downtown

Shor – Best Downtown Bars

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Looking out over the serene St. John’s River from the northbank with the blue hues of the Main Street bridge reflected on the water is the perfect backdrop for a fine evening at Shor and Tavern at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront. Shor is a more casual dining affair than the attached Morton’s Steakhouse, but that lesser status is a bonus, as you get fantastic food and drinks without having to live up to a stuffy atmosphere. Shor is a fun and happening bar and restaurant where you can let your hair down and relax in style, enjoy a fine meal, sip on a few drinks.

Top 5 Drinks and Eats at Shor

shorWe would be remiss if we didn’t break down our thoughts on the five best food and drink options available at Shor in Downtown.

Our Recommended Drinks

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Our Thoughts on The Shor

Breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Shor has a great menu for every meal. It is the hotel’s main dining area, but many people staying at the downtown Hyatt Regency either came to visit other spots around town or aren’t aware of how good this place is. We found the dining room relaxed and casual, the food was fantastic, and we stuck around for drinks afterward served from Shor’s Tavern bar.

There they have their own late night menu of bar foods, a limited account of what is available at Shor, but the drinks were well proportioned and just right for a nice evening spent hanging out with friends. They served several flavors of margaritas, martinis, mojitos, and anything else you’d like. We were especially attracted to their single malt menu with several bottles of scotch that are well worth the tasting in such a reclined atmosphere, but you’d feel just at home with a simple draft beer just the same. Shor and Tavern is a great relaxed bar.
5 Points

Other Recommended Bars in the Downtown Area

Live Bar – Best Downtown Bars

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Live Bar in downtown Jacksonville has seen its fair share of renovations and reinvention. The adoption of the seafood and oyster bar brings in an additional element of flair that is welcome because it fills a void in the downtown bar scene. The music is still loud and the crowd is still busy, but the party atmosphere never left. Live Bar seems to eternally mix it up and cater to the patron’s needs and desires. Opening early for breakfast and lunch by offering a bountiful mix from a Live Bakery menu makes this spot more than just a nightclub and more of an all day hangout.

Top 5 Drinks and Eats at Live Bar

live barWe would be remiss if we didn’t break down our thoughts on the five best food and drink options available at Live Bar in Downtown.

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Our Thoughts on The Live Bar

To be dead honest, we didn’t know what to expect when we finally visited Live Bar Seafood. We had heard so much about it through the years and heard many stories that Live Bar had a lot to live up to before we even stepped through the doors. You could hear the music through the doors and when we stepped inside, the party hit us full force. Happy people, great music, and we knew it was going to be a great evening.

The drinks were served quickly and we didn’t see anyone that didn’t have a smile on their face. We ordered the oysters and we highly recommend the “Live Special Sauce” as it was phenomenal, adding flavor to the already fresh oysters. If you are looking for a quiet corner seafood restaurant, perhaps this isn’t your place, but if you want to come to a party where the music, drinks, food, and people are all in tip top shape, come to Live Bar Seafood.

Other Recommended Bars in the Downtown Area

Super Food and Brew – Best Downtown Bars

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Introduction

Still catering to the Jacksonville foodies looking for excellent food, drink, and friendly people. Super Food and Brew may have lost their wheels and settled down, but this means they can bring more of their passion to the patrons who now comes from around town to find them. They still run a catering service, but you can enjoy the fantastic fare dining in the lounge with a diverse selection of beers and wine that seem like they were picked die to their unusual and quirky nature adding to the fun and festive attitude of the place. Super Food and Brew is only open during the weekdays, so don’t wait for the weekend, get here today!

Top 5 Drinks and Eats at Super Food and Brew

Super Food and BrewWe would be remiss if we didn’t break down our thoughts on the five best food and drink options available at Super Food and Brew in Downtown.

Our Recommended Drinks

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Our Thoughts on The Super Food and Brew

We’ve seen Super Food and Brew in the past as we wandered the streets before and after a show. One block up from the Florida Theater and other local show venues, this is a great spot to step inside and grab a nourishing bit to eat and a few refreshing drinks before you head out for the night. The first impression we got was that of the happy staff waiting to take care of us. The entire restaurant is clean and laid back with no pressure or pretense, just good food and good drinks.

We tried a few “unusual” brews while here like the Wicked Weed German Chocolate Cake Stout, but if flavored beers aren’t your thing, Super Food and Brew keeps plenty of frosty cold beers of the big breweries as well as the local craft brews available as well. The food was exceptional, the options were plenty, and the place felt welcoming. If we had to find a complaint, we wish Super Food and Brew was open on the weekends so we could visit more often!

Other Recommended Bars in the Downtown Area

Element – Best Downtown Bars

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Located on Bay Street at the corner of Liberty, this upscale bar and lounge sits at the feet of power, surrounded by seekers of justice while providing an excellent spot for those seeking a relaxing lounge. Element Bistro Bar and Lounge is high class without being too fancy for a great night out. It is the spot to show up and show out, people watching at its best, but also easily escaped into, melting into the decor and enjoying a few drinks and fine food before moving into the adjoining Myth Nightclub for any genre of musical acts or events they keep booked up for our entertainment.

Top 5 Drinks and Eats at Element

elementWe would be remiss if we didn’t break down our thoughts on the five best food and drink options available at Element in Downtown.

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Our Thoughts on The Element

A night out on the town in downtown Jacksonville should include a stroll down the streets just to show how relaxed the city can become after working hard all day long, and that’s the vibe we got when we walked into Element Bistro Bar and Lounge. The first thing to hit you is the lighting, bright enough to see everything, dim enough to allow you to relax.

The bar staff were friendly and presented the “Prosecco w/Cointreau Caviar” with a smile knowing we were going to love it, and they were right. The kitchen staff were proud of their locally sourced ingredients, as they should be, because the Elemental Club was amazing. We were looking for a quick bite and ended up getting served our new favorite club sandwich we’ve ever gotten anywhere. Bar food and of course, the drinks, are not all Element has to offer. The greatest element in this bar is the ambiance, you just want to be there.

Other Recommended Bars in the Downtown Area

The Elbow – Best Downtown Bars

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  • Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11am- 2am, Friday: 11am- 3am, Saturday: 6pm- 3am, Sunday: Closed
  • Address: 7 Ocean St, Jacksonville, FL 32202, United States
  • Phone: (904)240-4913
  • Website: theelbowjax.com

As the city of Jacksonville grows and spreads out to far-reaching areas, some of the identity can get lost with the absence of a central “it” spot and the development of several spread out points that are like a dozen small towns within the city itself. The concept of “the Elbow” looks to solve this problem with a concentration of reminding our citizens that the sidewalks don’t roll up at 5pm. The Elbow is the entertainment district downtown between Bay and Adams, and Main to Liberty. Here you can find food, drinks, and music to your style, and a city that comes alive at night.

Top 5 Drinks and Eats at The Elbow

the elbowWe would be remiss if we didn’t break down our thoughts on the five best food and drink options available at The Elbow in Downtown.

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Our Thoughts on The Elbow

We’ve been residents of Jacksonville long enough to remember a time when going “downtown” meant business and only business. Now there is the idea of “the Elbow” with several bars, restaurants, music and art venues striving to bring us into the city. We explored the Elbow and are so glad to report that strolling the streets of the city we love so much is a fun night of entertainment.

We wandered into several bars, took in a few small dish appetizers at a few restaurants, and enjoyed some tunes from musicians of wildly differing styles only a few blocks from one another. Heavy bass dancing at one location, cool-cat jazz in another, bashing metal in yet one more. Whatever kind of night out on the town is your thing, downtown Jacksonville’s The Elbow is there to show you that you can have it all, the food, the drinks, the arts… all of it here downtown at The Elbow.

Other Recommended Bars in the Downtown Area

Bellwether- Best Downtown Bars

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  • Hours: Lunch: Tuesday – Friday: 11:00am – 2:00pm Happy Hour: Wednesday – Friday: 4:00pm – 7:00pm Dinner: Friday – Saturday: 5:00pm – 9:30pm
  • Address: 100 N Laura St Ste 100, Jacksonville, FL 32202
  • Phone:  904-802-7745
  • Website: https://bellwetherjax.com/

Standing directly in the shadow of one of Jacksonville’s iconic skyscrapers, the Bellwether restaurant does a booming business with the downtown office workers and power brokers. These people demand something more from their limited time away from their desks and at Bellwether, they get it.

A wide menu of sumptuous dishes, quick and friendly service, all at a fair price make Bellwether a popular spot for lunch, and a return destination for dinner as well. The bar is one of the greatest bar experiences you’ll get in downtown Jacksonville with a bevy of beer options on tap and a cocktail menu that you’ll have to taste to believe.

Top 5 Drinks and Eats at Bellwether

BellwetherWe would be remiss if we didn’t break down our thoughts on the five best food and drink options available at Bellwether in Downtown.

Our Recommended Drinks

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Our Recommended Eats

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Our Thoughts on the Bellwether

Think of Bellwether Restaurant as a downtown version of its sister restaurant; Black Sheep in Five Points. Everything about the restaurant feels similar from the farm-to-table responsible menu planning, to the clean and roomy atmosphere in the dining room, but the food is decidedly different and cultivates its own feel reflecting its surroundings and downtown guests.

The dining room is comfortable and clean, unusual dishes and flavor pairings await you on the menu, the food is delicious and served as quickly as you’d expect from a counter service though you’re dining in. If you’re not in a hurry, hang out at the bar where some they offer better “bar menu” items than many restaurant’s main courses.

The custom cocktails are blended with premium spirits that send your tastebuds into overdrive with familiar and distinctly unusual flavors. The perfect combination of good food served fast, in a prime location centered in downtown Jacksonville, Bellwether is a must-dine spot.

Other Recommended Bars in the Downtown Area

Cowford Chophouse- Best Downtown Bars

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When you dine at the Cowford Chophouse in downtown Jacksonville, you’re not wandering in and hanging out, this restaurant and bar is more of a destination than a find. Housed in one of Jacksonville’s oldest historic buildings, the theme of the experience at Cowford Chophouse is one of elegance, class, and style.

The depth of the wine cellar is matched only by the heights of fashion with rooftop dining. The food is singular and the cocktails are superb. Prepare for an evening among the elite and enjoy an exclusive sophistication in the dining experience from the complementary valet parking to the delectable desserts and after dinner cocktails.

Top 5 Drinks and Eats at Cowford Chophouse

cowford chophouseWe would be remiss if we didn’t break down our thoughts on the five best food and drink options available at Cowford Chophouse in Downtown.

Our Recommended Drinks

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Our Thoughts on the Cowford Chophouse

Open only for dinner, the Cowford Chophouse knows the clientele they appeal to and caters to the tastes of those looking for something more than a quick bite. The serve up a fine dining experience with style beginning with valet parking, elegant starters, lavish entrees offering the finest cuts of beef available, and a dessert menu that may be worth the visit to begin with.

The fantastic food is worth the cost, but guests can get the sense of the how exclusive this restaurant is, the kids menu has Filet Mignon and Kobe beef on it, so you know you’re not getting out of there cheap. The wine cellar must be fathoms deep as there were bottles available that covered your wine desires no matter what your taste calls for and the cocktails were delightful and tasty.

Unless you’re on a corporate budget, the cost may be prohibitive for regular dining, but you simply must dine at the Cowford Chophouse to judge for yourself, the experience is worth it.

Other Recommended Bars in the Downtown Area

Spliffs Gastropub- Best Downtown Bars

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If you’ve got the munchies while looking for a great place to grab a beer while downtown, Spliff’s Gastropub is the place to be. Centrally located between two entertainment venues on the same block, Spliff’s is the perfect place for lunch or a late night bite after an evening out, or a place to begin the night out.

The full menu of savory favorites and interesting complex flavors in seemingly traditional dishes like sandwiches, burgers and mac-n-cheese. Try something new in an old favorite, get a pastry pocket or rice bowl, and wash them down with your choice of cold brews from around Jacksonville’s growing breweries.

Top 5 Drinks and Eats at Spliffs Gastropub

spliffs gastropubWe would be remiss if we didn’t break down our thoughts on the five best food and drink options available at Spliffs Gastropub in Downtown.

Our Recommended Drinks

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Our Thoughts on the Spliffs Gastropub

Upon arrival at Spliffs Gastropub at the corner of Ocean and Forsyth streets we initially didn’t expect much from this seemingly simple burger joint. However, when you look it over with anything more than a cursory glance, you will begin to observe why this makes the list of local favorite hangouts in the downtown Jacksonville area.

The constantly rotating beer menu maintains wide varieties of options from the light to the darkest beers, and the menu is more than it appears with creative dishes worthy of finer dining establishments. The staff makes you feel welcome and the environment is family friendly as well as intimately quiet if you’re looking for space by dining on the patio.

Spliff’s is the greater than the sum of its parts and has been overlooked for far too long. It embraces their appearance of being simple, by staying simple while offering one of the better late night spots in all of downtown Jacksonville.

Other Recommended Bars in the Downtown Area

Dos Gatos- Best Downtown Bars

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Out for the evening in downtown Jacksonville of perhaps looking to enjoy a few cocktails after a show at the theater? Cross the street to Dos Gatos and take in one of the better bars available to you in the greater Jacksonville metropolitan area. Simple, tasteful, yet bold and understated, the bar is full of friendly characters that will enhance your evening for the better!

A wide selection of bottles to choose from, there are spirits you may not have considered available to taste, and well-trained bartenders that know how to mix them in the best way possible. If you’re looking for a great local bar, Dos Gatos has what you need.

Top 5 Drinks and Eats at Dos Gatos

Dos GatosWe would be remiss if we didn’t break down our thoughts on the five best food and drink options available at Dos Gatos in Downtown.

Our Recommended Drinks

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Our Thoughts on the Dos Gatos

Dos Gatos brings back the true feeling of the bar as a “lounge” and seamlessly transforms a downtown bar into a hangout spot that make us feel at home the moment we crossed through the doors. Warm wood accents and carpeted floors, plenty of comfortable furniture made this bar feel more like a friend’s house than a drinking establishment in the middle of downtown Jacksonville.

Theme nights give you something to look forward to on any day of the week and the bartenders know how to mix up everything from the perfected classics to new and unusual cocktails spiked with exotic spirits and ingredients that you’ll want to repeat over and again.

If you’re in the mood for a straight shot of whiskey, or an entire “Bowl of Madness”, come down to Dos Gatos in downtown Jacksonville and have a seat in one of the friendliest bars we’ve been to in a long while.

Other Recommended Bars in the Downtown Area

The Volstead- Best Downtown Bars

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Named for the law that enforced the 18th amendment and responsible for the enforcement of prohibition, Volstead symbolically thumbs its nose at the previous law and celebrates the freedom of the people to gather and drink! And if you’re going out for the evening in downtown Jacksonville, The Volstead is a great destination to make your plans.

The bar is set with decorations from various nostalgic eras from the past and the drink menu is curated seasonally to embrace the rotating availability of exotic ingredients. If bespoke cocktails aren’t your thing, the wide wall of small batch whiskeys will certainly whet your appetite for more.

Top 5 Drinks and Eats at The Volstead

the volsteadWe would be remiss if we didn’t break down our thoughts on the five best food and drink options available at The Volstead in Downtown.

Our Recommended Drinks

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Our Thoughts on the The Volstead

The Volstead steps above being a “regular bar” by incorporating a gimmick, the set dressing of a prohibition era speakeasy. They achieve this with minimal success in the “decoration” department, but the “feeling” of the joint is where the bar succeeds sensationally.

The live entertainment any day of the week could be modern jazz interpretations to mellow folk, but come Sunday night, it’s swing dancing time! Locals join in with dressing the part and though a decade or two late for “prohibition”, the intent is where they achieve greatness. Don’t look too closely at the details and just allow yourself to go with the flow, have a great time!

Old timey cocktails with modern twists and flavorings await you on the menu, and if you want to try some fabulous whiskeys, The Volstead has more small batch bottles than any place we’ve seen in a long time. We’ll be back at The Volstead because we like a great night of fun and frivolity, this is a good bar for that.

Other Recommended Bars in the Downtown Area