How Bazar
Downtown Gainesville, Gainesville
Bar in Gainesville, United States
Book with PearlWhy go
How Bazar is a compact downtown Gainesville spot that works best for small groups of two or three. First-timers should target weekday evenings to avoid the weekend rush near the University of Florida campus. Booking is easy, but space is limited; confirm table availability before arriving with a larger group.
About How Bazar
Quick Verdict
How Bazar at 60 SW 2nd St puts a genuine constraint on group planning in Gainesville: seating is limited, if you're arriving with four or more people on a weekend, you're competing with walk-ins and regulars for whatever space is available. Book ahead if you can, aim for a weekday evening to get the most out of the room without the pressure of a packed house.
The Space
How Bazar sits in downtown Gainesville's compact SW 2nd Street corridor, a block type that tends toward narrow storefronts and close-together tables. First-timers should expect an intimate, smaller-scale room rather than an expansive venue. That works in your favour for a date or a pair of friends; for groups of four or more, the spatial constraints become a real factor. Ask about table configuration when you book, confirm whether the layout can accommodate your party comfortably before you arrive.
Group Suitability
For first-timers bringing a group, the honest advice is this: How Bazar works better for two to three people than for a full table of six. Smaller parties can settle in quickly and get the full experience the venue is sized for. Larger groups should check availability early in the week for Friday or Saturday visits, consider arriving before peak hours. If flexibility matters to your group, a Sunday or Monday visit typically means shorter waits and more attentive service across comparable downtown Gainesville spots.
When to Go
Weekday evenings are the practical sweet spot. Weekend nights in this part of downtown fill fast once the University of Florida schedule kicks into gear, so if you're visiting during a home game weekend or graduation season, treat booking as non-negotiable rather than optional. The quieter mid-week window is where first-timers get the clearest read on what How Bazar actually delivers.
Practical Details
Address: 60 SW 2nd St, Gainesville, FL 32601. Booking difficulty: easy. Phone and online booking details are not currently listed; check Google or walk in during off-peak hours to confirm current hours and reservation options. For broader context on where How Bazar sits in Gainesville's dining and bar scene, see our full Gainesville restaurants guide, our full Gainesville bars guide, and our full Gainesville experiences guide. Planning a full trip? Our full Gainesville hotels guide and our full Gainesville wineries guide cover the rest of the city.
Quick reference: 60 SW 2nd St, downtown Gainesville; easy to book, leading for 2–3 people, weekday evenings recommended.
Planning details
- Location
- 60 SW 2nd St, Gainesville, FL 32601
- Website
- thehowbazar.com
- Phone
- +1 352 554 4511
The take
The Take
The Vibe
How Bazar reads as a thoughtful, contemporary downtown bar where cocktails and food occupy equal billing. The copy frames the venue as part of a local shift toward more considered drink programmes, aligning it with higher-tier cocktail bars while retaining the energy of a college-town corridor. Rather than leaning into heavy décor tropes, the emphasis is on craft—on menus and pours that deliberate together—so the overall impression is modern and sophisticated without feeling overwrought. It fits naturally into a walkable cluster of independent spots that reward lingering and conversation.
Best For
This is a spot built for evening visits: people who want to settle in for drinks and small plates rather than treat the kitchen as an afterthought. Located on SW 2nd Street in downtown Gainesville, it sits within a concentrated dining-and-drinking corridor that encourages bar-to-bar evenings, making it well suited to after-work outings, casual group nights, and lingering dinners where cocktails and food are in dialogue. The venue’s pairing-first logic helps extend the evening rather than shorten it.
Ordering Tips
Order with the pairing mindset the venue emphasizes: plan for drinks first and pick food that complements rather than competes. The kitchen is described as deliberately conversational with the bar programme, so choose shareable plates or composed small dishes meant to extend your stay; they are designed to keep the focus on the cocktails while adding texture and length to the evening. If you’re bar-hopping in the corridor, start here with an easy cocktail-and-snack combination to set the tone.
Venue details
Ambiance
Kaleidoscopic and vibrant atmosphere blending retail, community events, and nightlife with an eclectic, colorful design.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Lounge
- Late Night
- Open Until 2am
- Music
- Punk, Metal, R&b
- Live Music
- Yes
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Also Consider
- Beaker & Flask Wine Co.; Notable alternative
- Alpin Bistro; Notable alternative
- Curia On The Drag; Notable alternative
- Cypress & Grove Brewing Company; Notable alternative
- Da Vinci pizza and pasta; Notable alternative
Bar context
How It Compares
How Bazar is the right pick if you want something with a distinct downtown address and an intimate room, but it faces real competition in Gainesville's central corridor. Beaker & Flask Wine Co. is the stronger call for wine-focused evenings or date nights where a considered list matters more than atmosphere novelty. It also handles small groups more predictably. If you're after a European bistro feel with more menu structure, Alpin Bistro gives you a clearer dining format and tends to be more group-friendly in terms of table sizing.
For groups of four or more who want a relaxed, lower-stakes evening, Cypress & Grove Brewing Company handles volume better than most downtown options; larger floor, more flexible seating, no pressure to turn the table. Curia On The Drag is the better move if your group wants a cocktail-forward bar environment with more ambient energy. How Bazar sits between these options: more character than a brewery tap room, less polish than Beaker & Flask.
If you're benchmarking against bar programs nationally, Gainesville doesn't yet have the depth of a Bar Leather Apron in Honolulu, Jewel of the South in New Orleans, or Julep in Houston; but How Bazar is a reasonable entry point for the local scene, particularly for first-timers who want something more considered than a generic college-town bar.
Explore Gainesville
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full How Bazar guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare How Bazar
| Venue | Booking Difficulty | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| How Bazar | Easy | No published awards |
| Beaker & Flask Wine Co. | Unknown | No published awards |
| Alpin Bistro | Unknown | No published awards |
| Curia On The Drag | Unknown | No published awards |
| Cypress & Grove Brewing Company | Unknown | No published awards |
| Da Vinci pizza and pasta | Unknown | No published awards |
What to weigh when choosing between How Bazar and alternatives.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is How Bazar located?
How Bazar is located in Gainesville, at 60 SW 2nd St, Gainesville, FL 32601.
