Reviewed · DRINKING TOURS

True Crime Pub Crawl – the Original Savannah Murder Tour

5.0 · 1,053 reviews 2 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) Operated by Mad Cat Tours · Bookable on Viator
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Savannah keeps its darkest stories close. This twilight walking tour pairs true crime tales with historic squares and cemeteries, then adds a drink at several local bars. I like the mix of sightseeing and happy hour, especially the chance to see places such as Oglethorpe Square and Colonial Park Cemetery while hearing about murders, scandals, arson, drug deals gone wrong, and crimes of passion.

I also like the small-group format, with no more than 20 people, and the guides receive especially warm praise for their storytelling. Rocky, Connor, Sarah, Corey, Meghan, Frank, and Morgan are among the guides named by past participants. The main drawback is that the experience depends heavily on who leads your group, and one person reported hearing only three stories instead of the expected seven or eight.

The tour lasts about two to two and a half hours and begins at 12 W State Street, near the center of Savannah’s historic district. You walk between bars and crime-related sites, carrying drinks as local rules allow. Drinks, food, tips, and any other personal purchases are not stated as included, so plan to pay for those separately.

What makes this Savannah tour different

True Crime Pub Crawl - the Original Savannah Murder Tour - What makes this Savannah tour different

  • Murders tied to real Savannah locations: Stories connect the city’s crimes and scandals with squares, streets, cemeteries, and nearby buildings.
  • A walking tour with drinks: You get sightseeing, storytelling, and cocktail stops in one evening outing.
  • Twilight timing: The tour takes place as daylight fades, giving the cemetery and old streets a suitably eerie setting.
  • Several bars with different personalities: The route can include around four bar stops, with each place offering its own drinks and specials.
  • Guides who carry the experience: Rocky and Connor receive particularly strong praise for humor, energy, and clear storytelling, while Sarah, Corey, Meghan, Frank, and Morgan are also singled out for warm, engaging tours.
  • A manageable group size: The maximum of 20 people is small enough for a more personal experience, though a full group may still feel social and lively.

Why true crime works so well in Savannah

Savannah is an easy city to explore on foot. Its squares, old streets, cemetery, and historic buildings give a crime story a physical setting instead of leaving it as a list of names and dates.

That is the main strength of this experience. You are not simply standing in a bar listening to spooky tales. You move through the city while the guide ties each story to the surrounding streets. The setting helps you picture how Savannah’s past unfolded, even when the crimes themselves are grim.

The subject matter covers more than old ghost stories. The material described on the tour includes murders, crimes of passion, serial killers, arson, and drug deals gone bad. Some cases are historical, while others are more modern. That range should suit you if you prefer true crime with variety rather than one narrow theme.

The tone also seems to balance darkness with humor. That matters here. A two-hour account of murders could become heavy, but the strongest guide comments describe an evening that is funny, social, and still informative. You should expect an entertainment-focused tour, not a formal criminal justice lecture.

Starting at Mint to Be Mojito Bar and Bites

True Crime Pub Crawl - the Original Savannah Murder Tour - Starting at Mint to Be Mojito Bar and Bites

The tour begins at 12 W State Street, at or near Mint to Be Mojito Bar and Bites. The first listed portion lasts about 15 minutes, and admission to the stops is free.

Starting in a bar makes practical sense. You can meet the guide, get settled, and begin with the cocktail side of the evening before walking through Savannah. One person specifically enjoyed the speakeasy at the meeting location, so the first stop may offer more atmosphere than a simple place to gather.

You should arrive ready to walk and with enough time to locate the meeting point. The tour is mobile-ticketed, and confirmation is sent when you book. Since the experience begins in the historic district and runs between central locations, it is near public transportation, but you should still check your return plan before drinking.

The first story or two may also help you decide how much of the evening is for history and how much is for socializing. The guide is the key. Rocky is praised for being animated and interactive, while Connor is described as both funny and extremely familiar with Savannah’s past. Your guide may be someone else, but the company uses several storytellers with distinct personalities.

Oglethorpe Square and Savannah’s darker streets

True Crime Pub Crawl - the Original Savannah Murder Tour - Oglethorpe Square and Savannah’s darker streets

From the opening bar, the group walks through Savannah’s historic core. Oglethorpe Square is one of the named landmarks, and it gives the tour a classic Savannah setting: open public space, old architecture, and streets that are easy to explore at a relaxed pace.

The value here is the connection between ordinary sightseeing and unsettling stories. In daylight, you might see a handsome square and move on. At twilight, the guide can use the same setting to explain a scandal, murder, or mysterious incident that gives the place a different feel.

The route also includes other true crime-related sites and bars. Exact stops can vary, so you should not expect a fixed museum-style itinerary with every story listed in advance. That flexibility can be useful because it lets the guide shape the evening around the group and the available venues.

The walking pace appears to be comfortable enough for conversation and storytelling rather than a strenuous march. Still, you are outside for much of the night. Wear shoes you can walk in for two hours, and bring a layer if the forecast is cool. One tour took place during unusually cold, snowy weather, yet the guide kept the evening going. That does not make poor weather irrelevant, but it does suggest that the outing is designed to continue in ordinary rain or cold.

Colonial Park Cemetery after sunset

True Crime Pub Crawl - the Original Savannah Murder Tour - Colonial Park Cemetery after sunset

Colonial Park Cemetery is the most obvious spooky landmark on the route. A cemetery at twilight gives the tour a strong sense of place, but the appeal is not just atmosphere. It adds context to Savannah’s age and to the stories connected with the city.

You should expect to hear about people and events rather than receive a full cemetery tour. The experience is built around crime, scandal, and unusual local history. If you want detailed information about every grave, marker, or burial practice, this is probably not the right format.

For many people, this will be the evening’s most memorable location. The tour lets you experience the cemetery as part of a larger walk instead of visiting it in isolation. The guide’s timing and delivery matter here, and the praised guides seem to understand how to make the setting atmospheric without turning every story into a loud ghost routine.

You should also keep your expectations sensible. The tour is described as a true crime pub crawl, not a guaranteed paranormal investigation. Its focus is on real crimes and local stories, with spooky places adding mood.

A different kind of day out entirely:

The bar stops and the drink strategy

True Crime Pub Crawl - the Original Savannah Murder Tour - The bar stops and the drink strategy

The drink portion is not a minor extra. It is half the reason to book this tour. Several bars are included along the walk, and the route can visit about four venues. Each may have its own drink choices, specials, and character.

That variety is a strong point. One participant described the drinks as unique at each stop, while another appreciated the specials offered by the individual bars. You are not locked into one cocktail style for the whole evening. The tour can show you places you might not find on your own, and the bars may be useful discoveries for a later night in Savannah.

Drinks appear to be purchased separately. The tour description says you can grab to-go drinks and sip while walking, but it does not provide a price or state that beverages are included. Ask the guide or bar staff about local rules and where you may carry a drink. Do not assume every stop permits the same kind of takeaway cup.

Food is also not clearly included. Mint to Be Mojito Bar and Bites suggests you may find something to eat at the starting venue, but you should not treat the tour as dinner. Eat beforehand or plan a meal around it, especially if you intend to have a cocktail at several stops.

Clean bathrooms were praised as a practical advantage. That may sound small, but on a two-hour walking route it matters. Having regular bar stops gives you chances to use facilities, warm up, and take a short break from standing outside.

The guide can make or break the evening

True Crime Pub Crawl - the Original Savannah Murder Tour - The guide can make or break the evening

The strongest part of this experience is the guide. The best accounts describe storytellers who are funny, friendly, animated, and able to answer questions without losing the thread of the evening.

Rocky receives repeated praise for her passion, interaction, and ability to make the group feel as if it were walking with a friend. Connor is praised for his humor, local knowledge, and care for the group. One group said he waited for their Uber, a thoughtful touch, although you should not assume every guide will provide a personal escort after the tour.

Sarah is described as an engaging storyteller who keeps the group entertained. Corey is praised for clear stories covering several types of crime. Meghan, Frank, and Morgan also receive strong marks for being personable and entertaining.

Because guides rotate, you cannot choose the exact storytelling style unless the booking system tells you who is scheduled. That is the main uncertainty. A lively guide can turn a simple walk into a memorable evening, while a less effective guide may leave the tour feeling thin.

There is also a useful quality-control point. The expected program should include around seven or eight stories, but one participant reported hearing only three. That experience appears to have been an exception, and the company apologized, but it is worth knowing. If the storytelling feels noticeably shorter than promised, contact Mad Cat Tours at 844-462-3228.

Group size, pace, and social atmosphere

True Crime Pub Crawl - the Original Savannah Murder Tour - Group size, pace, and social atmosphere

The group limit is 20 people. That is not a private tour, but it is more manageable than a large procession through downtown. In a full group, you may need to stand close enough to hear the guide, especially near traffic or busy bar entrances.

One person said the stories remained easy to hear even with a large group. Others enjoyed the social side and the mix of couples, friends, and solo participants. The tour can work well if you want an evening activity that naturally creates conversation.

It may be less suitable if you want a quiet, private look at Savannah. The bars add noise, and some venues may be lively. One guide even allowed a group to sing karaoke at a bar, showing that the evening can become playful and informal rather than strictly structured.

Most people can participate, and service animals are allowed. The walk takes place around Savannah’s central historic area, but the information provided does not specify total mileage, pavement conditions, or whether every stop is wheelchair accessible. If those points matter to you, ask before booking.

What the experience is worth

True Crime Pub Crawl - the Original Savannah Murder Tour - What the experience is worth

No tour price is provided here, so I cannot judge the exact cost. I can still explain where the value comes from.

You are paying for three things: a guided walk through central Savannah, a set of local crime stories, and access to several bars you may not discover on your own. If you already plan to buy drinks and explore downtown at night, combining those plans with a guide can be a good use of an evening.

The value is strongest for you if you enjoy true crime, local history, cocktails, and meeting other people. It is weaker if you do not drink, dislike repeated bar stops, or want a carefully documented account of every case.

Remember to budget for drinks at each venue. The tour itself may be reasonably priced, but the full evening cost rises with every cocktail, snack, rideshare, and tip. Treat the booking as an organized night out, not simply as a free walking tour with a few stories attached.

Who should book the Savannah Murder Tour

I would choose this for a first or second evening in Savannah, especially if you want to see the historic district after dark without planning every stop yourself. It also works well for couples, friends, solo visitors, and birthday outings.

True crime fans will get the most from the subject matter. The cases span different periods and types of crime, so you are not limited to supernatural folklore. You also get a taste of Savannah’s bar scene along the way.

You may want another tour if you need a sober activity, a family-focused program, or detailed architectural interpretation. The combination of alcohol, murders, and evening storytelling is specific. That is its appeal, but it also defines its limits.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations within 24 hours are not refunded, and late changes are not accepted. Cutoff times use Savannah’s local time.

My final take: book it for stories and atmosphere

I would book the True Crime Pub Crawl if you want an entertaining introduction to Savannah after dark, with real crime stories anchoring the walk. The cemetery, historic squares, and changing bars give the evening more shape than a standard pub crawl, while the strongest guides add humor and warmth.

Go in expecting an informal cocktail walk, not a scholarly case file. Confirm how drinks are handled, wear comfortable shoes, and keep your schedule flexible enough for two and a half hours. If your guide is Rocky, Connor, Sarah, Corey, Meghan, Frank, or Morgan, you may be in for a particularly strong evening, but the route still depends on the guide and group.

For true crime fans who enjoy a drink and a good story, this is a solid Savannah night out. For everyone else, choose it only if the bar crawl matters as much as the history.

FAQ

How long does the True Crime Pub Crawl last?

The experience lasts about two to two and a half hours.

Where does the tour begin?

It begins at 12 W State Street, Savannah, Georgia 31401, near Mint to Be Mojito Bar and Bites.

Where does the tour end?

The listed ending point is Tandem Coffee & Spirits at 225 East Bay Street. It is near the area where the tour begins.

What places are included along the route?

The route includes Oglethorpe Square, Colonial Park Cemetery, several true crime-related sites, and multiple cocktail bars. Mint to Be Mojito Bar and Bites and Tandem Coffee & Spirits are listed stops.

Are drinks included in the tour price?

The available information does not say that drinks are included. You can purchase drinks at the bars, and the tour allows to-go drinks for the walking portion where permitted.

How many people can join the tour?

The maximum group size is 20 people.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience begins for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

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