Here’s where go for a laid back atmosphere, great staff, and delicious pub food to go with a pint of Guinness.
Written by BRYNN O’CONNOR
SAVANNAH IS FAMOUS for its St. Patrick’s Day festivities, but there’s a catch: It’s only one day a year. Luckily, you can also raise a pint the other 364 days at one of the city’s iconic, brick-clad pubs. Whether you’re looking for an Irish fix with a glass of Guinness or a British classic like bangers and mash, you can curb your cravings at some of Savannah’s most beloved, quaint and heritage-rich pubs.
O’Connell’s Irish Pub
Unplug and tune in at O’Connell’s, because as owner Dan O’Connell describes it, his pub is a place for conversation. In fact, you won’t find a DJ or even a TV inside (in authentic Irish pub fashion). The bar stools and booth seats wear their age proudly, a testament to the many patrons who have taken a seat to enjoy a $5 pint of Guinness or a cocktail made with Irish whiskey.
Although it’s one of Savannah’s smaller pubs, there’s plenty to see along the crowded walls, decorated with Gaelic football jerseys, and flags and road signs from Ireland. O’Connell’s often hosts fiddle players to wow the crowd with traditional Irish music. You’ll sit and sip among a wide variety of regulars and tourists, including the occasional pub crawl or bachelorette party — but everyone comes to O’Connell’s for some easygoing energy and reliably good service.
McDonough’s Restaurant & Lounge
Surrounded by a shamrock green awning (and handily located near the St. Patrick’s Day parade route), McDonough’s is a must-visit for anyone in search of Gaelic festivities. The venue has two bars, allowing plenty of space to enjoy a frothy beer while catching up on your favorite sports team — McDonough’s has a modest 32 televisions.
This sociable pub has a reputation for keeping visitors happy, with walls lined proudly with pictures of grinning guests from over the past 38 years. McDonough’s staff is friendly, and the energy is unhurried. Strangers become friends at this traditional pub, especially when the karaoke begins, so brush up on those lyrics to “Molly Malone” and get ready to belt out a few.
Wexford – Savannah’s Irish Pub
Wexford opened in 2024, courtesy of brother-sister duo Jennifer and Tim Strickland and their business partner, co-owner Chris Swanson. Chris is also a partner/owner in Churchill’s Pub with Jennifer and Tim Strickland. The Stricklands also own River Street Sweets, as well as the restaurants River House, The Shrimp Factory, Lizzy’s Burger Bar and Grill, and The Warehouse Bar and Grille.
The pub is named after County Wexford in southeast Ireland. It’s the area where the majority of Savannah’s Irish immigrants came from in the 19th century, starting in 1846. Located at the corner of City Market, adjacent to Ellis Square, the pub’s brick building is a testament to Irish heritage, and inside, the furnishings — including the bar, artwork and woodwork — are all authentically sourced from Ireland.
The menu offers comforting flavors like corned beef and cabbage as well as newer concepts like a Dubliner double smash burger.
The Six Pence Pub
Tucked in the Historic District, The Six Pence Pub is a Savannah institution — the second pub in a row at that location. It was originally Wally’s Sixpence before being purchased in 1999 by two of its loyal patrons. Anglophiles can tuck into favorites like Welsh rarebit, a ploughman’s lunch and shepherd’s pie before getting down to business with a single-malt Scotch.
Churchill’s Pub
If a classic British pub located in the heart of Savannah’s Historic District sounds up your alley, you’re in luck. Churchill’s offers not one, not two, but three levels of dining experiences.
Below the rustic floorboards lies the historical “Winston’s Wine Cellar,” named after Winston Churchill, a.k.a. “The Bulldog,” the iconic British prime minister known for his tenacious spirit. The low basement ceilings and rustic brick walls give the dining area an intimate feeling, making it ideal for private events like wedding rehearsal dinners.
In the street-level pub, guests are greeted by a wood-paneled bar. The casual eatery can turn lively with the right crowd, a game of football (the British kind — it’s soccer to the rest of us) on the TV, and live music on Friday and Saturday evenings.
Hold tight to that Cobblestone Lager and weave your way upstairs to the open-air rooftop terrace, where a posh, garden-like space has views overlooking the old buildings and church steeples on Bay and Broughton streets. Churchill’s has a notable list of craft cocktails and signature selections of draught beer.
The Little Crown by Pie Society
The Little Crown describes itself as “quintessentially British,” and patrons couldn’t agree more. This bar and bakery at the corner of Bryan and Jefferson streets is owned by the Wagstaff family, who came to America from England hoping to change the reputation of British cuisine.
Originally operating as a bakery, Little Crown specializes in authentic British meat pies (or “pasties”), quiches and desserts. But don’t let their small size dissuade you; these mini baked goods, which come in options like steak and ale, are packed with savory and sweet flavors.
Tiny and tasty is in fact a combo this business does well, and in 2020, Pie Society transformed its baked-goods building into Savannah’s smallest pub, at just 450 square feet. The dainty blue exterior invites diners into a quaint brick interior decorated with bright red florals, and they feel transported to an English street corner.
In addition to imported European and local draft beers and ciders, the business has added a full bar, featuring craft cocktails with quirky names inspired by British pop culture. So, one glass of Harry Potter’s ButterBeer and a chicken pot pie, please!
