Jacksonville

The Landing/Downtown

The first place clueless people go. The Landing and Downtown are deserted most nights, with the possible exception of the Hooters. True, the area is nice to walk around at night with the beautiful river and the lit bridges, but besides that utterly worthless as a place to hang out. More bums than party people 90% of the time. Florida-Georgia weekend is the only time when this part of town is hopping at night, but the city charges cover in order to recoup their losses from the rest of the year. If you insist on going any other time, Dive Bar on Bay Street, The Pearl on Main Street, Hooters, and possibly the horrible honky-tonk on the landing’s second floor are your only options.

San Marco

A nice place to eat and walk around, San Marco is usually where people begin their nights before going to house parties in the rich neighborhoods or to the beach. Square One is a great club that people usually go to Wednesday nights, a really nice place overall. Besides that, its Layla’s (good happy hour) , Jack Rabbits (great music scene), and all stores and restaurants.

Beaches

In my opinion the best scene in all of Jacksonville. Jacksonville beach offers a bunch of bars, especially Freebird Live (famous music scene), and you really cannot miss going down the strip. Ocean Club is very popular with young people, right next to the beach, and is about as good as it gets in this town.

Westside

Five Points is interesting as grunge, ghetto, and gay take over at various times. Fuel is probably your best bet as semi-famous acts come there often and the drink specials are good. Outside of Five Points, the Avondale neighborhood offers Kickbacks and Monty’s. Kickbacks on King Street is a wonderful hole-in-the-wall with an extensive beer selection and great atmosphere. Monty’s, or West Inn Cantina as its officially known, is always a good bet.

Other

Bourbon Street Station- Saint Johns Bluff Road

Four clubs in one(country, techno, oldies, top 40), young crowd., getting a little thuggy lately.

Plush-University Blvd

New and better than most nightclubs in Jacksonville.

Metro

By far most popular gay club. Can’t speak on it from experience, seems to draw a crowd.

For more information on Southern Cities and Lifestyle, check out alexgarmendia.blogspot.com

Used to live here. I plan on going back to visit but not to live there.

As the father of a biracial daughter.I speak from observations. I saw racial BS from both Colors. The blacks and Whites each had their own churches. My daughter is adopted and we are white. This caused a problem. We were asked not to go to the black church and to not bring our daughter to the white church.

I thought coming out of Cal. that the stupid racists were gone. It goes to show that stupid people exist very well in the deep south.

The beauty of the city is lost when you get close to the real people.

when you get here its hard to know where to go and what to do. The downtown area is pretty much dead on the evenings and weekends … unfortunately, but head to areas like Avondale, Riverside and San Marco for places to hang out (bars, restaurants, boutiques)

Check out The Fox in Avondale for an awesome breakfast, head to the Cummer Museum for a looksy and dance the night away at Square One in San Marco.

St John Town Center is another great spot for shopping.

I loved it. The sky was absolutely stunning. Different from anything I’ve ever seen. Water everywhere. Not to mention great friends that made it so much fun.