One spooky staircase sets the tone fast. This Savannah true crime pub crawl pairs famous (and grim) stories with a bar-hop route, guided end-to-end by a local who keeps the facts moving at a good pace. I like two things most: you get expert storytelling tied to real locations, and you also get a short list of top Savannah hangouts to check out after the tour. The main drawback to consider is that it’s more about the stories than a full-on party, and the bar music can sometimes make hearing harder.

You also get a small-group feel, capped at 9 people, which helps with questions and keeps the route from dragging. You’ll start at Dub’s, A Public House at the base of the Stairs of Death, then work through darker chapters of Savannah—plus a handful of well-known bars that can vary by day. If you’re hoping for lots of drinking included in the price, this is not that tour.

What makes it worth your time

• Dub’s Stairs of Death start point: the route kicks off where the city’s legend-meets-crime conversation gets real.
• Samuel Little focus: you’ll hear about the axe murderer/serial killer and how his story connects to Savannah.
• Mercer-Williams House stop: expect a shockingly specific case discussion tied to a well-known landmark.
• Popular bar rotation: depending on the day, you might hit Pour Larry’s, PS Tavern, Churchill’s, Tondee’s Tavern, The Olde Pink House, or Abe’s on Lincoln.
• Small group (up to 9): the pace and attention feel more personal than the usual crawl.
• No drink cost included: it’s guided entertainment first, bar time second.

First Stop: Dub’s and the Stairs of Death

The tour begins at Dub’s, A Public House, right at the base of the Stairs of Death. That matters because it frames the whole experience: you’re not just wandering into spooky talk from nowhere. You start with a specific place, a specific story thread, and a guide who can point out what locals mean when they say Savannah has layers.

If you’re even mildly into true crime, this first stop is a strong way to get oriented. You’ll hear about the axe murderer and serial killer Samuel Little and how his story connects to Savannah. The tone is practical too—less theatrical shouting, more explanation that helps you follow what happened and why people remember it.

What I like here: the tour doesn’t leave you guessing about relevance. It anchors the crime talk to an actual building and a recognizable starting point.

Possible consideration: if you’re sensitive to noise, early bar ambience can set the volume level. One review noted the music can be loud enough that you miss parts of the guide’s narration, so bring your best listening focus from the start.

How the Tour Walks You Through Savannah’s Crime Stories

The crawl is built around a guided route through historic places and popular watering holes. You’re with an English-speaking local guide, and the small group limit of 9 people keeps it from turning into a herd. That helps if you like details—because you can usually ask quick questions and get answers without waiting for a megaphone line.

The storytelling is the core value. You’ll connect multiple eras of Savannah crime—some stories are tied to famous locations, and others are about how the city changed because of what happened. The overall effect is that Savannah feels like a real map, not just postcard stops.

Here’s the key thing to plan for: this isn’t a “drink-every-stop” style tour. The price is $35 for the experience and the guide, but drinks are not included. So it works best if you want the bar atmosphere but aren’t expecting the tour cost to cover your night out.

Practical tip: wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be moving as a group for about 2 hours, and Savannah sidewalks can feel longer than you expect when you’re focused on stories and not just sightseeing.

Samuel Little: Why This Part Works (and Why It’s Not Soft)

Samuel Little is one of the tour’s big storylines. You’ll hear about him as an infamous serial killer, and the guide ties the narrative to the places where Savannah’s past leaves fingerprints. I find this approach more effective than a general history lecture because the guide isn’t asking you to memorize dates. Instead, you connect a person and pattern to settings you can physically stand in.

That’s also why the tour is more than just spooky entertainment. You’re learning how fear, investigation, and public reaction can leave lasting marks on a city. In other words, you come away with a better sense of why these cases are remembered at these locations, not just that they exist.

What to bring mentally: this is true crime. The tone is not “fun and games.” If you want gore-focused storytelling, you might be satisfied only if your expectation matches a guided historical narrative. If you want something purely light, this isn’t it.

The Mercer-Williams House Stop: A Landmark With a Heavy Story

Another major stop is the Mercer-Williams house, where you’ll learn about the tragic story that shocked the city. This is the kind of location that pulls you out of bar mode and back into “how can a place hold that much?” territory.

Why I think this stop is valuable for you: it balances the night. Early on, the Stairs of Death sets a grim vibe. Later, Mercer-Williams adds a different kind of weight—more of a landmark-case explanation than a quick spooky stop. It helps you see Savannah as a living timeline of events, not a single spooky chapter.

One smart consideration: because the tour moves through popular bars, you’re still in a social atmosphere. The guide will try to keep the tone respectful and clear, but that bar environment can vary by day. If the music is high at a stop, your ability to catch details depends on how attentive you are.

Which Bars You Might Visit on Your Day

The specific bar lineup can change depending on the day. That keeps it flexible, but it also means your exact route might not match someone else’s photos.

Stops you might include are:

• Pour Larry’s
• PS Tavern
• Churchill’s
• Tondee’s Tavern
• The Olde Pink House
• Abe’s on Lincoln

I like this setup because it gives you value in two ways. First, you get the crime-story context tied to Savannah’s real nightlife spots. Second, even if you don’t love the vibe at a given bar, you still leave with a shortlist of places that are truly part of the city’s bar culture.

What this is good for: a first-time Savannah trip where you want more than the usual walking tour. You also get an easy plan for where to head next, since the tour already points you toward popular venues.

What to consider: drinks aren’t included. If you plan to order something, bring cash, and manage your budget accordingly.

Guide Quality: The Difference Between Information and a Real Experience

A guide can make or break a true crime tour, and this one seems to lean heavily on guide quality. One review specifically called out Apollo for being personable and doing an awesome job. Another review praised the guide as great, though it also noted the tour wasn’t exactly what expected—still a strong experience.

That matches what I’d tell you to expect: you’re signing up for guided storytelling tied to locations, not a scripted parade of “spooky facts” only. When the guide is engaging, it turns the route into something you’ll actually remember the next day.

There’s also a caution from a review about music being quite loud, which made it harder to hear the guide. That suggests two things for you:

• Choose your listening position when you stop.
• Be ready to focus through bar noise.

If you’re the type who loves details, the small group size helps here. With fewer people, it’s easier for the guide to keep the narration moving clearly.

Price and Value: Is $35 a Good Deal for This Crawl?

At $35 per person for about 2 hours with a local guide, the value comes from the structure: you’re paying for expert interpretation of crime stories at specific places, plus a route that sends you to well-known bars. It’s not paying for drinks, so your final night cost depends on what you order.

If you’re the kind of traveler who enjoys walking tours but wants something with edge, this price makes sense. You’re getting a guided experience that replaces DIY research and turns it into something you can walk through in the time you have.

On the other hand, if you mainly want a lively drinking game night, this might feel thin. One review hinted the tour wasn’t fun and got a bit boring when it was just the two of them, even with a good guide. That’s a useful signal: the best fit is someone who wants the stories as the main event.

Who Should Book This Tour (and Who Might Skip It)

This tour is a strong match if you:

• like true crime, but prefer it tied to real places
• want a guided way to learn rather than reading on your phone
• enjoy Savannah nightlife and want a bar-hop route with purpose
• appreciate small groups and clearer conversations

You might skip it if:

• you’re under 21 (this tour isn’t suitable for people under 21)
• you want drinks included in the ticket price
• you hate loud bar music or struggle to hear in noisy environments
• you’re looking for a party-first crawl rather than a story-first tour

Also, keep in mind the tour runs rain or shine. If weather is a big deal for you, plan your outfit for walking and staying comfortable.

Simple Things to Know Before You Go

The tour is wheelchair accessible, which is a big plus if mobility is part of your planning. It’s also explicitly a small group capped at 9 participants.

Bring:

• Passport or ID card
• Driver’s license
• Comfortable shoes
• Cash

Not allowed:

• Video recording

That last point matters. If you’re the type who records everything, you’ll need to adjust your approach and just let your memory do the work. A camera-free night can actually make the stories feel more present.

Should You Book Savannah’s True Crime Pub Crawl?

If you want Savannah with a darker edge—and you’d rather learn from a live guide than guess from spooky signage—this is a solid booking. The combination of specific stops (Dub’s Stairs of Death and the Mercer-Williams house) plus a rotation of popular bars gives you both story value and nightlife payoff.

I’d book it if you can handle bar noise and you’re there for the narration. I’d think twice if your idea of a pub crawl is heavy on drinking and partying, or if you expect drinks to be included.

If you’re planning a first visit, this tour can be a smart way to get your bearings fast: you’ll leave with stories you’ll remember and a list of places you can actually return to later.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Savannah True Crime Pub Crawl?

The tour lasts 2 hours.

Is the tour price $35 per person, and are drinks included?

Yes, the price is $35 per person, and drinks are not included.

Where does the tour meet?

Meet at Dub’s, A Public House, at the base of the Stairs of Death.

Is the tour offered in English?

The tour guide provides the tour in English.

Is it suitable for people under 21?

No. The tour is not suitable for people under 21 years.

Is video recording allowed?

No. Video recording is not allowed.