Featured Photo by Frederick Breedon | Author: Ethan Plotkin, Summer Marketing Intern
With preseason football just around the corner, football season is officially here! This year, we’ve got all your pregame and tailgate needs covered. Here, you’ll get all the information you need for a perfect pre- and post-game experience. From the best restaurants and bars to getting around town, this guide will make sure you don’t miss a second of game day action!
Places to Hit Before the Clock Starts
If you’re heading to a Jaguars game, the pre-game festivities are just as important as the game itself. Here are some great options for tailgating and pre-game fun:
Intuition Ale Works
929 E. Bay St.
If you’re looking for something in the heart of the sports district Intuition Ale Works is a great spot. This craft brewery is located right next to the stadium and has a great selection of beers and bar bites to satisfy your pre-game cravings.
Bold City Brewery
109 E. Bay St.
Another great craft brewery, Bold City is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Bold City is one of Jax’s first local breweries and is the perfect spot to enjoy a cold one before the game.
Spliff’s Gastropub
100 E Forsyth St.
With a great selection of burgers and sandwiches, Spliff’s has the perfect game-day menu. Located a few blocks from the stadium, hop on a scooter to make navigating a breeze and to add some extra excitement to your day. Pro-tip: Spliff’s Mac n Cheese is out of this world!
That Bar at the Arena
234 A. Phillip Randolph Boulevard
That Bar at the Arena is always a good for some pregame fun. Located within walking distance of the Stadium, it’s always packed with Jaguars fans on game day. With a menu that features traditional stadium grub like burgers and hot dogs, you can’t go wrong stopping by before heading to EverBank.
Tailgating
After you’ve eaten your fill and gotten to the stadium, you have to tailgate with all the fans. Jaguars fans have a wide reputation as being some of the most passionate fans in the sport and you’ll see why. With tailgate locations located right behind the stadium, it’s easy to stay right up until kickoff.
No matter where you choose to go, make sure you arrive early to soak up all the pre-game excitement!
Getting Around
Getting to the stadium doesn’t always have to be a hassle, it can be a fun way to experience what Downtown Jacksonville has to offer. Here are some of our favorite ways to catch a ride Downtown:
JTA Gameday Xpress
JTA offers game day shuttles from several convenient locations throughout Jacksonville so you can enjoy yourself without worrying about where to go. Avoid the hassle of finding parking and let someone else do the driving for you. Find out more here!
Go Tuk’n
These open-air rides really let you feel the excitement of the city on game day. Go Tuk’n is easily one of our preferred ways of enjoying yourself with navigating game day. Visit Go Tuk’n here!
Pedal Pub Jax
Why not take the tailgate on the road? With a special Jaguars tailgate tour Pedal Pub Jax is a fun way to pedal around the sports district while getting your pregame fill. Learn more about Pedal Pub tours here!
St. Johns River Taxi and Tours
What would Jacksonville be without its beautiful waterfront? Next game day, take a river tour to experience our city from a whole new perspective. This season there will be 3-4 river taxis operating on game day so be sure to get a spot. For more information on St. Johns River Taxi and Tours, click here!
Whether you’re an old-school Jags superfan or someone just now getting excited about the team, I hope you learned a thing or two about all that Downtown Jacksonville has to offer to improve your game-day experience. Be sure to use #DTJax in all your Jags season social media posts for a chance to be featured in future posts!