13 minute read
Nighlife & Drink
NIGHTLIFE AND DRINK
BEST BARTENDER Rob Ring
It may be a surprise that Savannah’s Best Bartender has only been slinging drinks for about nine months. Rob Ring works full time as a Yard Manager at MarineMax. He decided to give bartending a try after seeing how much fun his friends were having working at Cheers to You.
Now, every Friday night at Island Sports Bar on Wilmington Island, you’ll find Ring behind the bar — standing over 6-feet tall, rocking a Hawaiian shirt and long salt and pepper hair, you can’t miss him.
Ring doesn’t have fancy bar tricks or even a specialty cocktail menu. In fact, his favorite drink is a cold PBR or a simple Jameson and ginger. But Ring has mastered one thing that flash and flair can’t make up for: great service.
If he’s served you before, Ring has your go-to drink order on the bartop before you even sit down. If you decide to play cornhole across the bar or go outside for a smoke break, Ring keeps an eye on your drink and delivers a fresh one when it’s time.
“You’ll never come here and wait more than three minutes — ever,” Ring said. “I see you when you walk in, and I know what you want. Nobody wants to come to the bar and wait.”
Ring has proven that great service brings a crowd. Over the last nine months, Ring has transformed ISB into the hot spot to be on a Friday night.
“When he first started, I’d come sit up here and there would be like four people here,” Katie Kelly, Ring’s wife, said. “I would be bored and call it a night at 10. It just slowly got to be a more diverse crowd and got busier and busier, and now I close it down with him.”
Ring says he loves a lot of things about bartending at ISB, but the thing he loves the most is making people feel good and helping them have a good time.
“The whole point of coming to a bar is to relax and have a good time,” Ring said. “I like to take care of people; I like to see people happy — just happy.”
Kelly says she thinks Ring gains just as much from bartending as he gives.
“It’s just his vibe,” she said. “He’s become this island dude. He should’ve been doing this for a long time.” BEST BARTENDER Rob Ring
Runner-up: Josh Corley
BEST ADULT ENTERTAINMENT Savannah Sweet Tease
Serving up bad girl and boy burlesque since 2019, the Savannah Sweet Tease is Savannah’s favorite.
Runner-up: Downtown Delilahs
BEST BAR FOR LIVE MUSIC Savannah Smiles
A dueling piano saloon with music played by engaging entertainers. A wide selection of drinks helps to keep the party going into the early morning hours.
Runner-up:
The Wormhole Neighborhood Pub & Music Venue
BEST BAR TO SPOT A CELEBRITY Club One
Club One is a popular gay bar known for their drag shows, drag bingo, nightly karaoke, and dancey atmosphere. Also won Best Bar to Spot a Celebrity, Best Dance Club, and Best Gay Bar/ Club. Savannah Smiles
BEST BLOODY MARY BEST CITY MARKET BAR BEST DIVE BAR BEST DOWNTOWN BAR BEST HAPPY HOUR BEST OVERALL BAR
To say that Pour
Larry’s swept the Nightlife and Drink category this year would be an understatement. The underground bar won seven categories. You read that right, seven.
Pour Larry’s took home the titles of “Best Overall Bar”, “Best City Market Bar”, “Best Dive Bar”, “Best Downtown Bar”, “Best Happy Hour”, “Best Bloody Mary”, and “Best Savannah Drink” for their iconic Gummy Worm cocktail.
Co-owner Jolynn Romano says about seven years ago, Pour Larry’s underwent a major renovation.
“It used to have box TVs,” she laughed. “That was just seven years ago. From what this bar came from to what it is now is so different.”
With the renovation came a bit of a rebrand for the bar. Pour Larry’s started hosting theme nights, turned the bar into a dance club at night, and really focused on growing their daytime crowd. Romano installed tons of bar games like life-size Operation, giant Connect Four, Hook and Ring and more.
“That’s kind of become our identity,” Romano said. “It’s what we’re known for.”
Romano says she thinks a few factors contributed to Pour Larry’s growing success and major Best Of Savannah win. She says its prime location appeals to tourists, and the bar’s stellar customer services keeps the locals coming back.
“All our bartenders are very happy, very bubbly, they’re greeting people when they walk in,” she said. “We make sure that we have the best staff that I can find.”
The future of Pour Larry’s looks bright. Romero says she wants to bring in more games, keep focusing on great service and introduce new specialty drinks. Don’t worry, the Gummy Worm cocktail isn’t going anywhere!
Grab a drink at Pour Larry’s at 206 W St. Julian St. at Savannah’s City Market.
BEST BAR/RESTAURANT WINE SELECTION The Emporium Kitchen and Wine Market
Gourmet market, wine shop, American brasserie, Southern fare influences.
Runner-up: Savoy society
BEST BEER ON TAP SELECTION World of Beer
WOB Savannah has a tavern vibe and over 500 beers from around the world. Also voted Best Pooler Bar.
Runner-up: Crystal Beer Parlor
BEST BLOODY MARY Pour Larry’s
Pour Larry’s has been serving the Savannah area for 10 years and has enjoyed every minute of it. They have the title of being one of Savannah’s best bars and Savannah’s originator of beer pong. Pour Larry’s also won Best City Market Bar, Best Dive Bar, Best Downtown Bar, Best Happy Hour and Best Overall Bar.
Runner-up: The Ordinary Pub
BEST BRITISH PUB Six Pence
An authentic British watering hole founded in downtown Savannah that has extended their values to multiple locations.
Runner-up: Churchill’s
BEST CITY MARKET BAR Pour Larry’s
Also won Best Bloody Mary, Best Dive Bar, Best Downtown Bar, Best Happy Hour, Best Overall Bar
Runner-up: Wet Willie’s
BEST COLLEGE BAR VICE Lounge + Mojito Bar
Lounge, dance, sip, or gulp— VICE Lounge + Mojito Bar is the place to be.
Runner-up: Pour Larry’s,
BEST DANCE CLUB Club one
Runner-up: VICE Lounge + Mojito Bar BEST DIVE BAR Pour Larry’s
Also won Best Bloody Mary, Best City Market Bar, Best Downtown Bar, Best Happy Hour and Best Overall Bar
Runner-up: Rogue Water
BEST DOWNTOWN BAR Pour Larry’s
Also won Best Bloody Mary, Best City Market Bar, Best Dive Bar, Best Happy Hour and Best Overall Bar
Runner-up: Barrelhouse South BEST GAY BAR/CLUB Club One
Also won Best Bar to Spot a Celebrity, Best Dance Club, and Best Downtown Bar
Runner-up: The Rail Pub 405 W Congress St #2410
BEST HAPPY HOUR Pour Larry’s
Also won Best Bloody Mary, Best City Market Bar, Best Dive Bar, Best Downtown Bar and Best Overall Bar
Runner-up: Cotton & Rye
BEST HOTEL BAR Peregrin
The Pergrin is a sophisticated hotel roof deck featuring chic, lounge-style furnishings & scenic views of the city. Also voted Best Rooftop Bar
Runner-up: Electric Moon Skytop
Lounge + Moon Deck
BEST IRISH PUB McDonough’s Restaurant & Lounge
Lively restaurant & lounge in an inn offering all-day American comfort fare, plus weeknight karaoke.
Runner-up: O’Connell’s
BEST KARAOKE Rogue Water
Rogue Water is a Traditional Tavern with full bars both upstairs & downstairs. Twice the fun. 38 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd BEST LOCAL BREWERY Service Brewing Co.
Service Brewing is a veteran-owned and operated craft brewery in Savannah, GA dedicated to honoring those that have put their lives at risk and their country and community first.
Runner-up:
Two Tides Brewing Company
BEST LOCAL OPEN MIC The Wormhole Neighborhood Pub & Music Venue
The Wormhole is a haunt for live music & comedy shows, offering drink specials, late-night eats & billiards.
Runner-up: Rogue Water
BEST LOCAL SPIRITS DISTILLER Ghost Coast
Spirits, hand sanitizer, live music, and good time are just a few of the things on Ghost Coast’s offering list.
Runner-up: Savannah Bourbon
BEST LOCAL WINE SHOP Habersham Beverage Warehouse
Family-owned & operated and serving Savannah since 1984, Habersham Beverage Warehouse offers the largest selection of fine wine, spirits, and quality brew at the lowest prices in southeast GA. Voted #1 by Savannah-area Residents for 15 Consecutive Years!
Runner-up: Le Chai
BEST MARGARITA Tequila Town
Tacos and tequila! Need we say more?
Runner-up: Jalapenos
BEST MARTINI Lulu’s Chocolate bar
When a baker and a bartender come together, a beautiful thing happens. 42 Martin Luther King Blvd
Runner-up: Cotton & Rye
BEST NEW BAR Savoy Society
Savoy Society is one of the newest hot spots around town.
Runner-up: Sea Wolf Tybee
BEST OUTDOOR BAR Starland Yard
Also voted Best Trivia Night
Runner-up: The Rail Pub
BEST OVERALL BAR Pour Larry’s
Also won Best Bloody Mary, Best City Market Bar, Best Dive Bar, Best Downtown Bar and Best Happy Hour
Runner-up: Lone Wolf Lounge
BEST POOLER BAR World of Beer
WOB Savannah has a tavern vibe and over 500 beers from around the world. Play some trivia, watch the game, and listen to some live music at WOB. Also voted Best Beer Tap Selection
Runner-up: Molly MacPherson’s
Scottish Pub & Grill
BEST PUB CRAWL Savannah Slow Ride
Savannah Slow Ride is the spot to head to for fun, 2 hour long, eco-friendly Savannah Pub Bike Tour adventures.
Runner-up: Yes Queen
4618 Habersham St
Runner-up:
White Whale Craft Ales
BEST RIVER STREET BAR Saddle Bags Savannah
Saddle Bags Savannah is a bar & entertainment venue offering a mechanical bull, live country music & dancing.
Runner-up:
Rusty Rudders Tap House
Many drinking and dining establishments promise to take you away to another place, one loftier and more fabulous than your current status. Few deliver like Peregrin, the popular bar that sits atop the Perry Lane Hotel and Connect Savannah’s dual for Best Hotel Bar and Best Rooftop Bar.
“It is such a pleasure to be given such an accolade, and very telling of the heart and soul we pour into our work,” said Perry Lane Marketing Manager Andrea Locorini.
The aesthetic of Perry Lane and Peregrin is inspired by Adelaide Harcourt, a grand dame of old Savannah who happens to be entirely fictional. The invented muse, a product of Denver’s art curating and consulting outfit NINE dot ARTS, is a world traveler who returned to Savannah from faraway adventures to infuse her global experiences with the essence of the Hostess City. Her story is manifested in Peregrin.
Rooted in the Latin word peregrinus, meaning traveler, the open-air space does take you to a place unique in the city. The rooftop bars on River and Bay streets have similar river views, but none are quite like the sights from high up in middle of the Savannah historic district. Church steeples, roof spires, and treetops compete for attention and views in every direction are fantastic.
“We have a front row seat to the most incredible sunsets, we get to feel close to the rainbows after the rain, and we are able to feel the Savannah sun touch our skin while sipping tasty cocktails, enjoying delicious food, and taking in the gorgeous city skyline,” Locorini explained. “It is an experience that you can only get at Peregrin.”
That also applies to the cocktail menu, currently matching spring with several interesting combinations of fruit, spice, honey and spirits. An intriguing take on a classic, The Gold-Fashioned introduces apricot and Earl Grey bitters to the party with satisfying results. Peregrin was ahead of the Frozé craze curve, and still offers a seasonal selection of frozen cocktails. The wine list typically features a sparkling option rarely seen by the glass.
Pair what you’re drinking with a selection from the food menu, an eclectic list of hand-held pickings, barbecue ribs and a substantial burger highlighted by a housemade tomato-chili jam, and you can be anywhere you want, which is what Peregrin aims for.
“The atmosphere will whisk you away, allowing you to see things from a new perspective and taste food and drink that embraces worldliness with bright and bold flavors,” Locorini added.
This year marks the 30th anniversary year of Savannah’s most popular sports bar Coach’s Corner. Opened in 1991, it started as an enterprise with nothing but a dream. People continue to flock in for the good bar food, excitement and the super fun atmosphere with music and sports.
“We were the first sports bar in Savannah,” recalled Owner John Henderson. “We’ve been around 30 years. It started as a small sports bar, and now it’s an institution. We turned into a sports bar, music venue, and restaurant.”
Coach’s Corner’s long run of success has been attributed to their dedication to sports since Henderson has been a diehard Braves fan.
“We were able to get games everybody wanted to watch. You always get what you want when you come here. You don’t have to worry about coming here. If there’s a game you want to watch, I’ll find it for you,” Henderson said.
The way people want to watch games has changed since they first opened. Other sports bars open and over saturate with multiple big screens. Coach’s Corner has learned to evolve and adapt as to how people want to watch games, provide impeccable customer service, and provide live entertainment in Savannah.
“More people come to watch concerts than sports,” Henderson said. “Back in the day, you had to come in to see games by satellite. It was the only way to get it. It’s the evolution of a sports bar. We were only ones to have it.”
Coach’s Corner has been steadily booking bands such as regional act The Producers and 80s power tribute bands Freebird The Ultimate Lynyrd Skynyrd Experience, Harvest Moon Celebrating The Music of Neil Young, The Ultimate Van Halen Tribute Band, and many more.
The success of their concert bookings sold out six consecutive shows in a row. Henderson is proud to announce Coach’s Corner’s latest upcoming event, The Rush Tribute Project, a Milwaukee-based Rush cover band playing on May 15. Purchasing tickets in advance is recommended due to popular demand.
Whether going out to watch sports or music, one thing’s for sure, their loyal patron base still returns to their beloved bar to watch their favorite team—or band—play. Coach’s Corner remains the oldest, tried-and-true event venue of Savannah to this day. BEST ROOFTOP BAR Peregrin
Also voted Best Hotel Bar.
Runner-up: Top Deck Bar
BEST SAVANNAH DRINK Gummy Worm
No surprise Savannah’s favorite drink is made at Pour Larry’s, the Savannah-favorite bar of many different categories this year! Find this drink for $8 as part of their drinks specials.
Runner-up: Octane Bar
BEST SCOTTISH PUB Molly MacPherson’s Scottish Pub & Grill
Molly MacPherson’s is an oldschool pub with an extensive selection of single-malt scotch, beers & traditional Scottish eats.
BEST SOMMELIER Jason Restivo
Runner-up: Libby Burk
BEST SOMMELIER Common Thread
Runner-up: Jason Miller-Vic’s
on the River
BEST SOUTHSIDE BAR Tailgate Sports Bar & Grill
Tailgate is a sports-centric neighborhood hub with bar food, ample beer choices, pool, darts and theme nights. 11215 Abercorn St #2
Runner-up: Jerry’s Lounge
BEST SPORTS BAR Coach’s Corner
Coach’s Corner is a classic, game-filled sports bar with a patio offering American food, trivia contests and billiards.
Runner-up: Pour Larry’s
DISTRICT BAR Water Witch Tiki
A trip to Water Witch Tiki Bar provides the luxury an island getaway without ever having to leave the city.
Runner-up:
Lone Wolf Lounge
BEST UPSCALE BAR Peacock Lounge
An exclusive lounge located in the heart of downtown Savannah, serving up delicately curated cocktails, small bites, and an unforgettable experience.
Runner-up: Mata Hari
BEST TRIVIA NIGHT Starland Yard
Starland Yard offers rotating food trucks, a fully stocked bar, great pizza, and the best trivia night in town.
Runner-up: Service Brewing Co.
BEST TYBEE ISLAND BAR Huc-A-Poos Bites and Booze
Huc-A-Poos Bites and Booze is an unfussy roadhouse offering mixed drinks, beer and specialty pizzas, And even more fun with live music & sports on TV.
Runner-up: WindRose BEST WILMINGTON/ WHITEMARSH/TALAHI ISLANDS BAR Bogeys
Bogeys is a sports bar with tons of TVs, a large patio, beautiful miniature golf course and other attractions. They serve up cold beer, a full food menu, cocktails, and a guaranteed good time!
Runner-up: Cheers To You
MOST MISSED BAR The Jinx
Thanks for the good times. The Jinx was a watering hole serving mixed drinks & beer in a hip setup with eclectic live music & quirky decor.
Runner-up: Kevin Barry’s
