Savannah: True Crime Pub Crawl

Savannah’s prettiest squares hide some ugly stories. This two-hour true crime pub crawl begins at the base of Dub’s, A Public House, beside the ominously named Stairs of Death, then links grim local tales with drinks at historic watering holes. You’ll hear about serial killer Samuel Little, the Mercer-Williams house, and crimes that shook Savannah over the centuries.

I like two things here. First, you get a small group capped at nine, which gives you a better chance to hear the guide and ask questions. Second, the tour uses real bars rather than treating Savannah as a stage set. You can order a drink, look around, and get a feel for the city after dark.

The main caution is that this is not always a lively pub party. One stop can have loud music, and a very small group may feel quiet rather than social. Drinks are also extra, so the $35 price covers the guide and stories, not your bar tab.

Key points at a glance

• The Stairs of Death set the tone: Meet at Dub’s, A Public House, at the base of this memorable Savannah landmark.
• Samuel Little is part of the story: The guide covers Savannah’s connection to one of America’s most infamous serial killers.
• The Mercer-Williams house adds local drama: You’ll hear about the crimes linked to one of the city’s best-known homes.
• The bar stops can change: Depending on the day, you might visit Pour Larry’s, PS Tavern, Churchill’s, Tondee’s Tavern, The Olde Pink House, or Abe’s on Lincoln.
• Small groups matter: The tour allows no more than nine people, though a very tiny group may feel less festive.
• Plan for adult nightlife: You must be at least 21, drinks cost extra, and the walk runs rain or shine.

Starting at Dub’s and the Stairs of Death

The meeting point is Dub’s, A Public House, at the base of the Stairs of Death. That is a useful landmark, especially in Savannah’s busy historic center, where several bars and old buildings can look similar at night.

The opening location does more than help you find the guide. It puts you in the right mood immediately. You are not starting with a broad lecture about Savannah. You are starting beside a place with a sinister name, then moving into stories about crime, death, and the people caught up in them.

I would arrive with a few minutes to spare. Bring a photo ID or driver’s license, comfortable shoes, and some cash. The tour takes place outdoors as you move between locations, and it operates rain or shine. Savannah weather can change quickly, so a light rain layer is sensible even if the evening begins clear.

The meeting point is also a reminder that this is a walking experience, not a bus tour. The supplied details do not give a precise walking distance, but comfortable footwear is specifically recommended. You will want shoes that handle pavement and standing in bars without turning the night into a test of endurance.

Samuel Little and Savannah’s darker side

One of the major stories concerns Samuel Little, described as Savannah’s axe murderer and infamous serial killer. This is likely to be the most disturbing part of the evening, and it gives the tour a sharper edge than a standard haunted-pub outing.

A good true crime tour needs to do more than name a killer. The value comes from connecting the person, the location, and the effect the crime had on the city. Your guide leads that discussion in English and places the story within Savannah’s long record of shocking crimes.

The tone may not suit everyone. This is adult entertainment built around real violence, not a light ghost walk. If you prefer legends, architecture, or playful spooky tales, the Samuel Little section may feel too grim. If you enjoy crime stories with a clear connection to real places, it is one of the strongest reasons to book.

Apollo is one guide name associated with this experience. A recent group described Apollo as personable and said he did an excellent job. That fits the format well: the guide needs to tell difficult stories clearly, keep the group moving, and make the transition from a crime scene to a pub feel natural.

The Mercer-Williams house and a famous Savannah case

The Mercer-Williams house brings a different kind of story to the route. It is one of Savannah’s best-known homes, and the crimes connected with it helped make the building a major part of the city’s darker public image.

You should not expect an interior visit to the house as part of this pub crawl. The experience is about hearing the story while exploring Savannah’s streets and stopping at bars. That distinction matters if you are comparing this tour with a dedicated house tour or a formal architecture visit.

I like the way this subject broadens the evening. The Samuel Little story centers on a notorious killer, while the Mercer-Williams material shows how one home and one case can shape a city’s identity. Together, they give you two different ways to think about Savannah’s past.

The guide also discusses other crimes that shocked the city through the centuries. The exact order and length of each story can vary with the group and the evening. That flexibility is useful because it lets the guide respond to questions, but it also means you should not expect a fixed script with the same amount of time at every location.

The pub stops, from Pour Larry’s to The Olde Pink House

The bar portion is what separates this experience from a crime walking tour. Depending on the day, the group may visit Pour Larry’s, PS Tavern, Churchill’s, Tondee’s Tavern, The Olde Pink House, or Abe’s on Lincoln.

These are not all guaranteed stops, so you should treat the names as a possible route rather than a promise. That is important if you have one particular pub in mind. The changing stops may help the guide work with opening hours, crowd levels, or the best fit for the group, but they also remove some control from your evening.

At each bar, drinks are available for purchase, but none are included in the $35 price. You can keep the cost down by ordering one drink, or spend more if you want the crawl to function as a full night out. I would budget for at least one drink per stop only if you know you want that pace, since the number of stops and time at each bar are not specified.

The bars also offer a chance to see Savannah as a social city rather than only as a collection of old buildings. You get a guided introduction, then a reason to linger in places locals and visitors use at night. That is a practical benefit for anyone staying in Savannah for only a short time and wanting help choosing where to go after dark.

There is one sound issue to keep in mind. Music was loud at one stop, making it difficult to hear the guide. If you have trouble hearing in noisy rooms, stand close to the guide and ask to move away from speakers when possible. The nine-person maximum helps, but it cannot guarantee a quiet bar.

Why the nine-person limit matters

A group of up to nine is a good size for this kind of walk. You can usually hear a single guide more easily than you could in a large crowd, and the group can enter a bar without feeling like a tour bus has arrived.

The small size also makes questions more realistic. True crime stories often raise details that need clarification, and a guide can adjust the explanation when the group is engaged. Apollo, in particular, was praised for being personable, which suggests that the guide’s manner can add a useful human touch to a serious subject.

Still, small is not automatically better for every person. One outing had only two participants, and the experience felt boring to that pair despite the guide’s strong command of the material. That is a useful warning. If you want a loud, social crawl with a ready-made party, a tiny group may disappoint. If you prefer a private-feeling walk and do not need a crowd, it may work in your favor.

The group limit also makes this a reasonable pick for couples, friends, or solo adults who want a guided night out without joining a large tour. You will need to accept that the social energy depends on who else books the same evening.

Is $35 a fair price?

At $35 per person, the tour is reasonably priced if you want a guide-led introduction to Savannah’s crime stories and nightlife. The price includes the guide, the two-hour experience, and access to the planned route. It does not include drinks, so your total cost depends on how much you order.

The value is strongest when you use the crawl as an orientation to Savannah. You get several bar suggestions, local crime stories, and a structured evening without having to plan the route yourself. Afterward, you may know which pub you want to revisit and which subjects you want to explore further.

The value is weaker if you mainly want a traditional pub crawl with lots of drinking. Since drinks cost extra and the tour is built around storytelling, you are paying for the guide and the setting, not a package of beverages or entertainment.

I would also compare it with your other Savannah plans. If you already have a daytime history tour and a separate nightlife reservation, this may repeat some city-center streets. If you want one compact activity that combines crime stories and bars, the price makes more sense.

Practical details for a smooth evening

You must be 21 or older. This is not a family activity, and the adult requirement is tied to the pub stops. Bring a passport, ID card, or driver’s license so you can meet age checks if requested.

Wear comfortable shoes and bring cash. Cash is specifically recommended, though the supplied details do not explain whether every bar requires it. It is best to have some available rather than assume every purchase will work the same way.

Do not plan to record the tour on video. Video recording is not allowed. You can listen, take mental notes, and enjoy the walk, but keep your phone out of filming mode.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, which is useful information for many visitors. Even so, bars can differ in layout, and the experience includes movement through city streets. If you have specific access needs, confirm the route details before booking rather than relying only on the general accessibility label.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later, which helps if your Savannah schedule is still changing. Starting times vary, so check availability for the date you want.

Who will enjoy this Savannah crawl?

I would recommend it to adults who like true crime, local stories, and a drink in an old Savannah bar. It suits couples and small friend groups who want a guided night activity with more substance than simply moving from pub to pub.

It also works for people who want a local guide to shape the evening. You do not need to research Samuel Little, the Mercer-Williams house, or Savannah’s other infamous cases before you arrive. The guide supplies the context and connects the stories to places around town.

I would be more cautious if you dislike grisly crime, loud bars, or changing plans. The tour has a serious subject, drinks are not included, the stops vary, and one bar may make listening difficult. A quiet private tour or a daytime architecture walk could be a better fit for those preferences.

The tour also depends on your expectations. One person may see it as a crime lecture with pub stops. Another may see it as a social bar crawl with scary stories. The first description is safer. Storytelling is the main event, while the drinks and nightlife provide the setting.

Should you book the True Crime Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want real crime stories tied to Savannah locations, a small English-speaking group, and a couple of hours in local bars. The strongest parts are the Samuel Little and Mercer-Williams material, the convenient Dub’s meeting point, and the chance to hear a personable guide such as Apollo.

Skip it if you want drinks included, a fixed list of pubs, or a high-energy party every time. A two-person group can feel too quiet, and loud music may interfere with the guide at one stop.

For the right audience, $35 is a fair entry price for a guided night of Savannah’s darker stories. Bring comfortable shoes, an ID, and realistic expectations: you are booking a true crime walk with pub stops, not an all-inclusive drinking tour.

FAQ

How long does the Savannah True Crime Pub Crawl last?

The tour lasts two hours.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet your guide at Dub’s, A Public House, at the base of the Stairs of Death.

Which bars will the tour visit?

Depending on the day, stops may include Pour Larry’s, PS Tavern, Churchill’s, Tondee’s Tavern, The Olde Pink House, or Abe’s on Lincoln. The exact stops can vary.

Are drinks included in the price?

No. The $35 price includes the guide, but drinks are purchased separately.

Is the tour suitable for people under 21?

No. The experience is for people aged 21 and older.

What happens if it rains?

The tour takes place rain or shine. Wear comfortable shoes and bring suitable protection from the weather.