Discovering Downtown

After-hours fun makes a Jacksonville, Florida, meeting memorable in the best ways

By Nancy Dohn

I love the Sunshine State, so when an opportunity to attend a workshop in Jacksonville came my way, I jumped on it.

Jacksonville is located on the St. Johns River—one of the few rivers in the United States that flows north. The city is smack dab in the heart of the South Atlantic, and during the day, Jax buzzes with activity. But knowing I’d be in meetings all day, I didn’t know what I’d discover after hours. I couldn’t wait to find out.

The workshop organizers had planned an evening reception and dinner but after I got settled in my room I couldn’t wait that long.  I dashed out the door again, eager to explore a little on my own.

A short distance from the hotel and just steps away from the hustle of downtown, I discovered the Riverwalk, a gorgeous urban park with incredible views.

Just right for getting my Jax discovery started. Ready for a snack, I entered the cozy atmosphere of Fionn McCool’s Irish pub and restaurant.

I settled near a window to soak in the lovely view of the St. Johns River. Tempted as I was by the shepherd’s pie—one of their specialties—I opted for the baked Scotch egg appetizer and a drink from Jacksonville’s own Bold City Brewery.

Both were delicious and just the refreshment I needed. So far, Jacksonville was proving to be a great place to discover.

Afterward, I took a stroll along the Riverwalk before heading back to the hotel. It was fun to watch the action, from gliding sea gulls to water taxis giving tours and rides, all with the impressive Jacksonville skyline as the backdrop.

Then the best thing of all happened. To my amazement, about 40 feet from where I stood I saw dolphins playfully arch in and out of the river on their way back to the ocean.

My Jacksonville adventure was off to an awesome start!

The workshop was great the next day, but after hours inside a conference room I was eager to continue my exploration of Jax and taste the culinary side of the city. 

One of my colleagues suggested a downtown restaurant that was getting rave reviews, the Candy Apple Café & Cocktails. Rave reviews and creative cocktails? Sold. A taxi got us there in just minutes.

The cafe is located inside Sweet Pete’s, a whimsical candy shop known for handcrafted chocolates and an incredible selection of candies. Luckily for us, Candy Apple Café stays open late, so we had plenty of time for our meal.

Looking at the building, I felt I was in the heart of Old Florida. It was a historic home, painted bright white with blue trim and a large welcoming porch. I learned that the building had been constructed in 1903 as an elite men’s club, attracting such famous guests as Presidents Roosevelt and Eisenhower.

The chic decor and upbeat atmosphere that greeted us inside demonstrated that this place had come a long way since its historic beginning. The menu showcased French cuisine with a distinctive Southern twist, made with farm-to-table local produce done right. Bonjour y’all!

Everything on the menu looked incredible. Ordering enough to share, my colleagues and I selected two intriguing appetizers, sweet potato frites with orange sesame sauce and Candy Apple cider bacon.  Bursting with bright flavors, both were to die for.

The hand-crafted cocktail list was amazing, featuring drinks like the Raspberry Tootsie Roll, made with bourbon, crème de cacao and lemon juice, and the Sweet Pete’s Watermelon Sour, featuring watermelon puree, lime juice and sour watermelon gummy for a mouth-puckering twist. I selected the Mayport shrimp crepe for my entrée, and savored the fresh local shrimp with tomatillo, baby spinach and pepper jack cheese for an extra kick.

Afterward, we shared a decadent dessert called the Rocky Road Apple Sundae, a gooey concoction featuring a caramel apple, vanilla bean ice cream, marshmallow brûlée topped with Southern pecans and dollops of whipped cream. The meal was a great way to kick off the evening.

We asked our server for a nightlife recommendation, and she replied “Definitely The Elbow.” She explained that The Elbow is a cluster of bars, restaurants and clubs which make up the downtown entertainment district. When the venues are outlined on a city map, they form the shape of, yep, an elbow.

The best way to experience this area was on foot, she said, so we walked a couple of blocks to her suggestion, Dos Gatos, a local hotspot. We headed inside, where we found an atmosphere blending of hipster with modern for a fresh take on fun.

Club-goers were drawn to a low-lit back room where a DJ played music, so we grabbed seasonal cocktails made with locally grown herbs and spices and relaxed with the crowd, chatting and having a great time.

After a round of drinks, we left with two more local-provided recommendations in mind. Across the street was our destination, an ornate building with an impressive vintage neon marquee—the Florida Theatre.

Built in 1927, the historic icon is the cultural heart of downtown Jacksonville, serving as a venue for all types of performances. We watched people stream through the theater’s double brass doors, then continued around the corner for our last stop of the evening, Bold City Brewery Downtown.

It’s the second location for Bold City, and this one really lets the brewers’ creative juices flow, specializing in new seasonal varieties alongside their well-known standbys. My colleagues and I each ordered a different brew, and headed for a table. Comfortable sofas sat near the front, and tables lined the exposed brick wall. The brick and the concrete floors gave everything an industrial vibe, made cozier by the small, intimate space.

We slowly sipped our drinks, talking and laughing together as we savored them. I decided that my Mad Manatee IPA, with light hops and notes of citrus, was well deserving of its regular place in the rotation. It was a fantastic place to end our evening.

It occurred to me on the short walk back to our hotel that although I hadn’t known what I’d find after hours in Jax, I discovered it had everything I wanted—and more—with plenty of surprises!