Gas Knob Irish Pub coming to Sports District

[David]

My wife and I and some friends were going to eat their after the suns game Saturday Night, so we checked it before the game, it was closed. Wasnt there a newspaper article that said they were opening the 16th?

Yep that's what I read too, I believe if you scroll up earlier in the postings there's a link to the TU saying it opens up on the 16th. I'll just assume there was some delays with opening and check back later this week.

[obie1]

Curses foiled again. Tell me it is still on its way!

[midnightblackrx]

its definitely on the way.  I rolled by Monday after work and there was an electrical contractor working on the patio. Also, I noticed a 's fine cigars sign in the window.  Is there going to be a cigar bar as part of the establishment?  Or have they sold it already?

[thelakelander]

Its still the Gas Knob Pub, it just looks like there will be a cigar bar element as a part of the operation.

[assorted]

there is an ad in this weeks folio saying it opens this friday

[midnightblackrx]

Im sure the owners (as well as baseball fans) were wishing they could be taking advantage of the ACC tournament this week...

Question: will the patrons be forced to pay $5 in a lot during a game night or is there private parking available? Maybe they validate, eh?!

[TREE4309]

I tried to check this place out last weekend to no avail...plan on trying again tonight...I'll report back.

[RiversideGator]

The sign on the door says it will be open today at 4:00 pm.  We shall see.   

[tufsu1]

It actually opened at 6pm...I had dinner there during the rain delay in the FSU/UVA game...they have a limited menu right now and no draft beers yet 

That said, my burger was really good....and the wait staff was working hard to handle the crush of people that all came in from the stadium at once.

[TREE4309]

We stopped by last night and were pretty disappointed with the lack of draft beer.  I didn't get the story as to why or when it would be there, but we were obviously immediately turned off by that...what is a pub without draft beer?!  We had one expensive drink, listened to a mediocre band and left.  The decor looked to be nearly identical to what was there when it was Amsterdam Sky Cafe.  I'll give it one more shot, but I didn't see a reason to make it a regular destination.

[heekgator]

Was really looking forward to this place opening.  I live in St. Nicholas, meaning I'd FINALLY have an Irish pub less than 5 minutes drive away.  Turned out to be a disaster.

Grabbed a buddy of mine from FCN, and walked over about 6 o'clock on Friday.  We were one of the first there (we actually watched them light up the "OPEN" sign).  As has been mentioned, sparse crowd, almost no cold beers and none on tap.  Bartenders (I use that term loosely) were: rude; disorganized and incompetent.  Still, I grabbed a cigar and liquor drink and settled in.  Food was good, and I left at 9 or so promising to come back soon.  That was where it went from mediocre to downright putrid.

I picked up my brother and his date (he lives off Atlantic by the Hart Bridge, so ANOTHER "local" for this kind of place).  We went to park in the garage next door and found, to our pleasant surprise, that "off event" parking was only 50 cents!   That was the highlight of the trip.

Get inside, and find that there is no crowd.   I mean NO ONE.  There was the band, playing to an empty joint.   I thought they were pretty good, too.  After their set concluded.  I noticed that they huddled with the manager and left.  I gave it about 10 more minutes and got out, fearing for my safety if the staff revolted.  My brother and date hung out for a sandwich after I was gone, but, come to think of it, I haven't spoken to him since then.  Maybe he's pissed off at me.

Bottom line, I HATE trying hard to keep up with happenings in downtown Jacksonville, trying to support people who don't deserve my business.  If these guys turn it around, great.  If not, I hope someone with a clue manages to take it over.  The buildout isn't bad, but I'm not spending good money for a mediocre experience.  I'll stick w/ the Urbgarden at BG.

[midnightblackrx]

I stopped in with a friend Tuesday night and got a good feeling from this place.  The menu is great (not your avg bar food).  I got  the cornbeef and cabbage sandwich with onion rings and was very pleased.  The onion rings are slices of onion looking more like discs than rings and were really good. They could be a meal in themselves.  The prices could have been better especially for HH, but I'm looking forward to trying the shrimp corn dogs next time (they looked tasty). 

Still no beers on tap but they have a nice selection of bottles, even for the beer snobs (including myself). 

[duvalbill]

Well, I made it there last night to check it out.  The place is pretty cool and infinitely cleaner than Amsterdam.  It's kind of a misnomer calling it an Irish Pub, however.  The only thing on the menu that retained any semblance of being Irish was the fish and chips (and I still consider that more of English fare).  There was a band that was playing, and they were pretty good and the drinks were very reasonably priced (paid 6.50 for a Guiness and a Makers and water).  The place was pretty dead when we went there, and it didn't pick up any either.  They have a few beers on tap, but still are missing some beers you might expect (no Harp=no black and tan).  Overall the place is pretty cool and you can't beat the large patio.  I think it would help the place out to have another bar nearby, but maybe that's something that can happen down the road.

[copperfiend]

I have went in there once and it was pretty empty. This seems to be the norm as many previous posters have mentioned. I honestly think it will difficult for any business to survive at this location.

[urbanlibertarian]

I met a friend there for happy hour Fri 6/13 and the place was about half full.  The draft beer was very reasonably priced.  We didn't have any food but what I saw looked good.  I'll be back there for sure.