Pete's Bar

Pete's Bar holds a pivotal place in Duval County history as the first legally licensed bar to open after Prohibition was repealed in 1933. The establishment originally operated as Jensen's Market in the 1920s, where owner Peter Jensen sold bootleg liquor from a nearby grocery store during Prohibition. When federal law changed, Pete's received liquor license number one for Duval County, making it the first lawfully sanctioned bar and package store in the region since the 1920 Volstead Act took effect. The bar predates Neptune Beach's own incorporation as a city in 1931, serving as a landmark throughout nearly a century of community history. Today, Pete's Bar remains a cultural touchstone in Neptune Beach, maintaining its historic character and community traditions. The dive bar atmosphere preserves the spirit of its bootleg-era roots while operating openly and legally. Pete's represents not just a place to drink, but a tangible link to a transformative moment in American legal history and local heritage.