The Top 5 Rooftop Bars in Savannah, Georgia (A Local’s Honest Guide)
I have a confession to make.
Ranking Savannah’s top rooftop bars for this blog was harder than I expected. And I live here. I’m constantly walking around our historic streets, eating in our restaurants, and I know this city the way you only can when it’s actually home.
But my readers know I don’t do “just okay.” If I’m pointing you somewhere, I’ve been there. I’ve sipped the drink, taken in the view, and decided if it’s worth your time.
So when visitors ask me, “Jenny Lynn, where do I go for a great drink with a view?” I want to be honest with you: any bar on this list will deliver. There is no wrong answer.
That said, I’m ranking them the way I see them. My taste, my experience, my Savannah.
I love luxury so this one is easy for me to choose.
Peregrin is my top pick for the best rooftop bar in Savannah, and the rest of the travel world is starting to agree. The Perry Lane Hotel has been named the #1 Hotel in the U.S. by TripAdvisor and the #1 Hotel in Savannah by Travel + Leisure, and Peregrin is a big reason why. Fodor’s calls it outright “the city’s best rooftop bar.”
Perched atop Perry Lane in the heart of the Historic District, Peregrin was reimagined in 2024 in collaboration with SCADPro, the innovation studio of the Savannah College of Art and Design, and transformed into a stunning botanical conservatory.
Tropical plants cascade everywhere. Colorful walls and deeply comfortable loungers create a space that somehow feels both chic and completely relaxed. There is a year-round rooftop pool, fire rings for cooler evenings, premium signature cocktails, a curated wine list, and locally inspired bar dishes that are genuinely good.
For me, Peregrin also wins because of the multiple vignettes on which you can choose based on your mood and the weather. If it’s hot and sultry, you can find reprieve at the bar which is cooler and totally out of the sun. If you want a light breeze, there are multiple, cozy sitting areas to choose from. Plus, the views sweep across Savannah’s entire historic district — all that gorgeous architecture laid out below you like a living history book.
Peregrin looks over Chippewa Square where Forrest Gump’s famous bench scene was filmed. Additionally, from this rooftop, you can see the Presbyterian Church steeple that was featured in the beginning of Forrest Gump when the feather floats through the air.
This bar is also a good choice if you plan to go to a show at the Savannah Theater. It sits across the street, so this is a smart move if you’re planning to see a show during your stay in Savannah.
Go at sunset. Order your favorite beverage. You will thank me.
Pro tip: Peregrin is all-weather, so it works even when Savannah’s heat or occasional rain makes other rooftops tricky. Reservations are smart for weekend evenings.
For a luxury stay, Perry Lane Hotel is consistently one of the most acclaimed stays in the entire city. It sits just off Broughton Street, Savannah’s main shopping corridor, and guests love it because it’s the kind of hotel that makes you feel like you’re living in Savannah, not just visiting.
#2. Rocks on the Roof at The Bohemian Hotel
102 W. Bay St. | River Street
If Peregrin is the refined rooftop, Rocks on the Roof is the one that gives you that pure “I am in Savannah, on the river, with a drink in my hand” feeling that just hits differently.
I met a blind date here once. I’ll call him “Richard.” We sat outside and had drinks and lunch and the view gave us something to talk about if there was a lag in the conversation. (BTW, there were no lags and he later told me I talked too much. Ha!)
The Bohemian Hotel sits right on River Street, which means Rocks on the Roof delivers some of the most spectacular river views you will find anywhere in the city. The Savannah River stretches out before you, ships and tugboats moving slowly through the water, the historic waterfront lit up below.
I love Rocks because it’s an open/inside/outside concept that has air conditioning in the bar area, yet the outside bar area is steps away. You can sit outside and catch some of the cool air from the inside. Savannah breezes flow freely here so it’s truly a 2 for 1 deal.
The atmosphere here is swanky but not stuffy. Shareable plates like parmesan truffle fries and crab rangoon nachos are made for lingering. The cocktails are creative and well-made. And that fire pit is perfect for the cooler months when you want the outdoor experience without shivering through it.
This is a great spot for a girls’ night, a date night, or honestly just celebrating the fact that you made it to Savannah.
Pro tip: River Street gets busy, especially on weekends. Come a little earlier in the evening to snag a great table before the crowd builds.
Jenny Lynn Travel Tip! And one thing I never leave home without on a Savannah evening out: my Boxiki RFID-blocking sleeves. River Street gets lively, and keeping your cards protected is just smart travel. Use code JENNY15 for 15% off.
#3. Bar Julian at Thompson Savannah
201 Port St. | Eastern Wharf
Bar Julian holds a special place in my heart. And it has the title of Savannah’s tallest rooftop bar, perched on the 13th floor of the Thompson Savannah in the Eastern Wharf neighborhood.
The views: unobstructed, sweeping, and extraordinary. The Savannah River stretches out endlessly below you, and on a clear evening, the cityscape from that height is genuinely breathtaking.
The Rooftop Guide ranks Bar Julian as the #1 rooftop bar in Savannah, specifically because of those panoramic views, and TripAdvisor reviewers are emphatic — “bar none” comes up more than once, and sunset at Bar Julian earns its own category of praise.
I’ve had a love affair with the Thompson Hotel for years because my daughter Allison and son-in-law Drake used it as base camp for their wedding. It’s a magical spot on the Eastern Wharf. On the day of their wedding, my future in-law Laura Reinke and I were in the 12th floor Penthouse and got to watch the “First Look,” when Drake saw Allison in her bridal gown for the first time.
And the marketing folks at the Thompson have shared the love with me as a travel blogger, doing collabs with me to promote their summer pool pass promos and Christmas Frosty events.
I love their menu. It leans Mediterranean, which is a wonderful and slightly unexpected choice. I enjoy their healthy hummus with house-made bread! The mezze platter is a must. Cocktails like the Pot of Gold are creative and well-executed. There is a daily Sunset Happy Hour, Live Music Tuesdays, Vinyl Fridays, and DJ Saturdays. Walk-ins are always welcome for lunch and brunch — no reservations accepted in the evenings, so just show up and let the magic happen.
Pro tip: Make it a sunset trip. The combination of the river views and the golden light from 13 floors up is hard to beat anywhere in the city.
#4. Myrtle and Rose
500 W. River St. | Plant Riverside District
This one is elegant and sexy. There are truly no other words for it.
Myrtle and Rose lives inside the vibrant Plant Riverside District and was named after the symbols of femininity, love, and romance — and the setting absolutely delivers on that promise. Think white couches, lush greenery, fire pits flickering against the Savannah skyline, and river views that make you want to settle in for the whole evening.
The tapas are creative and carefully made, the botanically inspired cocktails are beautiful, and the cured meat and cheese plates are exactly what you want when you are sipping something cold and watching the city glow.
This is my favorite rooftop experience for a Girlfriends Trip. TripAdvisor has given Myrtle and Rose its Travelers’ Choice award, and AAA lists it as their top rooftop bar pick in Savannah. The Rooftop Guide ranks it #2 overall. There is real consensus here, and it is well-deserved.
The vibe is romantic without being over the top. It is the kind of place where you linger over a glass of wine and good conversation, and somehow an hour turns into three. For women traveling together, you’ll love the vibe. It’s one of those spots where the setting does half the work of creating a memorable evening.
Pro tip: Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends. This one books up for a reason.
#5. The Lost Square at The Alida Hotel
412 Williamson St. | Historic District
I just recently went to the Lost Square for the first time. I was with my friend Stuart and we were continuing our five-year food and beverage discovery quest in Savannah. We landed here late afternoon on a perfect, cool spring day and sat at a hightop bar area where we faced east and could look down upon Factors Walk and see the cargo ships coming into the port. The breeze was amazing. As we moved into early evening, we changed seats and sat by the linear indoor/outdoor fireplace.
The Alida Hotel is a beautiful boutique property in the heart of Savannah’s historic district, and The Lost Square is its rooftop crown. The vibe is relaxed and genuine and you can experience their Wine Flights and Bites.
What I love about The Lost Square is the energy. Lively without being chaotic. Warm without being loud. It has that wonderful “I discovered this” feeling even though it absolutely deserves to be well-known — and it consistently lands in the top five on Yelp, Earth Trekkers, and AAA’s Savannah rooftop rankings.
Pro tip: The river view at dusk is the magic hour. If you love red wines, order the Villa Des Anges Cabernet Sauvignon from Languedoc, France. I had one glass, but could have easily enjoyed three. 🙂
An Honorable Mention Rooftop Bar and Hotel: Homewood Suites Historic Riverfront
611 East River St. | River Street
For a mid-range pricepoint, my personal favorite hotel is Homewood Suites Historic Riverfront. It is located on the far east end of River Street. The rooftop bar can only be used by hotel guests so if you like smaller crowds, you’ll love this intimate bar.
The rooftop features a heated pool and the breezes are divine! I have been a hotel guest during the fall and winter and the rooftop has outdoor glass linear gas logs that make it magical. Suite-style rooms give you real space to spread out. And, it’s a genuinely good value for what you get.
Before I write about the newest rooftop bar, I’d be remiss if I didn’t share information about some fun pub crawls in Savannah. If you want to get some exercise while checking out bars, hop on the Pedal Pub and laugh your way all over the city. I see women’s groups all the time just laughing and being zany as they pedal their way to some cool bars. If you’d rather walk at night and explore Savannah’s spooky past during a haunted pub crawl, you’ll love the Spooky Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl!
The Savannah Rooftop Most Tourists Haven’t Discovered Yet: The Waving Girl at Tempo by Hilton
20 E. Bryan St. | Historic District
I cannot write a Savannah rooftop guide right now without mentioning this one — because you are getting it as a genuine insider tip. The Waving Girl Rooftop just opened in April 2026 at the brand-new Tempo by Hilton Savannah Historic District, and most visitors do not even know it exists yet.
The name is a tribute to Florence Martus, the beloved Savannah legend who spent decades waving at every ship passing through the channel with a lantern in hand. She is one of our most iconic local figures, and this rooftop honors her spirit beautifully. The menu is rooted in Coastal Georgia ingredients — BBQ pork belly sliders, Vidalia onion fritters with smoked tomato aioli, seasonal burrata — alongside signature cocktails like the Oglethorpe Heights, Savannah Drift, and Peachy Keen.
Southern Accent Tip: I want to make sure you know how to pronounce the town of Vidalia, Georgia, which is known for growing the sweetest onions in the world. It’s Vigh-Day-Yuh. Drop the “L.”
The hotel sits steps from Reynolds Square and the Savannah River, right in the heart of the Historic District, and the rooftop views deliver on that location in a big way.
It is too new to have a ranking. But I have been there, and I am telling you: watch this one. It is going to be talked about. I love that it’s got the type of bar that has the bartender in the middle serving the outside and the inside of the bar.
Pro Tip: The ENTIRE bar faces east and is totally covered so at the end of the day this is an excellent choice for a guaranteed cooler outdoor bar experience.
And speaking of Savannah from the water — did you know cruise ships actually sail right into our port? I boarded one as a guest travel blogger and it is one of the most uniquely Savannah experiences I have ever had. Read that story here.
Before You Go: A Smart Packing Tip from a Local
You’re heading to Savannah. You’re going to be out on River Street, wandering the squares, and hopping rooftops. The last thing you need to be thinking about is your wallet or passport getting compromised.
Although I’ve never heard about pickpocketing in Savannah being a problem, I travel with the Boxiki money belt which fits discreetly under your shirt at your waist. It’s soft, has moisture-wicking mesh backing and an adjustable, reinforced elastic strap for a snug yet breathable fit.
No sweating, itching, or irritation — just all-day comfort while you travel with this under clothes travel pouch. I genuinely recommend it to every woman I know who travels.
If you’re trying to choose between Savannah and Charleston, Savannah’s rooftop scene makes our city the easy pick.
My honest advice? Don’t try to hit all five in one trip. Choose two. Settle in. Order something you love. Watch the sun go down over one of the most beautiful cities in America.
That is how you do Savannah right.
And if those river views have you dreaming a little bigger, you might love a romantic river cruise in Portugal. You may not have heard of AmaWaterways since they don’t do a lot of marketing in North America, but it is as good or better than Viking for a river cruise.
One more thing before you go. Whether this is a girls’ trip, a solo adventure, or a quick escape weekend, please do not leave home without travel insurance. I recommend TravelSafe Insurance. It’s an American-owned company, simple to set up and gives you real peace of mind so nothing gets in the way of enjoying every single moment of your trip. Think you don’t need travel insurance? Wrong! You can read my “snorkeling excursion gone wrong” blog where I had to use my annual TravelSafe insurance policy.
Savannah Rooftop Bar Leaderboard
Here’s a quick list of the best Savannah bars to add to your itinerary!
Peregrin at Perry Lane Hotel (My top pick!)
Rocks on the Roof at The Bohemian Hotel (Swanky but not stuffy)
Bar Julian at Thompson Savannah (Fun Christmas pop-ups)
Myrtle and Rose (Great for girls trips!)
The Lost Square at The Alida Hotel (A Historic District gem)
The Waving Girl at Tempo by Hilton (Newest Rooftop in Savannah)
Bonus! Homewood Suites Historic Riverfront (Must stay at hotel)
Want the Full Savannah Weekend Itinerary?
I’ve taken everything I know about this city — the rooftops, the restaurants, the hidden gems, the best neighborhoods to stay in — and put it all in one easy download. It’s my complete Savannah Weekend Itinerary guide, built specifically for women who want to do this city right without spending hours researching.
Download it here and your Savannah trip plans just got a whole lot easier!
If you are ready to plan your Savannah trip, I would love to help make it everything it should be. Reach out and let’s talk.
