Top Bars in Jacksonville – Most Viewed (2025)

River & Post launched in late 2017, bringing a fresh rooftop-forward concept to Jacksonville’s Riverside district. The establishment occupies a dual identity: on the ground (Suite 100) it operates as a full-service restaurant offering seafood, steaks, and regionally influenced dishes. Above, in Suite 900, the rooftop lounge elevates the experience — the retractable roof, fire pits, and plush seating make it a stylish escape with views over the river and downtown. The rooftop menu is lighter than the downstairs fare, focusing more on appetizers, charcuterie boards, and specialty cocktails — perfect for sipping while soaking in the vista. The atmosphere strikes a balance: refined yet relaxed, lively but never overbearing, ideal for a date, casual gatherings, or a pre-dinner drink. The rooftop is first-come, first-served (no reservations) while the main dining room downstairs takes reservations. Seasonal events, live music, and cocktail specials further enrich the vibe. Dress tends toward “resort casual,” and although the rooftop leans upscale, it retains enough warmth and approachability to feel inviting. In short: a sophisticated, multi-layered venue with serious food credentials downstairs and an alluring rooftop social lounge above — all tied together by river views and smart design.

Hoptinger in the 5 Points / Riverside area of Jacksonville is a tantalizing blend of German bier garden tradition and modern American hospitality. You'll walk into a multi-level venue built around craft beer, sausages, shareable bites, rooftop chill, and enough entertainment to keep the night alive. The first floor functions as a lively gastropub — think heavy wood, metal accents, televisions showing sports, and a menu that leans hearty: gourmet sausages, burgers, bar snacks, vegetarian/vegan options, pretzel sticks, and more. Their menu is playful — “Burger Roulette,” “Brats in a Blanket,” poutine, chorizo mac, and even veggie flatbreads. Climb upward or take the stairs to the rooftop “garten” — an airy terrace dotted with lounge seating, games (billiards, foosball, shuffleboard), and sweeping views of the 5 Points neighborhood. The rooftop bar is more than beer — they keep a full liquor bar for cocktails and creative mixed drinks. During the week, you’ll find themed nights: Trivia Night (Wednesdays at 7:30 pm in 5 Points), rotating DJs and live music on weekends, and events upstairs and on the rooftop. In short, Hoptinger balances casual comfort and neighborhood hangout energy with a bit of flair. It doesn’t try to be stuffy — it’s warm, spirited, and crowd-friendly. Whether you’re here for a cold beer flight, a sausage & friends, rooftop breezes, or a game night, Hoptinger gives you multiple layers of experience under one roof (and sky).

Step quietly past a discreet façade, into a space that conjures the whispers and elegance of Prohibition-era salons — that’s The Volstead in downtown Jacksonville. Since its NYE 2013 debut, this spot has aimed to resurrect the artful spirit of cocktailcraft and intimate ambiance. Inside, you’ll find low lighting, vintage décor touches, cozy nooks, and a bar staffed by bartenders who take pride in elevating classic concoctions with seasonal flair. The cocktail list rotates, but expect offerings such as refined Old Fashioneds, delicate sours, or inventive signature drinks that tease your palate and surprise you. Musically, The Volstead leans into jazz, blues, and swing. On the 1st & 3rd Sundays, they host swing dance nights (with lessons!) — a playful nod to an earlier era’s social dances. Many nights feel like you’ve slipped through a portal where conversation flows, drinks delight, and the mood is alive but never loud. Patrons often remark that the place feels like “breaking the law — in a good way.” Despite its polished feel, it rarely feels unattainable. It’s intimate, sophisticated without being pretentious, and often described as one of Jacksonville’s “best-kept secrets.” Whether you’re coming for a craft cocktail, a sultry jazz set, or just a quiet moment in a world of whispers — The Volstead delivers.