Beneath Savannah’s genteel façade of historic squares and Spanish moss lies a vibrant nightlife scene with a penchant for secrecy. The city’s hidden bars carry forward a tradition that dates back to Prohibition, when Savannah’s port location made it a smuggler’s paradise for illicit spirits. These modern speakeasies offer an alternative to the open-container culture of River Street and the tourist-filled haunts.
Here is a list of 14 hidden bars in Savannah where craft cocktails, atmospheric charm, and the thrill of discovery await those in-the-know.
Artillery Bar
Housed in a 1896 artillery warehouse, this refined cocktail bar hides behind an unassuming exterior on Bull Street. Heavy velvet drapes separate the bustling street from an interior that blends original architectural elements with opulent furnishings.
Crystal chandeliers illuminate marble surfaces while mixologists prepare classic cocktails with scientific precision. The dress code keeps the atmosphere elevated, with a no-baseball-caps policy that maintains the sophisticated ambiance Victorian-era designers might have imagined.
The Mata Hari
Finding this authentic speakeasy requires both a password and a special membership coin—genuine barriers that maintain its underground status. Located beneath a restaurant on the riverfront, the bar recreates the Prohibition era with vintage furnishings and regular burlesque performances.
The cocktail program focuses on classics from the 1920s, prepared with house-made ingredients and presented with theatrical flair. The velvet lounge areas encourage intimate conversation while live jazz fills the dimly lit space.
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Alley Cat Lounge
Hidden down a nondescript alley off Broughton Street, this subterranean bar presents its extensive menu in the form of a newspaper called “The Alley Cat Rag.” The illuminated bar shelves display hundreds of spirits organized by type and region, while the knowledgeable staff provides tableside education about lesser-known liquors.
The space remains cool even during Savannah’s sweltering summers, with brick walls creating natural insulation. Despite its hidden location, locals pack the place for its Sunday industry nights, when bartenders from across the city gather after their shifts.
The Wayward
Through an unmarked door above a Thai restaurant on Liberty Street, this intimate bar specializes in mezcal and tequila cocktails. The rustic wooden interior features reclaimed materials from historic Savannah buildings, creating a space that feels simultaneously old and new.
Large windows overlook Liberty Street while obscuring the view from outside, allowing patrons to watch the street scene below without being seen. The limited seating enforces a relaxed pace that encourages patrons to savor their carefully crafted drinks rather than rushing through rounds.
Congress Street Up
Located above the popular American restaurant 220 East, this hidden gem requires guests to enter through a separate, unmarked door. The reward for finding the entrance is a cozy space with expertly crafted cocktails that change seasonally.
The bar’s reputation among mixology enthusiasts stems from their house-made tinctures and infusions created from ingredients sourced at the nearby farmers market. Vintage couches and low tables create conversation areas where strangers often become friends over a shared appreciation for rare spirits.
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The Lost Square
Perched atop The Alida Hotel, this rooftop bar remains unknown to many tourists despite offering panoramic views of the Savannah River. The entrance through the hotel elevator requires knowing which floor to select, as signage remains minimal.
Named after one of Savannah’s most historic squares, the bar honors the city’s architectural heritage while offering modern craft cocktails featuring Southern ingredients. Fire pits and strategic landscaping create intimate zones within the open-air space, perfect for watching container ships pass on the river below.
Water Witch Tiki
Named after a Confederate ironclad warship built in Savannah during the Civil War, this hidden tiki bar combines historical references with tropical escapism. The entrance through an unassuming door in the Starland District leads to a riot of color and kitsch.
Custom ceramic mugs shaped like local historical figures hold complex rum concoctions that would impress even the most dedicated tiki enthusiasts. The bar’s house-made falernum—a spiced sweet syrup essential to many classic tiki recipes—has developed a cult following among cocktail aficionados.
The Basement
Beneath an antique shop on Abercorn Street, this jazz-focused speakeasy features live music several nights a week in an intimate underground setting. The low ceiling amplifies the acoustic performances while vintage furnishings encourage patrons to imagine themselves transported to another era.
The cocktail menu emphasizes whiskey and bourbon drinks that complement the musical offerings. A small window at the top of one wall offers glimpses of passing feet on the sidewalk above, reinforcing the hidden nature of the experience.
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PinPoint
Behind a sliding bookcase in an upscale hotel lobby, this intimate bar takes its name from a historic African American community on Savannah’s outskirts. The cocktail program highlights ingredients that would have been available to Gullah Geechee communities along the Georgia coast, including cane sugar, rice, and seafood elements.
The space accommodates just 24 patrons at maximum capacity, creating an exclusive atmosphere without pretension. Historical photographs and artifacts from Pin Point decorate the walls, providing cultural context for the thoughtfully designed drink menu.
The Fitzroy
This Australian-inspired hideaway requires patrons to enter through a vintage phone booth at the back of a seemingly ordinary pub. The interior transports visitors with its Melbourne street art aesthetic and craft cocktails featuring Australian spirits rarely found elsewhere in Savannah.
The hidden location allows the bar to maintain a laid-back vibe that contrasts with the more formal speakeasies downtown. A small kitchen serves Australian meat pies and other down-under specialties that pair perfectly with the signature drinks.
Peacock Lounge
Hidden behind an unmarked door in the Historic District, this jewel-toned cocktail den draws inspiration from the exotic birds that sometimes roam Forsyth Park. Vibrant peacock motifs appear in the stained-glass and upholstery, while the cocktail menu features colorful, Instagram-worthy creations.
Despite the visual flair, the bartenders take their craft seriously, incorporating house-made bitters and unexpected flavor combinations. The bar’s location near several major hotels ensures a mix of in-the-know tourists and locals seeking refuge from more obvious drinking establishments.
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The Vault
Housed in a former bank building on Broughton Street, this speakeasy operates behind a working safe door that dates to the early 20th century. Cocktails arrive in vintage banking containers—safety deposit boxes hold share plates, while money bags contain check presenters.
The original vault remains intact, now serving as a private room for small groups seeking even more exclusivity. The bartenders embrace the financial theme with cocktails named after economic terms, though the friendly service keeps the experience from feeling stuffy.
Ghost Coast Distillery Bar
While the distillery itself operates openly, few visitors discover the hidden cocktail bar accessed through an unmarked door in the tasting room. This secret space allows the distillers to experiment with cocktails using their spirits in ways that regulations wouldn’t permit in the main tasting area.
The industrial-chic space features views into the production facility through one-way glass, allowing patrons to observe the distilling process while enjoying drinks. The rotation of experimental batches means the cocktail menu changes frequently, rewarding repeat visitors.
The Trade Room
Hidden inside the lobby of the Perry Lane Hotel, this leather-clad sanctuary pays homage to Savannah’s history as a trading port. The entrance blends so seamlessly with the wood-paneled walls that first-time visitors often walk past it multiple times.
Inside, vintage maps and navigation instruments decorate the space, while the cocktail menu draws inspiration from the various cultures that have influenced Savannah through centuries of international trade. The comfortable seating encourages lengthy conversations that might extend from happy hour until well past midnight.
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Savannah’s Secretive Spirit
These hidden establishments represent more than just places to enjoy a drink—they honor Savannah’s complicated relationship with alcohol that stretches from Prohibition bootlegging to current open-container laws. The speakeasy aesthetic suits a city built on secrets, where historic homes hide lush gardens behind brick walls and ghost stories linger on every corner.
Whether accessed through unmarked doors, concealed entrances, or membership requirements, these bars reward the curious traveler willing to venture beyond the obvious tourist path.
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