Soul foodBlues bar and restaurant$$Tue-Fri 11:00-23:00; Sat-Sun 14:00-00:00; closed Mon
Johnny T's Bistro and Blues combines Southern cooking with live blues music on Farish Street, providing one of Jackson's most authentic after-dark.
Signature drink: Mississippi whiskey with live blues
Food: Full Southern menu
Order: Mississippi whiskey and the fried catfish plate, watched to live blues
Tip: Saturday nights are the peak of the week; arrive by 21:00 to guarantee a table.
Cocktail barCraft distillery bar$$Mon-Sat 10:00-20:00 (shop); Fri 16:00-20:00; Sat 12:00-20:00 (bar)
Cathead Distillery on Farish Street is Mississippi's first legal distillery, open since 2010, with a tasting bar, guided tours, and a bottle shop supporting.
Signature drink: Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka cocktail or bourbon on the rocks
Food: Light snacks
Order: Cathead Honeysuckle Vodka or their barrel-aged bourbon on the rocks
Tip: Distillery tours Tuesday through Friday include up to four spirit tastings; book in advance.
Cocktail barCraft beer bar$$Mon-Thu 16:00-00:00; Fri-Sat 16:00-02:00; closed Sun
Fondren Public is the neighbourhood go-to craft beer bar: 24 rotating taps from Mississippi breweries, a shuffleboard table, bocce court. Dog-friendly patio.
Signature drink: Mississippi craft beer on tap from 24 rotating handles
Food: Bar bites and pizza
Order: A rotating Mississippi craft beer and the barbacoa nachos if available
Tip: Service industry happy hour on Wednesdays and Medical Mondays draw the local crowd.
Cocktail BarOpen-air cocktail bar$$Tue-Thu 16:00-21:00; Fri 16:00-22:00; Sat 10:00-22:00; Sun 12:00-18:00; closed Mon
Good Bar at Belhaven Town Center is an open-air cocktail bar from the Elvie's team, with cocktails on tap, natural wine, and a lively garden terrace.
Signature drink: Cocktails on tap: Old Fashioned, Spicy Bees Knees, Spanish Spritz
Food: Small plates and snacks
Order: Spicy Bees Knees on tap, or the Spanish Spritz with seasonal additions
Tip: Almost fully outdoors; check Instagram for weather closures before visiting.
Soul foodLive music bar and restaurant$$Mon-Sat 11:00-21:00; Sun 10:30-15:00
Hal and Mal's has been Jackson's premier live-music bar and restaurant since 1984, hosting local and touring acts nightly in a converted warehouse.
Signature drink: Mississippi craft beer and Southern whiskey
Food: Full Southern menu
Order: A Mississippi beer on draught with the red beans and rice
Tip: Check the entertainment calendar; Hal's is the home of the St Paddy's Parade every March.
American BBQBBQ bar with craft beer$$Mon-Sat 11:00-21:00; closed Sun
The Pig and Pint pairs some of Jackson's best BBQ with one of Mississippi's largest craft beer selections - around 80 rotating handles - in a relaxed Fondren.
Signature drink: Rotating Mississippi craft beer on draft
Food: Full BBQ menu
Order: A local Mississippi craft beer with a brisket plate and fried green tomato tacos
Tip: The beer selection rotates constantly; the bartender knows what's new and what pairs with the BBQ.