Gay Savannah

John Berendt’s Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil – known here simply as “The Book” – may have created a huge buzz, but gay Savannah has been a top-rate tourist destination for generations. Located along Georgia’s coast, a 4-hour drive from Atlanta, and across the border from South Carolina, Savannah oozes romance and intrigue with its antebellum architecture, elegant public spaces, and twisted oaks dripping with Spanish moss. Then, of course, there are the legends, from oral histories to shocking tales of haunted graveyards and many Civil War sites.

Savannah’s main draw is its gorgeous historic district, full of eye-catching 18th- and 19th-century structures and shaded squares surrounded by posh residences, museums, and boutique hotels. The town’s most recognizable landmark is Forsyth Park, a 30-acre green space with a center fountain and walking paths.

When it comes to accommodations, Savannah offers everything from historic bed-and-breakfasts and trendy downtown hotels to affordable chains.

Gay Scene in Savannah

There’s no specific gay neighborhood in Savannah, and gay and lesbian residents are spread throughout town. That makes for a welcoming, inclusive vibe wherever you venture. Head to River Street for gay-friendly and LGBT-owned boutiques, galleries, and bistros, as well as the most lively nightlife options. Part of this thoroughfare’s convivial vibe is thanks to the fact that there are no open container laws here, meaning you can explore the district with a drink in hand. Savannah is easy to explore on foot.

The annual Savannah Pride event here (in October) draws a nice crowd and participants can feel good that proceeds support mental health care, HIV testing, support groups, youth programming and more.

When to Visit

Come to Savannah during the summer if you want to take advantage of the events that fill the calendar during the city’s warmest season. Come in the off-season (winter) or the shoulder season (fall) for cooler temperatures and lower hotel rates. Savannah is also home to a large arts university, so keep in mind that during specific school events such as alumni weekend, hotels might be overcrowded.

Gay-Friendly Activities and Attractions

Savannah is a sweet town that has a lot to explore.

Telfair Museum of Art

Don’t leave town without visiting the Telfair Museum of Art, full of grand architecture and American and European paintings,

Historic Architecture

Much of Savannah's beauty can be credited to this historic architecture. Many of the homes and buildings were created in the style of regency architecture, a time period marked by classical Greek influences. You'll find a lot of buildings using symmetry—making the perfect backdrop for postcards.

There are many other historic buildings in Savannah, including the First African Baptist Church, one of the oldest African American Baptist churches in the country. The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist is another famous house of worship and Savannah landmark.

Bonaventure cemetery

A stunning, oak-lined resting place spanning 100 acres awaits at the Bonaventure Cemetery, made famous by “Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.”

Tybee Island

If you have some time, drive the 18 miles to Tybee Island, a get-away that draws gays and lesbians from throughout Georgia and the Southeast. There, you’ll find restaurants and hotels, as well as an easygoing beach lifestyle that lends itself to gay beach parties, lesbian potlucks and year-round volleyball tournaments. And don’t forget to check out the lighthouse, the first one on the south Atlantic coast.

Gay-Friendly Dining

The Grey

Once a Greyhound bus stop, this chic space offers two bars and an impressive dinner menu and wine list. It's a fine dining restaurant serving modern Southern cuisine.

Jazz’d Tapas Bar

Settle in with friends and choose from a menu of more than 30 tapas at this modern, subterranean spot popular with the hippest crowds in Savannah

700 Drayton Restaurant

Savor upscale Southern fare in a 19-century mansion (now the Forsyth Park Hotel), with six elegant dining rooms, located near Forsyth Park.

Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife

There is not a specific gay neighborhood in Savannah

Club One

Gay patrons come here to drink, dance, and watch drag shows in a multilevel, no-frills space.

The Bar Bar

Locals and visitors alike love this bar for its friendly bartenders, its huge menu of drinks, and its many games, from board games to pool. It's a bit of a dive bar but that's what makes it so friendly and accessible.

Safety

Savannah is a relatively safe city to visit, especially if you stick to the main Historic District. It's recommended to not wander unlit side streets at night, due to some petty crime like pickpocketing and small roberries. But generally, Savannah is a safe city to visit for tourism, and LGBTQ visitors will not face many issues traveling as a gay or lesbian couple.