A great place to relax, enjoy quality craft beer, and soak in a fun atmosphere…read more Swamp Head Brewery delivers much more than great beer. The brewery has a welcoming, laid-back vibe, plenty of seating, and a unique setting that celebrates both Florida culture and international soccer. Watching the Ecuador match surrounded by flags from around the world made the experience even more enjoyable. The beer selection is impressive, and the tasting flight is a fantastic way to explore different styles before choosing a favorite. Every beer I sampled was fresh, flavorful, and clearly crafted with care. Whether you enjoy light, refreshing pours or something more complex, there is something here for every palate. The staff was friendly, the atmosphere was lively without feeling crowded, and the overall experience was excellent. If you're in Gainesville and appreciate good craft beer, a welcoming crowd, and a relaxed environment, Swamp Head Brewery is definitely worth a visit. I'll be back to try more of their beers.

Holy crap, how have I not reviewed Swampy yet???? We discovered this place via Yelp when we were…read morestaying at a nearby hotel, when we first moved to Ocala. When we lived in Broward, we would go to the local breweries all the time so we were excited to stumble across this place. We actually never heard of Swamp Head prior to coming here. I cannot count how many times we have been here but I know it's more than 20 times. The staff is usually very personable, friendly, and attentive. We did visit a lot more when we were new to the area but visit only about once every 3-4 months when in Gainesville. We used to bring our dog and were scolded by a staff member because she was barking at another dog nearby so we stopped bringing her. Meanwhile, dogs bark all the time in there and kids are running around screaming more often than dogs barking. So that kinda turned us off. I do not drink beer anymore but when I did, I loved their Czech themed beers and every once in a while, they had some rotating flavors that I thoroughly enjoyed. Every once and a while I will order a beer and do some extra insulin but it has to be special. This place is always busy, except if you get there earlier during the weekdays. There is plenty of outdoor seating and most times there is a food truck. They have so many events so follow their pages on social media to plan accordingly. The inside is pretty spacious but gets crowded. The prices are okay but surprisingly enough, we have had their beers cheaper at other bars in the areas. You can purchase beers and growlers to go as well.

I was in Gainesville for a concert and stopped by First Magnitude Brewing before the show. This…read morebrewery was really cool and definitely worth checking out. The outside area is spacious and a great place to hang out and drink a beer. Just a really nice setup with a laid-back vibe. Their Honey Bee Citrus Blonde Ale was the highlight for me. That beer has officially moved into my top 5. I could drink it all day and honestly, I pretty much did since I found it on tap at a few other places while I was in Gainesville. Now I'm hoping I can find it somewhere near me in Orlando. Overall, great brewery, great outdoor space, and an amazing beer. I'd definitely go back.

We went here for a Facebook event, and I was really surprised at this place. The ambience is just a…read morevibe! The event was bbq, beer, & plants, our favorite things! (Please note these photos are of an event, and they do not have vendors outside every day. Their Facebook posts all their events.) The brewery doors were open, so you get to peek inside and see where they make the beer. The staff was working extremely proficient, and I never waited more than a few minutes for a draft. Parking was a breeze, and we arrived right at event start. The beer was fantastic, and mine even contained honey! Colby got the sugar and spice, and he loved it, and says it was "verrrrry good." I even got to share some of my stickers with the world, so thank you for a chill family day, my teen even enjoyed herself. We can't wait to return.

This was my first time here and it felt like a hidden gem. The service was good since it is a…read moresister bar to humble wood, so if you order there, they'll bring your pizza over to the brewery. The ambience was nice with a couple booths and the bar. It's small compared to other breweries in the area but it is charming! I got a bait and switch which is a blonde ale.

Nice spot! Surprised it isn't as busy as it could be. Great beers brewed in house, excellent…read morelocation, good service. Must be a hidden gem. I'll certainly be back!

I like dark beers so I got their solstice and craic beers. The beers were decent stouts. I'd give…read morethe craic a 7/0 and the solstice an 8/10! They also had a single large projector playing the World Cup games so it was an enjoyable experience coming here!

I met a my team from work here to get together and celebrate a co workers pregnancy. They had…read moreseveral beers to choose from . I don't drink so I chose an orange soda. Some nights they have food trucks out front . They only serve beers and sodas inside , but do allow outside food to be brought in . We had brought in pizzas , salads and dessert to celebrate our co worker . Very chill atmosphere. A good place to meet up with a friend or larger group . The large moss man out front is the perfect photo op .

Blackadder Brewing Company is a very classy brewery. It is kind of decorated like an abby. There…read moreare so many cool places to hang out. There is a long bar, sitting area with fire place and an outside area as well. Chris Hart, the owner and brewer is doing something very right here. The beer selection is diverse. I think I counted 19 beers on tap, plus a host of guest taps including cider and wine. They do Belgians right here, but there were also sours, gose, pilsner, IPAs, porter, brown ale, and some European favorites like a winter warmer, hefeweizen and Marzen. The BEER: Wicked Child Belgian Strong Ale 14% ABV... sips like it is under 10%, smooth and delicious, just very slightly boozy. This is the strongest beer in Gainesville The Snow Gose 4 5% ABV... everything you would expect, sour and salty goodness Pucker Round fruited Gise 5.5% ABV... holy wow, a little tonic, and a lot of pucker. Good. Key lime and passion fruit Lord of Flashheart Belgian blonde 6.5% ABV... yes this is a grand blonde, well balanced and easy drinking Queenie Belgian amber 6% ABV... I love this amber, especially the warm hug I feel after a few sips. It mellows as it warms. Saint Sydney Belgian Dubbel 7.5% ABV... Oh yes, yes, yes, yes! This is the real McCoy, slightly boozy, semi sweet and quite delicious. Date Night Belgian quad 12% ABV... you can definitely taste the alcohol in this one. Not subtle, but definitely delicious, especially if you like Belgians I Cherries You Belgian fruit beer 7% ABV... wow, this is absolutely delicious, on the dryer side, but still semi sweet and absolutely crushable Real Eyes Realize Imperial IPA 9.25% ABV... perfectly balanced imperial IPA, sweet, juicy, delicious A little citrus and a whole lot of orange rind. This IPA has character. If I had to classify this brewery it would be a sophisticated craft beer experience. And, if I have any criticism it is that if you open a tab, they keep your card. So not a fan of that, but the overall experience was awesome. Like really awesome. BLACKADDER BREWING does BEER RIGHT!

Blackadder has by far the best atmosphere and beverage options in this area. Don't be discouraged…read moreby location/size of this brewery as there is a beer to suit every palate. With 20 of their own Belgian inspired beers, (they also have IPAs, Sours, Ciders) and 16-20 other guest taps, you are sure to find something delicious. The owners are usually there and happy to serve you a sample and provide helpful tasting notes. The rest of the staff are attentive and friendly and the locals there are welcoming too!

I have been a big fan of Lightnin' Salvage since it opened way back when, and was completely…read moredevastated when it burnt to the ground after the last fire at Satchels. (I'll be honest, I may have actually shed a tear or two over it.) I was both excited and nervous to see what the new and "improved" LS would be like when it reopened (last week.) I was pleasantly surprised to visit tonight and see the spirit of the store captured with new whimsy and more AC than I've ever experienced at Satchels! The store portion is way smaller, but it's still just as fun. The space is more open and clean (without feeling sterile.) Anyone who has ever been there on a Friday or Saturday night knows just how needed that extra space is! The dining portion, while may technically be less tables, feels way more open. The tables are new and filled with collections (which are appreciated, especially since they lost the collection museum in the fire.) There is a sewing pattern table, a Polaroid table, a I phone screen table, a key table, a match book table, a cassette table, a bike chain table, and a couple more I couldn't view due to guests. The bar is flocked with completed puzzles and more whimsy. For those not familiar with Satchels or Lightnin' Salvage, Satchels is Gainesville's most local, funky, and delicious pizza joint, and LS is the fun shop in the back where you can meander through collections and interesting new yet vintage style toys; or simply have a drink while you wait for your table to be ready. There was a order at the counter component for food in the past, but in all my years of going I never took advantage of until tonight. Tonight I took advantage of it because 1. There was zero wait vs the (not bad for Friday at Satchels) 20 minute wait inside Satchels 2. I wanted to scope the new digs 3. I wanted to enjoy the live music 4. I wanted to enjoy the magic of their new AC. I know I've mentioned the AC twice now but this is probably the first time I've visited Satchels on a summer night and not sweat! The AC is amazing! Overall, It is not the old LS but it has many different great qualities. LS offers a cute and quirky store, nice bar area, it's own ATM (its cash only), and the ability to order Satchels pizza and salad more quickly. The food does come in to go containers and does lose a little of its magic in that, but it is still the same tasty food that put Satchels on the map.

Fantastic showcase of reuse of discarded items. They make fences out of old floppy disks, tail…read morelights, or foosball characters. Bocce ball court out back, there's definitely nothing that won't catch your eye. It has almost grown into the "amusement park" realm. While you might expect rides from an amusement park, this just captures your attention and amuses you. It is a wonderful display of visually restructured materials. I just wish I lived in Gainesville to watch the metamorphosis over time. I'll be back semi-annually, and I'll always go back to see how it has inevitably changed. There is also an irreverent gift shop with lots of fun stuff, and they also have live music on certain nights. Love Satchel's and Lightning.

A great selection of every type of beer and wine you could want. The owner is extremely…read moreknowledgeable and friendly and it's an added bonus to be able to shop and sip. Anytime we're in the area we'll make it a point to visit again!

The inventory is impressive -- both beer and wine -- and we found Jake to be extremely helpful…read more Next time we are in Gainesville we'll be certain to return! Recommended!

Hands down one of the best quality restaurants in Gainesville. I've eaten here a few times but this…read moretime I decided to splurge a little and get one of their steaks...WOW! Significantly better than the local steakhouses and half the price. Their sides are amazing as usual and the drinks were yummy and well balanced. Plus, I always love the ambience in here! It's so colorful and lively while still being chill and calm enough for a nice dinner. And the wait staff are very genuine and kind people with extensive knowledge about the menu. Well worth the money, I've NEVER been disappointed by this place!

Ambiance - Quirky, grandma- vintage thrift store galleria…read more Service- a hipster army. Food- a big variety, plan on a 30 minute line ahead of you, maybe even double line length on the weekend.

This is one of my favorite breweries when traveling. It has a very unique atmosphere, including…read moreswings you can sit in at the bar (chained down so nobody gets drunk and kills themselves - LOL). The beer is average plus. There are some really nice items on, but most are around what you expect. They do have a nice selection and include ciders, seltzers, and nonalcoholic sodas, as well. I have eaten from a few food trucks in this location and Gainesville always seems to get the best food trucks for breweries. This time it was Arepa Burger, but I have had Twisted Tikka and Chefries on other trips. I will definitely return when I am heading down this way again.

Brewery #395 Daft…read moreCow is in like the nicest Industrial park I have ever been in. It probably isn't really classified as an industrial park since there was also an apartment complex and a restaurant that I saw coming in. Probably more of a multi-use complex. Anyway, none of that matters. Daft Cow is a cool place to hang out with lots of outdoor seating plus their mascot makes for cool merch. The beer was pretty good. The ladyfriend and I split a 6 beer flight which consisted of 3 IPA's, a sour, cream ale and a stout. My favorite 2 were the Oatmeal Cookie stout and the Liquid Therapy hazy IPA. Apparently i missed the menu with food onsite! Ooops

This place is always a nice choice! It's bar food, but it's top notch bar food. The beer selection…read morespeaks for itself; they have something that you love. I folded my napkin, and wrapped it around that dee-lish sirloin, to cradle it. The beer was a nice combo, and huge chunks of amazing bleu cheese kept falling off my burger, so I had to just toss it in my mouth. Amazing!! The service is on point and no nonsense. So glad all the construction is done, and you can just walk around again! Loosey's is a great a great place to get hit-the-spot food!

I have taken to going to restaurants for lunch on Fridays just to see something different in…read moreGainesville. This time around, I had a real hankering for a steak, and I had heard that Loosey's had a decent one, so I figured I would give it a shot. It was a pretty quiet day, and walking into the place it was somewhat dead... only a couple of tables seated. A good thing, too, because parking in the area to eat there is an absolute nightmare thanks to the City of Gainesville's approach to managing the downtown area. This is what I would call a typical downtown pub in a college town, built for having a lot of standing folks coming in during the nighttime hours to drink and have a good time, but during the earlier hours the dark wood and faint smell of stale beer tells you just what this place is normally up to and how it thrives during its busy hours. I was greeted and told to sit anywhere, so I found a good two-top to sit at and looked over the menu, knowing that I was going to be going for a steak. I went with the New York Strip with fries as a side. The wait staff was cordial, and my steak came out in a reasonable amount of time. The steak is good, and the price is right in this day and age. The fries worked well with the steak. I would go back for lunch here. No chance of me going here in the evening hours though. Finding parking in the middle of the day was bad enough, I don't even want to imagine what it is like in the evening.