Swamp Head Brewery in Gainesville is easily one of the best brewery experiences around. I tried a…read moreflight of four featuring Not a Flamingo, Sky Puppies, Hawk Moth, and Moundz, and it was the perfect way to see how well they execute across completely different styles. Not a Flamingo was incredibly smooth with a dessert-like flavor without being too heavy, Sky Puppies was juicy and clean, Hawk Moth had a really nice balance with a subtle sweetness, and Moundz was on another level if you enjoy rich, decadent stouts. The atmosphere is just as good as the beer, laid back, welcoming, and exactly what you want when you are hanging out and trying a few different pours. Everything felt consistent and well thought out from the menu to the quality in the glass. I will definitely be back and highly recommend Swamp Head Brewery to anyone who appreciates great craft beer.

We stopped by Swamp Head Brewery last week and then came back again last night for their bingo…read moreevent benefiting the Crescent Beach Challenge for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and honestly, it just confirmed what we already thought, this is the best brewery we've ever been to, and we travel a lot. Their beer flights are incredible and the selection is seriously mind blowing. You can tell they put a lot of care into what they brew, and they genuinely deserve every award on the wall. If we could give it a 10 star rating, we absolutely would. The staff has always been super friendly and welcoming, and we've never really had to wait long for a beer even when it's busy. We love the outdoor setup and activities, and the whole place has such a relaxed, family friendly vibe that makes you want to stay awhile. We tried quite a few different beers across both visits and everything was great, but our personal favorites were the Dole Whip, Gummy Worm, and Pink Starburst flavors. Even the bathrooms were spotless both times, which is always a nice bonus and shows how well they take care of the place overall. We really love the vibe here and we will definitely be back again soon.

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.

Very cool local brewery with a huge outdoor space. There's a large selection of varied beers, from…read morelight, fruity, IPAs, sessions, and dark lagers. This is a great place for a flight to sample the different options. Staff is very friendly, taking time to help with decision making while the line keeps moving quickly. They actually know about the beers and can discuss them with helpful insights. There's no kitchen but a regular rotation of food trucks.

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 .

The Alachua Audubon Society had a guest speaker in their lecture room! ( I had no idea they had…read morethis) His name is Charlie Muise and he is an amazing bird conservationist. A birds and beer event could NOT be missed by me. There was much information to be learned and inspiration to volunteer, as well! Thank you C&G for such a meaningful presenter!

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!

Overview: 5/5 I'm always up for a good micro brewery. We…read morehad not made it to Blackadder until now. Great experience at this place. Ambiance : 5 I love the layout. Spacious with tables and a long bar that can accommodate large and small groups. They played great music and had games available. Food/Drink 5/5 Only did drinks and some pretzel snacks. The beer selection was awesome. I am a Belgian beer snob. A SUPERIOR selection of this variety. I tried four that were all great. Service : 5/5 Ashley our bar tender was great. She was knowledgeable and attentive to servicing us during our stay. A great conversationalist and perfectly suited for the job. Conclusion : Loved this place and we will be back!!!

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!

We came here with our family and were seated within 10-15min. I recommend if coming with little…read moreones make sure to come before 5:30pm the wait times are less. Non-Alcoholic Drink that is must try was the Hibiscus Gimlet it's a House-made hibiscus tea, pomegranate, fresh lime & demerara Entrees: Top Steak pick--Chimichurri 8 OZ butcher's steak with broccoli & herb roasted potatoes. Topped with house-made chimichurri of parsely, cilantro, oregano, jalapeños, garlic, olive oil & vinegar. It was juicy, tender and savory. I recommend ordering it at medium temp. Burger lovers pick-Messi Argentinian chorizo, aged provolone, chimichurri, & fried onions with a fried egg with French fries. Perfect at medium rare temp. For kids: Chicken tenders and fries was great the kids loved it.

The Top is one of those Gainesville spots that immediately feels like part of the city's…read morepersonality. The menu is eclectic in the best way -- you can go comfort‑food heavy or fully vegan and still end up with something flavorful. The black bean burger and goat cheese wontons are especially worth the hype. The vibe is artsy, lively, and a little chaotic, but in a way that makes the experience fun rather than stressful. Service can be unhurried during busy hours, yet the staff stays friendly and attentive. Overall, it's a great place to settle in, enjoy good food, and soak up Gainesville's character.

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

Visiting the area and needed a place that satisfied a variety of tastes for our party of 5 for…read morelunch. Apple Maps struggled to provided proper directions to parking and it might be because the area is under construction so just give yourself time to find Loosey's especially if going for dinner. It sure is worth the effort though, especially if you get Matthew as your server. He is full of wit and great local knowledge. He charmed our table from our first encounter. Loosey's has to be a local favorite because the quality and freshness of the food is outstanding. Matthew is a local treasure and made our experience there so memorable and fun. We all remarked that it must be so electric there when live music is on stage or it's a Gator game day. We started with the loaded potato skins. There were 5 large pieces that were covered with toppings and delivered pipping hot. I could easily order that as a meal next time I'm in town. Their house ranch dipping sauce that is drizzled on top was delicious. Several in our group ordered the Chic-fil Loosey's, which is a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich, but I wasn't able to grab a photo as they were so eager to get started eating it. The portion of chicken breast was extremely large and the batter was perfectly crispy. Both diners exclaimed it was one of their all- time favorite chicken sandwiches they had ever eaten. Another diner took advantage of their wing special and exclaimed the Buffalo Garlic sauce was fantastic and she paired them with their ranch as well. She loved their added touch of the small paper basket topping the plate of wings for the bones. I had the Classic Beef Burger and it was cooked perfectly. There was a nice peppery flavor to the grill of the burger and the patty size was more than I expected. Especially for the price. I was so happy we found Loosey's. It was really good food. I encourage you to look past the construction mess and the "old wooden bar" stereotypes and trust me when o say, they take great pride on preparing high quality food.

We stopped in on a Saturday afternoon which was good because the parking meters weren't working on…read morethe weekends. On the street parking. Beautiful day so we sat outside in a lovely patio area. Great beer menu with draughts imported or domestic as well as a full bar. The menu was pretty much standard bar fare I had fish and chips and my wife had Mac and cheese. The fries on my plate were covered in salt. I tried to shake it off and wound up with a layer of salt on my plate. Most restaurant food is too salty for me as I cook at home low salt but this was crazy. I decided to try the Mac and cheese. It also had a cap of salt on it. I tried to dig to the bottom of the crock thinking that wouldn't be salty but I was wrong. The dish was prepared with salt throughout. Time to go and I did complain. The waitress said she hears that a lot and she offered to replace our meal to go but we didn't take her up on that offer. The fish was great! And we loved the vibe of the restaurant inside and out. I would go back again but knowing that I would order SALT FREE !!

It could have been a good night but service definitely wasn't up to par... The hostess was great…read morebut that's where it kinda stopped. Our waiter's timing was off. It wasn't busy(at first) but we still felt rushed. Ordered an app then we ordered entrees. After waiting a bit, he comes back and says there are no pasta dishes in the kitchen. Like wtf, I mean they didn't tell u when u brought the order to the kitchen? But then you bring out the extra side/ house salad that I ordered to go with the pasta. I didn't want it anymore .Fast forward, then this guy brings out the checks while I'm still eating. Like really? And then I was a little offended that he gave us 2 separate checks without asking.Whats funny is that Me and my best friend always try to pay for each other lol, so who told him to do separate checks. But I try not to assume... Now the food was just okay. Had the gator tail and it was salty. Then after "no pasta" I went with the summer salad. And I guess they were out of stuff for this too. It was missing the Blueberry and the apple. Guess they figure they would see if I noticed. Well I did notice, i was just over it, and was just too late complain. This place gave me No reason to come back

Unfortunately this is a one and done place for us. We've been here before a few years before but we…read moredecided to give it another try. Fish and chips: crispy outside, doughy inside with barely any fish. Batter is heavy and dense. Nothing light about it at all. Cobb Salad: iceberg lettuce. Dry chicken. And I mean dryyyy. This salad just wasn't appealing. Eggs were mush. I just don't have anything nice to say. Water: yes. This too is bad. They definitely need to invest in a filtration system because water shouldn't have a flavor. This sums it up. Service was pleasant and the place clean. That gets a star each from me.