‘With a very heavy heart,’ Jacksonville gastropub closes for second time in two years

Just over a year after reopening, a Jacksonville gastropub abruptly shut its doors, saying “we unfortunately could not keep our doors open anymore.”

World of Beer Bar & Kitchen closed for the second time in as many years at 5105 Butler Blvd. off Interstate 95 in Southpoint, announcing the closure mid-afternoon Aug. 15 on Facebook.

The tavern, also called WOB and known for its extensive selection of craft beers including many from across the world, thanked and apologized to customers.

“It is with a very heavy heart we regret to inform you that our World of Beer location has shut down. After just over a year of service, we unfortunately could not keep our doors open anymore,” World of Beer posted. “We thank everyone who supported us on this journey. It was a pleasure serving everyone.”

The post didn’t specify the factors prompting the decision. Customers speculated on social media that the gastropub’s location contributed to the closure.

“I enjoyed every visit there and always loved the vibe. Something about that location just unfortunately doesn’t work,” one customer posted on the restaurant’s website.

The closure comes roughly 13 months after the Tampa-based chain reopened the Southpoint gastropub in July 2024 with a new franchisee and new management at the helm.

At that time, the 5,625-square-foot tavern had been shuttered for almost a year after initially closing in May 2023.

World of Beer officials couldn’t be reached immediately for comment.

Tapped out: After 26 years, another Jacksonville craft brewery and restaurant calls it quits

The restaurant’s food service license is listed as “delinquent, active” with a June 1, 2025, expiration date. However, its retail alcohol license was classified as “current, active” with a Sept. 30 expiration date, according to Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation online records Aug.15.

The Jacksonville listing was gone from the World of Beer website. Calls to the restaurant were answered with a recording stating the “lines were temporarily busy.”

World of Beer restructures amid past bankruptcy protection

World of Beer first opened the Southpoint gastropub in May 2022 after the concept’s six-year absence from Jacksonville. At that time, it was intended to be the first of two locations in Duval County. A second featuring a rooftop patio had been planned in Jacksonville Beach but never opened.

In August 2024, World of Beer — with plans to restructure — filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the Tampa division of U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida.

The company said the situation resulted from “growing market pressures, including rising interest rates, inflation, increased operating costs and a slow return to pre-pandemic dining habits by consumers.”

The Jacksonville gastropub remained open. And a World of Beer representative told the Times-Union the chain didn’t anticipate the restructuring would affect that restaurant.

World of Beer emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 2024 —  less than five months after it filed to restructure, reported Nation’s Restaurant News, an independent trade publication.

Founded in 2007 in Tampa, World of Beer says its restaurants feature more than 250 beers from 40 different countries, according to franchising information on its website.

World of Beer lists 26 locations from Connecticut south to Florida — which has nine — and west to Texas on its website.

Sorry, we’re closed: Restaurants we’ve lost in Jacksonville in 2025

Tough times for Jacksonville-area craft breweries and gastropubs

Several Jacksonville-area craft breweries and gastropubs have called it quits in the past couple of years. Among them:

• Jekyll Brewing, 131 First Ave. N. in Jax Beach Town Center, closed May 10 after almost two years.

• Ragtime Tavern, 207 Atlantic Blvd. in Atlantic Beach, closed Jan. 27 after 42 years.

• A1A Ale Works, 1 King St. in St. Augustine, closed in May 2024 after 29 years.

• Hyperion Brewing Co., At 1744 N Main St. in historic Springfield, closed in March 2024 after more than six years

• Brewer’s Pizza, the home of Pinglehead Brewing Co,, 14B Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park, closed in November 2023 after 14 years.

• Lemonstreet Brewing Co., 2100 Dennis St. in Jacksonville’s Rail Yard District, closed in December 2023 after four years.

• Tabula Rasa Brewery, 2385 Corbett St., also in the Rail Yard District, closed in August 2023 after five years.

Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: World of Beer Bar & Kitchen abruptly closes Jacksonville gastropub