From a Mechanical Bull to a Spirited Ghost Tour, Savannah Nights Are a Scene

Savannah, Georgia’s, southern charms come alive after dark, and you can enjoy hot Southern nights in venues that run the gamut from a bar with a mechanical bull to a Revolutionary War–era haunted mansion.

Come to Savannah ready for an evening adventure, and go where the spirit moves you.

Spirits Meet Spirits

Savannah’s The Ghost City Pub Crawl is a spooky and unique way to soak in the city scene for visitors over 21. The two-hour ghost tour runs Tuesdays through Saturdays, kicking off at Tondee’s Tavern on Bay Street, home to a basement that’s said to set off ghost hunters’ paranormal equipment.

Led by your own guide to the supernatural, you’ll search for specters like James Habersham, whose father built the Revolutionary War–era Olde Pink House, and who is said to like to straighten things up, as well as a Voodoo cook’s ghost at The 17Hundred9, reported by staff to clang pots in the kitchen and tavern.

Drinks can be purchased at each stop, and Savannah has no law against carrying cocktails, so you’ll be in good spirits whether or not you run into one. Tour participants often circle back to some of the bars, so remember, it’s a haunted marathon, not a sprint.

Unleash Your Urban Cowpoke

Scoot your boots in a county music mecca complete with mechanical bull and live country music on Friday and Saturday nights at Savannah’s Saddle Bags bar. The crowds pour in to hear up-and-coming country artists like Chris Bandi and Shelby Lee Lowe.

Keep your eye on the schedule for line dancing lessons, but if line dancing’s not your thing, visit on Sunday for the bar-game version of the Olympics. Belly up to play every possible bar game, or try your hand at Xbox games played on 65-inch screens (some of which also show Sunday Night Football). Best of all, there’s no cover charge on Sundays.

Music Fest in a Deco Theater

Lucas Theatre of the Arts, an elegant, revived, art deco–style venue, hosts everything from classic rock acts to touring musicals. Book early: Savannah listeners have good taste, and big shows here tend to sell out.

The historic theater also hosts the wildly popular Savannah Music Festival every spring, with past headliners ranging from Dr. John to Jason Isbell.

Setting the VIP Stage

Hit The Stage on Bay for a large, well-maintained space that hosts bands like the Gin Blossoms and The Marshall Tucker Band. Tickets are reasonable ($19 to $75) for the level of national acts they book.

Upgrade to VIP tickets for around $10 more and get access to The Loft’s popular couches and table seating. You’ll be able to go downstairs with your wristband, but the private bathrooms and bar are key to a sensational night.

Live Music with Eclectic Flair

Hit the brightly lit and funky Jazz’d Tapas Bar in Savannah’s Historic District for the perfect combination of smooth sounds and small plates. Mix truffle frites with flash-fried calamari from the underground bar’s tapas menu. With live music every night but Monday, you’ll have the perfect backdrop for a long nosh.

Dive In and Jam at The Wormhole

Some nights end in a dive bar, and if this is in the stars for you, The Wormhole fits the bill. The well-worn bar hosts open mic, karaoke and trivia nights and lets you end your evening with interactive fun alongside fun-loving locals.

You can even bring your instrument of choice to the open jam on Wednesdays to share your sounds with Savannah. The bar serves until 3 a.m., so you can draw out your night into the wee hours.