I returned to Savannah this past summer after being completely taken with it the first time. I almost want to go back even more frequently after this second round (if I were rich, I’d be trying to get an apartment there as we speak).
Though I’ve already written about the trip’s highlight, here are my new Savannah recommendations after round two in the low country.
Savannah Recommendations, Part Two
The Perry Lane Hotel
The Perry Lane Hotel is, without a doubt, the nicest hotel I’ve ever willingly paid money to stay at, and while it is expensive, I felt it was well worth the investment for the following reasons:
- The rooftop pool is an amazingly relaxing place to stay, and open daily from 8-10 (so many hotel pools have such limited hours).
- The rooftop bar, while, like the hotel, pricey, has excellent city views.
- The hotel has a complimentary car service that will take you anywhere within a two-mile radius.
- Complimentary sparkling wine and poolside mimosas.
- An excellent happy hour—dollar jumbo shrimp cocktail!
I’ll probably write a bit more about Perry Lane in the future (probably regarding the infamous lifestyle creep), but I’m not one bit mad that I invested money in staying there on this trip.
McDonough’s Restaurant & Lounge
McDonough’s is a no-frills Irish pub located directly across the street from The Perry Lane and a perfect salve for their $8.00 pints. McDonough’s has cheap beer and bar food and was a great spot to grab some mozzarella sticks and wings one night for dinner.
The Common
The fact that North Carolina doesn’t allow happy hours is bullshit, so much like the last time I visited Savannah, an oyster happy hour was on the agenda. The oysters at The Common were good (not great…I didn’t love the accompanying sauces, to be perfectly honest) and the right price (.75 cents from 3-7), but the standouts here were the cold fish dip (it felt more like a cold seafood salad) and great cheese board.
Two Tides Brewing
Two Tides was on my list of places to go last time I went to Savannah, but we didn’t make it, as it sits below Forsyth Park, a solid walk/drive from downtown, downtown. This trip, we made it and liked it so much, we ended up spending some time there both Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
Two Tides is located on a second story of an old Victorian home, and in fact, the brewery seating is split up between said old home’s rooms, as well as its two balconies (that you enter/exit through windows, not doors) which gives it an interesting feel. I thought the beer was excellent, it seemed like somewhere locals hung out, but the standout for me, and I’m kind of ashamed to admit this, was how much I loved the fact that on Sunday, they only played old-school Toby Keith (I hate how much I love Toby Keith’s oeuvre).
The Crystal Beer Parlor
The Crystal Beer Parlor was my favorite discovery of this trip. It’s an old-school bar/restaurant approximately a twelve-minute walk from The Perry Lane and has the kind of wood-paneled inside that made me immediately text a bunch of friends to convey how much they’d love the atmosphere.
I had a shrimp salad sandwich on white bread, that was probably one of the top things I’ve eaten in 2023. I want to return to the Crystal Beer Parlor and spend an entire afternoon there.
East and Up Vintage
I’m typically not a vintage guy. I know it’s good for the environment, but used clothing also makes me itchy. East and Up warrants a mention because the day I was there, they had a great selection of vintage Lacoste polos (I got a green and blue striped number), and dressing like an 80’s dad is sartorially, what I’m always striving for.
AshevilleExplorer 