JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Dive bars: The ultimate place to get a cheap drink, play some pool, and throw some darts.
News4JAX Insiders were asked to vote for the best one in the area, and their response was loud and clear: Pete’s Bar took the title of JAXBest 2025 best dive bar.
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Voted over MVP’s Sports, Rascal’s Bar, and Sherwood’s, Pete’s Bar is located at 117 First St. in Neptune Beach.
According to Visit Jacksonville, the bar is one of the oldest in North Florida and was the first to “legally” open in Duval County following the 1933 repeal of Prohibition.
“In the 1920s, what is now Pete’s Bar was known as Jensen’s Market,“ the site reads. “While the Jensen family no longer owns Pete’s, not much else has changed.”
Pete’s is known for its annual “Pete’s Giving” block party celebration for Thanksgiving.
The classic dive bar even grabbed the attention of novelist John Grisham, who wrote about the bar in his book, “The Brethren.”
Pete’s Bar is open daily from noon to 2 a.m.
For more information, check out Pete’s Bar Neptune Beach on Facebook.
A special thanks to our JAXBest sponsor, Farah & Farah!