lemon Bar has plenty of delicious signature frozen drinks and craft cocktails, our top five personal preferences for drinks are as follows:

  • Recommendation 1: Coladas & Daiquiris – Piña Colada, Strawberry, Mango or Orange with a Kraken Black Spiced Rum Floater or any combination of flavors.
  • Recommendation 2: Lemon Bar Freeze – Our Signature Drink! Stolichnaya Citros Vodka. Vodka and ice cream mix are perfect for a hot day!
  • Recommendation 3: Titty Twister – Two Titmice Vodka with a twist of watermelon, fresh lemon, and a splash of soda. It’s the tits!
  • Recommendation 4: Enter the Dragon – Bacardi Dragonberry Rum, ginger ale, and cherry syrup.
  • Recommendation 5: Jalapeno Pineapple Margarita – Dangerously delicious with a kick of heat and Cenote Blanco Tequila.

Our Recommended Eats

Yes, The Lemon Bar is known for its beautiful surroundings, locale, ambiance, and incredible drink menu. However, for a bar, their food offerings are enough to make a trip to the Lemon Bar into a wonderful meal and drinks opportunity. Our favorite options from their food menu are as follows:

  • Recommendation 1: Boom Boom Shrimp Tacos – Made with Boom sauce, lettuce, & diced tomatoes.
  • Recommendation 2: Grilled Cheese – Fresh, thick-sliced sourdough bread pan-grilled golden with three types of cheese. Choice of fries or coleslaw. Add bacon and tomato for an extra 2.00.
  • Recommendation 3: Calamari – Delicate rings and tails mixed with fried mild banana peppers.
  • Recommendation 4: Mayport Shrimp – 8 Local shrimp grilled, blackened or lightly battered and fried served on a bed of fries. Try them coconut style!
  • Recommendation 5: Chicken Sandwich – Fresh chicken breast served grilled, blackened, or fried with lettuce tomato, and onion. Choice of fries or coleslaw.

Our Thoughts on The Lemon Bar

Appearances can be deceiving and the outward look of the Lemon Bar may leave you looking for more until you step indoors and experience the refreshing wave of reality that washes over you. Many bars out there are trying too hard to dress to impress. They want to attract guests so they gimmick up their space; not The Lemon Bar.

This place feels like your good old-fashioned beach bar because that’s exactly what it is, we’ve only momentarily forgotten how good that can be. The food is good, but nothing more than what you’d expect from a bar. The drinks are cold, there are frozen drinks ready to go, plenty of seating indoors and out, with space for live entertainment to dance the night away.

This leaves us to ask, “What more are we looking for, what more do we want?” and the answer coming back a resounding, “Nothing, this is the spot!”

Other Recommended Bars in the Atlantic Beach Area

One Ocean Bar (Azurea Lounge) – Best Atlantic Beach Bars

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Step through the elegant blue archways to transport yourself to the ocean atmosphere of Azurea at One Ocean Resort and Spa. The restaurant and bar is open to the public and you won’t have to be a guest of the resort to partake in their finely crafted culinary creations and scrumptious meals.

Being part of the resort and spa complex, the staff are well-versed in taking tremendous care of the guests and catering to your needs. The food is delicious and beautifully presented. The bar serves personalized twists on old favorite cocktails, some of these new recipes will become your new favorites.

Top 5 Drinks and Eats at One Ocean Bar

one ocean barWe would be remiss if we didn’t break down our thoughts on the five best food and drink options available at Azurea Lounge, the One Ocean Bar in Atlantic Beach.

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Our Thoughts on the One Ocean Bar

The menus at Azurea rotate through the seasons to accommodate the availability of fresh seafood, so their dedication to fresh food is obvious. When you sit down to brunch at a restaurant attached to a hotel, even a classy resort and spa, you may not expect much but don’t let that fool you.

We were surprised by the options available, from the simple appetites looking for back and eggs, to the more sophisticated palettes wanting the lobster & Brie omelet. Lunch and dinner menus were just as varied and full of selections that were created and cultivated to please any guest.

The bar is a laid back affair well-stocked with cocktails to please. Outdoor seating on the patio is beautiful and definitely where you want to sit, weather permitting. With only a decorative fence separating you from the sand and sea, Azurea at One Ocean resort and spa is relaxation defined whether you are early brunching, sunset dining, or late night sipping.

Other Recommended Bars in the Atlantic Beach Area