According to recent reporting, a local bar will soon finish its much-anticipated upgrade.
“After a six-year process, plans to expand That Bar at the Arena at 234 A. Philip Randolph Blvd. are back on track,” the Business Journal states.
“When complete, the new porch will allow the venue to stage music events at That Bar Live, activating the upstairs interior and patio space for the first time since building and business owner Warren Merrill purchased the property for $1.4 million through 234A LLC in October 2017.”
“We finally get to activate the upstairs and enhance the business with our own events,” Merrill told the Business Journal.
Reportedly, the hospitality destination’s bar and restaurant area from 5,376 square feet to 9,219 square feet across two stories — a covered patio and an uncovered rooftop space, according to Business Journal reporting.
On July 30, 2025 Duval County approved site plans for the two-story rear addition on the north side of the brick structure. Today, Merrill is in the process of putting together a bid package for general contractors to review.
During construction, garage doors will replace double doors to connect upstairs and downstairs patios for better flow. In addition, Merrill wants to add a second-floor wrap-around walkway, “similar to what you’d see at buildings in New Orleans.”
Maximizing the footprint will increase That Bar’s occupancy from approximately 220 to 795 people. This capacity is intentional as the regional acts that Merrill wants to bring in require a capacity of at least 500 people.
Shows will vary in genre with a focus on Top 40 country acts, which offer the “broadest demographic,” Merrill said.
The owner plans on hosting at least two shows a month to boost business revenue when nearby entertainment is not scheduled.
Once a building permit is issued and work begins, Merrill estimates that the simple annex structure will require about six to months to build.
