Fondren Public ★ 4.0
Cocktail bar$$Mon-Thu 16:00-00:00; Fri-Sat 16:00-02:00; closed Sun
Fondren Public is the anchor bar of the Fondren neighbourhood, running until 02:00 on weekends with rotating Mississippi craft beers on tap, bar bites.
Order: A Mississippi craft beer from the rotating tap list; the bar staff know the local beer scene well
Tip: After midnight Fondren Public is effectively the only good option still open in Jackson; it fills with people from other restaurants around 22:00
Good Bar JXN ★ 4.1
Wine bar$$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 on Manship Street in Belhaven is an open-air cocktail terrace by the Elvie's team, focused on cocktails on tap and natural wine with snacks.
Order: A natural wine from the rotating selection or the Spicy Bees Knees cocktail on tap
Tip: Almost fully outdoors; check Instagram for weather closures before visiting. Shares the Belhaven Town Center block with Elvie's and Pulito Osteria.
Cathead Distillery Bar ★ 4.2
Cocktail bar$$Thu 17:00-22:00; Fri-Sat 13:00-22:00
Mississippi's largest craft distillery on Farish Street runs a cocktail bar serving drinks made exclusively with Cathead Vodka and Mississippi Gin, produced.
Order: The Cathead Mississippi Gin and tonic with a local botanical garnish, or ask for a tasting flight of the distillery's spirits
Tip: Tours of the distillery run before the bar opens; combine a tour with drinks at the bar for the full experience
Johnny T's Bistro and Blues ★ 4.0
Soul food$$Tue-Fri 11:00-23:00; Sat-Sun 14:00-00:00; closed Mon
Jackson's best live blues venue on the historic Farish Street entertainment corridor, combining Southern food with live Mississippi blues on weekends.
Order: Fried catfish plate and a Mississippi whiskey before the music starts
Tip: Farish Street is a historic neighbourhood undergoing slow revival; the surrounding area is quiet, which makes Johnny T's feel like an anchor of something important
Hal and Mal's ★ 4.1
Soul food$$Mon-Sat 11:00-21:00; Sun 10:30-15:00
Hal and Mal's in a converted cotton warehouse is the closest thing Jackson has to a great music venue that also serves food. The enormous space - complete.
Order: Mississippi craft beer on draft; the kitchen menu for food before 21:00
Tip: Check the event calendar at halandmals.com; event nights bring the best crowds and the bar extends its hours