Most nights the stage at 113 East Bay Street belongs to bands, DJs and themed parties. Comedy shows up now and then, and when it does, you get a loud downtown room with a serious sound system, a full bar and a kitchen.
The Albatross calls itself a dive club and an inclusive, safe home for the underground arts and culture crowd, with a stage built for both local talent and national touring acts.
From Underbelly to Albatross
For years this was Underbelly. That club moved to this address in 2012, closed for several years in the 2010s, and came back in 2021 under the team behind 1904 Music Hall. New owners have since renamed it The Albatross, so older listings and directions may still use the old name.
Food and Drinks
The kitchen serves street food on Amoroso rolls, from a chopped cheese to a house Cuban, plus loaded tater tots, with vegan versions of most of it. Many menu items are named for Jacksonville music venues that have closed, a nice nod to the scene that came before. The bar pours liquor, draft beer, cans and seltzers, and there are NA beers, mocktails and coffee for anyone skipping the booze. A milkshake station makes shakes with or without alcohol.
Parking in the Elbow
The Albatross sits in the Elbow, downtown's nightlife district, a block south of The Florida Theatre. Downtown has more than 48,000 public parking spaces in garages, lots and metered street spots, so you may not park at the door, but you will almost always find something within a short walk. Rideshare is the easy option on a busy night. For a sit down dinner first, Cowford Chophouse is on the same block in the restored Bostwick Building.
Good to Know
The Albatross does not post a standing age policy, and rules can change with the act, so check your ticket for the night's rules. Show details and ticket links are on each event page here. The rest of downtown's comedy is on the downtown area page, and this weekend's shows list every room in town.