Music and atmosphere were great as always. Service has improved dramatically since the last time I stopped in. Emma was fantastic. She was very friendly and made sure we were never waiting for another round of drinks. Will definitely make sure to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
EV
An amazing bar with great vibes during normal hours and events!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Natalya S
I love the vibes of Baby Js, it’s very cozy and I love how they have events almost every night. However, the last few times we’ve gone the drinks have not been good. I had a gin and tonic which tasted like soap. I’ve had the same issue with Cry Baby’s next door where the drinks often have super heavy pours, which if that’s what you want, you might like it. The vibes are great, the drinks not so much unfortunately.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Dave Smith
Great seasonal cocktails and atmosphere! Only issue I quickly noticed was the lack of dusting
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Rylee J
Lovely vibes on Tuesday nights with live jazz
Christopher Orsini
Baby J's Bar is so awesome!!! Food is always on point and drinks are killer. Their music is a perfect mix of 80s to 90s to newer music and always jamming. Their happy hour bites and drinks always hit the spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pickle Plate, Homemade Potato Chips, Dirty Martini Marconi
Aner Sela
This is one of my favorite spots in Gainesville, thanks to the live music and overall vibe. While the quality of the shows naturally varies, I always look forward to seeing what's on. The cocktails, as others have mentioned before, are often meh—too sweet or overly lemony.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
John G. Howard
Hungry? Thirsty? Why not try out one of the Best bars in Florida in 2024??
In addition to great dining out, I always appreciate a fine spot for a great beverage! Featuring great bars from the Panhandle to South Florida, ranging from a super-casual beach bar celebrated in song by the likes of Kenny Chesney and Jimmy Buffett to an upscale craft cocktail bar that occupies a former library in the state’s capital, we know you’ll enjoy some of these favorite bars in Florida.
Baby J’s Bar | Gainesville
7 W. University Ave.; 352-505-5039; babyjsbar.com
A cocktail made with Ha'Penny Rhubarb Gin and Grapefruit Cardamom Tonic from Baby J's Bar in Gainesville.
While Gainesville is perhaps better known for sports bars and cold pints of beer, a rise in mixologists over the last few years has helped transform this college town’s bar scene into one of inventive cocktails and intimate spaces. Baby J’s offers the best of both with a “Gatsbyesque” jazz club that gives off a cool vibe you’d expect to only find in places like New York City. The bar’s high ceilings and arched mirrors make the small space feel quite large as you listen to the vintage sounds of a standing bass. When the band is on break, a DJ has a seemingly endless selection of jazz vinyl to choose from. The drink menu features a selection of gin & tonics, classic and seasonal cocktails. Those looking for a beer have a simple choice: IPA or lager. Conveniently, Baby J’s is attached to Cry Baby’s (same owner), which serves up some of the best bar food in town. — Alan Festo, The Gainesville Sun
I came in and ordered a single drink ($12), they had a show happened so we were charged a fee for that ($14). The ambiance was very poor. I chose not to tip because we did not stay long and the show was incredibly crude. We didn’t know what we were getting into because all we were told was that “a show was happening” and that there was “a show fee” because of that. Today my card updated with a 25% tip added to my card from my time there. I am absolutely disputing the charges because I have my copy of the receipt. I placed a zero with a line through it and the full amount ($27.96) that I agreed to pay on the merchant’s receipt. This bar is dishonest and absolutely is taking advantage of their customers.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Marley
Absolutely the most well-made espresso martini in all of Gainesville! They pre-make it in house but the freshness would never make you question their process! Wish I could have a drink from from Baby J’s every night of the week! The artists and bands that play here are all amazing too! Clean & big bathroom as well!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marley R.
Absolutely the most well-made espresso martini in all of Gainesville! They pre-make it in house but the freshness would never make you question their process! Wish I could have a drink from from Baby J’s every night of the week! The artists and bands that play here are all amazing too! Clean & big bathroom as well!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
ALEKSANDRA RADZIO
I went to this place for my birthday. The hostess/waitress told us we cannot stay aa “there’s no space”. There was perfect space for 6 people people at the booth. Incredibly rude staff, unnecessary. Hospitality at unacceptable level. I will not be back. They did not ruin our night, we went to another less uptight bar. The waitress said it was the manager who is responsible for this ordeal.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Tommie Sexton
What? Chocolate Martinis on tap?? Yes please! The bartenders were outstanding. The vibe is upscale and refined. I only had yucca fries but they were tasty. I wish that there was live music every night...
Nice place
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 3
Service: 5
Chicken sandwich and 🍟 were delicious
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Music and atmosphere were great as always. Service has improved dramatically since the last time I stopped in. Emma was fantastic. She was very friendly and made sure we were never waiting for another round of drinks. Will definitely make sure to come back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
An amazing bar with great vibes during normal hours and events!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love the vibes of Baby Js, it’s very cozy and I love how they have events almost every night. However, the last few times we’ve gone the drinks have not been good. I had a gin and tonic which tasted like soap. I’ve had the same issue with Cry Baby’s next door where the drinks often have super heavy pours, which if that’s what you want, you might like it. The vibes are great, the drinks not so much unfortunately.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 4
Great seasonal cocktails and atmosphere!
Only issue I quickly noticed was the lack of dusting
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Lovely vibes on Tuesday nights with live jazz
Baby J's Bar is so awesome!!! Food is always on point and drinks are killer. Their music is a perfect mix of 80s to 90s to newer music and always jamming. Their happy hour bites and drinks always hit the spot.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pickle Plate, Homemade Potato Chips, Dirty Martini Marconi
This is one of my favorite spots in Gainesville, thanks to the live music and overall vibe. While the quality of the shows naturally varies, I always look forward to seeing what's on. The cocktails, as others have mentioned before, are often meh—too sweet or overly lemony.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
Hungry? Thirsty? Why not try out one of the Best bars in Florida in 2024??
In addition to great dining out, I always appreciate a fine spot for a great beverage! Featuring great bars from the Panhandle to South Florida, ranging from a super-casual beach bar celebrated in song by the likes of Kenny Chesney and Jimmy Buffett to an upscale craft cocktail bar that occupies a former library in the state’s capital, we know you’ll enjoy some of these favorite bars in Florida.
Baby J’s Bar | Gainesville
7 W. University Ave.; 352-505-5039; babyjsbar.com
A cocktail made with Ha'Penny Rhubarb Gin and Grapefruit Cardamom Tonic from Baby J's Bar in Gainesville.
While Gainesville is perhaps better known for sports bars and cold pints of beer, a rise in mixologists over the last few years has helped transform this college town’s bar scene into one of inventive cocktails and intimate spaces. Baby J’s offers the best of both with a “Gatsbyesque” jazz club that gives off a cool vibe you’d expect to only find in places like New York City. The bar’s high ceilings and arched mirrors make the small space feel quite large as you listen to the vintage sounds of a standing bass. When the band is on break, a DJ has a seemingly endless selection of jazz vinyl to choose from. The drink menu features a selection of gin & tonics, classic and seasonal cocktails. Those looking for a beer have a simple choice: IPA or lager. Conveniently, Baby J’s is attached to Cry Baby’s (same owner), which serves up some of the best bar food in town. — Alan Festo, The Gainesville Sun
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
I came in and ordered a single drink ($12), they had a show happened so we were charged a fee for that ($14). The ambiance was very poor. I chose not to tip because we did not stay long and the show was incredibly crude. We didn’t know what we were getting into because all we were told was that “a show was happening” and that there was “a show fee” because of that. Today my card updated with a 25% tip added to my card from my time there. I am absolutely disputing the charges because I have my copy of the receipt. I placed a zero with a line through it and the full amount ($27.96) that I agreed to pay on the merchant’s receipt. This bar is dishonest and absolutely is taking advantage of their customers.
Atmosphere: 1
Service: 1
Absolutely the most well-made espresso martini in all of Gainesville! They pre-make it in house but the freshness would never make you question their process! Wish I could have a drink from from Baby J’s every night of the week! The artists and bands that play here are all amazing too! Clean & big bathroom as well!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Absolutely the most well-made espresso martini in all of Gainesville! They pre-make it in house but the freshness would never make you question their process! Wish I could have a drink from from Baby J’s every night of the week! The artists and bands that play here are all amazing too! Clean & big bathroom as well!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I went to this place for my birthday. The hostess/waitress told us we cannot stay aa “there’s no space”. There was perfect space for 6 people people at the booth. Incredibly rude staff, unnecessary. Hospitality at unacceptable level. I will not be back. They did not ruin our night, we went to another less uptight bar. The waitress said it was the manager who is responsible for this ordeal.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
What? Chocolate Martinis on tap?? Yes please! The bartenders were outstanding. The vibe is upscale and refined. I only had yucca fries but they were tasty. I wish that there was live music every night...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
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