Fat Tuesday, the New Orleans-born chain known for its souvenir cups and boozy frozen daiquiris, is making a return to Jacksonville. The company quietly announced its comeback this week through a new Instagram account, revealing plans to move into the former Rain Dogs space at 1045 Park Street in Riverside. The teaser alone is stirring talk of a shift for the Park Street strip, although there is still no opening date on the books. For now, the closest place to grab a Fat Tuesday drink is in Gainesville.
Fat Tuesday announces comeback on Instagram
The return was teased in a short reel that told followers, “River City get ready. Fat Tuesday has entered the chat,” as reported by News4JAX. That post pointed directly to the Riverside storefront at 1045 Park Street as the new location, but did not offer any hint of an opening date. According to News4JAX, the company did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The reel went up on a freshly minted account, @fattuesdayjacksonville, which is now the official local handle.
Five Points storefront has recent history
The Park Street address comes with a built-in backstory. Until recently, it housed Rain Dogs, a live music bar that hosted its final night on New Year’s Eve 2024, according to Action News Jax. Neighbors and musicians told reporters that the shutdown left a noticeable hole in the Five Points nightlife scene. City property records list 1045 Park Street under a local LLC, and the address is tied to pending tenant activity, per the City Legistar, lining up with Fat Tuesday’s planned move-in.
Nearest Fat Tuesday is in Gainesville for now
Until the Riverside bar opens, the closest Fat Tuesday for Jacksonville fans is in Gainesville, where the chain operates at Celebration Pointe, according to Fat Tuesday. The brand’s website highlights Celebration Pointe as a current Florida location and points to Jacksonville as the next stop in its Florida expansion. For locals who used to hit the Landing for daiquiris, Riverside is now the neighborhood to watch.
What to expect next
There is still no public timeline for opening. Build-out work, inspections and liquor licensing can drag on for weeks or even months depending on how extensive the project is. Neighbors can keep an eye out for permit filings and new signage, which usually show up before the doors actually open. City Councilman Jimmy Peluso has previously said he wants to support the Five Points small business corridor, an attitude local reporters say could help incoming tenants get settled, per News4JAX.
We have reached out to Fat Tuesday for confirmation and will update when the company or the landlord releases an opening date. For Riverside residents and Five Points regulars, the return of a national daiquiri brand marks the next chapter in the neighborhood’s evolving nightlife mix.
