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Super Bowl
XXXIX
Where to Party
in and Around the NFL Title Game
Jacksonville's Alltel
Stadium home of Super Bowl XXXIX.
As host of Super Bowl XXXIX, Jacksonville,
FL, has become the little city that could.
Jacksonville – often referred to simply as "Jax"
by locals – is the country's largest metropolitan area in terms
of size, but its relatively modest population of 1.2 million makes it
the smallest city to host sports' biggest event. Mentally, it's closer
to the latter than the former, but that gives it a small-town feel for
this big-time party.
Alltel Stadium, home to the Jacksonville Jaguars, is the game stadium.
It is located on the edge of what is normally a docile downtown, though
the many bridges crossing the St. Johns River give downtown a picturesque
appearance, especially when lit in neon at night. There's not much around
the stadium itself, other than a spectacular minor league baseball park,
and it's about two miles from the heart of downtown. Super Bowl capacity
is 79,000.
During Super Bowl week, this area will be the centerpiece of activity
with a free open-air party, the NFL Experience, food and drink booths
and people crisscrossing the river on ferries and walking over the bridges.
It is here where the NFL will best experience Jacksonville.
The weather could be an issue. Yes, Jacksonville IS in Florida,
but it's hardly always-balmy Miami. In fact, gametime temperatures are
likely to be in the 40s. PubClub recommends people come prepared with
sweatshirts or jackets, if not both.
Events begin on Monday, with Super Bowl Sunday on Feb. 6. Kickoff is
6 p.m. (EST local time).
Links:
•
Official
Super Bowl Site
•
Jacksonville
Super Bowl Committee & Events
•
Jacksonville
Visitor's Bureau
•
PubClub's
Complete Guide to Jacksonville's & its Nightlife
About Jacksonville [MAP]
Both side of the
St. Johns will be flowing with Super Bowl party activities.
Jacksonville is located in northeast Florida, just below the Georgia
state line. It's 300 miles from Miami and 100 miles northeast of Orlando.
Many East Coast spring breakers have traveled through it on their way
to Daytona Beach (about 1 1/2 hours to the south) while very different
crowds go to tne neighboring communities of Ponte Vedra for the TPC
Sawgrass in March and Ameila Island in April for a Women's Tennis Association
tournament. Historic St. Augestine, the oldest city in the US, is 30
minutes to the south.
It also hosts The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party, the Georgia-Florida
game, each October.
The St. Johns River – one of only two in the world that flows
from south to north – cuts through downtown, and the Atlantic Ocean
is a dozen miles to the east. Palm trees and sea breezes – as well
as ample seaside libations – are within easy reach. This isn't
Miami, mind you, so there's no South Beach-style cabana clubs and it's
certainly not New
Orleans, but with a multi-day, free-to-the-public festival,
Jacksonville will be lively enough to put points on the party scoreboard.
Super Bowl Week Public Events & Parties [MAP]
The open downtown waterfront will come alive with Super Bowl activities.
This is an overview of public parties and activities during Super Bowl
week. There are, of course, dozens of other corporate and private parties
happening all over the area with celebrities and legendary athletes;
for the most part, they are closed events. For for a complete list of
all Super Bowl activities, many of which are ticketed events for the
public, visit the Host
Committee's Calendar of Events.
• Monday, Jan. 29 – Super Bowl Week Kickoff Event. First
official event featuring both teams' coaches, NFL Films and more.
8-10 p.m. $30-60. Tickets
& Info.
• Wednesday, Feb. 2. – Cruise Ship Arrivals. Two of
the five cruise ships that will serve as floating hotels arrive, the
Carnival Miracle and Raddison Seven Seas Navigator. The three others
– Holland America's Volendam, Zaandam and Zuiderdam – sail
in on Thursday. Together, they represent 3,617 room, 41 bars and nightclubs
(adding dramatically to the downtown party scene) plus restaurants and
shows. Non-passengers can purchase ticket packages, but due to security
and capacity, people will not be able to stroll on board without a reservation.
Tickets
& Info.
• Wednesday, Feb. 2-Sunday Feb. 6 – SuperFest. This
is THE place to be during Super Bowl weekend. It is a free, open-to-the-public
party with themed entertainment, three stages featuring local and national
acts, food and drink booths (alcoholic and non-alcoholic), nightly fireworks
and huge video screens. The main area is just east of the Jacksonville
Landing at the shipyards with more entertainment across the river at
JEA Park. Pedestrians will be able to grab food and drink and wander
the grounds at will. The Acosta and Main Street bridges will be lit
in neon lights and open to pedestrians only. Water taxis will cross
the St. Johns for $5. It will be a festive environment – cruise
ships are docking to provide hotel rooms and private luxury yachts will
tie up to the docks. Thursday-Firday, 5 p.m.-2 a.m.; Saturday 11
a.m.-3 a.m., Sunday, noon-midnight.
• Thursday, Feb. 3 – Boat Parade and Super Night of Lights.
An NFL-themed boat parade will take place at 7 p.m. It's an expanded
version of the popular Thanksgiving boat parade enjoyed by locals. It
will culminate with fireworks and waterfalls cascading off all the bridges
in a "Super Night of Lights." Free, with ample viewing all
along the waterfront.
• Thursday-Friday – Super Bowl Concert Series. National
acts performing at Veterans' Memorial Arena. $39-$60. Tickets: (904)
353-3309
• Saturday-Sunday (Jan. 29-30), Thursday-Sunday –
The NFL Experience. Pro football's interactive theme park has a
variety of football-related games and activities, food and beverages,
autograph sessions, etc. Mainly for big-time fans and families. JEA
Park on the Southbank of the St. Johns River. Closes 10 p.m.; opening
times vary by day. $15, $10 for 12-and-under. (866) TIX-4NFL.
• Sunday, Feb. 6 – Pre- and Post-Game. Before and
after the game, SuperFest will serve as the public's tailgate party.
Come gametime, those without tickets are going to have to land at a
restaurant or bar, most likely at the Landing (see below). The closest
bar to the stadium – in fact, the ONLY bar close to the stadium
– is the Amsterdam Sky Cafe, a red-brick pub and restaurant
with a small patio and large plasma screens that will clear out the
tables, set up jockey boxes and serve drinks as fast as they can pour
'em. Compared to the massive sports bars (like Sneakers in Jax Beach),
this place is about the size of a locker room. So getting in early –
say, about the time of that first pregame player feature – is key.
• Downtown Bars/Entertainment. The Jacksonville
Landing, in the heart of downtown, has struggled to survive since
its opening some dozen years ago, but will come alive during Super Bowl
week. It's a waterfront outdoor mall of sorts with shops and
restaurants. Anchored by a Florida institution, Hooters, it also
offers Koja's Sushi (great upstairs balcony), Southern Brewery
Smokehouse, the Twisted Martini and the Italian restaurant
Vinnie's. Most place have a patio with full views of the river.
Transportation
Parking is limited, so the city has set up additional public transportation
options. This is primarily for locals but can be used by visitors who
are not staying downtown. Hotels are getting 4-night minimums.
The Jacksonville Transit Authority (JTA) is stepping up its
service by setting up satellite parking lots around the city. Service
will be from various parts of the city – including the beaches
– with dropoffs at the NFL Experience, Superfest and the Media
Center (Prime Osborn Convention Center, 1000 Water St.). For those who
just want to party in the beaches, a free trolley service will be operating
between Atlantic and Jacksonville beaches, a distance of about three
miles.
A taxi between Atlantic/Jax beach and downtown runs $25-30 and
the taxi cab companies are not raising these standard rates.
Jacksonville Nightlife [MAP]
Locals let loose in the bars of Atlantic and Jacksonville beaches.
Some would say that the NFL awarding the Super Bowl to Jacksonville
is like settling for a field goal. After all, Miami, Tampa and even
New Orleans are only a Tom Brady pass away from six. In the eyes of
many of Florida's other cities, Jacksonville is the Phoenix Cardinals
of nightlife.
In some ways, it's a good point. Jacksonville may be in Florida, but
it is more closely aligned with its geographic neighbor to the north.
Some even refer to it as "South Georgia."
Jacksonville's bars close at 2 with "drink 'em if you've got 'em"
between 1:30-1:45. Vegas-style mega-clubs are as rare as Kansas City
Chiefs Super Bowl appearances and what many feel is the best place in
town is a smoky dive joint. Of course, we consider that a good thing.
As any Jax veteran knows, this IS a bar town. Just witness the many
loyal locals who think nothing of pounding down a few any night of the
week. Plus, they are friendly and will easily strike up conversations
with visitors (it's that "South Georgia" hospitality).
Most of their haunts are in a pair of small beach cities, Jacksonville
Beach and Atlantic Beach (also sometimes called Neptune Beach). There's
dancing and a couple of places offer live music – Jacksonville's
own Lynyrd Skynard made the rounds here – but mostly the places
are mid-sized bars with a relaxed, casually-dressed crowd that is there
to mingle. Each town's bars are within a couple of blocks – or
sometimes just steps – from one another, making it simple
to soak in all this local social culture. Cover charges are rare.
We've got a lot more prose and photos on the Super Bowl host city's
bar scene. Just click the link below.
•
Click
here for our complete guide to Jacksonville's Nightlife
The Game
The site of
the Super Bowl is on the water and a short walk from SuperFest.
Want to go to the game? No problem. SuperFest will take care of that
issue, or at least put fans in the vicinity of it. Getting IN the game,
of course, is another ballgame entirely.
Normally, we would encourage people without tickets to wander through
the parking lot to get a real feel for the game and socialize with the
tailgaters. But these days, things are not normal. Access to the parking
lot is expected to be limited to ticket holders. Still, those seeking
tickets can find them – for a price. The asking price can reach
$1,200-1,500. Just be sure and really check those seat locations because
as any experienced ticket-hunter knows, everything is on the 50-yard-line.
The Teams – and the Fans
To say fans on both sides are ready to get out of the frigid Northeast
to head south is an understatement. Look for the Patriots fans to be
a bit subdued, at least compared to their green-wearing counterparts.
After all, they've been through this quite a bit recently. The Eagles
fans, watch out. If there's any beer around, they will consume it. Quickly.
Sorry, though. No cheesestakes in Jax.
Both teams come from cities rich in American history. Perhaps this
should be called the Colonial Bowl. PubClub has a city and bar guide
to Boston.
Not Phily, not yet anyway.
There will also be a number of locals out enjoying the waterfront activities,
if just to satisfy their curiosity that their little city could actually
pull off hosting a Super Bowl. Once suitably satisfied, they will step
into the moment and fully appreciate the splendor of this global event.
Super
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