Spooky Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl

Savannah’s old squares and taverns make a natural stage for a night of ghost stories. This $33 haunted pub crawl starts at the 17Hundred90 Inn, moves through the historic district, and visits about four bars where you can buy a drink and carry it along to the next stop.

I like the mix of Savannah history and nightlife, and I like that the guides can make the evening feel personal rather than stiff. Guides such as Penny Dreadful, Hoodoo Joe, Madame Redrum, and Hot Rod Rick are often praised for humor, storytelling, and local recommendations. The main drawback is that you spend much of the night outdoors, and a group of up to 30 can make the stories harder to hear.

Key points to know before booking

• The crawl begins at 7:30 p.m. at the 17Hundred90 Inn, one of Savannah’s best-known haunted taverns.
• Four pub stops are part of the route, with drinks purchased separately and unfinished drinks allowed to travel with you.
• Colonial Park Cemetery and Wright Square add real historic setting, including stories tied to Yellow Fever, wartime deaths, and executions.
• Guide style matters here: Penny Dreadful and Hoodoo Joe are praised for strong storytelling, while a few sessions have felt too loose or light on ghost tales.
• The walk lasts about 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours, but extra socializing or additional bars can extend the evening.
• Weeknights are a smart choice if you want shorter lines and less noise than you may find on Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, or a busy weekend.

A haunted night that is also a proper pub crawl

This is not a quiet cemetery walk with a guide reciting one ghost tale after another. It is a social night out built around walking, bar stops, and stories told along the way.

That distinction matters. If you want a serious study of Savannah’s supernatural folklore, a traditional ghost tour may suit you better. If you want to meet other adults, enjoy a few drinks, and hear spooky tales between stops, this format makes more sense.

The tour is offered in English, and the minimum age is 21. Drinks are not included, so the total cost depends on what you order. At $33 before drinks, I see the price as fair for a nearly two-hour guided walk through the old center, particularly if you would otherwise pay separately for a nightlife activity and a history walk.

The tone depends heavily on the guide. Penny Dreadful is praised for animated delivery, local recommendations, and a good mix of history and ghost stories. Hoodoo Joe is often described as funny, passionate, and strong at getting the group involved. Madame Redrum and Hot Rod Rick also receive high marks for personality, humor, and storytelling.

That variation is worth keeping in mind. Some tours have felt entertaining and story-filled. Others have been described as more casual, with long stretches of chatting, standing around, or simply pointing out supposedly haunted buildings. The experience is not identical every night.

Starting at the 17Hundred90 Inn

Meet at the 17Hundred90 Inn and Restaurant at 307 East President Street at 7:30 p.m. The location gives the evening an appropriate opening: this is a historic inn and restaurant with a reputation for ghostly lore, and it sets the mood better than meeting in a generic parking area.

You should arrive ready to walk. The tour moves through Savannah’s old center, and the distance between pubs is part of the experience. You may be holding a drink, listening to a story, and keeping track of a group at the same time, so comfortable shoes help.

The first bar can be crowded, especially during popular visiting periods. A large group may take time to order drinks, and that can eat into the time available for conversation or storytelling. On the other hand, the crawl is designed around these stops, so a little waiting is not a surprise.

One useful feature is the ability to take an unfinished drink with you when the group leaves. That keeps you from having to rush a drink or waste it, though you still need to follow local bar rules and the guide’s instructions.

Colonial Park Cemetery after dark

Colonial Park Cemetery is listed as a 15-minute stop, with no admission charge. It is one of the oldest municipal cemeteries in the United States, and the setting gives the guide a strong place to discuss Savannah’s past.

The stories here connect to Revolutionary War soldiers and people who died during Yellow Fever outbreaks. Those subjects bring more weight than a simple tale about a creaking building. You get a sense of how war, disease, and crowded urban conditions shaped the city.

The cemetery is also a good reminder that Savannah’s ghost stories grow from real events. You may hear legends, but the backdrop is a place tied to actual deaths and old burial practices. That combination can be more effective than manufactured scares.

The practical issue is weather. You are outside at night, and there is little shelter while the guide speaks. A January tour can feel very cold, while a rainy evening creates its own problems. The operator states that poor weather can lead to a rescheduled tour or full refund, but you should still check the forecast and dress for the conditions.

The listed meeting and ending information can look confusing because the tour starts at the 17Hundred90 Inn but may finish at or near Colonial Park Cemetery, and sometimes at Chippewa Square. Treat the ending as a general area rather than a fixed return point. That is useful if you are arranging a ride or planning dinner afterward.

Wright Square and Savannah’s darker past

Wright Square is known here as the old hanging square. It gives the guide a chance to talk about executions and the harsher side of Savannah’s colonial and early American story.

This stop works best when the guide adds context rather than simply labeling the square haunted. The strongest sessions appear to connect the place, the people involved, and the beliefs that turned old public spaces into sources of legend.

Wright Square is also one of the spots where group size can affect the night. With 30 people, you may need to stay close to hear every detail. Street noise, nearby nightlife, and the movement of pedestrians can make a soft-spoken guide difficult to follow.

A guide with a strong stage presence changes the experience. Penny Dreadful is praised for keeping stories clear and entertaining. Hoodoo Joe receives similar praise for combining facts, humor, and group conversation. If your guide uses the square as a short story stop before moving on, that may suit the pub-crawl format. If you expected a long lecture, you may find it brief.

City Market, River Street, and the changing route

The route also reaches the heart of Savannah’s City Market and an area just above River Street. These locations broaden the evening beyond cemeteries and squares.

City Market is a natural nightlife stop, with bars and foot traffic adding energy to the walk. It can also be noisy and crowded. On Halloween and St. Patrick’s Day, keeping a group together can become harder, and the noise may make it tough to hear the guide.

The River Street area brings a different setting, with the city’s riverfront nearby and old commercial buildings around you. The supplied details do not identify every bar by name, and the exact sequence may change. That flexibility can help the guide choose stops with shorter lines or better space on a given night, but it means you should not book this expecting a fixed list of four venues.

The guides may also add a favorite stop or show the group a speakeasy. One particularly useful detail is the mention of a secret speakeasy below one of the bars. Do not assume it will be part of every tour, but it is worth asking your guide about it.

The bar selection appears to favor casual pubs and dive-style places rather than polished cocktail lounges or wine bars. If you want local drinking spots with character, that can be a strength. If you prefer wine, quiet seating, or a carefully made cocktail, the route may not suit your taste.

What happens inside the four pubs

The pubs are not just bathroom breaks or places to buy another drink. They give the guide a chance to connect the building and its past to Savannah’s broader folklore.

You pay for your own drinks at each stop. Prices vary by bar, and one evening’s drinks were described as reasonably priced, but you should budget beyond the $33 tour fee. The tour price covers the guide and crawl itself, not alcohol, food, tips, or transportation.

The amount of time spent inside can vary. Some sessions have had quick stops, especially when the first venue was crowded. Others have included more time for socializing, extra bars, and even karaoke after the official tour ended.

That range tells you something important about the product. The crawl is partly a guided history activity and partly a group night out. The guide may keep the group moving to fit several venues into two hours, or the evening may stretch if the group is having a good time.

If you are traveling with friends, the format is easy to enjoy. You can listen to the story, order a drink, chat during the walk, and decide how much socializing you want at each stop. Solo participants may also find it easy to meet people because the group walks and drinks together.

Couples can use it as a relaxed date-night activity. One person can get the spooky stories while the other enjoys the bars. Families should note that every participant must be at least 21, so this is not an all-ages ghost walk.

How much history and how much haunting?

The best version of this tour gives you several short stories, bits of local history, and background on the pubs. Penny Dreadful is especially praised for telling true stories, explaining sights, and offering restaurant and sightseeing suggestions to first-time visitors.

The weaker version is more conversational. A guide may spend a lot of time chatting at different spots and offer fewer complete ghost stories. Some sessions have felt underwhelming to people expecting a story-dense, genuinely frightening tour.

I would set your expectations at the middle. You should expect spooky material, but not a theatrical haunted house. You should expect history, but not a formal academic presentation. You should expect a pub crawl with storytelling, not a ghost lecture with drinks added as an afterthought.

Guide choice can make a major difference. The strongest praise goes to Penny Dreadful, Hoodoo Joe, Madame Redrum, and Hot Rod Rick. Their styles differ, but the common thread is humor, clear delivery, and the ability to engage the group.

There has also been at least one serious complaint about a guide behaving unprofessionally. The operator responded by refunding the booking and removing that guide from pub-crawl duties. That response is reassuring, but it also shows why the nightly experience can vary more than the polished description suggests.

Choosing the best night for your crawl

For the smoothest evening, I would choose a Thursday or another weekday. A Thursday can still have enough life in the bars without the heavy crowds found on major celebration nights.

Halloween adds atmosphere but also crowds. St. Patrick’s Day can make it difficult to hear and keep the group together. March is a particularly popular month for Savannah, and the 17Hundred90 can be crowded on weekends.

Weather deserves equal attention. The crawl runs in rain, snow, or shine according to the operator, and much of the evening takes place outdoors. Bring a layer in cool weather and something suitable for rain if the forecast calls for it.

The maximum group size is 30. That is not a small walking tour, and it can feel crowded at a bar or city square. Smaller groups have a better chance of hearing every story and ordering drinks quickly, though group size depends on the date.

Mobility is another concern. The tour is not recommended for people with mobility issues, and the route includes considerable walking. Service animals are allowed, and the area is near public transportation. Most people can participate, but you should be comfortable walking between venues and standing outdoors.

Is $33 a good value?

At $33 per person, the price is reasonable if you value the combination of a guide, a historic walking route, and entry into several pubs without a separate cover charge listed. You are paying for access to a planned night out, not simply for a drink or a short cemetery talk.

The value drops if you do not plan to buy drinks or socialize. Drinks cost extra, the tour may involve waiting at crowded bars, and some stops may be short. Someone seeking only ghost stories could get more from a dedicated walking tour.

The value improves when you use the guide as a local resource. Penny Dreadful has offered restaurant and activity suggestions, and other guides have shared favorite places and additional stops. For a first evening in Savannah, that practical advice can help shape the rest of your visit.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the 7:30 p.m. start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund. If weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.

Who should book the Spooky Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want a social adult evening that combines Savannah’s old streets, ghost lore, and casual bars. It is especially suitable for couples, friends, and solo adults who enjoy meeting a group while walking and drinking.

Choose it if you like guides with personality. The most praised guides use jokes, personal delivery, and conversation rather than reading a script. That style can make the night fun, but it may frustrate you if you want a formal presentation with a fixed sequence of documented tales.

Skip it if you need a quiet, accessible route, dislike standing outdoors, or want a serious paranormal investigation. Also think twice if wine bars, upscale cocktails, or long stays at each pub are central to your idea of a good night.

My advice is to book a weekday, dress for the weather, wear walking shoes, and budget for several drinks. Ask about the speakeasy and listen for the guide’s recommendations, but keep your expectations focused on a lively pub crawl with ghost stories, not a pure haunted-history tour.

FAQ

How long does the Spooky Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl last?

The tour lasts approximately 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. The evening may run longer if the group continues to extra bars or socializes after the official crawl.

Where does the tour start?

The tour starts at 7:30 p.m. at the 17Hundred90 Inn and Restaurant, located at 307 East President Street in Savannah.

Where does the tour end?

The tour ends at or near Colonial Park Cemetery. On some dates, it may finish near Chippewa Square.

Are drinks included in the tour price?

No. The $33 price includes the local guide and haunted pub crawl, but drinks at the bars and taverns are purchased separately.

Is there a minimum age?

Yes. Every participant must be at least 21 years old.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, if you cancel at least 24 hours before the experience start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not refunded. If poor weather causes the operator to cancel, you are offered another date or a full refund.