Checked by The Things To Do In Fernandina Beach editorial desk.
Fernandina Beach's nightlife is a walking circuit, not a district you drive between. Four of the five bars worth knowing about are within two blocks of the corner of Centre and 2nd, which means an evening here is a matter of walking fifty yards and changing the mood.
The circuit, in the order most locals do it: a glass at the Decantery, a stop at the Palace for the room, a cocktail at the Green Turtle, and the beer garden if the weather is behaving. For music on a given night, check our live music page, which tracks who is playing where.
How this list is put together: Bars first, restaurants with bars second. Everything downtown here is walkable from everything else.
Photo: The Palace Saloon on Centre Street, open since 1903.
Bars & Nightlife in Fernandina Beach
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1
The Palace Saloon
Florida's oldest continuously operating bar, 1903 — hand-carved mahogany, pressed tin, and the room every visitor should see once.
Palace Saloon guide → -
2
Green Turtle Tavern
The locals' cocktail bar: fresh-fruit drinks, a garden, and live music in a small room.
Green Turtle guide → -
3
The Decantery
Wine, craft beer and cocktails in the same Centre Street block as the Palace — the quiet option.
The Decantery guide → -
4
PJD's Beer & Wine Garden
Shaded outdoor beer and wine garden off South 2nd. Best in the late afternoon.
PJD's guide → -
5
Mocama Coffee
24 rotating taps from the on-site brewery in a mid-century taproom on North 3rd.
Mocama Coffee guide → -
6
The Salty Pelican Bar & Grill
Late-ish waterfront drinking with the biggest televisions on the island and live music Thursday to Sunday.
The Salty Pelican guide → -
7
Shuckers Oyster Bar & Grill
Live music most nights, off the parkway — the reliable midweek band if downtown is quiet.
Shuckers guide → -
8
Sliders Seaside Grill
Tiki bar on the ocean side, with a regular music schedule in season.
Sliders guide →
Bars & Nightlife in Fernandina Beach: FAQ
What is the oldest bar in Florida?
The Palace Saloon at 117 Centre Street in Fernandina Beach, open since 1903 and generally recognised as Florida's oldest continuously operating bar.
Where do locals drink in Fernandina Beach?
The Green Turtle Tavern on South 3rd is the name that comes up most often, with the Decantery and PJD's close behind. The Palace Saloon is the landmark — locals go too, but it is the one every visitor already knows about.
Is there live music in Fernandina Beach?
Most nights somewhere. The Green Turtle, Shuckers, the Salty Pelican and Sliders all run regular schedules. Our live music page tracks what's on.
Does Fernandina Beach have late-night bars?
It is a small town: the downtown bars are the late option, and even they wind down earlier than a city. Plan the evening rather than assuming somewhere will still be going at 1am.