Savannah Bars: Historic District South

Historic District South · american, burgers, southern

The building at Jones and Jefferson opened in the early 1900s as the Gerken Family Grocery Store. William 'Blocko' Manning and his wife Connie bought it in the early 1930s, and the house history says it is rumored Blocko ran illegal hooch and a speakeasy during Prohibition. The Crystal calls itself one of the first American eating establishments to serve alcohol after repeal ... burgers were 30 cents and draft beer a dime. The Monroe Room is named for Monroe Whitlock, who worked there about 45 years. John Nichols runs it now, and Savannah Magazine readers picked it for the best burger in 2026.

Historic District South

Eat It and Like It calls it 'THE Savannah dive bar': 'Pinkie's (named for original owner Luis Christopher Masterpolis, more widely known as Pinkie) has been pouring PBRs since 1951.' The same piece corrects the famous story. Jimmy Carter did not announce his run here. On a 1978 visit he slipped out a side door of the DeSoto Hotel, walked the 30 yards over, stood on the bar and thanked Pinkie for his support. A star marks the spot. Savannah Magazine readers voted it Best Dive Bar in Best of Savannah 2026.

Historic District South · korean, southern, soul food

The room's line is 'Where Soul Meets Seoul'. It was founded by Tanika Hamilton, who was born in Seoul, and Chef Romie Cummings, who cooks from his Gullah Geechee roots. The name looks back to West Broad Street, the old name of this boulevard: the restaurant says it sits 'on ground that once served as the heartbeat of Black commerce, culture, and community'. The menu runs from KTX Chicken and house dumplings to seared shrimp and grits.