News Summary
The Savannah City Council has approved new alcohol licenses for various restaurants and bars, including Fishbar and the Darling Oyster Bar, enhancing local regulations to promote responsible alcohol service. These changes also include mandatory training for alcohol servers, aiming to improve public safety during events such as the St. Patrick’s Day parade.
Savannah – The Savannah City Council has recently approved a series of new alcohol licenses for several restaurants and bars, alongside updated training requirements for alcohol servers in the city. This decision marks a significant shift in local regulations, aiming to enhance public safety and ensure responsible alcohol service.
The council granted a Class C (Liquor, Beer, Wine) (By the Drink) Alcohol License with Sunday Sales to the new restaurant Fishbar, which is owned by Anthony Debreceny of Southern Cross Hospitality. Fishbar, currently under construction at 2218 Bull Street, is set to offer tapas-style light plates and will be led by Executive Chef Max Barbee. This location replaces the former Squirrel’s Pizza establishment.
Additionally, the Darling Oyster Bar, known for its Charleston, SC roots, received a Class C Alcohol License with Sunday Sales for its new location at 27 Montgomery Street, adjacent to Franklin Square. Meanwhile, Joshua Sexton was granted a Class C license with Sunday Sales for his establishment, The Sexton Pub and Provisions, located at 7 West 43rd Street, between Whitaker and Bull Streets.
In a move to diversify alcohol service options, Danya Lee received a Class A (Wine) (Caterer) Alcohol License for the Savannah Wine Institute, a specialty shop opening soon at 602 East Henry Street.
Alongside the approval of these licenses, the City Council introduced a mandatory training requirement aimed at bars and restaurants that serve alcohol. This new regulation includes a free online alcohol awareness assessment that incorporates training on sexual assault and sex trafficking awareness. Such training will be necessary for anyone who mixes, serves, or dispenses alcohol to maintain their permits.
Under the updated ordinance, training becomes a requirement every five years, ensuring that all servers remain informed about alcohol awareness and related safety issues. The city will also provide permits at no cost to those who complete the training.
In conjunction with these changes, the city has implemented additional public safety measures for significant events such as the upcoming St. Patrick’s Day parade. Water barricades and alcohol compliance checks will be employed to maintain order during the festivities, which will see the closure of River Street to vehicular traffic each night.
No parking zones will also be enforced near City Market and Ellis Square as part of these precautions. Furthermore, plans are in place to introduce a new “late night alcohol permit” system for establishments that transform into bars or lounges, which will help restrict access for minors during late-night hours.
The updated regulations have also expanded on retail alcohol sales, allowing alcohol tasting events at grocery stores and retail package stores. However, the ordinance prohibits the sale of alcohol through windows or doors, with exceptions made for drive-thru package stores.
To streamline the process of obtaining alcohol licenses, an Alcohol Review Committee (ARC) will be established, focusing on enhancing the efficiency of applications. This committee will work alongside requirements for bars to perform random compliance checks to ensure responsible alcohol service practices.
Another notable addition to the ordinance permits restaurants to sell sealed liquor drinks with takeout meals, further adjusting to modern service trends and customer preferences.
Overall, these new regulations adopted by the Savannah City Council reflect a comprehensive approach to managing alcohol service in the city, aimed at fostering a safe and enjoyable atmosphere while promoting responsible consumption.
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Additional Resources
- Savannah Business Journal: Alcohol License Hearings
- WTOC: St. Patrick’s Day Preparations
- Savannah Now: Alcohol Ordinance Changes
- WSAV: Updated Alcohol Ordinance
- Southern Kitchen: Favorite Restaurants in Savannah
- Wikipedia: Savannah, Georgia
- Google Search: Savannah alcohol laws
- Google Scholar: Savannah alcohol legislation
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Savannah, Georgia
- Google News: Savannah restaurants news
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
