Kicker’s Country Bar, also called Kicker’s Saloon, plans to open Jan. 16 in the Pablo Station shopping center west of the Intracoastal Waterway in Jacksonville.
It posted about its opening party Jan. 14 on Instagram. The event is sold out.
The venue is at 14333 Beach Blvd. at Pablo Road. It will offer entertainment and atmosphere inspired by country music-themed bars such as Gilley’s, which was featured in the 1980 movie, “Urban Cowboy.”
Kicker’s is divided into two areas by a sliding barn door. One side features a boot-shaped bar, dance floor, stage and a mechanical bull bedazzled like a disco ball. There is a barber’s chair next to the bar where guests can get a “Haircut and a Shave” shooter or shot.
The other side has its own bar, a pool table and televisions. It will provide a respite from the sound of live music, dance tunes and country karaoke.
The venue appears to go by two names. The sign outside on the building says Kicker’s Country Bar while signage inside and artwork on social media call it Kicker’s Saloon.
Kicker’s is part of the ServStar Management Group, which owns or manages several entertainment locations, including Hoptinger, Pete’s Bar in Neptune Beach, and Surfer the Bar and Lucky’s Bar in Jacksonville Beach, according to its website.
Jacksonville recording artists Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi of the Tedeschi Trucks Band are part of the ownership group.
The project was delayed because of supply chain and labor difficulties, said Robert Tilka of ServStar Management Group.
“What a hurdle,” he said. “I can’t believe that Jacksonville did not have a country bar. Now we do. This is going to slay it.”
There is at least one other country-themed bar in Jacksonville. The Roost Country Bar, 9151 W. Beaver St., offers line dancing.
Plans submitted in May 2024 for Kicker’s showed it in a 7,044-square-foot space with an estimated build-out cost of $450,000. Actual costs doubled that figure, Tilka said. Plans showed a 336-square-foot stage with a 1,340-square-foot dance floor.
Design Cooperative did the interior design, Lowe Structures was the structural engineer and the contractor was CE&M Contractors LLC, all of Jacksonville.
Jacksonville at one time had two primary country bars. Pappa’s, on Beach Boulevard, closed in 2019, and Crazy Horse Saloon, on Philips Highway, closed in 2020. Both were large enough to accommodate line dancing.
Kicker’s will employ 60 to 75 people. Hours will be 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Tilka said it may open on other days for private parties or special concerts.
