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by the EU professional drinkers
As the EU Jacksonville Pub Crawl gets underway, we are sending our crack team of social drinkers to bars around our fair city neighborhood by neighborhood, and we thought what better way to kickoff this series of bar reviews than with Jacksonville’s Irish Pubs? Each one claims more authenticity than the last, but what really makes them different? Some have food, some do not. Each one has different kinds of entertainment, and there are all different sorts of specials that appeal to different sorts of drinkers. So we dispatched our team of highly skilled, professional drinkers to discern the difference, and this is what they came back with:
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Address: 177 E Sailfish Drive, just off of Atlantic Boulevard
Type of Place: Irish Pub
Serving: Imported and Domestic Beers, Wine, Liquor, Specialty Drinks (Lunatic Soup)
Atmosphere: Rustic Euro-Irish with an outdoor patio.
Amenities: Darts, Live Music, Open Mic Night, Sunday brunch starting at 11 a.m., catering services
Drink Specials: Everyday from 4 p.m. to 7 pm. $1 off everything.
Fly’s Tie is usually considered Atlantic Beach’s most authentic Irish pub, and when you check out the rustic interior and cozy patio, or traditional Irish fare available for Sunday brunch and catering, you’ll see that it lives up to the reputation. It was the first Irish pub at Atlantic Beach and has been a fixture for more than 13 years. But the celebrity has not gone to its head. This is your classic neighborhood bar, and no matter what time of day you visit, you’ll be in the company of locals. Go early for a relaxing atmosphere and stick around for affordable happy hour drinks. But rest assured that when the evening rolls around the tranquility transforms into a raucous good time for all. Whether it is open mic night or one of the many great live bands that performs there, Fly’s Tie has what you’re looking for.
–John Dooling
Address: 333 1st Street North, next to the Ocean Club
Type of Place: Irish Pub and Restaurant
Serving: Full liquor with a good selection of imported draft and bottled beers.
Atmosphere: Large traditional Irish pub, but a bit on the corporate side. No smoking inside, but there is a large patio in the back.
Amenities: Authentic Irish food with an Americana twist to the menu. Scotch eggs were pretty good. The bartender seemed pretty nice, but my whiskey shot cost way too much. (I tend to prefer the scummy bar’s pricing)
Drink Specials: Happy Hour, Monday – Thursday from 4 to 7 pm and 9 to 11pm with beer and liquor specials varying day to day.
The contrast from when you’re strolling down First Street to when you enter the doors to Fionn MacCool’s is slightly overwhelming. That bright, annoying sun beating down on you paired with the usual beach locals, some wearing less clothing than they should, makes me almost miss the homeless people downtown. I knew when I crossed over the threshold of the front door that I was in a safe place. Dark, classic and comforting. The menu is more than impressive with delish delights ranging from Peppercorn Seared Filet and Rueben Egg Rolls to their Bailey’s cheescake, there is something for everyone in this quaint Jacksonville Beach Irish pub. For all of you nine-to-fivers, they have a little gem called the “Crunch Lunch” featuring five sandwiches and your choice of a beverage and fries all for $6.99. All in all, I recommend giving this joint a shot. Jack Daniels of course.
–Harvey Wallbanger
Address: 514 1st Street North for 13 years and counting.
Type of Place: Irish Pub
Serving: Imported and Domestic Beers, Wine, Liquor, Specialty Drinks, and full menu
Atmosphere: Dark and cozy with authentic Irish décor.
Amenities: Karaoke Sundays; A full menu of entrees, appetizers, soups, and salads; Irish folk music, rock bands, 28 import beers on tap.
Drink Specials: Happy Hour Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. & Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.---Everything is $1 off.
Lynch’s Irish pub has got to be one the best bars at the beach, no…in Jacksonville, no…in the entire world!! Ok, so it’s a really fun place to go hang with your friends and even family for a fun time in a truly Irish atmosphere. During the day, cozy up to some authentic Irish fare. You know, Corned beef and Cabbage, Bangers and Mash, and that delicious Shepard’s Pie. Tasty! And in the evening, stick around for traditional Irish folk music, rock bands, or try your hand at Karaoke. There is even a beer garden out back for a nice place to relax and take in some fresh air. Simply put. Go to Lynch’s!
–John Dooling
Address: Corner of Atlantic and Penman at Atlantic Beach.
Type of Place: Irish Pub and Restaurant
Serving: Full liquor with a good selection of imported draft beers
Atmosphere: Large traditional Irish pub on the upscale side. No smoking.
Amenities: Authentic Irish food (even Blood Pudding), great bathrooms, outstanding service, occasional Irish storytelling, and live music.
Drink Specials: Happy Hour, Tuesday – Friday from 4 to 7 pm. 2-for-1 domestic drafts, house wine, and well drinks.
Culhane’s has that old-world feel of a traditional Irish Pub, but with an upscale twist. Its mohagany features, long bar, and cavernous dining area allow you to be as social or private as you want to be. No other Irish Pub in town has so many actual Irish people waiting on you. From their world-class Potato and Leek soup to their one-of-a-kind brunches on the weekends with all-you-can-drink Mimosas or Bloody Marys, this traditional Irish pub is a favorite of upscale locals as well as low-down lushes. It’s so Irish that drunks can love it just as much as people who enjoy the schtick of being in an Irish pub alongside some authentic drunks.
–Johnny St. Thomas
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