Jacksonville Night Life

[toneloc007]

Hey everyone. I want to reach out to all of Jacksonville. I and my partners are looking to open up our own night venue. What we want to know is what is it that the Jacksonville people want to see in clubs that they don't have here. What would make in your opinion one of the best entertainment spots Jax has to offer. I really would love your input.  Also I'd like to see if there is a network of investors that I can contact or if there is a forum available to network with investors.  Your input would be greatly appreciated.

Another thing we are going to be putting in is coffee shop downstairs. Yeah, most people are going to say...oh no not another coffee shop, but it'll be nothing like your typical franchise coffee shop. We want to add character and we want to add the feature where you can just go and be able to chill, maybe read a book or whatever but still be around a social setting. I was looking at some coffee shops around the country and saw some things that I think would go great. But before I say what I saw, share some ideas of what you think would take a coffee shop over the top. Remember, we are looking to cultivate a spot that is going to be somewhat a central point for entertainment...regardless your taste. I invite you's to continue to share your opinion.

Thank You!

[Coolyfett]

TAKE IT TO BAY STREET!!! WHAT EVER YOU ARE DOING MY MAN!!! SEE IF YOU CAN SET UP ON BAY STREET!!! YOU CAN'T LOSE ON BAY STREET!! GET AWAY FROM THE BURBS!!! GOOD LUCK WITH EVERYTHING.

[David]

Yeah, we really do need more venues in or near downtown. As for the style, hmmm. Do we have any sleek modern clubs in the area? Something very cosmopolitan like you would find in the nation's largest cities.  I don't think anything on Bay st or anywhere near downtown would fit that description.  I haven't seen ultra bar yet so I don't know if that would count, but I’d imagine something with a minimalistic approach and CLEAN. Maybe a venue that could host spoken word events or open mic like fuel used to do during it's downtime, and then ramp up to host the more typical/mainstream club atmosphere. Hey, maybe it could even book some concerts as the music venues we have in Jax are pretty sparse. If cafe 11 in St Augustine can pull in some good acts like they've been doing, I’m sure it could be done here.

[stephElf]

Something like Fly's Tie that is in Atlantic Beach would be nice.

I know we have London Bridge, but ever since they switched owner's / management it hasn't been the same.
I am looking forward to the opening of Bold City Brewery, but that seems like it is going to be more of a grab a growler and go place then a hang out spot or a venue for live music.

I guess I would like something that gets shows like Jack Rabbit's but that is larger, maybe offers late night bar fare and is a little bit cleaner.  Like a Seven Bridges or Ragtime in the metro area that gets some good live rock or chill music.

There is a place called the Rail in Savannah ... if we had a place like that here, it would be awesome!  Wall Street and Shanty have pieces of that vibe but it's not quite the same.  Maybe just because the Rail has an old school table pacman.

[David]

If you're considering more of the bar/pub atmosphere like Steph suggested, I'd think a belgian bar/tavern would go over well in Jacksonville. There's a great one in Philly called Eulogy.

See http://www.eulogybar.com/

[brooklynborn]

I would like to see a upscale jazz spot. I think that would be nice for the 25 and up crowd with live jazz bands from all over the country to local jazz bands. Downtown of course. as long as u stay open past 2 o,clock

[JaxNole]

Whatever you choose, would it be possible to offer drunk munchies?  Even the hot dog vendor in front of The Pearl would be great.

[toneloc007]

We're definitely going to be offering more of a variety as far as entertainment. Theme nights is definitely happening, plus we will be looking to get connected with the local bands network to highlight them.  Amongst the building there will be food offered at late night, what we don't know yet, but definitely a little better than hotdogs.  Plus we want to also attract the HIGH ROLLERS so the atmosphere is going to very smooth, intimate, plus have the feel of prominence. What we have planned is definitely going to reflect more from the BIG cities like NY City, Miami era.  We think its the perfect time to bring it to Jacksonville.

[brooklynborn]

I cant wait

[toneloc007]

Oh yeah, one more thing...This will be a 21+ women, and 25+ men club.  I'm tired of all these clubs here that have all these kids and the BS that comes with them.  No offense to the younger crowd.

[brooklynborn]

is this going to be downtown?

[toneloc007]

Yeah, it'll be in the heart of downtown...can't divulge the area for no compete, but believe me the place we're looking at is PRIME.

[blizz01]

Check out One Ocean at the beach - they seem to be hitting on all cylinders......best of luck.

[simms3]

Just went to a bar/club called Halo in Midtown Atlanta last night across from my apartment.  It is in an almost solid brick building with a plain metal door in the side of the building.  It looks almost like nothing but on the inside it is multistoried, there are image screens, cool modern decor, a marble bar that lights up, and the bar looks like something the doctors from Nip Tuck would be regulars at.  It is very cosmopolitan, of course this is Atlanta, so things did not pick up on a Monday night till about midnight!  Jacksonville could not pull something off that late, or probably that cosmopolitan yet, but it is worth a try.  We were the youngest ones in there, but there were not too many people over 30-35.  It was also about half gay half straight, more of a mix than the Pearl which seems sometimes more gay imho, but Jax is of course a little less accepting I think.  Also I agree on your ages, in Jacksonville it seems all the clubs are for kids, they are all 18+ so of course that brings in the 15 y.o.'s, and nobody around here seems to enforce a dress code of some sort, I appreciate J Crew or Express or whatever over South Pole and Ecko with baggy jeans and sneakers.  Oh, but drinks don't have to be expensive  we aren't a rich city yet lol.

[JaxNole]

I would welcome a dress code that is enforced.  No sneakers, no jeans and no polos. 
Strategic ambient lighting.
Ample seating to encourage conversation in between drinks and songs.
Non-douchebag staff.
Reasonable cover and drink prices.
Cleanliness.

Can you reveal part of what your market researched has uncovered?