Irish pub and restaurant planned for East Bay Street Downtown

The owners of Decca Live are seeking a $200,000 incentive to create the establishment.


  • By Ric Anderson
  • | 3:40 p.m. May 8, 2025
  • | 4 Free Articles Remaining!
Keane’s Irish Pub is planned at 315 E. Bay St. in Downtown Jacksonville. It is being developed by the owners of Decca Live music and dance club next door to the east.
Keane’s Irish Pub is planned at 315 E. Bay St. in Downtown Jacksonville. It is being developed by the owners of Decca Live music and dance club next door to the east.
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The owners of the Decca Live music and dance club in Downtown Jacksonville are seeking to open a new Irish pub next door, according to the Downtown Investment Authority.

On May 15, a DIA committee will consider a request from co-applicants 323 E Bay Street LLC and Bay Street Warehousing LLC for a $200,000 incentive to establish Keane’s Irish Pub at 315 E. Bay St.

Property records show Bay Street Warehousing LLC is the owner of the three-story, 20,176-square-foot building. It was built in 1907. 

That building is the previous home of Justice Pub, which closed in February.

An image showing the design inspiration for Keane's Irish Pub at 315 E. Bay St.

A DIA staff report on the incentive request identifies 323 E Bay Street LLC as the owner and operator of Decca Live, which opened in January at 323 E. Bay St.

The co-applicants are seeking the incentive through the DIA’s Retail Enhancement Program Targeted Retail Activation: Food and Beverage Establishments Forgivable Loan Program.

Cost of the build-out is listed at $418,000 in DIA records.

The loan would be provided at no interest over five years, amortizing at 20% per year, providing the pub remains in business during that term.

A floor plan for Keane's Irish Pub at 315 E, Bay St. in Downtown Jacksonville.

An interior plan of the project shows 13 bar seats, two rows of wall-mounted bench seating with 17 accompanying chairs, 12 tables, a lobby and kitchen. 

The Miami-based developers of Decca Live received a $1.53 million incentives package to renovate the building at 323 E. Bay St. to include a ground-floor dance floor and bar, a second-floor wraparound walkway and bar, and a rooftop bar. 

The Jacksonville City Council approved the incentive package in July 2022. In February 2024, the city issued a permit for First Impression Contractors of Jacksonville to renovate the building at a project cost of almost $3.31 million.

The incentive request for Keane’s Irish Pub is scheduled at the DIA Retail Enhancement and Property Disposition Committee at 10 a.m. May 15. The committee meets at the Main Library, 303 N. Laura St.

 

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