This beer-lovers' paradise on Broughton Street in the Historic District has a selection of more than 500 beers, including 62 varieties on draft. The Florida-based chain also has a mind-blowing selection of bottled beer, with choices from 40 countries. World of Beer is a no-brainer for beer connoisseurs, but even casual fans will enjoy the bar's unpretentious atmosphere and knowledgeable and friendly staff. World of Beer features live music several nights a week, daily happy hours, ladies nights and other special promotions. Patrons can even sign up for World of Beer's loyalty card program and enjoy perks and special savings.
Recommended for Best of Savannah's Historic District because: Thanks to its mind-boggling selection of beer and knowledgeable staff, World of Beer has quickly created a devoted local following.
Amy's expert tip: Download the World of Beer app on your smartphone to find WOB locations and to access rewards on your loyalty card.
If a dive bar atmosphere is your speed, be sure to check out Pinkie Master's, a Savannah institution famous for its gin cocktails in plastic cups, free-flowing PBR and laid-back atmosphere. Regulars love the neighborhood bar for its reasonably priced drinks, political memorabilia-lined walls and interesting history. A favorite story among patrons is Jimmy Carter's famous visit to Pinkie's in 1978. The story goes that Carter, then governor of Georgia, announced his plan to run for president on top of Pinkie's bar. Today you'll find a steady crowd of friendly locals--everyone from old money Savannah natives to art college students to young professionals--who enjoy good conversation just as much as cheap beer.
Recommended for Best of Savannah's Historic District because: Pinkie Master's, a local watering hole with a fascinating history, is known for its gin and tonics in plastic cups, PBR and lively banter.
Amy's expert tip: Set the mood by playing a few songs on Pinkie's jukebox.
Beer snobs unite. The Distillery, a popular Historic District bar, features an assortment of more than 100 craft brews and a rotating selection of 21 beers on tap. You won't find cheap favorites such as Bud and Miller Light here: The Distillery's beer menu is instead filled with unique choices like Terrapin Easy Rider, Left Hand Milk Stout and Moon River Apparition Ale, a locally brewed favorite. Non-beer drinkers will be pleased with the bar's excellent selection of wine and unique cocktail specials. The bar, which is housed in a former early 20th-century distilling establishment, makes the most of its historic roots, incorporating a mahogany-topped bar and antique copper still into its d�cor. Many artifacts around the bar date back to the American Revolution, and the walls are covered with posters and vintage memorabilia.
Recommended for Best of Savannah's Historic District because: A great selection of beer is one of many reasons to check out The Distillery, a bar with great atmosphere and a good all-around vibe.
Amy's expert tip: Take advantage of your server's knowledge of beer. Ask about pairings and serving size before ordering your ale.
Not everyone wants a loud bar with blaring music and a pickup scene. If your tastes are more refined and you prefer sipping a nice glass of wine while listening to classic jazz, be sure to stop by Circa 1875. The Historic District bar--once the site of an Irish pub--is dark and cozy, with old-fashioned wooden partitions between booths, a beautiful bar and gorgeous tile work. The selection at the bar is equally pleasing, with a nice array of boutique wines by the glass, imported draft beer, handcrafted martinis and standard cocktails. Patrons may order off the menu from Circa's adjoining restaurant, which serves excellent, upscale French cuisine.
Recommended for Best of Savannah's Historic District because: Perfect for those who are craving a quiet, swanky atmosphere, Circa 1875 has a lovely selection of wine and a drool-worthy French menu to boot.
Amy's expert tip: If you're dying to try Circa's food but don't want to break the bank, order the 1875 Hamburger Au Poivre.
This Congress Street staple is the place to go for live music in Savannah. Raw, unpolished and unpretentious, the Jinx has hosted some of the hottest local and regional bands since it opened its doors in 2003. The Jinx boasts a friendly bar staff, laid-back atmosphere and daily happy hours from 4 to 8 p.m. The bar attracts a wide range of patrons, from tattooed hipsters to punk rock college students to tourists who just happened to wander in. A small patio out back is a good retreat for smokers, who, by law, are prohibited from smoking inside the city's bars.
Recommended for Best of Savannah's Historic District because: The Jinx is a well-revered and laid-back bar where locals enjoy listening to live music, throwing back drinks and hanging with friends.
Amy's expert tip: Don't miss local band Damon and the Shitkickers, a self-described outlaw country band, which regularly performs at the Jinx. Check out the band's schedule on their Facebook page to see which nights they're rocking out the Jinx.
If you like your waiters in kilts and your scotch top shelf, then head to Molly MacPherson's, the city's only Scottish pub. Enjoying a great location on Congress Street just steps from City Market, Molly's is at once spacious and bustling, with plenty of room to spread out but always drawing a lively crowd. In addition to a superb selection of scotch and authentic Scottish cuisine, Molly's offers wine, beer, cocktails and more traditional bar food for less adventurous eaters. The bar hosts open mic nights on Thursdays and features live entertainment on Fridays and Saturdays. Happy hours at Molly's always draw a nice crowd and patrons can expect great drink specials.
Recommended for Best of Savannah's Historic District because: Savannah's U.K.-inspired pubs are all worth a visit, but Molly MacPherson's gets high marks for its lively atmosphere, incredible scotch selection and excellent Scottish cuisine.
Amy's expert tip: If sipping your scotch has made you hungry, try the Scotch Eggs, two deep fried hardboiled eggs encased in sausage.
Always packed, always lively, always entertaining, Jazz'd is the place to be seen in Downtown Savannah. Located in the basement of the historic Kress building, this tapas-style restaurant has a long, sleek serpentine bar and ample seating in the bar area. The eclectic drink menu boasts more than 25 types of martinis, including the pineapple upside down cake, with vanilla rum, pineapple rum, pineapple juice and grenadine, and the plumsake tini, with plum sake, vodka, raspberry schnapps and a squeeze of lemon. Those who want a late-night bite to eat will have plenty to choose from on the tapas menu, from chorizo stuffed mushrooms to basil shrimp and grits. Live music Tuesday through Sunday rounds out the Jazz'd experience, making it one of the best places to spend an evening in Savannah.
Recommended for Best of Savannah's Historic District because: Tapas, killer martinis and live music make Jazz'd the perfect spot for a night out. Go for dinner and hang out at the bar afterwards.
Amy's expert tip: Plan to stop by Jazz'd on a Thursday night when the superbly talented Trae Gurly sings Sinatra classics.
Most bars serve specialty drinks, but The Sparetime takes top honors for the most unique cocktails in town. This newcomer, located near City Market in the Historic District, offers alchemic cocktails such as the Corn N' Oil, a mixture of Cruzan Blackstrap rum, Velvet Falernum, lime juice and Angostura, and the Rose-Zarem, featuring house-infused cucumber vodka, rosewater, lemon juice and seltzer. Non-cocktail drinkers will enjoy the bar's selection of old world wines and craft beer. In addition to an impressive selection behind the bar, The Sparetime also offers an excellent menu with items such as seared duck, oysters and smoked pork belly. The bar, which features floor-to-ceiling windows and a chic interior, has quickly become the go-to spot for local hipsters and Savannah's creative minions.
Recommended for Best of Savannah's Historic District because: Local hipsters love the Sparetime for its alchemic cocktails and delicious small bites. Be sure to try a Rose Zarem cocktail with house-infused cucumber vodka.
Amy's expert tip: Your cocktail will taste even better if you pair it with The Sparetime's grilled cheese with fontina, pecorino, chèvre, greens and house-made pickles.
Just as its name suggests, Congress Street Social Club has become a popular spot for those who want to meet and mingle. The always-bustling establishment, which is just a block away from City Market, has a large outdoor patio and bar, along with a bar on the ground level and another in the basement. Among Congress Street Social Club's interior accoutrements are pool tables, dartboards and an old-fashioned photo booth, which you may or may not want to take advantage of depending on how much photographic evidence you want of your night on the town. Drinks are reasonably priced, and the food menu is diverse and surprisingly good.
Recommended for Best of Savannah's Historic District because: Congress Street Social Club's spacious outdoor bar area is the perfect place to grab a drink and mingle. The bar's staff is friendly and unpretentious.
Amy's expert tip: Congress Street Social Club often hosts live bands. Check out the bar's website or Facebook page for a schedule of upcoming performances.
Located on the rooftop of the Bohemian Hotel, Rocks on the Roof features gorgeous views of the waterfront and the Savannah skyline. But lovely outdoor vistas aren't the only reason to visit Rocks. The bar draws a steady crowd of locals and tourists who enjoy socializing, sipping libations and watching the sun set. The most coveted spots in the bar are on the patio, and there's plenty of seating to make the outdoor experience comfortable. On those rare chilly Savannah nights, the fire pit provides warmth for guests who still want to enjoy the view. The bar's spacious interior provides additional seating for those who want to stay indoors.
Recommended for Best of Savannah's Historic District because: Rocks on the Roof not only boasts Savannah's best view, it also draws a lively crowd that knows how to have a good time.
Amy's expert tip: Rocks on the Roof often features live music. Check the bar's Twitter page for upcoming performances.