As one of the classiest and sassiest vacation destinations in the South, Savannah, Georgia has established itself as a bachelorette party hub.
The historic district’s open-container laws and abundance of charming watering holes make it an ideal arena for lively pre-wedding partying, and locals know to expect roughly one out of five women downtown to be wearing a sash on any given June evening.
If you’re a queer bride, groom, or nonbinary spouse-to-be, Savannah is still a marvelous pick for a bach party, even if travel guides make most packages and tours sound as straight as a Georgia pine tree. There’s no official queer district, and dedicated gay bars have become rarer, but fear not – a big part of the reason is that Sav’s queer roots run deep. As a port city, it’s long been a relatively safe haven for genteel Southern gays. Drag has been a thriving artform here since before RuPaul’s TV deal, and the young art scene stoked by the Savannah College of Art and Design has further queered the city. You don’t have to worry about getting frosty stares downtown for being Visibly Fruity.
If your wedding party is more rainbow than white & lace, here’s a guide to having a amazing time at your Savannah bach party without feeling like you’re trying to fit into any stuffy heteronormative boxes:
Set the Mood: Matching Tattoos at Riverside Tattoo Parlor
Not to stereotype, but if your friend group is queer – it’s generally safe to assume the majority of them are comfortable with body modification. If you guys are down like that, getting matching ink to commemorate the moment is a lasting bonding ritual that your friends
Bypass any nerves about stuck-up tattoo artists that are hard to get in touch with. This female-owned, trans-inclusive space is pure comfy vibes, and their online scheduling system is reliable and easy.
Have the convo with your friends a few months ahead of time, fill out the appointment request form, and Riverside will connect you with an artist who gets your vision.
If any of your party members opt out of the experience, they don’t have to miss out – the sunny, plant-filled space isn’t a bad place to lounge and they can still feel included in bonding time. There’s nothing like getting needles driven into your skin, surrounded by your queer besties, whileGreat British Bake Offplays in the background.
Dance Where The Icons Do: Club One Stays a Must-See
You simply can’t do a queer tour of Savannah without visiting Club One. Graced by the golden touch of John Berendt’s Savannah-defining novel Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, Club One is the brick-and-mortar legacy of legendary trans performer Lady Chablis. The late, great Grand Empress was the club’s first entertainer, and a loud, beloved voice of queer Savannah for decades. Berendt’s exciting portrait of Lady Chablis shot her to national attention, but she would have been remembered by Club One patrons regardless.
Don’t get it twisted – this is no stuffy historical stop. Plan for a night of karaoke in the low-key gay bar downstairs, and/or dance in the sexy club portion. The venue’s third floor main stage hosts the city’s top drag
cabaret roster and burlesque acts.
Check out what events they’ll have on offer ahead of time for your trip. There’s a reason Club One endures as other gay venues bloom and fade in the Hostess City; it’s a must-see for any visiting queer delegation.
Keep It Sexy: Queer Burlesque with Sweet Tease
Most of their performances are hosted at Club One, but Sweet Tease Burlesque Revue deserves a mention of its own on this itinerary guide. If your queer bach party wants to take in a sexy show without the ickiness of going to a “gentlemen’s club” Sweet Tease is the perfect vibe. As a queer-owned burlesque troupe, they spotlight a spectrum of gender nonconforming artists of all body types, and lean into alternative theming.
Their Instagram and Facebookpages are the best place to get news about upcoming events and shows.
Go on a Glittery Souvenir Safari: Starland Strange & Bazaar
Souvenir seekers in Savannah can face a bit of a dilemma when their options seem limited to either:
If you’d like to take your bach party to find fun, quirky keepsakes that won’t break the bank, Starland Strange & Bazaar is part ice cream counter, part curio shop and a charming spot to soak up local flavor. Take the opportunity to check out the Starland District, an older industrialized area that has been revitalized into an eclectic arts neighborhood full of quirky boutiques and cafes. Away from the hustle and bustle of downtown, it’s the perfect area to explore on a quieter afternoon pre- or post- partying.
Study Herstory: Seek Out the Campiest Ghost Tours On Offer
There is no shortage of ghost tours in Savannah, but even non believers can’t leave the “most haunted city in America” without trying at least one. Tour companies differ in their approach and taste-level, and while some are definitely more historically accurate … where’s the fun in that? For a tacky good time, we recommend Mad Cat Ghost Tours, who have no qualms about fudging scandalous details in their storytelling and are not above using a prop. The True Crime Pub Crawl and Bloody Murder Pub Crawl are each a good time, but the funniest choice for a queer bach party is their Bad Kitty Haunted Pub Crawl. Themed around love gone wrong, it’s a great reminder of the perils of heterosexuality.
If your party wants a ghost tour that doesn’t include alcohol or walking, Hearse Ghost Tours have a similar bawdy sense of humor and camp. Tour the city in the manner of our most beloved citizens, in the back of a hearse.
Ask for a Friend: Consult a Psychic in Spiritual Savannah
This city is steeped in magic, ranging from hokey downtown psychics playing off the ghost town rep, to serious spiritual traditions that thrive under the Spanish moss. Local witches shop at Cosmic Corner, a reasonably-priced and extremely queer friendly metaphysical shop that’s off the beaten tourist path.
If you and your friends would like a fun look into your planets/chakras/tarot cards, Cosmic Corner is a prime stop for DIY ritual supplies or, depending on their schedule, a professional reading. Attend one of their frequent publicevents, or schedule a specific spiritual service ahead of time.
The party conversation fodder a psychic reading creates is priceless, and by choosing Cosmic Corner, you’re supporting a small business that centers local queer and marginalized communities.
Cast a Love Spell: Visit Bonaventure Cemetery
After you’ve picked up the necessary supplies at Cosmic Corner, convene your queer coven at Savannah’s most mystical nexus:Bonaventure Cemetery. Tips for being responsible witchy tourists include not breaking in after dark, not disturbing any graveyard dirt, and generally trying not to make a nuisance of yourselves around the more modern gravesites.
The sprawling Bonaventure grounds offer many nooks and crannies to enjoy. If you’re respectful visitors, your magic will likely be repaid by the cemetery’s centuries-old live oaks, fragrant azaleas, and charitable ghosts. Even if crystals and tarot card readings aren’t your friends’ thing, an afternoon stroll isn’t a bad idea – you never know what fun party crashes you might pick up. Savannah’s a very spirited city.
Admission is free, and gates are open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cure Your Hangover: Unicorn Lattes at Mirabelles
There are many worthwhile cups of coffee to be had in Savannah, but the perfect send-off for the girlies might come in the form ofMirabelle’s Unicorn Mane latte, luxuriously made with rosewater. This caffeinated nectar tastes particularly sweet when you’ve successfully fought off thirsty unicorn hunters and survived the dating app trenches. Drink it in babe, you’ve won.
When you know where to look, Savannah is a sexy, welcoming venue for celebrations of queer love. Any time of year is a good time to visit, but if you’d like to ensure the gayest of conditions, the city’s largest Pride Festival is typically held in late October. If your hometown festivities are in the more traditional June, consider giving your friends two Prides this year!
To fill in the gaps, our resident bicon party planner is on call to plan unforgettable no-so-straight bachelorette, divorce, or revenge parties in Savannah and beyond.
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