Jeff C.
Yelp
There comes a time when you find a bar that just fits. You know, like that tired old slip on moccasin you still have in the back of your closet. Comfy, cozy, never disappoints. Isn't flashy, not competing on the big stage, just quietly killing it for those who are in the know. Water Witch is just such a place.
In Savannah's Starland district (a haven for small coffee shops, bakeries, lots of independent businesses along with fun and funky art), Water Witch fits perfectly. Parking is a touch tricky on weekends especially as it's all street parking, but with a few circles of the block you'll find on street parking without trouble. Outside there are a few tables available on nicer days, or when you've got your pupper with you.
Stepping inside you are welcomed by the warmth of bamboo furniture, large cobra chairs and regular seating set up a handful of tables right at the front of the bar. An unusual layout, but one that enables the bar to be a bit more intimate while also enabling small groups to have a table for conversation. Up a small (ADA accessible) ramp and you're on the "platform" on which the bar and a larger seating area are perched.
Behold the bar. It's design is reserved, channeling higher end resort tiki bar with very subtle kitsch. Just enough to make it clear that tropical drinks are a speciality here, but not so much that the design feels like it will be perishable in six months. To me it's a somewhat timelessly classy and yet informal tropical bar in the midst of the city of squares. The back bar is a veritable alter of spirits, skewing heavily rum with some really great choices for rum aficionados - during my visit there was at least one Foursquare Exceptional Cask Series rum as well as a Hampden Great House 2022. But don't be intimidated by those, there are lots and lots of choices for every palette.
Peruse the menu and it's divided roughly in half. The first are cocktails that their team has developed in house, and often use ingredients that are unique or even unusual to see in a cocktail of any type. One, the Beachside Breakfast leverages house made sesame tahini syrup. I know... but please, don't judge until you try it. The second half are some of the tried and true tiki classics (not those sticky sweet neon things you get on Carnival Cruises, Melody!) built with premium ingredients.
Bar staff, it was McKay and Brick the night we were there, were incredibly helpful and friendly, happy to answer questions about any drink on the menu. As complex to build as some of these drinks are (and please be patient, each drink does take some time), these guys hustle and work quickly. Sit up at the bar, meet some new friends and chat with the staff.
As with any nicer cocktail bar that uses premium and hand crafted ingredients, this isn't your average $5 jack and coke place. Drinks are generally fairly potent and are in the $12-$16 range, served in drink specific glassware and with fresh garnishes. No nasty three day old lime wedge with your Cuervo 1800 shot here.
If you're in Savannah, and looking to get away from River Street and try something a bit different or you are exploring the shops and art galleries of Starland, add Water With to your list. I promise you it won't be a wasted trip. And if you see Brick or McKay, tell them Jeff sent you. It won't get you anything but they'll appreciate it :-)