Savannah: True Crime Pub Crawl

Savannah’s Stairs of Death make a memorable starting point for a tour about murder, scandal, and the city’s darker corners. From Dub’s, A Public House, your guide leads you through stories about axe murderer Samuel Little, the Mercer-Williams house, and crimes that left a mark on Savannah.

I like the mix of true crime and historic pubs, and I like the small group limit of nine, which gives the guide room to talk with you. The $35 price is fair for two hours of guiding, though drinks cost extra, and loud music at one stop can make parts of the talk hard to hear.

Key points

• The Stairs of Death begin the story: Meet at the base of this striking Savannah landmark outside Dub’s, A Public House.
• Samuel Little is part of the opening tale: Learn about Savannah’s infamous axe murderer and serial killer.
• The Mercer-Williams house adds a famous local case: The tour explains the tragedy and crimes linked to one of Savannah’s best-known homes.
• The pub stops can change: Depending on the day, you may visit Pour Larry’s, PS Tavern, Churchill’s, Tondee’s Tavern, The Olde Pink House, or Abe’s on Lincoln.
• A small group keeps it personal: The tour is limited to nine people and led in English by a local guide.
• This is for adults only: You must be at least 21, and you pay for your own drinks.

Starting beneath Savannah’s Stairs of Death

The tour begins at Dub’s, A Public House, at the base of the Stairs of Death. That meeting point sets the tone quickly. You are not starting with a general city walk or a long introduction. You are stepping into a story about crime at one of Savannah’s more ominous spots.

The opening subject is Samuel Little, described here as Savannah’s axe murderer and an infamous serial killer. That gives the evening a strong true crime focus from the first stop. If you enjoy factual crime stories tied to real places, you will know right away if this tour matches your interests.

Your guide handles the walking and storytelling while you listen. The experience is in English, and the group is capped at nine people. I value that limit because a small party makes it easier to hear questions, follow the guide through busy streets, and keep the talk from feeling like a speech delivered to a crowd.

The meeting point is in the middle of the city, so you should arrive with comfortable shoes and a clear idea of where Dub’s is located. The tour does not provide transport between stops. The route is experienced on foot, with bars used as places to pause and continue the stories.

The Mercer-Williams house and Savannah’s darker reputation

The Mercer-Williams house is one of the tour’s central subjects. Its name is familiar to many people who know Savannah through its crime stories, but this tour gives you a chance to connect the house and its tragedy with the streets around it.

The value here is the setting. You are not hearing an isolated crime story in a classroom. You are moving through the city while the guide explains the events and their effect on local memory. That connection between place and story is the main reason to choose this experience over a standard pub crawl.

The tour also covers crimes that shocked Savannah across the centuries. The supplied details do not promise a full catalog of every case, so you should expect selected stories rather than a complete history of crime in the city. The emphasis is on memorable cases and the locations tied to them.

I would also keep your expectations in check. This is a guided storytelling walk with drinks and pub stops, not a formal criminal justice lecture. You get local context and dramatic cases, but the balance leans toward an entertaining night out.

Six possible pubs, with the route changing by day

The bar lineup is not fixed. Depending on the day, the tour may include Pour Larry’s, PS Tavern, Churchill’s, Tondee’s Tavern, The Olde Pink House, or Abe’s on Lincoln. Dub’s is the starting point, but the later stops can vary.

That changing route has two effects. First, it can make the experience feel more local and less like a fixed package repeated exactly the same way every night. Second, you cannot book this tour expecting a particular pub unless the operator confirms the route for your date.

The named stops include popular historic watering holes and well-known Savannah hangouts. You will have a chance to see bars that are part of the city’s social life rather than moving from one anonymous venue to another. For a first evening in Savannah, that can help you get your bearings and identify places you may want to revisit.

Drinks are not included in the $35 price. This matters when you work out the real cost. Your ticket pays for the guide and the two-hour experience, while each drink is an additional purchase. If you want to keep spending under control, decide in advance how much you plan to order.

The pub element also means the atmosphere can shift. One stop may be calm enough for careful listening, while another may be louder and more social. One person had trouble hearing the guide because of loud music. I would stand or sit close to the guide when possible, and I would not treat every stop as a quiet lecture room.

What two hours feels like on the street

Two hours is a useful length for this type of outing. It gives the guide enough time to tell several stories and bring you to more than one bar, but it does not take up an entire evening.

The walk begins with the meeting at Dub’s, then moves into the crime stories and pub visits. Exact timing at each stop is not provided, so you should expect the pace to depend on the guide, the group, and the conditions at each venue.

The experience is planned for a small group of no more than nine people. That is particularly useful for a tour that mixes walking, speaking, and bar visits. You are less likely to lose the guide than you would be in a large crowd, and a personable guide can respond to questions without stopping the whole city block.

Apollo is one guide specifically associated with the experience, and a booking with Apollo may feel especially engaging if his style suits you. The available feedback describes him as personable and effective. Other guides may lead the tour on different dates, so you should not assume Apollo will be there unless that is confirmed for your booking.

The tour operates rain or shine. Savannah weather can change your comfort level, so bring shoes suited to walking and dress for the forecast. The tour information specifically recommends comfortable shoes. You should also carry cash, along with a passport or ID card and a driver’s license.

The strongest part: a local guide who can connect the stories

A good true crime walk depends heavily on the guide. The facts matter, but so do pacing, tone, and the ability to explain why a place still matters to the city.

Apollo received particularly strong praise for being personable and doing an excellent job. That is useful information because this is not a self-guided audio route. Your enjoyment depends on how well the guide tells the stories and manages the group from pub to pub.

The tour is also designed as a local experience. You are not simply looking at buildings from the outside and reading dates. You are hearing stories from someone who knows Savannah’s streets and can point out the places connected to them.

Still, the small size can cut both ways. A group of nine is ideal when the guide creates an easy conversation. But if only two people book, the evening can feel quiet or less lively. One couple found a very small group boring even though they thought the guide knew his material and did a good job. If you prefer a busy social outing, ask about group size before you reserve if that information is available.

Who will get the most from this pub crawl

I would recommend this tour to adults who enjoy crime stories, old city streets, and casual stops for a drink. It is a good fit if you want an evening activity that combines storytelling with a few local bars instead of spending two hours inside a museum.

It should also suit first-time visitors who want a quick introduction to Savannah’s darker side. The route gives you a reason to walk through the city at night and points you toward several popular bars. You may come away with ideas for where to spend another evening.

This is less suitable if you want a quiet, academic presentation. Music and pub noise can interfere with the guide, and the setting is social rather than formal. It is also not appropriate for anyone under 21.

The subject matter may be grim. You will hear about murders, a serial killer, and tragic crimes. If true crime makes you uncomfortable, the pub crawl format will not soften the material. If you enjoy this kind of subject, the real locations add weight to the stories.

Is $35 a fair price?

At $35 per person, the price is reasonable for a two-hour guided walk with a small group. The guide is included, and the group limit of nine gives the experience a more personal feel than a large city tour.

The value depends on what you expect from the evening. If you count the tour as a guided history and storytelling experience, the price is easy to justify. If you expect several included drinks, it will feel more expensive because every drink is paid for separately.

I would budget for the ticket plus whatever you plan to spend at the bars. The tour description does not state how many drinks you might have or how long you will stay at each pub, so do not assume the ticket covers anything beyond the guide.

The flexible booking terms also help. You can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms are useful if your Savannah schedule depends on weather or other plans.

Practical details that can shape your night

Wear comfortable shoes. The tour lasts two hours and includes movement between venues, so footwear matters more than dressing for a standard bar visit.

Bring cash, a passport or ID card, and a driver’s license. You will need proof of age because the tour is restricted to people 21 and over. The information also says not to bring video recording into the experience.

The tour is wheelchair accessible. Since it takes place rain or shine, check the forecast and plan your clothing before you leave. The tour runs at set starting times, with availability shown when you select a date.

You meet at Dub’s, A Public House, at the base of the Stairs of Death. This exact meeting point is important because arriving at the bar without finding the guide at the stairs could slow down your start.

Should you book the Savannah True Crime Pub Crawl?

Book it if you want true crime stories tied to real Savannah locations, a local English-speaking guide, and a relaxed night that includes popular pubs. The small group limit, reasonable $35 ticket, and strong feedback about Apollo all work in its favor.

Skip it if you want included drinks, a guaranteed list of bars, or a quiet setting where every word is easy to hear. The route changes by day, drinks cost extra, and music may affect the storytelling at some stops.

For the best fit, reserve this as an evening introduction to Savannah rather than your only city tour. Bring comfortable shoes, keep your ID handy, and arrive ready for a mix of grim stories, local bars, and a little uncertainty about which pub comes next.

FAQ

How much does the Savannah True Crime Pub Crawl cost?

The tour costs $35 per person. Drinks are not included.

How long does the tour 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.

What crime stories are included?

The tour covers Samuel Little, described as Savannah’s axe murderer and an infamous serial killer, along with the Mercer-Williams house and other crimes that shocked Savannah across the centuries.

Which pubs 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.

Are drinks included in the ticket price?

No. You pay separately for drinks.

Is the tour suitable for people under 21?

No. The tour is not suitable for anyone under 21.

Is the tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the tour is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What language is the tour offered in?

The live tour guide speaks English.

Can I cancel the tour?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later.