Shantytown Pub provides all the positives of a dive bar with few of the negatives. If you allow the music and the beer to do their thing you will just about forget you’re in a bar, or at the least, less of a bar and more of a neighborhood house party.
Some might call Shantytown small, I prefer cozy. Small or cozy or cozy and small it is a wonder how they manage to squeeze in 16 Taps and over 60 beers. Thankfully, they did. That beer is cold and the service is fast and friendly.
Just like a house party, you have the party inside and the party outside. Outside is a courtyard, partially enclosed with a privacy fence, the remainder is walled off by a motorhome, There is a portrait of Shantytown owner, Ian Ranne’s beloved dog, Nunchux and the words Nunchux Foodtruck painted on the motorhome. Nunchux is gone, yet still watching his buddy’s back.
There is a bar with a stone countertop, sitting below ancient-ish trees. Stone and wood, where man began. All you need is fire and Shantytown has that too, both fire in spirit as well as flame. In cooler weather they light a campfire and cool or hot, they grill on Sundays.
I said house party but it’s more a family get together, only it’s just the family you like. The say love grows best in little houses, if that is true, Ian is pushing the limits on just how much love can be squeezed into the little house Springfield neighbors call, Shantytown Pub.
Shantytown Pub
22 W 6th Street
Jacksonville, Florida, FL 32206
(904) 798-8222
Open 4:00 pm – 2:00 am daily
Happy Hour 4- 7 pm with select $2 drafts
