This high-octane dance club at Jax Beach features multiple music selections each night, from reggae on the tiki deck outside to top 40, 80s retro and hip-hop inside, allowing it to cater to the substantial college crowd living and/or vacationing in the area. Great drink specials are available from night to night, and the oceanfront setting makes this a popular nighttime destination all year long. A private VIP room is available for those wanting to party without the hassle of the big crowds. NB Seasonal hours may apply. (904-242-8884, 902-242-8372)
House and visiting DJs spin everything from soul to Latin beats at this posh gathering spot, billed as a "too collected to be a nightclub and too posh to be a bar." Indeed, the Leopard is reminiscent of those stylish ultra-lounges found in Miami, NYC or DC where the young and trendy pose and posture well into the night. Other diversions are available, including a pool table, a full-service bar and plenty of comfortable couches conducive to private tête-à-têtes. If you're feeling like a high-roller, there's also a VIP area. (904-743-5272)
Part of the entertainment complex that features the Leopard lounge and Plush, Rain is a sleek, VIP nightclub that sports a cool, industrial vibe. DJs spin electronica, house, hip-hop, R&B and Latin on any given night of the week. (904-743-1845)
High-octane, vibrant and cutting edge — this space, which was once a movie theater, was reborn as the two-story megaclub known as Plush, and things haven't been quite the same on this side of town since. State-of-the-art light and sound systems flood the expansive space, stunning the senses and prompting the attractive clientele to crowd the dance floor and do their best to impress. Top-flight DJs are always on hand, and the cool space is made even cooler with the addition of large video projection screens, mirrors and silk curtains. (904-743-1845)
Miss the days of bebop, sock hops, hot rods and hula-hoops? At this fun Southside nightspot, the good old days are more than memory — they're living, breathing reality! Free dance lessons are available each Wednesday if you want to brush up on your footwork, and there are also fun games, contests and great drink specials each night they're open! (904-721-5757)
This San Marco hotspot — housed in a historic building (1927) — was opened by the same savvy crew responsible for The Atlantic and Ocean Club. Part suave lounge and part high-pulse dance club, Square One is indeed a destination unto itself, as the hordes of beautiful, well-dressed 20-somethings no doubt attest. Best of all, the DJs and live bands keep crowds on their toes and, from cabaret lounge to alternative, the weekly music slate has all the corners covered. NB The menu from Pom's Thai Bistro upstairs is available to those partying at Square One. (904-306-9004)
Lauren McMahon