A year after abruptly closing, a gastropub is reopening on Jacksonville's Southside
A little more than a year after closing abruptly, a Tampa-based gastropub known for offering hundreds of craft beers from around the world is reopening its Jacksonville restaurant.
World of Beer Bar & Kitchen reopened Tuesday its restaurant at 5105 Butler Blvd. off Interstate 95 in Southpoint, according to its website and social media posts.
"The 5,625-square-foot restaurant will feature two Topgolf Swing Suites, an unparalleled collection of more than 300 different and unique beers in massive coolers and 40 rotating taps, offering beer enthusiasts & guests one of the largest beer selections in the city," the restaurant posted on Facebook Sunday night.
The reopening comes about 14 months after the Southpoint location abruptly closed on May 7, 2023. Under different ownership then, the closure was attributed to "organizational challenges within the franchise group."
The gastropub now has a new franchisee, state records show.
Neither the franchisee nor World of Beer company officials could be reached immediately for comment.
World of Beer first opened the Southpoint gastropub in May 2022 after the concept's six-year absence from Jacksonville. At that time it was intended to be the first of two World of Beer locations in Duval County.
A second location featuring a rooftop patio had been planned for 1198 Beach Blvd. in Jacksonville Beach but never opened.
By that time, two other World of Beer locations ― with unrelated separate owners ― already had come and gone from Jacksonville in the mid-2010s. In July 2013, World of Beer debuted in Jacksonville at 9700 Deer Lake Court in the Tinseltown area. Three years later, in August 2016, the restaurant closed. The other, at 311 3rd St. N. in Jacksonville Beach, opened in January 2015 but closed just 10 months later.
On the menu at World of Beer Southpoint
World of Beer notes that "beer tastes better with food." Its menu is designed so the food and beer complement each other, the restaurant says on its website.
The online menu for Southpoint lists a diverse selection of entrees, burgers, sandwiches, salads, flatbreads and desserts.
Noting some offerings items might change depending on availability, menu offerings listed:
Mongolian Salmon ($21.95): Grilled Atlantic salmon with a Mongolian barbecue glass, jasmine rice, cucumber salad and sesame soy sauce
Steak Frites ($25.50): Grilled and thinly sliced marinated flat-iron steak topped with garlic butter and served with steamed broccoli, fries and garlic aioli for dipping
Mac Bite Burger ($16.25): A fresh Angus beef burger topped with World of Beer's "award-winning" fried Pepperjack mac & cheese patty, crisp applewood bacon and lettuce then finished with Sriracha aioli
BBQ Smoked Brisket Burger ($16.95): A fresh Angus beef burger topped with tender barbecue beef brisket, applewood smoked bacon and cheddar cheese then served with chipotle barbecue sauce and fried onions on a toasted brioche bun
Birria Quesadilla ($9.95 for half, $15.95 for full order): Tender brisket, mozzarella cheese, diced red onion & fresh cilantro inside a corn and flour blend tortilla then seared until its crispy. It's served with spicy beef consomme for dipping.
Classic appetizers such as a German-style pretzel ($11.75), chicken wings ($9.50 to $33.95), Mac & Cheese Bites ($10.95) and Beer Cheese Nachos ($12.95) are featured.
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Soups range from $5.50 to $8.50. Salads are $9 to $13.95 with an upcharge for grilled chicken, grilled shrimp, grilled steak, or salmon if available.
Rounding out the menu are a selection of desserts, such as Mutella Churro Donuts ($6.95), a Salted Caramel Cookie Skillet ($7.95) and a Triple Chocolate Brownie Tower ($7.95).
Beer from around the world is the main event but wine and cocktails also are available, the menu shows.
Founded in 2007, World of Beer bills itself as "the original craft beer bar." It lists 37 locations nationwide including 16 in Florida on its website.
Gary T. Mills of the Times-Union contributed to this report.
Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at [email protected].
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: World of Beer gastropub reopens in Jacksonville's Southpoint
