Savannah's happy hour culture blends Southern hospitality with surprisingly good deals, from 50-cent oysters to $3 rosé with river views. Whether you're a local seeking hidden neighborhood gems or a visitor wanting to experience the city's legendary bar scene, knowing exactly where to go and when to arrive makes all the difference. With over 100 venues offering specials across downtown, Tybee Island, and surrounding areas, this guide will help you navigate the best deals between 3pm and 7pm on weekdays.
Why Savannah's happy hour scene hits different
The magic of Savannah's happy hour culture goes beyond cheap drinks. Thanks to the city's open container law, you can take your cocktail in a plastic to-go cup and stroll between Historic District bars. It's like adult trick-or-treating, except the treats are $1 oysters and the costume is whatever you wore to work.
Most happy hours run from 3pm to 7pm on weekdays, though savvy drinkers know the real action starts at 3pm sharp. Arrive by 4pm if you want a seat at the bar… any later and you'll be standing behind three rows of tourists asking what grits are.
Downtown Historic District: Where history meets happy hour
The heart of Savannah's happy hour scene pulses through the Historic District, where century-old buildings house modern drink specials.
The heavy hitters
Sorry Charlie's Oyster Bar on Congress Street occupies one of the city's oldest commercial buildings, serving $1 oysters alongside $3 Savannah Beer and $5 champagne Monday through Thursday from 4-6pm. The prime bar seating fills up fast with locals who've perfected the art of oyster slurping between work emails.
Just down on River Street, The Broken Keel doubles your opportunities with two happy hours daily. The early session from 3-6pm features $2 off domestic drafts and well liquor, while the late-night encore from 9-11pm offers $4 Michelob Ultra drafts. Because sometimes you need a second chance at happiness.
For those who believe happy hour should involve actual happiness, The Ordinary Pub offers $12 bottomless mimosas daily. Their underground location means you're literally drinking below street level, which feels appropriately rebellious for day drinking.
Rooftop revelry
Top Deck atop the Cotton Sail Hotel revolutionized the happy hour concept with their "every hour is happy hour" approach. They serve $3 rosé all day, every day, because why limit joy to specific hours? Tuesdays bring additional $3.50 specials on beer, Tito's, and Jameson. The giant pretzels pair perfectly with panoramic river views that make you forget you're technically drinking on a hotel.
Peregrin at Perry Lane Hotel takes sophistication up a notch… literally. Open 4-10pm daily (midnight on weekends), this botanical-themed conservatory offers panoramic city views with "warm-up" and "cool-down" cocktail menus. It's where you go when you want to feel fancy while still getting a deal.
Hidden gems and speakeasies
Some of Savannah's best happy hours require a treasure map… or at least good directions.
Alley Cat Lounge operates as a true speakeasy with a basement entrance below Broughton Street. Open Monday through Thursday from 4pm-1am and until 2am on weekends, this 1870s gem features:
- House-made syrups and sodas
- Newspaper-style cocktail menu
- Infusions that impress
- Zero tourist crowds
Even more hidden, Mata Hari requires either a password from hotel concierges or pedicab drivers, or a burlesque show ticket for guaranteed entry. Located behind the Quality Inn on Lower Factors Walk, they specialize in absinthe and Prohibition-era cocktails like Gin Rickeys and Bee's Knees. It's like stepping into a speakeasy that forgot Prohibition ended.
Local neighborhood favorites: Where Savannah actually drinks
Venture beyond downtown to discover where residents spend their happy hours without dodging bachelorette parties.
Midtown magic
Green Truck Pub on Habersham Street draws a 70% local crowd thanks to limited parking that naturally filters out tourists. Open 11:30am-10pm Monday through Saturday, they serve grass-fed burgers and thoughtfully curated craft beers in a setting where everybody actually does know your name.
Crystal Beer Parlor, Savannah's second-oldest restaurant dating to 1933, maintains its historic atmosphere with 26 beers on tap and famous crab stew. The 60/40 local-to-tourist ratio means you might meet a visitor, but they'll probably be cool.
Island escapes without leaving the mainland
The Flying Fish on Wilmington Island serves half-price peel-and-eat shrimp Monday through Friday from 3-7pm to a crowd that's 75% locals. Further out on Whitemarsh Island, veteran-owned The Snug Irish Pub extends happy hour from 2-6pm Wednesday through Sunday, creating a family-friendly atmosphere where 80% of patrons are neighborhood regulars who've memorized the daily specials.
Pooler's surprising sophistication
Noble Roots wine bar brings self-service wine machines dispensing 24 varieties during their 4-5pm Monday-Friday happy hour. This Blue Moon Crossing shopping center location draws 90% locals who appreciate pouring their own samples without judgment. Even Dave & Buster's offers respectable $5 beverages including 22-ounce drafts, though the 70% tourist crowd reflects its Tanger Outlets proximity.
Tybee Island: Beach bars worth the drive
Eighteen miles from downtown, Tybee Island operates on island time with happy hours that reflect the laid-back beach vibe.
Zunzibar leads with two daily happy hours. The "Golden Hour" from 5-7pm and late-night session from 10-11pm both feature 26% off all drinks plus $1 wings. It's the only double happy hour on the island, complemented by craft cocktails and live music that draws an even tourist-to-local split.
Local dive Doc's Bar keeps it simple with $1 off domestic beers and $3.50 well drinks daily from 4-7pm. The 70% local crowd appreciates the no-frills approach and sandy flip-flops welcome policy. For the ultimate local experience, Nickie's 1971 Bar and Grill serves $2 domestic beers and $3.50 wells Monday through Friday from 4-7pm. Their "best local hangout" designation comes from an 80% regular clientele who treat the bar like their living room.
Specialty venues: Breweries, wine bars, and beyond
Savannah's craft scene extends well beyond standard bar offerings.
Brewery boom
Service Brewing Co. stands out as veteran-owned, donating portions of sales to veteran charities. Open Wednesday-Friday 4-9pm and Saturday noon-9pm, their military-themed beers like Ground Pounder Pale Ale reflect the owners' service backgrounds. House cats Chinook and Black Hawk provide additional entertainment between pints.
Coastal Empire Beer Co. claims Savannah's most award-winning brewery title with 13 international medals. Their signature Southern Delight Praline Amber, brewed with Georgia pecans and vanilla, tastes like dessert in a glass… which is totally acceptable at 4pm on a Tuesday.
Wine and dine
Cha Bella on East Broad Street transforms Wednesdays into wine lover's paradise with half-priced bottles. This farm-to-table Italian spot uses no microwave or freezer, meaning everything arrives fresh and locally sourced. Wine tastes better when you know the tomatoes came from down the road.
The Vault Kitchen & Market occupies a converted Bank of America building, maintaining the original vault door and safe deposit boxes while serving Asian fusion and sushi. First-come, first-served seating means arriving early or embracing the wait.
Your day-by-day guide to maximum savings
Strategic planning means never paying full price for drinks in Savannah.
Monday: Service industry appreciation
- The Wormhole: $2 off shots/cocktails (6pm-2am, ID required)
- McDonough's happy hour: 2-6pm, $4 wells/imports
- The Rail Pub: Happy hour from opening until 7pm
Tuesday: Taco Tuesday evolved
- Top Deck: $3.50 beer, Tito's, and Jameson
- Enhanced taco deals citywide
- Late Air: Extended specials
Wednesday: Wine down
- Artillery: Half-priced bottles all night
- Treylor Park: 50% off wine bottles
- The Rail Pub: Free Fried Chicken Wednesday
Thursday: The weekend warm-up
- Cohen's Retreat: All-night happy hour
- College night at various venues
- Extended hours everywhere
Friday-Sunday: Weekend warrior specials
- Ardsley Station: Dual happy hours (3-6pm & 9pm-close)
- The Ordinary Pub: $12 bottomless mimosas
- Artillery: Captain's Brunch with free bagels
Insider tips for happy hour success
Mastering Savannah's happy hour scene requires local knowledge.
Timing and transportation
The $15 Visitor Day Pass provides 24 hours of unlimited parking in city garages and metered spaces. Evening street parking becomes free after 8pm, and Sundays offer complimentary parking all day. The Whitaker Street Garage positions you centrally at $2/hour with a $16 daily maximum.
Unwritten rules
Follow these guidelines to drink like a local:
- Arrive early (3-4pm) for prime seating
- Tip generously… locals say "drink responsibly, tip recklessly"
- Flash service industry ID on Mondays
- Ask about unlisted specials
- Embrace the to-go cup tradition
Best bang for your buck
The math on Savannah's best happy hour values:
- Sorry Charlie's: 2 dozen oysters + 3 beers = $35
- Common: Build a meal from 50-cent oysters
- McDonough's: Half-price appetizers substantial enough for dinner
- Zunzibar: 26% off everything beats most other discounts
Seasonal considerations and current pricing
Timing your visit can significantly impact your experience.
When to visit
Fall through early spring offers ideal patio weather without summer's 90% humidity. March brings St. Patrick's Day price surges and capacity issues requiring strategic planning. Tourist season from March through October means higher prices and longer waits, but off-season visitors enjoy better access to popular spots with more intimate atmospheres.
2025 price snapshot
According to recent reports, current happy hour pricing shows:
- Domestic drafts: $2-4
- Craft beers: $4-6
- Cocktails: $7-10 (regular $12-15)
- Oysters: $0.50-$2.50 each
- Small plates: $8-14
New kids on the block
Savannah's happy hour scene constantly evolves with fresh additions.
Das Box won 2024's Best New Bar award, while Wexford Irish Pub brought authentic Irish atmosphere to City Market with materials shipped directly from Ireland. Saint Bibiana offers coastal Italian at Hotel Bardo, and Flora and Fauna transformed the former Back in the Day Bakery location into an all-day eatery in Starland District.
The bottom line on Savannah happy hours
Success in Savannah's happy hour scene comes from understanding it represents more than discounted drinking. It's a daily ritual of Southern hospitality and community connection. The plastic cup tradition embodies the city's laid-back approach, encouraging exploration throughout the Historic District.
Whether seeking $2 dive bar beers at Nickie's 1971 on Tybee Island or craft cocktails with panoramic views at Peregrin, Savannah offers something for every taste and budget. Time your visits strategically, explore beyond the tourist corridor, and embrace the uniquely Savannah tradition of taking your drink to-go as you discover your next favorite spot.
With over 100 venues offering specials and new establishments constantly joining the scene, Savannah's happy hour culture continues evolving while maintaining its essential character. It's a perfect blend of historic charm, Southern hospitality, and surprisingly good deals that make every hour feel like happy hour… especially when you're paying 50 cents for oysters.
