Amelia Island Nightlife
Photo: Historic Centre St., Fernandina Beach (Amelia Cruizer's event)
Ready to enjoy a drink and evening entertainment on Amelia Island? Whether you’re in the historic district of Fernandina Beach near the city marina and Centre Street, or across the island at Amelia’s beaches from the northend to the southend, here’s just a few suggestions for cocktails and an evening out on the town during your Amelia Island vacation. (If you want a more organized tour of pubs, Amelia Island Museum has a pub crawl tour on Thursday evenings, for a Happy Hour history lesson and a drink at four of Fernandina’s watering holes, see more below about this pub crawl…).
HISTORIC DISTRICT, FERNANDINA BEACH (Several Bars Walkable From Downtown Lodging B & Bs and Hampton Inn & Suites on the Fernandina Harbor…)
Historic Palace Saloon, Centre Street, Fernandina
PALACE SALOON– If you’re in downtown Fernandina, try a local favorite cocktail, “Pirate’s Punch,” at the Palace Saloon (113 Centre St.), the oldest continuously-operated saloon in Florida, in Fernandina’s historic district. Pirate’s Punch is the “famous” rum drink of Fernandina Beach. It’s hard to miss the Palace, as you’ll see the life-size pirate sculpture outside the saloon doors at this landmark on Amelia Island. Hundreds of years ago, Amelia Island was the stamping ground of pirates, sea captains, and sailors and The Palace Saloon was the “ship captain’s bar.” The saloon’s 40-foot bar is a wonderful relic from the turn of the century, surrounded by mosaic tile floors, embossed tin ceilings and murals painted on the walls. The founder of Anheuser-Busch, Adolphus Busch, reportedly assisted in designing the elegant bar, lit with gas lamps. The Palace Saloon also offers live entertainment some evenings. Visit The Palace’s web site at www.thepalacesaloon.com or call 904-491-3332 for further information. The Palace Saloon is also on FACEBOOK.
SHEFFIELD’S – Adjacent to the saloon, The Palace offers a new, upscale cocktail lounge, Sheffield’s, adding to the nighlife scene in Fernandina with its debut in October 2009.
KARIBREW BREW PUB — Does the freshest beer on Amelia Island sound enticing? Then quench your thirst at the only brew pub making home made beer on the island, located in the historic district at 27 North 3rd Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034. Phone: (904) 277-5269 (adjacent to Cafe Karibo). KARIBREW also offers nice bites like soft-shelled crab sandwich, tasty burgers. The cafe itself has excellent food, reasonably priced — check out their online menu at website: www.cafekaribo.com.
Green Turtle Tavern in Historic Fernandina Beach, Florida
GREEN TURTLE TAVERN (LOCATED NEXT DOOR TO FLORIDA HOUSE INN). Some call it a hippy bar, it’s a hip atmosphere. Look for the graffiti-covered retro volkswagon bus (think of Hair’s “Age of Aquarius”), usually parked outside, located at 14 South 3rd Street. Green Turtle has nice atmosphere for cocktails and conversation with a large bar to sit at inside, and outdoor side porch seating as well. Phone: 904-321-2324.
BRETT’S WATERWAY CAFE at the Fernandina Beach Harbor Front Need a sunset to soothe your soul? Sip a Martini while you relax in rocking chairs and witness a gorgeous sunset over the Fernandina Harbor — a view available from the rear porch of Brett’s Waterway Cafe,
Brett's Restaurant Rear Porch Overlooks Fernandina Marina
(end of Centre St. at the marina). Brett’s has the nicest view of all the restaurants in the historic district with its prime waterfront location on the Amelia River, and is a great place for sunset Happy Hour drinks in Fernandina Beach. Take a stroll on the nearby docks to catch a breeze while you admire the yachts at the adjoining Fernandina Beach marina. Call Brett’s for further information about operating hours (summer vs. off season) at 904-261-2660.
INDIGO ALLEY — LOCATED RIGHT ON CENTRE STREET IN FERNANDINA, INDIGO ALLEY IS ONE OF THE NEWEST NIGHT LIFE SPOTS ON AMELIA ISLAND. Live music and dancing, local art featured, beer, wine, fresh roasted coffee and lite bar fare by Old South Yankee gourmet shop, stop by this new hot spot. They also have a rear outdoor courtyard patio area. See Indigo Alley’s website for more info on their entertainment schedule. Indigo Alley is also on FACEBOOK.
O’KANES IRISH PUB – Located right on Centre Street (318 Centre), you can’t miss seeing this Irish pub in Fernandina (904)261-1000.
WICKED DAVEY’S FANCY SALOON — One of the oldest watering holes in Fernandina (was a brothel in the old days), Wicked Davey’s is a bit off the main corridor — you may think you’re lost getting there, but it’s a neat pub worth looking for. Juke box or live bands, pool table, outside deck with fireplace, located at 232 North 2nd Street (keep going north on 2nd from Centre Street). Definitely a “locals” hangout.
FERNANDINA PUB CRAWL TOUR — As mentioned above, The Amelia Island Museum of history is hosting happy hour history tours in historic Fernandina, so quench your thirst and hear tales of this Victorian-era seaport. One ticket purchase required to experience four pubs, a wealth of historical information about downtown Fernandina Beach, and enjoy a good time. AIMH’s newest tour is held every Thursday evening at 5:30 pm to tour four notorious or otherwise historic pubs & bars. One ticket gets you one drink at each establishment and an earful of colorful tales about the places visited along the tour. Tickets cost $20 per person (must be 21, must show ID). The pub crawl tour begins at the historic train depot in downtown Fernandina Beach by the city marina and railroad tracks. RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. Call Thea at 904-261-7378 x105
IF YOU HEAD OUT OF THE HISTORIC DISTRICT AND GO EAST TO THE BEACHES, A FEW OF AMELIA ISLAND’S CASUAL BEACH BARS. . .
SLIDERS SEASIDE GRILL ON THE OCEANFRONT, AMELIA ISLAND, FLORIDA
Sliders Seaside Grill with Tiki Bar, Fernandina Beach
An Amelia Island landmark, Sliders Seaside Grill Sliders is located on oceanfront property — one of only two restaurant/bars on Amelia Island (non-resort property), that are actually right on the beach (the other being Sandy Bottoms). For drinks right on the beach, there’s a tiki bar outside at the rear of Sliders with live evening entertainment some nights. Sliders has installed some playground equipment off its rear covered porch, adjacent to the beach, for patrons with kids. Sliders is well known to both locals and visitors, having a presence on Amelia Island for over 50 years (initially as an Inn). Sliders is a brick structure located on the beach at the corner of Sadler Rd. and South Fletcher Avenue at the traffic roundabout. Adjacent is Seaside Park, with additional parking area (one of Fernandina’s public beach parks). Sliders is one of the places on Amelia Island where beach driving is allowed — you can drive a vehicle right onto the beach, but non-Nassau County residents are supposed to get a permit. (Don’t be tempted to drive on the beach without a 4-wheel drive vehicle that can handle it. Many tourists have gotten their vehicles stuck in the sand and have to get towed out. ) Call Sliders for further information at 904-277-6652 about their operating hours (summer vs. off season).
SANDY BOTTOMS, MAIN BEACH PARK, FERNANDINA
If you’re around Main Beach toward the northern end of Amelia Island and would like a very casual beach bar, Sandy Bottoms is the place. It’s one of only two beach bars on Amelia Island (located in non-resort property) actually located right on the beach with an outdoor patio overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, as well as indoor seating (the other noted above is Sliders). If you’re sun-bathing or swimming at Main Beach Park, one of the largest public beach parks on Amelia Island, you can hit Sandy Bottoms for a beverage, perhaps a tropical drink on the oceanfront patio. Sandy Bottoms also offers some live musical entertainment at night. Located at Main Beach, 2910 Atlantic Avenue, you can call Sandy Bottoms at (904)277-0814 for the latest operating hours and entertainment schedule (summer vs. off season).
VERY CASUAL — BRING THE FAMILY TO “THE SURF.” A very casual eatery and open deck bar “The Surf,” is located across the street from the ocean at 3199 South Fletcher Avenue (904) 261-5711. The Surf draws large crowds during the summertime, especially on “Wing-It” nights. Live entertainment on the outdoor deck (DJs, acoustical guitar) helps to keep the crowd buzzing with enthusiasm. Families with children can dine at The Surf for its casual, open-air atmosphere on the deck where an exuberant or unhappy child, generally, will not disturb others.
BARS LOCATED ON THE SOUTHEND OF AMELIA ISLAND, RESORT AREA
EIGHT SPORTS LOUNGE, AT AMELIA ISLAND RITZ-CARLTON, located off the Amelia Island Parkway. Unwind watching a ball game, playing pool and enjoy a favorite beverage. Equipped with billiard tables, multiple flat screen televisions, extensive beer and wine lists and residential-style furniture, “Eight” has a laid back atmosphere. Direct TV satellite ensures access to all major sporting events in every season. The bar’s name is a nod to Amelia Island’s history as the Isle of Eight Flags, the only place in the country to have been under the rule of eight different regimes since its discovery by the Spanish in 1562. Of course, the number eight has a storied legacy in the world of sports and games as well; it serves as the pivotal target in Eight Ball and has been worn by legendary baseball players Yogi Berra, Carl Yastrzemski, Willie Stargelll and Cal Ripken, Jr. Eight’s menu features classic sports fare, including: burgers, sandwiches, soups, salads, chicken wings and nachos. Its signature cocktail, the Eight martini combines eight delicious ingredients. Eight is open Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m. to Midnight, and Saturday and Sunday from Noon to Midnight. (When games last later, the bar will remain open.)
BAXTER’S (4919 First Coast Hwy. 904-277-4503, near Harris Teeter shopping plaza). Locals on the southend like to hangout here. Baxter’s has a late bar menu (10 pm to 2 am).
THE FALCON’S NEST –Enjoy some “high-flying specialty drinks” along with “lite” bites (like a Falcon burger or wings), by dropping by the Falcon’s Nest located within Amelia Island Plantation resort, on Amelia Island’s southend off A1A. This aviation-themed bar loaded with memorabilia, is a nightlife spot to experience while visiting Amelia Island, open evenings. (The Falcon’s Nest is open to the public, not just Plantation resort guests.) The Falcon’s Nest is two stories, 7,000 square feet, with indoor and outdoor seating, offering a dance floor and game room with pool tables, and pinball. The outdoor rear decking faces a natural setting of oak trees and a creek, with umbrella tables. The Falcon’s Nest is for those aged 21 and over. Call 904-491-4242 for operating hours (summer vs. off season), entertainment schedule, special theme nights, and further information.
PLAE — STYLE, ATMOSPHERE, WONDERFUL DINING
Also within Amelia Island Plantation in the Spa & Shops area is PLAE, (“People Laughing and Eating”), with golf course views from the outdoor deck, open in the evening only. Offering an eclectic menu, PLAE is beautifully designed and furnished. It’s also a great place to enjoy cocktails in the lounge or outside on the deck, with its impressive cocktail lounge. PLAE offers live entertainment in the lounge — call for operating hours (summer vs. off season), entertainment schedule, and dinner reservations. (904-277-2132.)
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