Finding the best bars in Savannah is not hard. Finding the right ones for your trip takes more than a quick search.
To build this guide, I reviewed local tourism resources, recent customer reviews, Savannah nightlife publications, and business listings across the Historic District, River Street, City Market, and the Starland District.
Every bar on this list was cross-checked for current operation as of 2025 and 2026.
Here you'll find 21 verified picks with real details, plus bar crawl routes, seasonal timing, neighborhood breakdowns, and the mistakes most visitors make.
Why Savannah's Bar Scene Stands Out
Savannah allows open containers in the Historic District. You can carry your drink between bars in a clear plastic cup, legally. That single fact changes the whole experience.
Beyond the freedom, Savannah has bars in buildings from the 1700s, 1800s, and early 1900s. You drink in actual history.
The mix of options is also strong: craft cocktail lounges, rooftop bars with river views, tiki bars, dive bars, speakeasies, piano bars, and classic British pubs.
Few American cities of this size give you this many good choices within walking distance of each other.
21 Best Bars in Savannah for an Unforgettable Night Out
Each of these 21 bars was selected after cross-referencing Yelp rankings, TripAdvisor reviews, Visit Savannah listings, Savannah Chamber records, and recent nightlife publications.
1. Abe's on Lincoln
Why It Makes the List: According to Wikipedia and Historic Savannah Foundation records, this building has served drinks continuously since 1852, making it one of the oldest bars in the United States.
Signature Drinks to Try: Cold beer, simple mixed drinks.
Best For: History lovers, locals, no-pretense evenings.
Atmosphere and Experience: Dark, unpretentious, and genuinely old. Ask the bartender for a napkin and pen to add your own Lincoln sketch to the collection.
2. Peregrin at Perry Lane Hotel
Why It Makes the List: Described by Moon Travel Guides as the first of the wave of rooftop bars to open in Savannah and still considered among the best.
Signature Drinks to Try: Chatham Artillery Punch, hand-crafted cocktails, margaritas.
Best For: Couples, rooftop fans, city views.
Atmosphere and Experience: Outdoor garden with covered seating. Upscale but relaxed. Bartenders are known for checking in on drink quality.
3. Artillery Bar
Why It Makes the List: Housed in a restored 19th-century armory on Bull Street, Artillery is Savannah's most praised cocktail bar.
Signature Drinks to Try: The Bit of a Pickle (gin, lemon, white balsamic, cucumber, dill, cracked pepper), tiki drinks, rotating craft cocktails.
Best For: Cocktail enthusiasts, date nights.
Atmosphere and Experience: Historic brick, marble and brass accents, moody lighting. Quieter and easier to get a seat in the early evening.
4. Rocks on the Roof
Why It Makes the List: Perched above the Plant Riverside District with a direct view over the Savannah River. Consistently rated among the top rooftop bars in the city.
Signature Drinks to Try: The Vieux Riviere (their Manhattan variation), classic cocktails. Small bites available.
Best For: River views, couples, sunset visits.
Atmosphere and Experience: Open-air terrace with wraparound seating. One of the few rooftop bars with true waterfront sightlines.
5. Bar Julian
Why It Makes the List: Savannah's tallest rooftop bar, located on the 13th floor of the Thompson Savannah hotel.
Signature Drinks to Try: Craft cocktails including the Pot of Gold, Mediterranean small plates and shareables.
Best For: Groups, special nights out, panoramic city views.
Atmosphere and Experience: Outdoor seating with views of the Savannah River. Walk-ins welcome for lunch and brunch. Evening hours are lively, especially on weekends.
6. Alley Cat Lounge
Why It Makes the List: A basement bar from the 1870s with what is widely described as the deepest spirits library in Savannah.
Signature Drinks to Try: Craft cocktails, rare spirits, classic builds. Small bites available.
Best For: Whiskey and spirits fans, quiet evenings.
Atmosphere and Experience: Exposed brick walls, low lighting, intimate. One of the best options in the city for a slow, focused drinking night.
7. The Original Pinkie Masters
Why It Makes the List: In operation since 1953 and barely changed since. One of Savannah's most recognized dive bars. Cash only. Open mic nights run regularly.
Signature Drinks to Try: Beer, basic mixed drinks.
Best For: Dive bar fans, history lovers.
Atmosphere and Experience: 1950s nostalgia, no-frills menu, genuine local crowd. According to local accounts, President Jimmy Carter stopped in during a St. Patrick's Day visit.
8. Congress Street Up
Why It Makes the List: A speakeasy above the American Prohibition Museum in the Historic District.
Signature Drinks to Try: Prohibition-era craft cocktails, classics like the Bee's Knees and Southside.
Best For: Date nights, cocktail-focused visitors.
Atmosphere and Experience: 1920s atmosphere, dress code in effect. Verify current entry requirements before visiting, as policies can change.
9. Crystal Beer Parlor
Why It Makes the List: In operation since 1933. One of the longest-running bars in Savannah, with a full bar and Southern bar food menu.
Signature Drinks to Try: Draft beer, wine, classic cocktails.
Best For: Groups, casual evenings.
Atmosphere and Experience: Historic and welcoming. A strong option for a long, unhurried evening.
10. Planters Tavern
Why It Makes the List: Sits in the basement of The Olde Pink House restaurant. Dark, candlelit, and consistently praised for atmosphere.
Signature Drinks to Try: Cocktails, wine, Southern spirits.
Best For: Couples, quiet drinks.
Atmosphere and Experience: Brick walls, candlelight, centuries of character. A slower pace than most bars in the Historic District.
11. Wet Willie's
Why It Makes the List: One of the most recognized bars in Savannah, with two locations on River Street and at City Market.
Signature Drinks to Try: Frozen daiquiris in every flavor. Some carry a high alcohol content, worth knowing before your second round.
Best For: First-time visitors, groups, hot afternoons.
Atmosphere and Experience: Loud, fun, and openly tourist-friendly.
12. Jazz'd Tapas Bar
Why It Makes the List: A basement bar pairing live jazz performances with a tapas menu every night. The combination draws repeat visitors.
Signature Drinks to Try: Cocktails, wine, craft beer.
Best For: Date nights, live music fans.
Atmosphere and Experience: Energetic and intimate. Low ceiling keeps the sound close.
13. Savannah Smiles Dueling Pianos
Why It Makes the List: Open since December 2000. Per the bar's official FAQ page, it is a 21+ venue open Thursday through Saturday only. Doors open between 6 and 7 p.m. depending on the night and run until 2 a.m.
Signature Drinks to Try: Beer, mixed drinks, food available.
Best For: Groups, bachelorette parties, celebration nights.
Atmosphere and Experience: All-request piano shows with audience participation. High energy, consistently packed on weekends.
14. The Bamboo Room Tiki Bar
Why It Makes the List: A tropical bar above Sorry Charlie's Oyster Bar, overlooking Ellis Square. The tiki cocktail menu is the main draw.
Signature Drinks to Try: Lowcountry Luau, Pickering's Shrunken Skull, communal drinks like the Volcano Bowl.
Best For: Groups, tiki cocktail fans.
Atmosphere and Experience: Bamboo decor, soft lighting, relaxed island energy.
15. Water Witch Tiki Bar
Why It Makes the List: A tiki bar in Savannah's Starland District, themed around the history of the USS Water Witch, a ship burned off the Georgia coast in 1864.
Signature Drinks to Try: The signature Water Witch (rum and whiskey), classic zombie, rotating seasonal builds.
Best For: Tiki fans, Starland District visitors, locals.
Atmosphere and Experience: Immersive maritime-tiki decor. Located away from the main tourist strip, making it a better local option. Live music on select nights.
16. Lone Wolf Lounge
Why It Makes the List: A neighborhood bar in the Starland District, open Monday through Saturday.
Signature Drinks to Try: Artisanal cocktails, classic builds.
Best For: Locals, laid-back evenings, anyone who wants to skip the tourist strip.
Atmosphere and Experience: Wood-paneled, kitsch decor, conversational pace. The kind of bar that rewards lingering.
17. Repeal 33
Why It Makes the List: A 1920s speakeasy-inspired bar and restaurant in the Historic District, operated by the same team behind Prohibition.
Signature Drinks to Try: Inventive cocktails, bourbon selections, Southern-based cuisine to pair.
Best For: Cocktail fans, bourbon drinkers, private events.
Atmosphere and Experience: Vintage-inspired, well-staffed, three distinct areas available.
18. The Hawthorn Minibar and Lounge
Why It Makes the List: The bar top is salvaged from church pews and the stained glass windows date to approximately the 1870s.
Signature Drinks to Try: Craft cocktails, wine.
Best For: Anyone who wants a bar with real character.
Atmosphere and Experience: Historical, detailed, and personal.
19. Six Pence Pub
Why It Makes the List: Consistently described as the most authentic British pub in the American South. Guinness on tap, Magners cider, and a full British food menu.
Signature Drinks to Try: Guinness, pickleback (Jameson followed by pickle brine). British ales available.
Best For: British pub fans, quiet pints.
Atmosphere and Experience: Warm and cozy.
20. The Rail Pub
Why It Makes the List: A Congress Street bar in an 1890s building with a consistent local following.
Signature Drinks to Try: Beer, casual drinks.
Best For: Locals, laid-back nights.
Atmosphere and Experience: Casual and historic. Check current promotions directly before visiting, as drink specials change.
21. Barrelhouse South
Why It Makes the List: Frequently praised by visitors as the bar they returned to more than once in a single trip. Reliable cocktails and a well-run operation with strong recent reviews.
Signature Drinks to Try: Craft cocktails, local spirits.
Best For: Repeat visitors, anyone who values consistency.
Atmosphere and Experience: Approachable and comfortable.
Savannah Bar Crawl Itineraries
Three tested routes through Savannah's best drinking neighborhoods, each built around a specific type of night.
3-Bar Historic District Crawl
Start at Abe's on Lincoln for history and cold beer. Walk to Crystal Beer Parlor for a classic drink and something to eat.
End at Congress Street Up for a Prohibition-era cocktail in a proper setting.
Best Rooftop Bar Crawl
Begin at Bar Julian at the Thompson Savannah for panoramic city and river views at sunset. Move to Peregrin at Perry Lane for cocktails in the outdoor garden.
Finish at Rocks on the Roof above the Plant Riverside District.
Savannah Cocktail Lover's Tour
Start at Artillery for craft cocktails in the restored 19th-century armory. Move to Alley Cat Lounge for rare spirits in the basement bar.
Close at Repeal 33 for inventive cocktails and one of the city's best bourbon lists.
Neighborhood Guide to Savannah Nightlife
River Street is where most tourists start. Frozen drinks, waterfront bars, and a festival-style energy. Gets crowded quickly on weekend nights.
City Market has more variety. Live music spots, casual bars, and short walking distances between venues. A stronger option for groups who want to move around.
Congress Street and Bay Street is the stretch with rooftop bars, speakeasies, and serious cocktail spots. It tends to draw a slightly older crowd and moves at a better pace.
The Starland District is where locals go to avoid the tourist crowd. Water Witch, Lone Wolf Lounge, and Two Tides Brewing are all here. A short rideshare from downtown and worth the trip.
When to Visit Savannah Bars
Timing your trip to Savannah changes the bar experience significantly.
The following breakdown is based on official city event schedules, seasonal visitor data from Savannah tourism guides, and bar-specific programming confirmed through current business listings.
Spring (March to May) is the peak season for visitors and the most active time for bar crawls. The Savannah Music Festival runs in March and draws large crowds.
Summer (June to August) brings heat and humidity, which makes rooftop bars and frozen daiquiri spots more popular.
Fall (September to November) is widely considered the best all-around time to visit.
Weekdays vs. Weekends: rooftop bars and cocktail lounges are far more manageable Tuesday through Thursday. You get better service at Peregrin and Artillery on a Wednesday evening than you will on a Friday.
If you want the Savannah Smiles experience, it runs Thursday through Saturday only.
How to Choose the Best Bar in Savannah
The right bar depends on what you want from the night. Here's a straight breakdown.
Based on Your Travel Style
- Solo traveler: Abe's on Lincoln or Six Pence Pub. Both have natural conversation energy at the bar.
- Couple: Planters Tavern for candlelit atmosphere or Peregrin for views.
- Group: Wet Willie's, Savannah Smiles, or Bar Julian.
Based on Drink Preferences
- Whiskey and bourbon: The Whiskey, Alley Cat Lounge, or Repeal 33.
- Frozen drinks: Wet Willie's.
- Craft cocktails: Artillery or Arco Cocktail Lounge.
- Beer: The Rail Pub or Original Pinkie Masters.
- Tiki cocktails: Bamboo Room or Water Witch.
Based on Budget
- Low budget: Abe's on Lincoln, The Rail Pub, Pour Larry's.
- Mid-range: Crystal Beer Parlor, Jazz'd Tapas Bar, Lone Wolf Lounge.
- Splurge: Peregrin, Bar Julian, Congress Street Up, Artillery.
Local Tips for Visiting Savannah Bars
A few things most guides don't mention that make a real difference.
- Carry a clear plastic cup. Any bar in the Historic District will give you one so you can walk between venues legally.
- Several of the best bars are cash only. Abe's on Lincoln and Original Pinkie Masters are two of them. ATMs are around, but carry cash to avoid a detour.
- Peregrin and Bar Julian fill up on weekend evenings. Getting there before 7:30 p.m. makes a significant difference in your experience.
- Savannah Smiles is 21+ and only open Thursday through Saturday. Double-check the night before you plan to go.
- The Starland District bars run a quieter, more local crowd. If you want to get away from bachelorette groups and tourist traffic, head there.
- Bars in Savannah generally close at 2 a.m., which is one hour later than Charleston. St. Patrick's Day is an exception, with earlier closing times enforced by the city.
- Hawthorn Minibar runs live music Wednesdays and trivia Thursdays. Both are solid midweek options when other bars are quiet.
Common Mistakes Tourists Make When Visiting Savannah Bars
Most bad nights in Savannah follow the same patterns.
- Spending the whole night on River Street. It's a fine starting point, but the most interesting bars are spread across the Historic District and Starland.
- Showing up to Congress Street Up underdressed. The dress code is real and enforced.
- Missing the speakeasies entirely. Congress Street Up and Alley Cat Lounge are two of the most memorable bars in the city and most visitors never find them.
- Only drinking frozen daiquiris. Savannah's cocktail scene at Artillery, Alley Cat, and Repeal 33 is strong. Don't skip it.
- Not carrying cash. Two of the most historically significant bars in Savannah are cash only.
- Going to Savannah Smiles on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday. They are closed those nights.
- Not asking the bartender for a recommendation. Every bar here has something it does better than anywhere else.
Conclusion
Savannah's bar scene rewards people who go past the obvious options.
The city has a genuinely strong cocktail culture, bars in buildings that have been serving drinks for over 150 years, and a legal open container policy that makes bar-hopping easy.
This guide was built from local tourism sources, verified business listings, and current visitor reviews, so every bar you read here was operating and well-regarded as of 2025 and 2026.
Use these picks as a starting point, carry cash, and always check current hours before a late visit. Bar programming and policies change, and a quick check saves a wasted trip.
Which type of bar are you most likely to start with?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the oldest bar in Savannah?
Abe's on Lincoln has operated in its current building since 1852, making it one of the oldest continuously running bars in the United States. It is a cash-only dive bar in the Historic District known for its napkin art installation.
Can you legally drink on the streets in Savannah?
Yes. Savannah allows open containers in the Historic District as long as you use a clear plastic cup. Most bars will transfer your drink to a to-go cup on request. Note that on St. Patrick's Day, open container rules are modified and you must be inside an establishment to be served.
Is Savannah Smiles still open in 2025 and 2026?
Yes. Savannah Smiles Dueling Pianos is currently open Thursday through Saturday. Doors open between 6 and 7 p.m. depending on the night, and the bar runs until 2 a.m. It is a 21+ venue with a cover charge.
What are the best bars in Savannah for first-time visitors?
A strong first-night route is Wet Willie's for a frozen daiquiri on River Street, followed by Artillery or Alley Cat Lounge for a serious cocktail, and Abe's on Lincoln if you want to see why locals take this city's bar history seriously.
What is the best time of year to visit Savannah for nightlife?
Fall, from September through November, gives you the best balance of good weather, manageable crowds, and an active bar scene. Spring is the most festive but also the most crowded. Summer works well for rooftop bars. Weekday evenings in any season offer a noticeably better experience at popular spots like Peregrin and Artillery.
