Entertainment in Atlantic Coast
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Mck's Tavern
Just want a low-key spot to enjoy a beer? Chill over drafts and darts at McK's Tavern.
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A
Boomtown Theatre & Coffee Salon
About a mile north of downtown, Jacksonville's historic district of Springfield is budding as a hip center for the arts.
Check out the Boomtown Theatre & Coffee Salon , a very experimental dinner theater, whose lineup runs from gospel-style sing-alongs to contemporary(ish) tunes (Tainted Love tears the roof off), spoken-word open-mic nights, an ongoing Vampire improv serial every Thursday, swing dancing (including free lessons), and 'Soul Release', a spoken-word jazz hip-hop jam. All this is accompanied by an equally eclectic - and excellent - menu that includes a 4000-year-old recipe Egyptian honey cinnamon chicken.
reviewed
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B
Ninth & Main Street
About a mile north of downtown, Jacksonville's historic district of Springfield (www.thenewspringfield.com) is budding as a hip center for the arts.
A former disused automotive repair shop, the 'place of no particular style', Ninth & Main Street, now houses an outstanding Caribbean restaurant, Henrietta's, a theater, an art gallery, and a live-music venue (Thursday and Friday). It also hosts the annual Springfield Film Festival, showcasing independent filmmakers from Florida and beyond. The festival kicks off in spring, with a rolling series of screenings (usually Thursdays) until the fall.
reviewed
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Jackie Robinson Ballpark
On an island in the Halifax River, Jackie Robinson Ballpark is home to the Daytona Cubs, a Class A minor league affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. In 1946, the Montreal Royals, Jackie Robinson’s team, was in Florida to play an exhibition against their parent club, the Brooklyn Dodgers. Other Florida cities refused to let the game proceed due to segregation laws, but Daytona Beach cried, ‘Play ball!’ and Robinson later went on to be the first African American baseball player in the majors. The ballpark, seating 4200 people, was renamed in his honor in 1990.
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Café Eleven
Decorated by an Ikea-ophile, this slick hangout is a full-service coffee shop/restaurant during the day. At night, the tables get shoved aside and it transmogrifies into a theater for some of indie rock’s biggest names (recent acts include Vampire Weekend, Modest Mouse and the Walkmen). Super-intimate but roomy enough to avoid crazed dancers, it’s simply the best small venue on the east coast to catch a live show.
reviewed
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C
Florida Theatre
Home to Elvis’ first indoor concert in 1956, which a local judge endured to ensure Presley was not overly suggestive, this opulent 1927 venue is an intimate place to catch performances by BB King, Aretha Franklin and Wilco; it also hosts musicals, a summer movie classics series (Sundays at 2pm, $6) and other events. Ticket prices vary widely.
reviewed
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Mill Top Tavern
Located on the 2nd story of a 19th century mill that’s hugged by a huge oak, grooving at the open-aired Mill Top is like hanging out in a treehouse – that has a full bar and kitchen. The Mill Top boasts live music nightly, unmatched views of the Castillo and a cooler vibe than any bar in town.
reviewed
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Stock Exchange
At the marina at the southern end of Beach St, an older crowd flirt with each other via telephones set on the tables at this super-local retro place; just pick up and call if you spot someone you like. Music from the '50s to '80s will have you doing the time warp again.
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D
TradeWinds Lounge
Tiny bathrooms and big hairdos rule this nautical-themed dive. Smelling sweetly of stale beer, this classic bar’s survived two locations and six decades. Crowds tumble out the door during happy hour, and there’s live music – mostly Southern rock or 80s music – nightly.
reviewed
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Taberna del Gallo
Sans electricity, only flickering candles light this 1736 tavern, which serves beer and wine to guests in the stone-walled interior and outdoor courtyard. On weekend nights the Bilge Rats sing sea shanties that get progressively bawdier.
reviewed
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E
Stogies Jazz Club & Listening Room
A humidor housing over 100 brands of cigars, including Stogies’ own; an exceptional wine list; chess sets at the tables; and plush couches and armchairs whisk you to the ’20s. Live jazz from 8:30pm to 12:30am Tuesday to Sunday.
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F
Fuel Night Club
The newest, sizzling-hot party complex in Daytona Beach. Young hipsters hit the dance floor in four separate rooms with DJs spinning trance, house, rock, breaks, hip-hop, and R&B with some live music thrown in.
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G
Spicetopia Hookah Ba
Out the back of this tea shop, sit out on a raised platformed deck surrounded by sheer chiffon curtains, taking in one of 15 different hookah flavors including cappuccino, red rose and a super-sweet cantaloupe.
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Backstreet Coffee House & Lounge
Hidden on a throughway one block west of St George St, this bohemian haunt with mismatched lounges has great rock and alternative bands. If you hurry, you might still get to decorate one of the ceiling tiles.
reviewed
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Cinematique of Daytona
Home to the Daytona Beach Film Festival, Cinematique screens independent and foreign films at noon on Wednesdays and 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays. On Fridays in summer they also show classics under the stars.
reviewed
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Scarlett O'hara's
Scarlett O'Hara's. Leave your hoop skirt at home. This rowdy place is not so much 'fiddle dee dee' as 'Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn, ' but it's a fine spot for beer and pub grub.
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San Marco Theatre
A landmark 1938 art-deco creation where you can order beer, wine, pizza and sandwiches while watching a flick; the theater screens classic midnight movies (like Goonies) on weekends.
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The Bank
Built in 1922, this former bank was converted to a blues club in the ’70s and rages still. The original vault remains inside but now it holds goods more precious than money: beer and wine.
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AIA Ale Works
AIA Ale Works. If you love beer, then you owe it to beer to show it your appreciation. As a bonus you get decent bar food and a great view of the Bridge of Lions.
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J
Metro
This gay-entertainment complex has a disco, a cruise bar, a piano bar, a games room with pinball machines, a smoke-free chill-out loft, a leathery boiler room and a show bar.
reviewed
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JP Henley’s
With 50 beers on tap, 120 more in the bottle and over 75 bottles of wine, this place will appeal to even the most discriminating beer or wine snob. Great music, too.
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Coconuts on the Beach
Coconuts isn't just a name; it's a favored ingredient. The oceanfront 'party deck' hosts regular live music, so head indoors if you're seeking a family atmosphere.
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Café Margaux
Ditch the flip-flops and enjoy French-inspired cuisine and an extensive wine list in a sophisticated atmosphere that's perhaps just ever so slightly stuffy.
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Rendezvous
This bar cultivates a list about 180 varieties of beer from around the world, like Belzebuth (France), Layla Dirty Blonde (Isreal) and Cuzquena (Peru).
reviewed
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Razzles
Razzles is the reigning high-octane dance club, with rope lines, cover charges and a permanent thumping sound emanating from within.
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