Savannah: Historic Drinks in a Historic City

REVIEW · SAVANNAH

Savannah: Historic Drinks in a Historic City

  • 5.03 reviews
  • 3 hours
  • From $100
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Operated by Bonnie Blue Tours · Bookable on GetYourGuide

Savannah’s drinks come with old street stories. This 3-hour, adults-only walk turns a handful of classic bars into a mini lesson in how people drank in the past, with small group energy (up to 10) and all-inclusive pours built in. I love the mix of styles, from Madeira wine to honey-based mead, so you’re not stuck chasing one flavor all night. One thing to keep in mind: the ticket covers the set drinks listed, so any extra rounds are on you.

You’ll also do more than sit. You’ll walk between Savannah’s famous squares, get a few scenic views on the way, and end with time to keep exploring after the final sip. The experience runs rain or shine unless conditions are disruptive, and you’ll be part indoors and part outdoors.

Key things I’d plan around before you go

Savannah: Historic Drinks in a Historic City - Key things I’d plan around before you go

  • Small group, big attention: Limited to 10 people, so the pacing stays human.
  • Four distinct historic pours: Madeira, a 6-pour mead flight, a mint julep, and the Chatham Artillery Punch.
  • Savannah squares on the route: Short sight stops that break up the drinking portion.
  • Part indoors, part outdoors: Weather matters, even if the tour keeps going.
  • Easy to add to your night: It ends between 7:00 and 7:30, so you’re not locked in forever.

Why Savannah’s Historic Drinks Feel Like a Real Night Out

Savannah: Historic Drinks in a Historic City - Why Savannah’s Historic Drinks Feel Like a Real Night Out
Savannah has always been a city where people like their refreshments. What makes this tour fun is the angle: you’re not just sampling alcohol for alcohol’s sake. You’re learning the local story behind each drink, and you’re doing it while you move through the city’s most recognizable squares.

The payoff is variety. You start with an 1800s-style sip and cheese plate, then you switch gears to something ancient (mead), then you hit a classic Southern cocktail (mint julep), and you finish with Savannah’s own signature punch. That means you get to taste how one town can support very different drinking traditions in the same evening.

And because the group is small and the tour is only three hours, you’ll feel the momentum. You’re not waiting around for the next stop for ages. You’re getting guided context and then immediate tasting, which is the fastest way to make the history stick.

Starting at Telfair Square: Set Your Bearings Fast

Savannah: Historic Drinks in a Historic City - Starting at Telfair Square: Set Your Bearings Fast
You begin at Telfair Square, a logical place to start because it puts you right in Savannah’s historic rhythm from the first minutes. If you’ve never walked these blocks before, this is a smart way to learn the city layout without spending your whole evening with a map app.

The tour includes guided walking segments with quick sightseeing and pass-by views through several squares: Wright Square, Oglethorpe Square, Columbia Square, Warren Square, and Washington Square. These are short stops, so you’re not losing tasting time, but they help you connect the drink stops to the actual city you’re standing in.

One practical note: the first stop involves going down one flight of stairs, though there is an elevator available if needed. If you’re using a wheelchair or have mobility concerns, this matters, and it’s worth keeping it in mind right away so you can plan your arrival smoothly.

Jazz’d Tapas Bar and Madeira: Savannah’s Madeira City Moment

Savannah: Historic Drinks in a Historic City - Jazz’d Tapas Bar and Madeira: Savannah’s Madeira City Moment
Your first real drink stop is Jazz’d Tapas Bar, where you’ll get a taste of Savannah’s reputation as a Madeira city. The theme is 19th-century style: you’ll be served Madeira wine along with a warm cheese plate for two, and the guide frames what upper-class social drinking looked like in that era.

What I like about this opening is how approachable it is. Madeira wine has a distinct personality, but you’re easing into it with food, not just tasting an unfamiliar pour on an empty stomach. And the cheese plate adds comfort, which helps if you’re someone who prefers your first drink to feel like a beginning rather than a shock.

There’s also one detail to plan around: Jazz’d has a shirt-sleeve requirement for male patrons. If you’re thinking of wearing a tank top or sleeveless shirt, swap it ahead of time. It’s the kind of small rule that can save a few minutes of stress at check-in.

Savannah Bee Company: A 6-Pour Mead Flight That Actually Teaches Flavor

Next up is Savannah Bee Company, where you’ll sample mead, often described as one of the oldest alcoholic beverages. Mead is built on honey, water, yeast, and ingredient choices—so tasting it is like watching one ingredient’s “personality” change under different conditions.

You’ll get a flight of six 1-ounce pours, covering different categories and brands. That small-ounce format matters: it lets you compare while you’re still alert enough to notice differences. If you’re used to cocktails that all taste like one profile, this kind of tasting trains your palate fast.

The tour’s honey logic is also a good reminder for how beer, wine, and spirits can feel similar in a bar setting but are fundamentally different in production. Mead gives you a chance to think about fermentation and ingredients without needing a textbook.

If you love food-based tours, this one clicks. Honey sits in that sweet-woody-smooth space that pairs well with the idea of Savannah’s agrarian and artisanal roots.

Quick Squares Walks: Short Scenic Stops, Real City Context

Savannah: Historic Drinks in a Historic City - Quick Squares Walks: Short Scenic Stops, Real City Context
Between drink stops, you’ll spend time walking and doing quick sightseeing passes. You’ll move through Wright Square and Oglethorpe Square early, then again via Columbia Square, Warren Square, and Washington Square before the night’s final venue.

Why this matters: these squares aren’t random background. They’re part of the city’s identity, and the walk helps you connect what you’re drinking to where you are. Instead of hopping from bar to bar with no sense of place, you’re learning Savannah’s pacing—short distances, lots of street atmosphere, and frequent spots that make good photos.

Timing is tight but not frantic. Some segments are only a few minutes, which keeps the evening from turning into a long march. It also means you’ll still feel like you’re out having fun, not stuck in an all-business tour.

17Hundred90 Inn and Restaurant: Mint Julep in a Cozy Bar Moment

The tour’s third drink stop lands at 17Hundred90 Inn & Restaurant, where you’ll take a break and enjoy a mint julep. It’s a classic choice, and that’s part of the point. The mint julep represents a Southern cocktail style that’s widely recognized, so you can quickly compare your understanding of it to what it tastes like in Savannah.

This is also the portion where the tour naturally slows down a bit. You’re not just walking and tasting; you’re getting a sit-and-reset break. A 30-minute stop here gives your feet a moment and lets the evening feel balanced rather than nonstop.

If you’re picky about sweetness or mint intensity, this is still a good stop because you’ll be trying the drink as prepared by the venue on that night, not guessing from memory. And because the tour is all-inclusive for this specific pour, you don’t have to decide on the spot.

The Pirates’ House and Chatham Artillery Punch: A Signature Finish

Savannah: Historic Drinks in a Historic City - The Pirates’ House and Chatham Artillery Punch: A Signature Finish
The final stop is The Pirates’ House, where you’ll sip Savannah’s signature cocktail: the Chatham Artillery Punch. Finishing with a local specialty is smart, because you’re leaving with something you can remember as specifically Savannah, not just “another cocktail.”

This is also where you start planning your next move. The tour ends between 7:00 and 7:30, leaving you time to keep going with Savannah’s restaurant scene and nightlife without needing a taxi for a second late-night commitment.

You’ll also get a short cocktail and spirits moment here, but it’s not a long sit. It’s a finishing salute, then you’re free to roam.

The Price: What $100 Buys You (and Where the Value Lives)

Savannah: Historic Drinks in a Historic City - The Price: What $100 Buys You (and Where the Value Lives)
At $100 per person for a 3-hour tour, you’re paying for two big things: guided context and pre-paid drink structure. You’re not walking in and ordering à la carte while a group tries to decide in real time.

What you actually get is a set of defined tastings:

  • Madeira wine and a warm cheese plate for two
  • A 6-pour mead flight (six 1-ounce pours)
  • A mint julep
  • A Chatham Artillery Punch
  • Tips for waitstaff at each stop

That all-in approach is where the value shows. In Savannah, you can easily spend this much in a single evening if you add multiple drinks without a plan. Here, you get variety across four venues, plus the city-walk context that makes it feel like an event, not a bar crawl.

One caution: additional drinks aren’t included. So if you’re the type who likes to linger and keep ordering, you’ll want to decide in advance how you want to pace yourself. The tour gives you an intentional amount, not unlimited pours.

Who This Tour Fits Best (and Who Might Want Something Else)

This experience is built for adults who like history with their drinks. It’s adults only (21+), and it works best if you enjoy:

  • sampling different styles in one evening
  • learning what a drink represents locally
  • short walking segments through the squares
  • a fixed plan that keeps the night from getting chaotic

It’s not ideal if you want total freedom to order whatever you want at each bar. Since the pours are set, the tour is structured around specific drinks and amounts.

Also note it’s wheelchair accessible, but because the first stop involves stairs with elevator access, you should plan to communicate your needs early so the timing stays smooth.

If you’re traveling in the shoulder season or during uncertain weather, you’ll still go out, because the tour runs unless conditions are disruptive. Just dress for walking and be ready for a mix of indoor and outdoor time.

Should You Book This Savannah Historic Drinks Tour?

If you want a Savannah night that feels both social and intentional, I’d say yes. This tour is a good use of three hours: you get four distinctive drinks, you walk through the squares, and you finish with enough time left to continue your evening on your own terms.

Book it if you’ll enjoy the structure and the tasting variety, and if you like learning while you’re enjoying the city. Skip it if you mainly want unlimited drinks or a long, unstructured hangout.

If you’re building a first trip to Savannah or you want to add something memorable without turning your night into a scramble, this one is a strong bet.

FAQ

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at Telfair Square.

How long is the Savannah historic drinks experience?

It lasts 3 hours.

What group size should I expect?

It’s limited to small groups of 10 participants.

Is this tour only for adults?

Yes. It’s adults only, and all participants must be 21+.

What drinks are included in the ticket price?

You’ll get Madeira wine and a cheese plate for 2, a flight of 6 meads, a mint julep, and a Chatham Artillery Punch.

Are additional drinks included?

No. Additional drinks beyond what’s listed are not included.

What should I bring with me?

Bring a passport or an ID card.

Is there any dress code I should know about?

At Jazz’d Tapas Bar, male patrons must wear shirts with sleeves.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is wheelchair accessible. The first stop has stairs, but there is elevator access if needed.

What are the cancellation and payment options?

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and there’s a reserve now & pay later option available.

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