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While Spending A Day In The Sunshine Is Always Fun, Sometimes It’s Nice To Experience A Little Night Life After Dark!
Whether you’re a long-time Jacksonville resident or just visiting for a night, you’ll be glad to know that there are hundreds of different things to do in Jacksonville at night to satisfy that itch! Jacksonville has something for everyone, so read on to find the best way to spend your evenings.
Bars
Who knew we could miss sitting in a bar talking with friends quite so much? You don’t have to settle in Jacksonville, either! From crafted cocktails to late night dancing, there’s options to suit every mood.
Cuba Libre Bar – Atlantic Blvd
Cuba Libre Bar isn’t your average bar; the Latin music is loud on Fridays and Saturdays and the dancing is something to see. Start the night next door at Havana Jax, their incredible Cuban restaurant, and move into the bar when your plates are clean. The staff are friendly, conscientious, and fast in both the restaurant and the bar. Get in before 10pm to avoid the cover charge and stay ‘til late!
Side Car – San Marco
Side Car is a bar inspired by the speakeasies of the 1920s, but with a modern twist.
Their bartenders aren’t just there to serve you drinks, they’re there to craft your drinks and give you a real experience.
Their bar has a warm, rustic feel without being too cozy, and their indoor and outdoor spaces give you plenty of space to meet up with friends.
Side Car is a great place to go with a large group who has varied tastes.
Open everyday from 3pm – 2am, Side Car is a great place to hang out any night of the week. Don’t forget Sunday’s all-day happy hour!
On Friday and Saturday nights, from 11pm-1am is the Late Night Pizza party, with specialty Italian options to satisfy any midnight cravings.
The Lemon Bar – Neptune Beach
Would you rather sit outside enjoying the warm night air than sweat it out on the dance floor? Then The Lemon Bar is for you. Located on Neptune Beach, The Lemon Bar features live music most days, usually from 3pm until 7pm. Their cocktails are Instagram-worthy, so be sure to try something colorful while you’re there and enjoy the view looking out over the ocean. It has a fun, relaxed vibe, so it’s a great place to unwind after a long day.
The Rogue – West Jacksonville
Prefer a smooth whiskey over a cocktail? The Rogue in Riverside is a must-visit for any whiskey lover. They have a huge selection of different whiskeys, host Blackjack games on Tuesdays, and even do trivia nights! The Rogue is fairly small, so if you don’t like a crowded bar head, in for happy hour from 5pm – 7pm before heading elsewhere.
Flask & Cannon – Jacksonville Beach
Another great spot to head if you want to stay close to the beach is Flask & Cannon.
Flask & Cannon is all about cocktails, tiki-style cocktails to be specific, though the bartenders are skilled enough to make you something totally unique.
They also serve delicious pizzas, hot wings, and more, so you don’t have to drink on an empty stomach, either!
Photo courtesy of The Brix Taphouse
The Brix Taphouse – Jacksonville Beach
If craft beer is your thing, make sure you stop by The Brix Taphouse. They offer a huge range of craft beers, as well as wine and cocktails, and delicious food. The bar is light and spacious and they have an outdoor patio if you’d prefer to sit out in the sun or the night air since they’re open until 2am!
Island Girl Cigar Bar – Neptune Beach
This bar won’t be for everyone, but if you like cigars (or have ever wanted to try one), head to the Island Girl Cigar Bar in Neptune Beach. Their bar is stocked with 28 beers on tap, a vast wine selection, and of course, you can enjoy a cigar! The venue is huge, with plenty of comfy couches to relax in as you unwind.
Restaurants
Diners certainly aren’t short of great places to eat in Jacksonville! Here are some of the best.
Photo courtesy of Cowford Chophouse
STEAKHOUSE: Cowford Chophouse – Downtown
Located right in downtown Jacksonville, the Cowford Chophouse is a must-visit for anyone looking for a quality steak with a premium dining experience. They serve a huge range of cuts from 8oz to 40oz, complete with all the sides you’d expect and more. Their kids’ menu is also a crowd-pleaser. The Cowford Chophouse is open from 4-10pm Tuesday-Saturday, so you could easily have an early dinner and then go around the block to the Florida Theatre to take in a show.
Photo courtesy of North Beach Fish Camp
SEAFOOD: North Beach Fish Camp – Neptune Beach
North Beach Fish Camp is one of 3 locations in the area owned by Palm Valley Fish Camp and is one of the best places in Jacksonville to get fresh seafood.
They’re located a stones-throw from the Lemon Bar between Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach, so is the perfect place to eat if you want to take a walk on the beach after dinner.
On the menu, you’ll find clam chowder, steamed oysters, shrimp, calamari, fried clams, fried gator tail (this is Florida, after all!), buttermilk pan-fried chicken with grits, and so much more. If you love seafood, you’ll be seriously spoiled for choice!
ITALIAN: Moon River Pizza – Murray Hill
Moon River Pizza is a winner with locals and visitors alike. It has warm, unassuming décor but the pizza is out of this world! Everyone who visits praises the incredible service, delicious pizzas, yummy calzones, and stellar salads. It’s a great place to grab a slice after a long day, meet up for a date, or stop into before heading to a bar. They’re open every day but Sunday until 10pm.
MEXICAN: Corner Taco – Five Points
Corner Taco is one of those little hole-in-the-wall places you find and get addicted to.
The restaurant started as a tiny 100 square foot stand in 2011, then moved into a 1965 Airstream, where they developed a cult-like following.
They opened their brick-and-mortar restaurant in 2014 and have won dozens of awards to prove just how good their food and service are.
This unique eatery offers “mexclectic” tacos for all tastes, including veggie and vegan options, as well as fried catfish, fried shrimp, quesadillas, burritos, and more! They even have a kids menu for the little ones.
They’re open until 9 or 10pm every night of the week, so definitely stop by when you’re in the area!
ASIAN: Buddha Thai Bistro – Jacksonville Beach
Buddha Thai Bistro in Jackson Beach is open every day until 10 or 11pm and serves delicious, authentic Thai food. The menu has been carefully curated by the family that runs the restaurant, and there really is something for everyone. You can choose whichever form of protein you prefer for your dishes, so you could come here night after night and never run out of new dishes to try. They even offer an entire vegan menu, so it’s perfect for vegetarians and vegans.
Entertainment
Fancy seeing a play, live music, or a movie? Here are the best spots in Jacksonville to do just that!
Florida Theatre – Downtown
The Florida Theatre is full of history, dating back to 1927. Some of history’s greatest performers have walked onto the stage here, including Elvis! Today, their calendar is full of live music, plays, movies, and dance performances. If you’re interested in historical buildings, it’s well worth seeing a performance just to get inside to look at the architecture.
Jacksonville Symphony – Downtown
Feeling cultured? The Jacksonville Symphony performs almost nightly, presenting everything from Beethoven to John Williams. You don’t need to be a regular listener to classical music to find the evening electrifying!
If you’re a movie buff and haven’t yet seen an orchestra play your favorite movie scores live, it’s time to tick that off your bucket list!
1094 Music Hall – Downtown
Also in The Elbow in Downtown is the 1904 Music Hall. Musicians from every genre play here on a nightly basis. From funk and rap to country and punk, they’ve got everything. You may even see a dueling pianos act! It’s a relatively small venue, but that just makes for an intimate experience.
The Comedy Zone – Arrowhead
If you’re willing to head south, drop into the Comedy Zone for an impromptu ab workout.
The Comedy Zone hosts some of the best up-and-coming comedians in the country, so grab a drink and settle in for a night of great comedy.
Kid-Friendly Activities
Kids tagging along? If so, the bar is a no-go, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have a great night out!
The Escape Game Jacksonville – St Johns Town Center
Get away from the crowds and escape into another world with an escape game! If you’ve never tried an escape game, you need to give it a try. You enter a themed room, immerse yourself in the story, and then work to solve puzzles to try and get out as quickly as possible. We’re open until 11pm so there’s plenty of time to get a game in (they last no longer than 60 minutes) before or after dinner. While our games may be challenging for very young children, all of our rooms are designed to be fun for players of all ages!
Batt Family Fun Center – Lakeshore
The Batt Family Fun Center is open until 11pm every day (and 1am on Friday and Saturday) and offers bowling, mini-golf, laser tag, an arcade and more. The staff are always friendly and welcoming, kids love it, and the food is good too!
Photo courtesy of Autobahn Indoor Speedway
Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events – Southpoint
The Autobahn Indoor Speedway is open until 10pm or midnight every day, and there’s a lot more to do here than just karting!
You can spend an evening in the arcade, try virtual reality, or go ax throwing.
It’s just as good for adults as it is for kids, and they serve great food so you can spend the entire evening here.
Adventure Landing – Jacksonville Beach
Adventure Landing is a ton of fun for parents and kids alike. Depending on the time of year you visit, you can splash in the waterpark, relax under a cabana, feed the gators in Gator Alley, take revenge on your friends and family in laser tag, play on the mini-golf course, ride the roller coaster, practice your swing in the batting cages, play in the arcade, drive go-karts, or ride the 3D flight simulator. Phew! You’re probably not going to experience it all in one day or night, so come back a few times to do it all!
Flight Adventure Park – Secret Cove
Flight Adventure Park is perfect for little ones and is open until 8pm daily. Here, your kids can play in the trampoline park (that’s an entire room of trampolines), tackle the ninja warrior course, play in the arcade, or play dodgeball or basketball on trampolines. It’s a good thing they close at 8pm, or you’d have a hard time getting your kids to leave!
Photo courtesy: (Andreea Cardani/Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp – Downtown
If you like baseball, swing by the 121 Financial Ballpark to watch the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp play – it’s easy to get to and there’s plenty of parking. Of course, whether there is anything to see will depend on the season, but there’s a good chance you can catch a game when the weather’s good.
Photo courtesy of Tuk’n Exprience
Tuk’n Experience – Downtown
Take a tuk-tuk tour of Jacksonville to experience some history and keep the kids quiet for a while! The historical tour given by the Tuk’n Experience will take you through Riverside and Avondale to see unique architecture, beautiful parks, and discover some best-kept secrets in the area. They also do scavenger hunts, which are a ton of fun, but be aware that you’ll need to do them during daylight hours in the late afternoon or early evening. The after-dark tours are generally adults-only.
Camp – Little Talbot Island State Park
If you’re in Jacksonville in the summer months, camp out on Little Talbot Island. This island is home to some incredible flora and fauna and is a fantastic getaway just a short way from Downtown.
Simply make a reservation, grab your tent (or RV), and head out onto the island! The campsites are even dog-friendly, so be sure to bring your four-legged friend to enjoy the peace and extensive walks and hikes around the park.
Shop – St Johns Town Center
Before or after playing The Escape Game, make sure you explore all that St Johns Town Center has to offer. The majority of stores here are open until 8 or 9pm, so shop, do your escape room, and then grab dinner at one of the many restaurants to discuss what happened! St Johns offers luxury and affordable clothing brands, tech, homeware, beauty, and more. There are plenty of places to stay nearby, so consider doing so if you’re also going to be in the area the next day.
There Are So Many Fun Activities In Jacksonville!
Hopefully this has given you a great list of places to visit late into the night.
If you’re looking for things to do during the day, make sure you check out this article: Things to Do In Jacksonville, which will ensure all your days are just as adventure packed as your evenings!
