Savannah, Georgia, has one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the country and certainly the biggest in the South. The festivities began nearly 200 years ago with the Irish community and continue today with every bar serving green beer.
There’s also a parade for the community and live entertainment on different stages. The morning of St. Patrick’s Day is when most of the official events begin, but you can enjoy the bars of River Street in the days beforehand.
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1. Stay close to town. Most of the excitement is in the historic district, so stay close by if you can so that it will be easy to get back after a day of debauchery. There are many hotels in downtown Savannah as well as across the river, but they are booked up quickly, so plan in advance.
2. Don’t start too early. It’s easy to get excited by the prospect of endless amounts of alcohol, but this is a marathon, not a sprint and you don’t want to be that amateur passed out on River Street. They won’t run out. If you’re here for multiple days, let yourself explore during the day and start your celebrations after lunchtime rather than spending your whole trip in the bars.
3. You can walk and drink, but still, take precautions. Savannah is one of the few places in the country that allows you to consume alcohol on the street, but during St. Patrick’s Day you will be required to purchase a wristband in order to bring your drink outside. It’s no problem if you want to stay inside the bars. And while you can get away with drinking on the street, the police will be looking out for people who have had too much.
4. Eat something. This should be a no brainer, but you’d be surprised. Take advantage of Savannah’s glorious Southern food scene by laying the foundation with fried chicken, mashed potatoes and other carb-heavy dishes. Most are within walking distance of River Street, so you don’t have to worry about going too far.
5. Wear green. Many people go all out, but you’ll typically see at least one person who didn’t dress up for the occasion. Embrace the kitsch of the holiday and wear every bit of green and clover you can find! Order these recommended items for your trip.
Looking for a place to stay in Savannah for St. Patrick’s Day? The Marriott Riverfront, The Kimpton Brice Hotel, and The Alida Hotel are all close to River Street and have perks like in-house restaurants.
That looks great :) Maybe I should go there next year ;) Going to New York, again, this year. Travelling from Norway tomorrow and I an so exited :) Happy Paddy’s day, have a good one.
Thanks for reading! Happy St. Patty’s to you too!