Well, it’s been a couple of weeks since we explored a night out on the beaches. This writer needed to get some inspiration. So I made a trip out to the Riverside area of Jacksonville to explore another hopping bar scene for the 21-and-up crowd.

In addition, I consulted my friend Ryan Traher, a Riverside neighborhood aficionado, for a more local perspective.

If you’re looking to trade your tank tops and shorts for dark jeans, thick frame glasses, and a button up or ironic hipster t-shirt, head on over to the King Street and Five Points area.

While the beaches are preppy, Riverside dives into the life of craft beers and classic style. While riverside has many bars and breweries worth checking out, this list is just for the Five Points and King Street area for the twenty-something crowd.

If coming from UNF you are looking at around a 25- to 30-minute drive and about a 15- to 20-minute drive from JU. Since riverside is worlds away, unless you have friends out there, I would suggest having a designated driver or getting a squad kind of a night to split an Uber, since the cost is a little more since it is over by Downtown.

In my opinion, Riverside is most happening on a Friday or Saturday night, with the rest of the days or nights of the week being good for chilling out with close friends and making pleasant conversation. Friday or Saturday is a night for dancing at “The Loft” or downing some beers at “Dahlia’s Pour House” on King Street.

So here is how to start out your night in Riverside on a Friday or Saturday. Your night can start out in one of two ways, either in the more chill Five Points area right over the river, off of the Park Street exit, or over in the hopping bar area on King Street.

Let’s start off with Five Points: ranging from a high-end rooftop bar Black Sheep to the drink specials at O’Brothers Irish Pub.

O’ Brothers Irish Pub -

An Irish pub with excellent drink specials and a decent-sized outdoor patio. O’Brothers has Irish car bombs daily for five dollars, which, in my opinion, is a pretty good deal. While I haven't been there, I have heard good things from friends. I would suggest giving it a stop on a Five Points bar crawl.

Rain Dogs - This bar is very low key and more of a dive bar with a good beer selection and a nice place to grab a drink with friends. While it is a dive bar, it can still accommodate a decent number of people to enjoy a few rounds with friends. Rain Dogs also has a nice outdoor seating area.

Here is where my consultant, Ryan, comes in; he is more familiar with Black Sheep and Birdies, so here are his thoughts on a night out at these two iconic Five Points bars.

Black Sheep -

The cream of the crop when it comes to Riverside bars. Quite a few of these bars are more relaxed and casual. Not saying you can’t go to Black Sheep in jeans, but you’ll be among the more casually dressed there. You may have passed Black Sheep on the road because it is indeed a restaurant on the first floor, but they also own the rooftop - and that’s the real place you want to be. Almost everyone in Riverside is familiar with its great setting and atmosphere, but if you’re really looking to blow the pants off a date, take them upstairs to enjoy the gorgeous view of downtown in the distance. This is especially recommended if it’s one of the two months it actually gets cold in Jacksonville. They have a nice, long fireplace to keep you warm while you drink and socialize.

Birdies -

You know that bar at which you just know you’ll run into either your closest friends or that person you had a mild thing with a few years ago, but now exchange polite glances and waves? That’s Birdies. Everyone ends up at Birdies at one point or another. Fair warning, the patio is a little smoky, but the inside is a swath of drunk people dancing with high energy. There are even some regulars who do choreographed dances to whatever the DJ is putting down. Oh and if you can somehow claim one of the seats against the wall, they have places for you to charge your phone. Good luck, though, that’s prime real estate and it’s usually occupied by the regulars.

So now that you’re more familiar with the calmer scene of Five Points, we will dive into the hopping scene that is the King Street portion of Riverside. This would be more of the beach bars equivalent for drinking in the downtown area, just with fewer Sperry’s and polo shirts.

Kickback’s/Goozlepipe & Guttyworks –

If you’re looking for excellent food at an affordable price and excellent craft beers, you came to the right place. Kickback’s has over 180 beers on tap and just recently expanded, with its new expansion being called Goozlepipe & Guttyworks. Great for a spot to meet with friends for a light dinner before going out or to kick back with a couple of beers.

They can also accommodate large parties but calling ahead doesn’t hurt. Show up around 8 p.m. if you’re looking to grab a full meal in addition to going out. According to my sources, Kickback’s is looking to expand into opening a Belgian style bar in the basement of the restaurant. Kickback’s is definitely a must visit in Riverside.

The Garage –

Yes, just as it sounds, this bar is literally in an old auto garage! It’s a great spot with a large outdoor patio to meet friends and chat and have a couple beers, maybe play giant Jenga before continuing on for the evening.

Dahlia’s Pour House –

Looking for a large craft beer selection, soft music and pool tables? Then you’ve come to the right place. Dahlia’s is a great place to chat with friends and play a game of pool. I’d suggest stopping here for a beer or three to sip and savor.

The Rouge –

The Rouge is a bit of a dive bar, with a reminiscent feeling of prohibition with a leaky roof on rainy days, specialty cocktails and a bathtub for potential photo opportunities. The Rouge is pretty tiny so I’d suggest maybe coming here just for just one drink--perhaps a signature cocktail. Under the same ownership as The Loft, on certain holidays the doors open up and the two bars merge into one!

The Loft –

There is one thing that almost no bar in Jacksonville has unless you want to go clubbing, that the Loft can offer, and that is dancing! At The Loft, you can dance the night away with the 80’s till today on Friday and Party Anthems on Saturday night. Personally, I think the riverside bars are the best on the weekend since there aren't as many specials like the beaches.

If you want to dance with your squad or maybe that hottie across the dance floor, this is a great place for a friendly time to mingle and dance with those around you. Staying true to it’s name, there is a loft on the second floor with a small bar and usually a wonderful bartender. I’d recommend the bartender’s choice--always puts a spring in my step when I’m about to take on the dance floor. This is definitely where you want to end your night, always a good time.

So you now know what it takes to get around the Riverside area, a land of many unique and worthwhile bars to visit. There are also a few bars I didn’t get to such as the Silver Cow and the Annex.

Take your time and keep an open mind, anything can happen during a night out in Riverside.

Honorable Mention:

InCahoot’s –

While not officially a Riverside area bar, it is Jacksonville’s most happening gay bar. While it may be a gay bar it is still fun for any sexual orientation with $1.75 wells it’s always a good time. Come on a Wednesday for good specials and some fun drag queens shows. Since it is also a club, 18 and up are welcome for a cover charge of $10 for the underage and no cover for 21+. Something fun we can do with our friends who are counting down till the big 21 approaches.