The Volstead — Restaurant in Jacksonville

Came here for a whiskey bottle engraving. UPDATE/EDIT I'm usually very generous with my reviews when I have a great experience and this will be the 1st one that I edit because of the end of my experience there. I sat at the bar was greeted promptly I ordered my drink, since it's a craft cocktail place the bartender made my drink with flair and finesse. I got my Manhattan , was surprised at the cinnamon flavor but I figured since it was the holidays, in a craft place, It was an acceptable twist to my drink. It was very flavorful and I enjoyed it. I entered the bar on my own, having been in the business for over 30 yrs,, I'm very sociable. A couple approached the bar and the lady did not drink whiskey or bourbon so the bartender made a cocktail for her. I watched to see if she would like it and when she really enjoyed it I asked what the cocktail was. At that point the bartender told me the name with his head turned away so I missed the name. I asked about the ingredients and he told me to read the menu. Now mind you , it was very dark in the bar and having very recently suffering eye trauma, it was hard to see in there. Being somewhat offended, I picked up the menu and tried to read it. I sat there for a moment , and at that point decided not to finish my 16$ drink. I really wish that I would have crossed-out the generous tip but decided to leave instead. I'm a Food & Beverage manager at an Elite private club, had one of my staff told a guest to read the menu Instead of having the ability to multitask and offer courteous service, they would have been terminated. It appears that now, the politically correct term for Bartender, is "Mixologist". With some, I'm guessing it's a distinction that gives a "Mixologist" the ability to be cocky, ego centric and exempt from courtesy. Your experience is to be wowed by the flair, take your cocktail, keep quiet, and admire. A little insight from "Old School", Craft cocktails have been around since the 20's. Good Bartenders have the ability to serve multiple people, craft good cocktails, and give welcoming service. NOT what I received at the Volstead. I WILL never recommend or go there again. The only reason I left 1 star is the place is well decorated that imparts a...

Be careful when dealing with the bartenders of The Volstead and their attitudes.

I went to return shots that I didn’t like hoping to get another drink or my money back. I received frustration and irritation from the bartender I spoke with immediately. I get it it’s a shot not much you can do, but one we didn’t drink them all and two he said if he made a cocktail he could help me but not a shot. I’m no bartender but I’m pretty sure shots go in cocktails and you add more to cocktails. After realizing his attitude and not getting anywhere I walk away to my table. The bartenders were clearly laughing at me and my table looking over at us which angered me more because even if I was wrong and it’s crazy to get money back for a shot you didn’t like, we did not deserve that lack of customer service and common respect. I believe it may have been the manager I’m not sure but he helped us out with our problem eventually which was nice. After that we went to leave and one of the bartenders watched us very closely and said, “have a goodnight” passive aggressively for some reason. The entire time with the exception of one manager we felt completely looked down upon just for a simple thing we did not like.

I decided to go to the bathroom right before we left completely and my wife asked me to help her in the bathroom because she was dizzy. The manager comes bangs on the door, I come out and he’s screaming at me, “only one person at a time”. Ok got it one person at a time but why the screaming about it? My wife has legitimate medical issues with fainting and I can’t always leave her in the bathroom alone but no one asked me why of course. Obviously our presence is making them very annoyed because it could have been a simple, hey man bar rules you can’t do that it looks bad or even just ask me. We leave yet again and the bartender is watching me closely again taunting me with a peace sign which is the icing on the cake.

Beyond unprofessional all around and hey don’t be a human being who makes mistakes here. You will be...

If you’re in Jacksonville and looking for a speakeasy that truly delivers on atmosphere, cocktails, and friendly hospitality, The Volstead is your spot.

From the moment you step inside, the dark, prohibition-era décor and laid-back vibe hit just right. It feels cozy, refined, and intentionally curated—a perfect place to relax and unwind.

But what really elevates this place are the people behind the bar. First off, Cody makes one hell of a spicy margarita—a bold, balanced masterpiece that consistently hits the sweet spot. There’s also James, who’s always fun and a total blast to chat with at the bar; every visit is energized by his great sense of humor. And then there’s Ms. Sunny, who lives up to her name: always radiant, welcoming, and bringing a warm beam of light to every guest’s experience. Not to mention all the other amazing bartenders who whip up handcrafted cocktails with curiosity and flair—you can tell this team cares deeply about their craft.

The cocktail menu ranges from modernized classics to adventurous originals crafted on the fly with fresh ingredients in house. Prices lean upscale, but that’s standard fare for a venue so conscious of quality—think refined mixology, not cheap booze.

Don’t sleep on their weekly events either—swing-dancing, jazz nights, DJs, you name it. The vibe is always just right.

All in all: The Volstead nails the speakeasy formula—mystique meets masterful cocktails and top-notch service. Whether you’re popping in before dinner or staying until close, Cody’s spicy margarita, James’s banter, and Sunny’s sunshine alone are worth it. Highly...