by the eu professional drinkers
Almost considered the “art district,” Riverside’s ancient homes and wooded parks are among the longest lasting treasures in Jacksonville. Riverside Avenue was once considered the most prestigious street to live on in the United States. Shortly thereafter it fell victim to urban sprawl and the quality of life deteriorated substantially until the late 70s, when Edge City opened. In the 80s if you went into Riverside at all you must have been gay, and in the 90s it became cool to be gay, so Riverside turned way historic-chic. From the old-money Ortega-lites and the ritzy Avondalers to the up-and-coming Murray Hillers and the young artsy Five Points crowd (and Dellwooood!), Riverside has everything from the gayest zip code in Jacksonville (32204) to the most eclectic selection of bars. Our Crack Team of Social Drinkers went to bust that nut and tell you all about it.
Address: 3644 St. Johns Avenue
Type of Place: Tex Mex Restaurant and Watering Hole
Serving: Imported and Domestic Beers, Wines, Margaritas, and All Types of Liquors; A Full Menu of Tex Mex & American Fare
Atmosphere: Spacious bar with an attached package store. Also a patio in the front.
Amenities: There are pool tables, a digital juke box, and video games to keep the kiddie’s occupied, as well as live music and an open mic night.
Drink Specials: Happy Hour from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Everyday. $1 off everything except margaritas and wines.
Arriba!! The West End Cantina, also affectionately known as Monty’s, is one of my favorite places in town. It has a nice, relaxed atmosphere and you can bring your entire family to enjoy a meal in the dining area or even eat outdoors on their big, covered patio. I highly recommend the pulled pork tacos, delcioso! If you’re into hanging out with friends and watching the big game, this is your place too. They set up the projector and you get the big screen baby!
-John Dooling
Address: 3628 St. John’s Avenue
Type of Place: Restaurant, Bar, and Hookah Lounge
Serving: A wide variety of domestic and imported draft and bottled beers, a terrific selection of great wines and flavorful hookah tobaccos. Not to mention some of the best Middle-Eastern cuisine in town.
Atmosphere: Feel sexy in this sultan’s den. Sit in the hookah lounge, take a table, sit at the bar, or enjoy their spacious outdoor patio.
Amenities: Hookahs, belly dancing, and hot waitresses.
Drink Specials: Happy hour happens from 3 pm – 7pm everyday: $2.50 drafts, $2 bottles, $3 house wine, and half-price hookahs.
This is the original hookah bar in Jacksonville. When you want to go someplace sexy, hit up the quaint little Riverside treat that makes you look oh-so-chic. Not only do they have some the greatest Middle Eastern cuisine (try the fool and some stuffed grape leaves), but they have the best imported beers on draft (Guiness, Bass, and Stella, Tucher, Lambic, and more). Their selection of wines are outstanding, not the bar-brand, lukewarm, sulfur-flavored wines of most bars. They also carry a selection of champagnes. Finish off your night with some live jazz or enjoy the belly dancers while you puff on your apricot hookah. This represents the “young and artsy” Riverside, but it’s located in the heart of Avondale.
-Johnny St. Thomas
Address: 3210 Roosevelt Boulevard
Type of Place: Down Home Bar & Grill
Serving: Bottled and Draft Imported and Domestic Beers; Bar Foods
Atmosphere: Casual interior bar and dining area with a large outdoor area.
Amenities: Uncle Louie entertains with yarns of life and love, there’s a juke box loaded with your favorites, horseshoes by the highway, and electronic bowling.
Drink Specials: The beers are always cheap and cold.
Look if you haven’t been to Tootie Green’s yet, what the hell are you waiting for? This is “The Spot” folks. A new favorite of the locals, Toot’s serves up tasty foods and cold beers at a price that will keep you fat and your wallet happy. Bring a load of your friends and chill on the outdoor patio, so you can take part in the traditional 7:03 “Toot Toot Salute” as the train rolls by, or simply take in the night air while you down some cold beers and enjoy one of their famous Philly Cheesesteaks. They’re big and good. If you’re lucky you’ll also see “Uncle Louie” puttering from table to table making sure everyone is having a good time. Tell him you’re not and he’ll change that. Tootie Green’s may look like a creepy place in the middle of Roosevelt Boulevard, but it is the quintessential bar at the entrance to Murray Hill, so get going and if you see a blimp...ignore it.
- John Dooling
Address: 2753 Park Street
Type of Place: European-Style Deli and Bar
Serving: A full menu of delicious soups, salads, sandwiches, and desserts. A HUGE selection of imported and domestic beers and wines.
Atmosphere: Quaint cafe-style indoor dining area with a small outdoor patio.
Amenities: More types of Euro-beers than you could try in a week; really, really delicious sandwiches; decadent desserts; and a wide selection of imported chocolates, candies, and confections (not to mention a miniature European market).
Drink Specials: Happy hour every day from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; 2 for 1 beers and $1 off wines.
Besides culture, art, architecture, music, and wine, the Europeans finally did something right...food! Yeah, that’s right. The European Cafe may be American by location, but the cafe-style restaurant is like a touch of Europe in our own backyards (in spite of the South Beach color scheme of the building). If you like a restaurant with great soups, salads, and sandwiches, you’ll feel right at home. Try my favorite sandwich, the Chicken Frambois, or go German with a Dunderschmitt. For the beer connoisseur this is also the place. E Street features a fantastic selection of beers from all over the world. Bieneveue and Wilcommen to European Street.
- John Dooling
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