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The evolution of Monkey's Uncle

Tavern continues to find ways to keep customers satisfied

Laura Capitano

When I think about it, this write-up about the Monkey's Uncle Tavern in Jacksonville Beach is a longitudinal analysis. I don't frequent the place, but since 2001 I've found myself within its green decor three or four times a year, normally when a friend has a craving to perform some Pat Benatar karaoke.

With this Monkey history under my belt, I must commend them for their consistency. Because, for such an unsuspecting strip mall bar and grill with a fairly generic sports bar atmosphere, it's proven to have a steady late-night following that manages to kick up a little dance party every time I've been there. Who cares if it's Monday? Dance on, little monkeys! (The Monkey's Uncle disco ball is rather large in relation to the small dance space, so I suspect this ratio contributes to the degree of dance fever in a place.)

The Monkey has grown larger over the years, adding an outdoor bar with patio seating. It's quaint at night, ornamented with potted plants and string lights. The most recent addition to the compound came last September - an adjacent liquor store open nightly until 2 a.m.

Bar bingo had been advertised for Monday nights at the Monkey, and this was the reason for my most recent visit. A good game of bingo is hard to find, and this attempt proved no different, as it turned out Monday night bar bingo and football season cannot coexist. The Jaguars preseason game trumped bingo, a decision I am totally fine with, as patrons were clearly there for football, all dressed up in their teal and animal prints. And it's not like fans will have that many chances to watch the team on television anyway this year. Cheer on, little monkeys!

Monkey karaoke is a safer bet than bingo, as DJs offer it up Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 p.m. until close. Tuesdays, you can also catch a quick game of team trivia starting at 7:30 p.m. Pair it with karaoke for the ultimate bar double feature.

Happy hour drink discounts are available weekdays from 2 to 7 p.m. The Monkey also features three coin-operated pool tables, electronic darts and your typical sports bar video games, including Golden Tee. The large rectangle bar in main room forces eye contact among patrons, which tends to make people act more neighborly - sitting there, you feel you know what "Cheers" might have been like.

For years, I took the ashtrays on the tables as a sign the Monkey did not serve food, but I was mistaken. The kitchen serves till 9 p.m. nightly, later if there's demand for it. Cuisine is respectable sports bar fare; I've had a B.L.T. worth writing home about, piled high on egg bread with green leaf lettuce and fully ripened tomatoes.

Monkey's Uncle Tavern - 1850 Third St. S., Jacksonville Beach. Open from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. daily. (904) 246-1070 www.monkeysuncletavern.com