Savannah, Georgia is located in the Lowcountry, just steps from South Carolina. It has been called “the nation’s most beautiful city” by some. On the surface, Savannah may seem like a conservative Southern town, but once you take a peek below, you will see why the Queen of England once referred to it as “a beautiful woman with a dirty face.” The many colleges in town, coupled with the high tourist traffic, have contributed to a lively nightlife scene. If you walk around the Historic District any given night of the week, you will see bar after bar, filled with people. You will also notice the streets full of happy bar-goers carrying plastic “to-go” cups. Savannah has no open container law, and allows you to take your drink with you from place to place. It’s nice to wander around on a warm summer night with a group of friends, and in Savannah there is no shortage of gay and gay-friendly watering holes to frequent.
If you are looking for the traditional gay club experience, Club One Jefferson is for you. Located at the intersection of Jefferson and Bay Streets, Club One offers three floors of entertainment. The main floor is equipped with two bars and a large, multi-level dance floor with a giant disco ball spinning overhead. Expect to hear current hits remixed by local DJs. The second floor is the show stage. This is where patrons are treated to glamorous divas lip-synching and dancing in a shower of sparkles and hair. It is definitely a must see event. The show takes place Thursday – Saturday nights, weekly. Last is the basement. Down here, it is a little more laid back. There are multiple screens playing top 40 videos, pool tables, seating, and a small dance floor on one side. Club one is sure to have something for everyone!
Next, venture across the street and down to the Savannah River and you will find a small hole-in-the-wall by the name of Chuck’s Bar. This bar is more of a neighborhood hangout and has a distinct group of regulars. As soon as you enter you will notice the original décor made up of personalized dollar bills hanging from the ceiling and mismatched leather couches. The bartenders are eclectic, yet friendly. You will also find a pool table, darts, and a large selection of board games handy to keep you entertained. The music is mainly made up of guest-selected tunes from the juke box, or sweet sounds of karaoke on the weekends.
Make your way back up to Bay Street and over to MLK Boulevard, and you will find yourself at Venus De Milo. Venus, as the regulars call it, started out as a little known wine bar, but soon exploded into an extremely popular hotspot. With its small spaces and dark, sensual atmosphere you will soon feel right at home in this trendy space. The first floor is the where the bar is located, but wander up the stairs and you will find a scattered collection of antique furniture, candles, mirrors, and wispy fabric hanging from the windows. It sets the scene for the perfect romantic evening with someone special. There is also an outside patio and VIP lounge in the back.
The last site on the list is Blaine’s Back Door Bar and Deli. Geared towards the older crowd, leather is no stranger in this bar. With weekly Karaoke and nightly drink specials, this is a fun place to stop in for a change of scenery. The type of music played depends on the theme of the night. Popular themes include decades and movies. A pool table and arcade games offer even more forms of entertainment. If you get hungry there is also a deli that is available to satisfy your meat cravings!
