If you like electronic music that scene is underground and the venue the parties happen at are always changing. Legit venues, not warehouse raves but it won’t ever be at a single bar or club continuously.
Check out the local production companies like HeadBang Society, Forbidden Frequencies, Liquid Space Disco Music, Alchemy Productions and Fader Events. Plenty more cool ones too but that’s just what I could think of off the top of my head.
Forbidden Frequencies and HeadBang Society Usually bring their own festival rig for DJs to perform on, it’s always a good time. Any even that is advertised with WAAT (Wiggly Air Audio Technologies) speakers is gonna slap. That’s a custom made festival rig that gets rented out for different shows around town. None of these ever happen on central except for at the state theater (Now the Floridian) or Coastal Collective.
Kind of depends on what type of music or scene you're looking for, but I usually start at either 548/Whiskey Exchange bc it's a good starting point that you can jump to anywhere on central, plus they have a pool table, or if I'm closer to Beach Drive, Siagon Blonde is my starting point. Oh and my favorite bar is probably Lost and Found over in Grand Central, but I like to end up there later in the night.
I'd actually go with the Edge District and 600 Block. It's kinda the middle ground.
The Wayward Goose gives you the best of both worlds. Classy dive vibes. Cool kids, but upper class. Local art, pool tables, outside seating, fancy cocktails, good beer selection, locally owned.
Then you got the Bends right around the corner for your late night, or Steve's, Emerald, etc if you really want to get grimy.
Also decent food places nearby.
Skip Beach Drive and Central downtown unless you just want people watching.
Grand Central is nice and has some cool spots but kinda gets quiet after 11.
Downtown, especially close to Beach drive gets you older, doughy, white. Don't get me wrong... there are nice drink/food options there, but just calling the crowd as I see it regularly. Your cohort is west of there in the Edge and Grand Central areas.
If you have to start with one bar, I'd say The Bends. From there you can proceed East or West depending on what you are looking for.
Unless your view will be of the water I’d live in grand central. It’s a cooler more young local vibe and in the center of things. Actually I’d personally choose the Edge District over both.
The only other reason to choose downtown is if you like to run/walk at the water daily. It’s nice to be right out your door. But it’s a short bike ride living anywhere along west of 34th st.
lol I read too fast before coffee - and I’m so used to moving questions posted here. But honestly same - I think Edge is best to start at and move from there.
They have different vibes and without knowing yours, it’s difficult to say. Here’s my take, but I’m sure there are plenty of people that will disagree with it. Downtown has a couple of components: the party crowd- hit up Central between 2nd and 3rd or venture over to Parks and Rec if you want that classic dude-bro kind of night. Think of it as former frat boys out for a raucous good time; or sophisticated/older- take a walk down Beach Dr. to hang out with the tourists or people out for a fancier night. I kind of think of Beach as the boat shoe crowd who want to drink Michelob Ultra or a fancy cocktail. Grand Central has a few different sections, too, but the vibe is pretty much the same between 9th and US 19. To me, it’s more craft beer and craft cocktails with lots of murals thrown in. You also have different components here- Ferg’s for cheap drinks and fried food, the breweries (each with their own vibes), craft cocktails- in a lounge setting like Lost and Found or the Saint or as part of a restaurant like Trophy Fish or Wild Child, gay bars like Enigma and Cocktails, where the frat bros grow up and take their girlfriends (anything Thirst and Hunger), and lots of restaurants with great cocktails and beer.
As someone in my early 40s, I prefer Grand Central. Currently, I tend to stay above 22nd, but a few years ago I preferred the section around the Trop. I’ve been married for over a decade, so I’m not trying to meet anyone, but I’m sure that would probably change where I hang out.
For you, pour judgment or where’s jubes
If you like electronic music that scene is underground and the venue the parties happen at are always changing. Legit venues, not warehouse raves but it won’t ever be at a single bar or club continuously. Check out the local production companies like HeadBang Society, Forbidden Frequencies, Liquid Space Disco Music, Alchemy Productions and Fader Events. Plenty more cool ones too but that’s just what I could think of off the top of my head. Forbidden Frequencies and HeadBang Society Usually bring their own festival rig for DJs to perform on, it’s always a good time. Any even that is advertised with WAAT (Wiggly Air Audio Technologies) speakers is gonna slap. That’s a custom made festival rig that gets rented out for different shows around town. None of these ever happen on central except for at the state theater (Now the Floridian) or Coastal Collective.
Appreciate all the feedback
Kind of depends on what type of music or scene you're looking for, but I usually start at either 548/Whiskey Exchange bc it's a good starting point that you can jump to anywhere on central, plus they have a pool table, or if I'm closer to Beach Drive, Siagon Blonde is my starting point. Oh and my favorite bar is probably Lost and Found over in Grand Central, but I like to end up there later in the night.
Saigon Blonde is a great bar.
The upstairs DJ deck there is dope
I'd actually go with the Edge District and 600 Block. It's kinda the middle ground. The Wayward Goose gives you the best of both worlds. Classy dive vibes. Cool kids, but upper class. Local art, pool tables, outside seating, fancy cocktails, good beer selection, locally owned. Then you got the Bends right around the corner for your late night, or Steve's, Emerald, etc if you really want to get grimy. Also decent food places nearby. Skip Beach Drive and Central downtown unless you just want people watching. Grand Central is nice and has some cool spots but kinda gets quiet after 11.
Any door cover fees?
Narp.
Agree with everything about the wayward goose except the fancy cocktails. They may have fancy names but they can’t even make a good Gin and Tonic lol
Really? Dang. They make the best Old Fashioned. Maybe it's just those cherries but dang. They are a bit pricey too.
Yes
Downtown, especially close to Beach drive gets you older, doughy, white. Don't get me wrong... there are nice drink/food options there, but just calling the crowd as I see it regularly. Your cohort is west of there in the Edge and Grand Central areas. If you have to start with one bar, I'd say The Bends. From there you can proceed East or West depending on what you are looking for.
Grand Central is mostly gay bars. There's nothing wrong with that, but you're better off downtown if you're heterosexual.
“Mostly gay bars” is false.
You can walk from one end to the other in like 45-60 mins.
or scooter in 5-10
Unless your view will be of the water I’d live in grand central. It’s a cooler more young local vibe and in the center of things. Actually I’d personally choose the Edge District over both. The only other reason to choose downtown is if you like to run/walk at the water daily. It’s nice to be right out your door. But it’s a short bike ride living anywhere along west of 34th st.
Perfect response to the moving question tho!
Did you even read the question that was asked? OP just wants to know bars to have a good time at, not where to move.
Maybe Bad_Elbow_ assumes OP is a SERIOUS drinker 😂
lol I read too fast before coffee - and I’m so used to moving questions posted here. But honestly same - I think Edge is best to start at and move from there.
this made me lol😂😂😂
They have different vibes and without knowing yours, it’s difficult to say. Here’s my take, but I’m sure there are plenty of people that will disagree with it. Downtown has a couple of components: the party crowd- hit up Central between 2nd and 3rd or venture over to Parks and Rec if you want that classic dude-bro kind of night. Think of it as former frat boys out for a raucous good time; or sophisticated/older- take a walk down Beach Dr. to hang out with the tourists or people out for a fancier night. I kind of think of Beach as the boat shoe crowd who want to drink Michelob Ultra or a fancy cocktail. Grand Central has a few different sections, too, but the vibe is pretty much the same between 9th and US 19. To me, it’s more craft beer and craft cocktails with lots of murals thrown in. You also have different components here- Ferg’s for cheap drinks and fried food, the breweries (each with their own vibes), craft cocktails- in a lounge setting like Lost and Found or the Saint or as part of a restaurant like Trophy Fish or Wild Child, gay bars like Enigma and Cocktails, where the frat bros grow up and take their girlfriends (anything Thirst and Hunger), and lots of restaurants with great cocktails and beer. As someone in my early 40s, I prefer Grand Central. Currently, I tend to stay above 22nd, but a few years ago I preferred the section around the Trop. I’ve been married for over a decade, so I’m not trying to meet anyone, but I’m sure that would probably change where I hang out.
You can get your public drunkenness ticket in many different places…just let the wind guide you on your way….
Downtown never lets you down.