The Best Summer Cocktails in Savannah
A refined guide to Savannah’s most memorable bars — and what to order when you’re there
Savannah summers invite a slower pace. Evenings stretch long beneath live oaks, the air stays warm well past sunset, and cocktail hour becomes less about rushing to a destination and more about settling into a place. The city’s best bars understand this rhythm — offering thoughtfully crafted drinks in settings that feel distinctly Savannah.
Rather than chasing trends, this guide highlights where to go and what to order at some of the city’s most beloved cocktail destinations — places locals return to and visitors remember.
🍸 The Peregrin at Perry Lane Hotel
Rooftop elegance with park views
Perched above the Historic District, The Peregrin offers one of Savannah’s most sophisticated cocktail settings. The rooftop feels open and breezy, with views over Forsyth Park and a crowd that skews stylish without being showy. Summer evenings here unfold slowly — the light fades, glasses clink, and conversations linger.
What to order:
Heirloom — gin with limoncello, rhubarb, and mint; bright, refreshing, and perfectly suited to warm weather
Plume of Peru — pisco with apple, lemon, cinnamon, and nutmeg; aromatic and gently spiced
Starling — vodka with lemongrass, ginger, and lime; clean and cooling as the sun goes down
Why it’s a summer essential: Rooftop air, impeccable balance, and a menu designed for lingering.
🍹 Collins Quarter Café
Bull Street & Forsyth Park locations
Collins Quarter brings a distinctly social energy to Savannah’s cocktail scene. With its Australian influence and relaxed but polished atmosphere, it’s a natural gathering place from late afternoon into evening. Both locations feel different — Bull Street buzzes with downtown movement, while the Forsyth Park café is lighter and breezier.
What to order:
Mercury in Retrograde — gin, Chambord, orgeat, and citrus; playful and layered
Midnight Slow Dance — a deeper, moodier gin-based cocktail with richness and warmth
CQ Espresso Martini — a house favorite that bridges afternoon into evening beautifully
Why it’s a summer essential: Consistently excellent cocktails in spaces made for conversation and people-watching.
🍷 The Grey Bar
Refined Southern cocktails in an iconic setting
Housed inside a restored Greyhound bus terminal, The Grey Bar blends architectural history with one of Savannah’s most respected cocktail programs. The atmosphere is quietly luxurious — ideal for evenings when you want something composed, thoughtful, and rooted in place.
What to order:
Seasonal cocktails featuring Southern botanicals and citrus
Classic spirits prepared with precision and restraint
While the menu rotates, the through-line is always balance and craftsmanship.
Why it’s a summer essential: Cool interiors, impeccable technique, and a setting that feels undeniably Savannah.
🍸 Artillery Club
Historic setting, modern Southern bar
Tucked beneath a historic building just off Bull Street, Artillery Club offers a moody, intimate escape from the heat. The cocktail list leans Southern and botanical, often incorporating seasonal herbs and citrus that feel especially welcome in summer.
What to order:
Rotating seasonal cocktails highlighting fresh herbs and bright acidity
Spirit-forward classics with a Southern twist
Why it’s a summer essential: A cooler, candlelit interior and cocktails designed to be savored slowly.
🍹 The Coffee Fox
From coffee culture to craft cocktails
Known primarily for its coffee program, The Coffee Fox also transitions beautifully into cocktail hours, offering a smaller but well-considered drinks list. The vibe is casual, creative, and distinctly local — ideal for warm afternoons that drift into evening.
What to order:
Seasonal cocktails built around fresh fruit and herbs
Espresso-forward drinks that bridge day and night
Why it’s a summer essential: Unpretentious, craft-focused, and perfectly placed for a relaxed stop downtown.
🌿 A Note on Savannah Summer Drinking Culture
One of Savannah’s most charming traditions is its relaxed approach to cocktail hour. In many areas, to-go drinks are permitted, allowing you to carry a carefully crafted cocktail into a nearby square and enjoy it beneath Spanish moss and shifting light.
It’s less about bar-hopping and more about inhabiting the moment.
How to Enjoy These Bars Like a Local
Go early. Summer evenings are best enjoyed as the heat softens and the light turns golden.
Sit outside when possible. Savannah’s cocktail culture shines in open air.
Choose quality over quantity. One excellent drink in the right setting is better than many rushed stops.
Final Sip
Savannah’s best summer cocktails aren’t defined by novelty — they’re shaped by place, atmosphere, and balance. Whether you’re on a rooftop overlooking the park or tucked into a candlelit bar beneath historic brick, these are the places where summer evenings feel effortless and memorable.
Want to explore Savannah after dark?
Our locally led walking and ghost tours pair beautifully with an evening cocktail — offering history, storytelling, and atmosphere that deepen the experience of the city once the sun goes down.