32 Best Bars in Savannah, Georgia

In a beautifully renovated space with pressed-tin ceilings and a gorgeous antique bar, this is the place to come for a bottle of wine or champagne by the glass. Recordings of jazz legends like Billie Holiday or Django Reinhardt are usually the soundtrack, and the bar area is filled with tucked-away nooks for couples on a date. The gastropub next door offers a full menu of French fare that can also be ordered late into the night. The gourmet burgers and the mussels are highly recommended.

This laid-back spot invites you to indulge your sweet tooth. Walking through the door, you're immediately greeted by a dessert case full of freshly baked specialties—try some of the homemade truffles. The menu also includes a spectacular list of specialty drinks, including champagne cocktails, chocolate martinis, and a modest selection of beer and wines. Warm up with an Irish coffee or the truly divine "drinkable chocolate," an especially fulfilling twist on hot chocolate.

Lighted by flickering candles, this tavern in the basement of The Olde Pink House is one of Savannah's most romantic late-night spots. There's a talented piano player setting the mood, two stone fireplaces, and an array of fox-hunt memorabilia. The upstairs menu is available, with the same quality of service but a slightly less formal approach.

The handful of tables fill up fast, but the staff will serve you wherever you find a spot.

Nestled on top of the Thompson Hotel, this popular rooftop bar has glittering views of the Savannah River. There is a compact, well-curated list of cocktails, but the star of the show may be the bar's fluffy, savory bread, which becomes delicious pizzas and flatbreads. Dinnertime seating is first-come, first-served, so come early to put your name down.

This sleek nightspot regularly features live jazz, blues, and acoustic stylings. The decor is luxe, perhaps even a bit over-the-top. There's a great balcony on the side where you can have a drink while enjoying a view of lovely Forsyth Park.

Savannah's mainstay gay bar offers three levels of fun: drag shows and occasional burlesque and theater productions upstairs; dance parties on the main floor; and a relaxing spot for conversation or karaoke in the basement bar. Although the decor is a little tacky, the scene is wildly fun when the lights go down and the music starts.

This is the place to be if you're trying to catch the big game. Although it's a few miles east of downtown, Coach's Corner serves burgers and other traditional pub grub and is known for some of the best wings in all of Savannah. Check their Facebook page for the occasional live music offerings.

Part sports bar, part music venue, the Congress Street Social Club is always jam-packed on weekend nights. Enjoy drinks and street eats right off the grill on the patio, dance to live music or a DJ inside, or play a round of pool in Social's basement. For a more laid-back experience, stop by on a weekend afternoon for nibbles, beer, and dogspotting on the patio.

Besides being home to its own recording studio, this 1940s-era factory building hosts fashion, art, and live music events. Run by a young couple hailing from New York City, the place attracts up-and-coming and known national touring artists alike, including some big names like Art Garfunkel. The vibe is offbeat and indie, a mirrored stage and hipster patrons, all in an expansive old warehouse with impressive high ceilings and exposed brick walls. It's open only when there's a show, so check the calendar.

This place was once a strip club, and the original stripper pole still hangs horizontally above the bar. The owner gave the space a warm, homey feel, creating the bar out of metal shavings from a machine shop. On weekends this is a big hangout for young hipsters who like cheap beer and live rock music. The staff is friendly, and the jukebox is awesome.

This Scottish pub is a must for Scotch lovers, who'll find a selection of more than 100 single malts. Well-prepared Scottish and American specialties include bangers and mash and fish-and-chips. Local rock bands and singer-songwriters perform Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night. Stop by the original location near City Market or venture out to Molly's Richmond Hill and Pooler outposts.

Reminiscent of an old roadside honky tonk, Savannah Smiles features dueling piano players that take requests via napkins, and a tip will get your song bumped up in the playlist. Patrons are encouraged to participate in the onstage antics. The kitchen is open late.

This dive bar's biggest claim to fame was that Georgia's own Jimmy Carter stood up on the bar to announce his bid for the presidency. The people are friendly, the drinks are cheap, the analog jukebox is loaded with an unexpected mix of soul, R&B, and punk, and the vibe is laid-back with zero frills.

An old-school dive bar that claims to have "the coldest beer in town," the Warehouse's River Street location means more tourists than locals. The service is friendly, and lots of different local bands play everything from original rock and country to classic covers. The kitchen serves Southern standbys if you get a hankering for something to snack on.

Enjoy the best views of the Savannah River and the cargo ships coming to port from this bar on the rooftop of the Cotton Sail Hotel. During the daytime Top Deck is quite low-key, but it gets lively and packed during the evening hours. Enjoy tasty, eclectic light bites with classic mixed drinks or more inspired signature cocktails.

It's the best place in town to catch the sunset while enjoying a drink.