Historic drinks turn Savannah’s streets into a tasting map. This small-group tour keeps the focus on real flavors and real context, with all-inclusive pours at every stop. I love that each drink connects to the city’s past, not just the next bar on the route, and I love the variety—Madeira, honey-based mead, and classic cocktails back-to-back. The one drawback to plan for: it’s strictly 21+, and you’re only covered for the specific drinks listed.

The pace works well because you’re pairing short walks through the squares with quick tastings, so you’re never stuck waiting around. I also like that the guide stays on the details—what you’re tasting, why it differs, and how Savannah’s drinking culture changed over time. Still, it’s partially indoors and partially outdoors, so you’ll want to dress for the weather and be ready to walk.

One more practical note: the first stop at Jazz’d Tapas Bar involves going down a flight of stairs (with an elevator option), and male patrons must wear shirts with sleeves. If you can handle those small logistics, this is a fun, focused way to experience Savannah after dark.

Key takeaways

• Small groups up to 10 people make tastings feel personal, not rushed
• All-inclusive ticket covers Madeira wine, a mead flight, mint julep, and Chatham Artillery Punch
• Six 1-ounce meads show how ingredients like honey, water, and yeast change the glass
• A guided walk through multiple squares links drinks to the city layout and atmosphere
• Ends around 7:00–7:30 so you still have time for dinner and nightlife

Why Savannah Drinks Feel Different on This Tour

Savannah has always had a way of making adult fun look classy. This tour leans into that idea by pairing drinks with places that look like they belong to a different century. You’re not just sampling alcohol—you’re tasting how a city’s habits can evolve while still keeping its charm.

What makes it especially satisfying is the structure. You start in a lively tapas setting, move into a honey-and-mead stop, take a break at a historic inn, then finish with one of Savannah’s signature cocktails. The result is a guided “drinks-to-walks” rhythm that keeps the experience from feeling like a checklist.

From Telfair Square to the Squares: A Short Walk That Sets the Mood

The tour starts at Telfair Square, and from there you’re out on foot for small chunks of sightseeing. You’ll pause for scenic breaks at Wright Square, Oglethorpe Square, and Columbia Square, plus you’ll pass by Warren Square and Washington Square.

These stops don’t try to turn into a long lecture. Instead, they give your brain a reset between tastings, and they help you connect the flavors to Savannah’s layout. If you like walking but don’t want a full-day itinerary, this is a comfortable way to get your bearings fast.

You’ll also get that classic Savannah effect: the streets feel different when you’re moving through squares rather than just driving past them. It’s the kind of environment where a drink in hand feels like part of the scenery, not an interruption.

Jazz’d Tapas Bar: Madeira Wine and the 1849-Style Start

Your first real taste happens at Jazz’d Tapas Bar, where you’ll spend about 45 minutes. Savannah was once known as a Madeira city, and this stop leans into that tradition with a Madeira wine pour paired with a warm cheese plate.

The Madeira part is the point. Madeira has a distinct identity compared with many modern wines, and starting with it gives you a baseline for what “historic” tastes like in Savannah. I like that the setting is tapas-focused, too—cheese helps balance the first pour so you’re not starting on an empty stomach.

Two practical notes matter here:

• Jazz’d requires male patrons to wear shirts with sleeves.
• The first stop is down one flight of stairs, though there’s an elevator option if you need it.

Savannah Bee Company: A Flight of Six 1-Ounce Meads

After Jazz’d, you head to Savannah Bee Company for about 35 minutes. This is the most distinctive stop on the route because mead isn’t just a drink—it’s a different way of thinking about fermentation.

You’ll sample what the tour describes as the most ancient alcoholic beverage in the world: mead. The tasting is a flight with six 1-ounce pours, meant to highlight variety across categories and brands. The idea is simple but fun: you can taste how shifting ingredients like honey, water, yeast, and other inputs changes the final flavor.

This is the part of the tour where you’ll likely slow down and pay attention. If you normally stick to beer or cocktails, the mead stop is a nice shift. It’s also a great moment to ask questions—mead flavors can range widely depending on what’s used, and the tasting format makes those differences easier to catch.

If you’re someone who wants “taste, then learn,” this stop delivers. You’re not just drinking; you’re comparing glasses side by side.

Wright and Oglethorpe Squares: Scenic Breathers Between Tastings

Between stops, you’ll get short walks and views at Wright Square and Oglethorpe Square. These are quick breaks—about 15 minutes at Wright and about 5 minutes at Oglethorpe—so they won’t eat your night.

I like these pauses because they reset the senses. After wine and cheese, and then mead tasting, it helps to get a little air and change the scene. You also get a sense of the city’s square-to-square spacing without committing to a long, exhausting walk.

If it’s warm, you’ll feel the breeze between stops. If it’s cool, you’ll get to move enough to stay comfortable while still keeping the “historic night out” vibe.

17Hundred90 Inn and Restaurant: Mint Julep at the 17Hundred90 Stop

Next comes 17Hundred90 Inn and Restaurant, where you’ll spend about 30 minutes. This is your cocktail break, and you’ll try a mint julep from the cozy bar.

A mint julep is a classic Southern call-and-response drink. It’s not trying to be weird; it’s trying to be understood. That’s why it works so well after mead: you get one more tasting with a very different flavor profile and a familiar cultural role.

The tour also gives you a break time here, which I think is smart. By the time you reach this stop, you’ve already had multiple pours and a full walk sequence. A pause with a classic cocktail helps you keep the evening enjoyable instead of rushing from drink to drink.

Columbia, Warren, and Washington Squares: Passing Views That Add Atmosphere

On your way toward the final tasting, you’ll hit more sightline moments:

• Columbia Square (about 10 minutes)
• Warren Square (about 5 minutes, pass by)
• Washington Square (about 10 minutes, pass by)

These are shorter and less structured than the tasting stops, but they’re part of why the tour feels like more than a pub crawl. You’re still on foot, still moving through Savannah’s signature spaces, and the views keep the pace from feeling purely indoor.

If you like photos, these are usually where you’ll want to take them. Even without a long stop, the squares provide that classic Savannah look—especially when you’re doing it in the evening.

The Pirate’s House: Chatham Artillery Punch to Close the Night

The final stop is The Pirates’ House, with about 15 minutes for your signature pour: the Chatham Artillery Punch. This is a great closer because it brings the tour back to Savannah’s identity as a place with its own named cocktails.

You’ll finish at The Pirates’ House, with the tour ending between 7:00 and 7:30. That timing is actually a big deal. It means you’re done with tastings before the night gets fully late, leaving you room to choose dinner and explore Savannah nightlife on your own.

If you’re the type who likes a plan but also likes flexibility, this ending time hits the sweet spot. You don’t feel locked in after the last drink.

Value Check: Does $100 Make Sense for This Savannah Tasting?

At $100 per person for about 3 hours, you should ask one question: what are you really paying for? In this case, it’s mostly what you don’t have to think about.

Your ticket is all-inclusive for the drinks on the route:

• Madeira wine and a cheese plate for 2
• A mead flight with six 1-ounce pours
• One mint julep
• One Chatham Artillery Punch
• Tips for waitstaff at each stop

You’re also not dealing with the common headache of paying for each drink separately. Since additional drinks beyond the listed ones aren’t included, you can treat the included pours as your set allowance for the night.

It’s also good value for people who like variety. You’re not sampling one style of drink multiple times—you’re trying four distinct categories over the course of the evening, plus the mead flight gives you multiple variations inside one stop.

The price also lines up with the “small group” approach. With a maximum of 10 participants, the guide can keep the flow moving and still give context as you taste.

Who This Tour Suits (and Who It Might Not)

This experience is best for adults who want something social but not chaotic. The small group size keeps it friendly, and the walking route is short enough that you’ll still enjoy the city, not just suffer through it.

It’s also a strong fit if you enjoy:

• learning while tasting (the mead flight especially helps you understand ingredient changes)
• classic Savannah identity drinks like mint juleps and Chatham Artillery Punch
• a structured evening that ends early enough for you to keep exploring

It’s not suitable for anyone under 21. And if you’re sensitive to alcohol or you don’t want guided tastings, you may find the concept harder to enjoy—because the tour is built around getting you tasting the included drinks.

Practical Tips So You Start the Night Unbothered

Here’s what to have ready before you meet at Telfair Square:

• Bring a passport or ID card
• If you’re a male patron, plan on wearing a shirt with sleeves for Jazz’d Tapas Bar
• Expect a mix of indoors and outdoors
• The first stop involves stairs, but there’s an elevator option if needed

Weather is also worth noting. The tour runs in normal conditions, but it can be adjusted or canceled in disruptive weather. So dress for walking, and don’t plan this as the one time you’ll be wearing something only for sitting.

Also remember the tour is English-language and led by a live guide, so it works best when you’re ready to engage with the group and ask questions when you want.

Should You Book This Savannah Historic Drinks Tour?

If you want a Savannah night with structure, flavor variety, and actual context, I’d book it. The combination of Madeira wine, a six-pour mead flight, a mint julep, and a Chatham Artillery Punch gives you a real sampling arc, not just one drink at a time.

I’d skip it only if you’re looking for a long, deep history walking tour with museum stops, or if you’d rather browse drink menus on your own. This one is about guided tastings and a short square-walk path—not about extended sightseeing.

Also, if you want a calmer night out, the limit of 10 people is a big plus. You get the fun of drinking and learning without the feel of being herded.

FAQ

What’s included in the tour ticket?

The ticket includes Madeira wine and a cheese plate for 2, a mead flight of 6 one-ounce pours, one mint julep, one Chatham Artillery Punch, and tips for waitstaff at each stop.

How long is the Savannah historic drinks tour?

The tour lasts about 3 hours.

How many people are in the group?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

Is the tour adults only?

Yes. It’s for adults only, and all participants must be 21+.

Where does the tour start and end?

It starts at Telfair Square and ends at The Pirates’ House.

What drinks will I try during the tour?

You’ll try Madeira wine, a six-pour mead flight, a mint julep, and a Chatham Artillery Punch.

Are additional drinks included beyond the ones listed?

No. Any additional drinks aside from those listed are not included.

What should I bring with me?

Bring a passport or ID card.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The tour is wheelchair accessible, and while the first stop involves stairs, there is an elevator option.

Does the tour run in bad weather?

The tour takes place regardless of weather except in disruptive conditions.

Are there any dress rules?

At Jazz’d Tapas Bar, male patrons must wear shirts with sleeves.