City Hall Pub

[urbanlibertarian]

Went to City Hall Pub (formerly Jacksonville Sports Pub, Amsterdam Sky Cafe, etc.) after the Jags game Sun.  They had a cover band that was a little too loud but the food, beer and service was excellent.  I'll be back!

[coredumped]

Agreed! I just found this place after one of the suns playoff games last week. Great little gem. Non-smoking, good food and decent variety of beer on top.
I'll also return!

[DavidWilliams]

How will they survive short-term if they are only open when an event is going on near the sports complex/arena area?

[urbanlibertarian]

It's not just open when an event is going on.  See:

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/forum/index.php/topic,5628.0.html

[DavidWilliams]

Cool. I will give it a shot. I actually enjoyed Amsterdam Sky back in the day. It would be cool if A.P. Randolph cooridor developed into a bar/restaurant destination. Don't see it in the next ten years or so though.

[DavidWilliams]

Meant to ask in my last post...what was the building originally? Free-standing if I recall. Must have some history if they let it stand during the arena construction etc from several years back.

[coredumped]

I remember a few jag seasons ago a former owner had something on the door bad to say about the city and then they were closed. Not sure what it was though.

It would be great if there were bars from City hall pub, wrapping all the way up to bay street, and then down bay street toward the landing. How fun for after games & events in that area!

[DavidWilliams]

That would be tremendous. I have worked in the area for about 12 years and I just don't see much changing. Wish I had some disposable $ to invest personally. Maybe sooner than later.

[mtraininjax]

Service is the key, and the Amsterdam/Gas Light/City Pub needs to have good service. The TU article was not shocking when the TU diners had to have a MANAGER wait on them because 2 of the waitresses were off to the side talking about their latest boyfriends.

How hard is it to see patrons and serve them?

Go to the Pub after football season to see if it can survive, my guess is no, there is no steady stream of traffic, unless you count the High School graduations in the Spring.

[Jason]

I remember a few jag seasons ago a former owner had something on the door bad to say about the city and then they were closed. Not sure what it was though.

It would be great if there were bars from City hall pub, wrapping all the way up to bay street, and then down bay street toward the landing. How fun for after games & events in that area!

If I remember correctly, there was a dispute between the owners, city and JEA over some unpaid bills.  If you dig, you'll find the thread discussing it.

[rvrsdediva]

I went there for karaoke/ladie's night last Wednesday and had a great time.  The place is clean, they have typical bar food but it was okay and the service was great both at the bar and at our table.  I will definitely be back.

[urbanlibertarian]

mtraininjax wrote "Go to the Pub after football season to see if it can survive, my guess is no, there is no steady stream of traffic, unless you count the High School graduations in the Spring."

Well, who doesn't need a beer after sitting through a high school graduation. 

[Karl_Pilkington]

had their "enormous" 1lb burger and was seriously disappointed.  Nothing special at all.  It was overcooked and honestly couldn't believe that this thing was supposedly 1lb, downed it easily.  Don't these restaurant types watch shows like diners, drive-ins and dives or even man v. food?  something unique, something out of the ordinary...food that makes people want to come back no matter how out of the way the place is.  I like the space, just wish they had a cook who really cared about the food.  From the dishes we got I didn't really see that.   

[tufsu1]

dude...its a pub....that means comfort food...not usually something unique or special.

[Karl_Pilkington]

dude...its a pub....that means comfort food...not usually something unique or special.

Oh yeah, forgot I should have expected mediocre as its only a pub.  I guess thats why Kickbacks is actually a gastropub........ good, unique food and great beer selection.  Now I see the difference.