ARLINGTON, FL — A new craft beer taproom, The Lazy Manatee, is slated to open this spring in Arlington, offering a diverse selection of craft beers from across the United States. The establishment will feature 20 taps, along with bottled and canned options, as well as food and wine.
Owner Patrick Mulloy anticipates opening the 2,900-square-foot taproom in April or May. The venue is located at 3545 University Blvd. N., in the former Wing Depot space at the Gazebo Shopping Center, just north of Jacksonville University.
Mulloy and his wife, Natalee, relocated to Jacksonville from Phoenix in May 2023 to be closer to family and for a change of scenery.
“We were just tired of Arizona. It has become LA 2.0—too crowded and expensive,” Mulloy said.
Currently in the permitting stage, The Lazy Manatee is expected to accommodate up to 90 patrons. The layout will include a main bar and dining area, along with a lounge featuring couches and oversized chairs.
“There will be two seating areas with a couch and two chairs, plus a few high-top tables, likely made from wine or whiskey barrels,” Mulloy explained.
The taproom will also include a dedicated children’s area, a feature inspired by the couple’s own family, which includes a 17-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son.
Mulloy, who spent 21 years in the grocery industry before transitioning to the craft beer business with Arizona-based Huss Brewing Co., considered installing a brewing system but found the cost—ranging from $500,000 to $1 million—prohibitive. Instead, he is working with a budget of approximately $150,000 for the taproom’s build-out, which is being handled by Mardon Construction.
While Jacksonville’s craft beer scene is smaller than Arizona’s, Mulloy hopes to introduce a variety of West Coast brews. However, Florida’s distribution laws may limit the selection.
“We’re going to dig into our Arizona roots and bring in as many West Coast beers as we can,” he said.
In the future, Mulloy hopes to collaborate with a local brewery to create exclusive beers for The Lazy Manatee. The beer selection will rotate regularly, but mainstream brands like Budweiser and Miller won’t be available.
“We’re not going to have Bud Light, but there are plenty of other beers that are comparable,” he said. “There’s a beer for everybody—that’s what we’ve figured out.”
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