Sun, sand and a cold cocktail melting in your hand. For many, that’s the ideal way to spend a weekend at the beach.

If your Jacksonville plans involve staking your claim beachside, then you may be asking yourself where the best place to find refreshment may be.

Newcomer Flask & Cannon's vision is to elevate the local cocktail scene with its urban tiki bar concept, a rum-forward bar bringing back the complex craft of cocktails that were served in the original tiki bars of the '50s and '60s.

Housemade mixes and fresh ingredients come together in tropical concoctions at Flask & Cannon — Photo courtesy of Amy West

Sitting squarely in the heart of Jacksonville Beach, Flask & Cannon is easy to find on First Street – between the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier and the historic Casa Marina Hotel.

Warm woods and cool metals combine with plenty of window light to give the spot a bright, airy feeling during the day and a cool urban vibe at night.  

Meanwhile, black and white images of sunbathing beauties from bygone eras encircle the bar, paying homage to Jacksonville Beach’s history on the sand. 

The tiki bar makes a comeback with Flask & Cannon in Jacksonville Beach — Photo courtesy of Amy West

A rum-based bar situated at the beach isn’t a far stretch for the imagination; however, craft cocktail concoctions that will convince you to rethink the taste and flavor expectations of a rum-inspired drink might just pique your curiosity.

Flask & Cannon’s beachfront digs make it the ideal escape for some cool refreshment after a day on the shore, and with over 80 varieties of rum to choose from, the hardest decision you may make on your relaxing beach day is which one to try!

Never fear. Flask & Cannon’s friendly staff are highly trained in the skill of crafting exemplary drinks and helping you identify which meets your flavor preferences.

As owner/operator Kurt Rogers puts it, “A cocktail should take you on a journey. There should be layers of flavors. It shouldn't all taste muddled together as one flavor.” 

Hand-crafted cocktails at Flask & Cannon prove that rum-based drinks don't all have to be overly sweet — Photo courtesy of Amy West

Historically, the original tiki bars were run by masters of mixology. Drinks were distinctive and well thought out.

As these establishments became more popular, that idealism was watered down, and over time it dissolved into the more kitschy destinations most tourists are familiar with.

Flask & Cannon is on trend with the movement to bring back that original tiki concept and pay respect to the masters of craft that came before.

The cocktails are cleverly named, calling to mind pieces of history both nostalgic and romantic, such as Hemingway's Daquiri and Don Pedro's Conquest.

Flask & Cannon's walls are lined with retro images of bathing beauties and beach culture in bygone eras — Photo courtesy of Amy West

Flask & Cannon’s laid-back mentality is full of thought, but devoid of pretentiousness. Want a shot of Fireball? Go for it. Just looking for a glass of wine or a Bud Light? That’s great, too.

“Who are we to judge? We just want you to enjoy yourself when you are in our house!” says Rogers.

And he should know: Flask & Cannon’s sister bar SideCar in Jacksonville’s historic neighborhood of San Marco has been voted Best in Jax 2015 by Jacksonville Magazine.

And judging by the local following that has quickly caught on, it’s clear that same philosophy for success has traveled to this new beach locale as well.

Flask & Cannon staff are trained in the skill of crafting both classic and original cocktails — Photo courtesy of Amy West

Imbibe on your drink of choice, groove to live music and engage in a relaxing community full of good times on your next visit to Jacksonville Beach.

Enjoy sun, sand and imaginative cocktails that are sure to stimulate your tastebuds when you visit Flask & Cannon, where the tiki bar lives again.

A hand-crafted cocktail should consist of many complex layers that take the drink to another level — Photo courtesy of Amy West