Jacksonville and St. Augustine
The punk scene in this area is growing sizably in recent years and it’s hard to find some good resources on where local bands play and which bands play what sort of music, and for anyone looking to pass through on a tour. This list is going to focus mostly on Jacksonville, because the scene is more concentrated there.Venues
Nighthawks: This bar has only been open for a couple years I think, but it has become a pillar of the punk scene here and its were a lot of bands play their first show. They’ve hosted Doyle and MDC in the past but tend to book a lot of smaller bands. Mostly punk, metal, and indie. (Note: Generally All Ages)
Shantytown Pub: This venue is extremely small in size, maybe the size of a double wide trailer, but has had some of the best mosh pits and most energetic crowds I’ve ever seen. (Note: Generally All Ages)
Jackrabbits:1904A bit of a larger venue, they host more experienced local bands and a variety of larger touring acts. The Melvins play there annually. (Note: Mostly All Ages)
Raindogs: Owned by the same people as nighthawks, definitely more of a bar and less of a venue but hosts mostly the same sort of bands. Consistently has fun shows and good crowds.(Note: Sometimes 18+, Best To Call)
Harbor Tavern: One of the most exciting shows I’ve been to was here, they book lots of established local acts and many veterans of the scene frequent here. One sad thing however is they’re strict about minors, they almost never book an all ages show, and when they do they have all the bands with minors play first or early in the lineup, and then have the bands leave as well as any minors in the audience. (Note: Almost Always 18+)
1904 Music Hall: This is a larger venue that books a variety of different bands, they started off booking only electronic but in recent years have been hosting a lot of punk and metal shows. Very established and well run venue. (Note: Mostly All Ages)
Shanghai Nobby’s: These guys are the best venue in the St Augustine area for punk music. The venue itself is quaint but has a long history of great shows and phenomenal local acts. If you live in St Augustine this is the place to start; they book punk and metal for the most part. (Note: Generally All Ages)
Planet Sarbez: Another venue in St. Augustine, the facilities here are a little nicer than Nobby’s but the shows tend to be more mellow because Sarbez is closer to a bar/restaurant. They both book through the same people though, so the bands that play will be relatively similar. Killer grilled cheese. (Note: Generally All Ages)
Local Businesses
Young, Loud, and Snotty: A fantastic record store, sells a wide variety of punk, thrash, and metal music and almost always has what you’re looking for.
Rat Town Records: These guys are a DIY label and record store, they carry inventory similar to above but also stock some local band’s stuff. Absolutely worth checking out.
Black N’ white Cru: Screen printing run by some badass ladies. These guys offer a range of eco-friendly and reasonable products, and print extremely quality and affordable merch for local bands. If you’re looking to get shirts, patches, or anything of the sort made these are the people to go to!
S&J C.D. Duplication: If you’re a band in Jacksonville looking to get CDs made these are your people. They offer drop dead prices to local artists and I’ve always been more than satisfied with their products and customer service.
Coniferous Cafe: This is a coffeehouse that hosts tons of meetings for local activist groups and sells a variety of zines, they also occasionally book live music.
Zines
Break The Chain: A music oriented zine promoting DIY ethos and the music scene in Duval County.
Bands
Single White Herpe and the AIDs
Courtesy of Alola_persian