I walked into The Norm and was immediately greeted by smiling, happy faces. One of the biggest smiles was from Laura, the bartender, as she gave me an ice cold beer. Smiles, and ice cold beer are often hard to come by in Jacksonville’s bars and I couldn't help but smile myself as I enjoyed my beer and looked around.
There was a flat screen with the game on, a pool table in use and a dart game, all things that can be found in many bars and clubs but there was more; it was a Friday night but it could have just as well been a Sunday dinner gathering of family and friends with plenty of room at the table for the new guy/gal.
I had been to the Norm before, as I've done many times when writing a review, I’ll go just to hang out and then I’ll go back with the staff knowing I’ll be there. Just about anyplace will keep you in cold beer and good service if they think you might write something good about them, or worse, something bad.
I judge a place based on both experiences, you probably wouldn't be surprised how many places give poor service and warm beer to “some guy” but go out of their way when they know that same ‘some guy” has a column to write.
The Norm treated me like family, both times. As one patron put it “It’s a big fucking family, come one, come all!” She wasn't alone, family was a word used by many of the patrons I spoke with, along with; safe, comfortable, chill, home, and good people.
I couldn't find one person that had a bad thing to say about the Norm. It’s not like I go looking for anyone with something bad to say but they tend to look for me if they know why I’m there, not so at The Norm.
The night I was there Les Vixens, the most non mouse related fun Orlando has to offer, was performing Burlesque the way it was intended; with heart, heels, pasties and glitter. personally I could do without the pasties and the glitter but they add to the mystery that is the supple moves of the burlesque dancer. Follow the link for more on Les Vixens.
The crowd was a 80/20 mix of women and men, aged 18-50 but I doubt anyone would feel out of place at The Norm. They offer many and varied events; beer pong, cook outs on their patio, open mic, live music, comedy shows, drag shows and burlesque. Be sure to check out their facebook for the latest events and happenings.
So if friendly people, a family feel, a safe environment, lots of things going on, ice cold beer, wonderful service and clean restrooms are your thing, be sure to stop on by The Norm, sit down and drink a few.
And remember guys, men are welcome but it is a girl's bar, so please put the seat down.
Weekdays 4:00 pm-2:00 am
Weekends 3:00 pm-2:00 am
Monday
$2.00 Miller Madness Mondaze
AUCD Draught (Dom. $10/ Prem.$22)
Tuesday
Happy Hour Prices
( $2.00 draught/ $2.50 dom. bottles)
AUCD Draught (Dom. $10/ Prem.$22)
Wednesday
2-4-1 Domestics
AUCD Draught (Dom. $10/ Prem.$22)
Thursday
Trivia with DJ Sappho
$1.75 PBR all night
AUCD Draught (Dom. $10/ Prem.$22)
Friday/Saturday
Alternating line ups of the hottest fem and drag king performers.
Sunday
AUCD Draught (open to close)
(Dom. $10/ Prem.$22)
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