Word on the street is that Friday is their last night.
Make it a Hurricane party. Show up with sand between your toes from the Landing.
Sorry to hear it.
I had heard it was up for sale a few months ago... The folks who own the place really jacked it up over the past couple years... My avatar namesake closing???? :'( :'(
Last time I was in it was pretty nasty, and that was quite a while ago.
I stopped going years ago when a down payment was needed to purchase a beer.
Can't say Im suprised. I have wanted to be a loyal patron to them for the last couple of years, but EVERY time I go in there the service I received was less than adequate. When its slow, the bartender goes missing for 20 minutes or more. When its busy, the servers only seem to care about serving their friends.
And like Shwaz says, their credit card policy blows.
Sad to hear if this is true b/c it sucks to see any DT business close, but they really should have focused on providing a better product IMO.
London Bridge had it's hayday. For me it was 2002-2006, and it seemed to have good management until 2008.
but the few times i've set foot in there after that, it was pretty sad.
Everything that gave London Bridge that "cheers" vibe has long since been gone....
But! I do have some photos of Maryanne & Ian from 2004 when they were working there, i'll have to post them later.
Went there for several of the games of the previous World Cup and had a blast. Went there for one game this past WC and didn't go back. Too bad.
Great location for something similar, but better though.
I worked there until about a month ago, but they kept on telling me, that they didn't need me. After a few times of that I just stopped showing up. They had cut my shifts to only friday nights anyway. Every time I went out of town, there was some kind of trouble, usually people getting fired. Now I no longer work there, the whole thing fell apart. I couldn't have been the glue holding the whole thing together, could I?
That's no good and I'm sad to hear that if it's true
Well i've been trying to get my dad to open up a Mexican restaurant here. He has two in the orlando area. They are called Taquitos Jalisco. He brings in a live mariachi band on most weekends. Would bring excitment to the core. I am very honest when it comes to food and I can tell you with 100% certainty that this food will blow Na Lap out of the water. No competition. Anyways...maybe if this spot becomes vacant it can house my dad's restaurant.
Here's a write up on it....read the comments. made me proud :) http://www.orlandoweekly.com/dining/review.asp?rid=8165 look up other write ups too.
Sound like a good idea? if not Atlanta might steal the spot for the next opening.
Quote from: David on September 02, 2010, 10:15:42 AM
London Bridge had it's hayday. For me it was 2002-2006, and it seemed to have good management until 2008.
but the few times i've set foot in there after that, it was pretty sad.
Everything that gave London Bridge that "cheers" vibe has long since been gone....
But! I do have some photos of Maryanne & Ian from 2004 when they were working there, i'll have to post them later.
Yea its just karma man. Clops & his girl are good people now they have their own spots. So its all full circle. Someone else will get that spot. It wont be closed for too long...plus the Name London Brige was always corny to me....so let that spot re invent it self.
http://jacksonville.com/entertainment/food-and-dining/2010-09-02/story/london-bridge-pub-close
Here is confirmation that they are closing.
Isn't that building supposed to be renovated anyway? Or is that off now?
Hopefully, something better will replace it.
Cant say Im shocked really :/
They had a really nice crowd out front when I went past around 10pm last night, a real send off!
Yeah... It was kinda nice and kinda sad all at the same time :) :'( I have some really fun memories there... :)
All bars have their cycle. Hopefully something better moves in.
About the delicious sounding Mexican food at Taquitos Jaliscos.
We need one in the Park and King District, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
There are lots of bars there but we need a place with fast fresh delicious
Mexican food, the whole neighborhood would love it, plus you could order it from any one of the bars in that area and have it delivered.
Park and King would be better than where LB used to be for a taco shop...since the Burrito Gallery is already there.
Get rid of that ghetto Chinese fast food thing and replace with a taco stand? I'm down!!
The end of an era and hopefully the beginning of a new era. The space needs to be significantly improved for something to be successful there.
Quote from: RockStar on September 04, 2010, 01:36:29 PM
Park and King would be better than where LB used to be for a taco shop...since the Burrito Gallery is already there.
Get rid of that ghetto Chinese fast food thing and replace with a taco stand? I'm down!!
Who should get rid of the Chinese food spot?
Quote from: Coolyfett on September 04, 2010, 02:45:27 PM
Quote from: RockStar on September 04, 2010, 01:36:29 PM
Park and King would be better than where LB used to be for a taco shop...since the Burrito Gallery is already there.
Get rid of that ghetto Chinese fast food thing and replace with a taco stand? I'm down!!
Who should get rid of the Chinese food spot?
Just sayin it would be nice if that Chinese spot on King @Post was replaced with something decent...place is beat.
Does anyone think a mexican restaurant would succeed in the old Vienna Garden / Al Hilm / Sweepstakes Center across from BK on King?
Sure. Good location, but the last time I called them the rent was pretty
high. If you are paying $3000 per month just to keep the door open you
have to sell a lot of tacos.
Quote from: RockStar on September 04, 2010, 04:25:21 PM
Just sayin it would be nice if that Chinese spot on King @Post was replaced with something decent...place is beat.
They're not that bad! Geez, everything can't be fine dining you know. If you don't like the food there, try going to the ultra greasy China Wok on Margaret St(a more prime location BTW) Not that I'm advocating for them to leave either.
Quote from: I-10east on September 05, 2010, 07:13:08 AM
Quote from: RockStar on September 04, 2010, 04:25:21 PM
Just sayin it would be nice if that Chinese spot on King @Post was replaced with something decent...place is beat.
They're not that bad! Geez, everything can't be fine dining you know. If you don't like the food there, try going to the ultra greasy China Wok on Margaret St(a more prime location BTW) Not that I'm advocating for them to leave either.
The place is beat, but the food is good, if basic, Chinese. Nothing sophisticated, but fresh, clean and hot. Cantonese, not Peking or Taipei; Chinese comfort food. Food from China Wok on Margaret just doesn't have any taste.
Quote from: I-10east on September 05, 2010, 07:13:08 AM
Quote from: RockStar on September 04, 2010, 04:25:21 PM
Just sayin it would be nice if that Chinese spot on King @Post was replaced with something decent...place is beat.
They're not that bad! Geez, everything can't be fine dining you know. If you don't like the food there, try going to the ultra greasy China Wok on Margaret St(a more prime location BTW) Not that I'm advocating for them to leave either.
I'm not looking for fine dining, but they could take some pride in what they do, the look of their building, parking lot, bathrooms, the spelling on their signage....you know, the details. I don't have confidence in eating there. China Wok either. If a restaurant's bathrooms are dirty, what's their kitchen look like?
I'm for adding restaurants and shops to our urban area not getting rid of them. There's plenty of vacancies all over just waiting for new business to move in.
I can't believe it took this long for this thread to pop up. Really, what did the London Bridge owners expect?
Current management hassles customers to no end, and the bartenders suck. The last time I went was the first time they wanted a credit-card authorization (and not because I gave them the card and asked them to run a tab) before serving me a drink. There are too many places to go for me to have to put up with someone rubbing the fact that they don't trust me in my face.
And I don't see how anyone who actually drinks could enjoy that place anyway. Kind of hard to get any kind of a buzz when it takes 40 minutes between visits by the bartender. I actually made the comment one night "You've got me going the other way, my liver's actually processing faster than you're serving..." I was probably the only one amused, but hey, you take what you can get.
I actually watched one of the owners bitch out a bartender for pouring foam off a beer to top it off. Told the tender to "quit wasting beer or find another job". I told the owner I was finding another happy hour... >:(
Quote from: BridgeTroll on September 04, 2010, 09:33:20 AM
Yeah... It was kinda nice and kinda sad all at the same time :) :'( I have some really fun memories there... :)
Makes 2 of us, but that all came to a screeching halt around 2007/2008. WTF happened?
The place turned into a homeless camp / psych-ward with a royally crappy bad attitude around then. It got real pathetic, the only time I was over there the last few years was to go to PoppyLoveSmoke, and everytime I went I noticed LB was always dead as a doornail. I'm going to call it the "Chicago Pizza Effect" I think people are holding contests to find out how fast new management can kill a successful business...
Quote from: BridgeTroll on September 05, 2010, 07:38:25 PM
I actually watched one of the owners bitch out a bartender for pouring foam off a beer to top it off. Told the tender to "quit wasting beer or find another job". I told the owner I was finding another happy hour... >:(
That's exactly the attitude I was referring to. It was so bad you knew you ought to be offended by it, but the way it kept going down it was just so pathetic that you couldn't help but giggling. It was sad, and really really funny, but despite the entertainment value it still wasn't something you could put up with.
Moving forward, it's really unfortunate. The place was kind of the local institution of the mid 2000s. It drew such a diverse mix of people, we don't have anything like it anymore. The other place that was awesome for drawing a great mix from all walks was Stephen's Boomtown on N. Main. These days it seems like all the fun folks stick in their cliques and nobody mixes.
Dos Gatos was busy last night and had a nice vibe.
QuoteCurrent management hassles customers to no end, and the bartenders suck. The last time I went was the first time they wanted a credit-card authorization (and not because I gave them the card and asked them to run a tab) before serving me a drink. There are too many places to go for me to have to put up with someone rubbing the fact that they don't trust me in my face.
And I don't see how anyone who actually drinks could enjoy that place anyway. Kind of hard to get any kind of a buzz when it takes 40 minutes between visits by the bartender. I actually made the comment one night "You've got me going the other way, my liver's actually processing faster than you're serving..." I was probably the only one amused, but hey, you take what you can get.
+1,000
Agreed, use to go in there quite often but as of the past year or two I avoided the place. Smelled like vomit on the regular... to the point where I couldn't even smell my beer, ha. It's sad to say but they had it coming.
"The place turned into a homeless camp / psych-ward..."
Yeah. Good times. Now, where do we crazy, smelly folks go?
I stopped in last Friday for one last beer with a friend of mine who I used to go up there a lot with after work. It was nice to reminisce, the first Art Walks, epic golden tee battles and various times of debauchery.
While we were there it looked like some prospective buyers were being shown around the place. I hope whomever buys it will keep it a pub... or make it into a Cheesecake Factory..maybe an IKEA.
maybe a unicorn stable
Great location for a Fuddruckers. Design and build would be a cinch. I predict an opening day of 06/01/11.
I had only been a few times, and only very recently. It was always (as others have mentioned) dead as a doornail. But the woman behind the bar (owner I guess?) was always super nice to us. Still, the place was dingy and nasty, and I was only stopping in before or after dos gatos for some bar food.
Shame to see another place close, but you get what you give.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on September 07, 2010, 11:27:13 AM
Great location for a Fuddruckers. Design and build would be a cinch. I predict an opening day of 06/01/11.
Then there would be two Fuddruckers locations downtown, right? lol
Let's hope that it won't be any kind of chain, but a local, imaginative place; something unique like Dos Gatos or Walker's, etc. We can do better than Fuddruckers, certainly!
Quote from: Dog Walker on September 08, 2010, 08:57:52 AM
Let's hope that it won't be any kind of chain, but a local, imaginative place; something unique like Dos Gatos or Walker's, etc. We can do better than Fuddruckers, certainly!
But I want ligonberries!
Amy, who used to work at the Bridge is now at Intuition. When Martin and Ginger sold the place, it really went downhill fast. I remember hanging at the Bridge when they owned it on NYE and drinking champagne in the rain. It was a great place while it lasted.
Last time I saw Ginger she was working at the new Walmart at the Avenues.
Quote from: Dog Walker on September 08, 2010, 08:57:52 AM
Let's hope that it won't be any kind of chain, but a local, imaginative place; something unique like Dos Gatos or Walker's, etc. We can do better than Fuddruckers, certainly!
Well relax your not getting a fuddruckers in any case!
“Burro Bar†is scheduled to open in time for the May 4 Art Walk in the former London Bridge Pub at Ocean and Adams streets.
“It’s going to be a live music venue that serves beer and wine rather than a beer and wine bar that has bands,†he said.
To see the new products and other updates on the Burro Bags line of accessories, visit the retail store at 228 E. Forsyth St. across from the Yates Building or www.burrobags.com.
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/downtowntoday.php?dt_date=2011-03-30
Quote from: 02roadking on March 30, 2011, 12:03:34 PM
“Burro Bar†is scheduled to open in time for the May 4 Art Walk in the former London Bridge Pub at Ocean and Adams streets.
“It’s going to be a live music venue that serves beer and wine rather than a beer and wine bar that has bands,†he said.
To see the new products and other updates on the Burro Bags line of accessories, visit the retail store at 228 E. Forsyth St. across from the Yates Building or www.burrobags.com.
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/downtowntoday.php?dt_date=2011-03-30
Jack Rabbits take 2.
Excellent news!
Quote from: Doctor_K on March 30, 2011, 01:17:43 PM
Quote from: Shwaz on March 30, 2011, 12:12:38 PM
Jack Rabbits take 2.
Is that a good thing?
Maybe. I guess it depends on how the space is set up and the bands they book.
I played a show at the old London Bridge. It was awkward to say the least. We had a good turn out mixed with people that just happened in there for beer & food... so it was basically concert goers huddling around tables of people dining.
Jack Rabbits is one of the better 'hole-in-the-walls" for local / small touring acts. Cheap beer, great sound all wrapped up in an intimate dive. They too only sever beer & wine.
Quote from: 02roadking on March 30, 2011, 12:03:34 PM
“Burro Bar” is scheduled to open in time for the May 4 Art Walk in the former London Bridge Pub at Ocean and Adams streets.
“It’s going to be a live music venue that serves beer and wine rather than a beer and wine bar that has bands,” he said.
To see the new products and other updates on the Burro Bags line of accessories, visit the retail store at 228 E. Forsyth St. across from the Yates Building or www.burrobags.com.
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/downtowntoday.php?dt_date=2011-03-30
Does Ian R. have anything to do with this? Great news BTW!!
I hope they fix up the space a little. Dive bar or not, people still need air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter.
I wish them all the best. When it comes to downtown, the more places, the better at this point.
If they can get local and smaller acts that draw in several dozen people that normally wouln't be coming into downtown, then it's definitely a plus. I have this overwhelming feeling that it may look and feel like Santytown part 2.
I may have to stop in and check it out.
Will I have to change to "Burrotroll"?
Quote from: BridgeTroll on March 30, 2011, 02:42:07 PM
Will I have to change to "Burrotroll"?
No, make it "BarTroll". :D
You know me too well urban... :)
Quote from: BridgeTroll on March 30, 2011, 02:28:55 PM
Quote from: 02roadking on March 30, 2011, 12:03:34 PM
“Burro Bar†is scheduled to open in time for the May 4 Art Walk in the former London Bridge Pub at Ocean and Adams streets.
“It’s going to be a live music venue that serves beer and wine rather than a beer and wine bar that has bands,†he said.
To see the new products and other updates on the Burro Bags line of accessories, visit the retail store at 228 E. Forsyth St. across from the Yates Building or www.burrobags.com.
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/downtowntoday.php?dt_date=2011-03-30
Does Ian R. have anything to do with this? Great news BTW!!
From my understanding YES, Ian is playing a role in all of this! From what I've heard they plan on turning the place into two seperate sections (still connected) so that bar patrons can come enjoy the bar and not pay for the door cover if a band is playing they don't care to see. I think it's a pretty good idea, as there have been several times I've walked away from Lomax because I just wanted to grab a drink and there was a $5 door cover due to Hip Hop Hell or some other event.
Well that is good to hear... if anybody can make that place work it is Ian. Why... I remember... back in the day... when Ian was the best bartender and manager London Bridge ever had. I am a fan! :) 8)
Quote“Burro Bar†is scheduled to open in time for the May 4 Art Walk in the former London Bridge Pub at Ocean and Adams streets.
You know what they say about flattery....Burrito Gallery....
Quote from: BridgeTroll on March 31, 2011, 06:00:09 PM
Well that is good to hear... if anybody can make that place work it is Ian. Why... I remember... back in the day... when Ian was the best bartender and manager London Bridge ever had. I am a fan! :) 8)
Troll, I couldn't agree with you more! Ian is a stand up guy and definitely knows a thing or two about running a bar. I'm good friends with the guys from Burro too, so this is something I'll be keeping a close eye on.
For those of you who have Facebook, they already have a page setup under "Burro Bar" Check It Out! Jack is pretty good about keeping the masses up to date on the building process. He actually just posted that the 20 taps are in and ready for beer flow! ;D
Maryanne was telling me about this at BG the other night. I'm pretty psyched to hear about it!
That corner just doesn't feel the same without something being in the former London Bridge spot. It's been around for so long.
Quote from: mtraininjax on April 01, 2011, 05:13:22 AM
Quote“Burro Bar†is scheduled to open in time for the May 4 Art Walk in the former London Bridge Pub at Ocean and Adams streets.
You know what they say about flattery....Burrito Gallery....
Surely, you jest. Right? Isn't the Burro Bar by the people who gave us Burro Bags? Not a copycat in the bunch! : )
Ya the guys from Burro Bags are in on it as well. Jack "Diablo" is the one running the Facebook page, currently keeping the masses informed.
QuoteYeah. Burro Bags is a completely unrelated name.
Thank you for that scintillating observation! Wow!!!
What if they serve a Burro'rito?
Quote from: 904Scars on March 31, 2011, 04:14:50 PM
Quote from: BridgeTroll on March 30, 2011, 02:28:55 PM
Quote from: 02roadking on March 30, 2011, 12:03:34 PM
“Burro Bar†is scheduled to open in time for the May 4 Art Walk in the former London Bridge Pub at Ocean and Adams streets.
“It’s going to be a live music venue that serves beer and wine rather than a beer and wine bar that has bands,†he said.
To see the new products and other updates on the Burro Bags line of accessories, visit the retail store at 228 E. Forsyth St. across from the Yates Building or www.burrobags.com.
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/downtowntoday.php?dt_date=2011-03-30
Does Ian R. have anything to do with this? Great news BTW!!
From my understanding YES, Ian is playing a role in all of this! From what I've heard they plan on turning the place into two seperate sections (still connected) so that bar patrons can come enjoy the bar and not pay for the door cover if a band is playing they don't care to see. I think it's a pretty good idea, as there have been several times I've walked away from Lomax because I just wanted to grab a drink and there was a $5 door cover due to Hip Hop Hell or some other event.
Just saw this up. Should help with the Ian R. inquiries...
http://jacksonville.com/business/2011-04-04/story/jacksonville-company-burro-bags-now-adds-bar-its-expanding-repertoire (http://jacksonville.com/business/2011-04-04/story/jacksonville-company-burro-bags-now-adds-bar-its-expanding-repertoire)
Hell yeah, the rumor mill is steady rolling, that's what I like to see!
@904scars clued me in to this thread and I'm stoked to answer some of your questions before the Grand Opening when you can see for yourself.
The important stuff first:
Ian approached Burro with the prospect of re-opening the former London Bridge. With all of his experience running our two favorite Jacksonville bars, there was really no way we could refuse. The bar is a partnership between Ian and Marianne, Burro Bags, Jack Diablo and Matt Hume. We will all play our roles in ensuring that Burro Bar is the best in town. Ian will be keeping the best beers and wines stocked (yep, 20 taps!), Matt is managing the bar and staff, Burro will lord over the design, look and feel, and Jack Diablo (myself) will manage the programming and entertainment.
It will combine elements of Shantytown and Lomax with a focus on music closer to, but with a much different philosophy than Jack Rabbits. It will be not be a carbon copy of any establishment currently operating in Jacksonville, that I can promise.
We've already begun addressing the interior. We are having a pro beer system installed with 20 taps. We'll have the cheap stuff and the fancy stuff. We'll be changing the seating up a bit, doing new flooring where there was carpet, expanding the stage, getting a better soundsystem, etc, etc. We are also having our favorite local artists go nuts on the walls. We have worked with some amazing artists over the years and their designs, illustrations, etc. have contributed to all that is Burro. It only felt right that our new bar should be consistent with that aesthetic.
Grand Opening will be May 4th at Art Walk. We'll be "quietly" soft opening as soon as we get everything complete. I have 5-6 bands lined up thus far including some local faves and Bad Dream a psych/stoner metal band from Brooklyn, NY.
Beyond that you'll pretty much have to wait and see...
Jack, glad you could join us! I think you'll find the majority of the member's opinions quite helpful. There is a strong passion for downtown and the 'urban core' on the forum that I know you and I both share.
I love the idea of crazy artwork inside. The mural at Shantytown is amazing. More of that is needed in our city. This sounds like an awesome venue. I may not be a huge fan of all the bands, but I'll regularly post up in the front room and down some of 'the fancy stuff'.
local faves = Evergreen Terrace?
Did you know...
"Diablo is Spanish for like... fighting chicken."
Quote from: JackDiablo on April 05, 2011, 03:29:00 PM
Hell yeah, the rumor mill is steady rolling, that's what I like to see!
@904scars clued me in to this thread and I'm stoked to answer some of your questions before the Grand Opening when you can see for yourself.
The important stuff first:
Ian approached Burro with the prospect of re-opening the former London Bridge. With all of his experience running our two favorite Jacksonville bars, there was really no way we could refuse. The bar is a partnership between Ian and Marianne, Burro Bags, Jack Diablo and Matt Hume. We will all play our roles in ensuring that Burro Bar is the best in town. Ian will be keeping the best beers and wines stocked (yep, 20 taps!), Matt is managing the bar and staff, Burro will lord over the design, look and feel, and Jack Diablo (myself) will manage the programming and entertainment.
It will combine elements of Shantytown and Lomax with a focus on music closer to, but with a much different philosophy than Jack Rabbits. It will be not be a carbon copy of any establishment currently operating in Jacksonville, that I can promise.
We've already begun addressing the interior. We are having a pro beer system installed with 20 taps. We'll have the cheap stuff and the fancy stuff. We'll be changing the seating up a bit, doing new flooring where there was carpet, expanding the stage, getting a better soundsystem, etc, etc. We are also having our favorite local artists go nuts on the walls. We have worked with some amazing artists over the years and their designs, illustrations, etc. have contributed to all that is Burro. It only felt right that our new bar should be consistent with that aesthetic.
Grand Opening will be May 4th at Art Walk. We'll be "quietly" soft opening as soon as we get everything complete. I have 5-6 bands lined up thus far including some local faves and Bad Dream a psych/stoner metal band from Brooklyn, NY.
Beyond that you'll pretty much have to wait and see...
Thanks for the info Jack... Keep posting!
Quote from: blizz01 on April 05, 2011, 05:23:11 PM
local faves = Evergreen Terrace?
um, no
confirmed are
After the Bomb, Baby! https://www.facebook.com/pages/After-the-Bomb-Baby/260414028346?v=app_19935916616 (https://www.facebook.com/pages/After-the-Bomb-Baby/260414028346?v=app_19935916616)
Chicken & Whiskey https://www.facebook.com/chickenandwhiskey (https://www.facebook.com/chickenandwhiskey)
Opiate Eyes https://www.facebook.com/pages/Opiate-Eyes/115221885166225 (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Opiate-Eyes/115221885166225)
got a few more that are definite maybes
and here's a link for Bad Dream http://www.myspace.com/baddreambrooklyn (http://www.myspace.com/baddreambrooklyn)
This is really exciting! I would love to see this to become one of the best bars in Jacksonville, along with Kickback Gastropub and others. The more bars, the merrier! I would say it would be shameful to dare by comparing those bars because they are all the best in their own class.
Keep us posted!
-Josh