the pirates house savannah tour

Grave Encounters + Pirate’s House Dinner

Dine at the pirate's house, grave encounters + dinner.

• Operation: All Seasons, Nightly
• Departure Location: Old Savannah Tours Welcome Center
• Return Time: About 2.5 hours after Departure
• Friendly For All Ages
• No pets allowed

Join us, if you dare!

Looking for a spooky good time in Savannah? Don’t miss the Grave Encounters Tour With Pirates’ House Dinner, which includes exclusive access to the restaurant’s legendary Rum Cellar that was once frequented by real-life pirates. Old Savannah Tours is the ONLY local company offering access to the original Rum Cellar at the Pirates’ House, so this tour is a must-see and your one chance to venture inside this hallowed haunt.

Start your evening with a Grave Encounters trolley tour for a thrilling overview of Savannah’s haunted history. Every night of the week, ghostly guides share tales of murder, voodoo, death, disease and disaster in the Hostess City of the South.

The Grave Encounters Tour includes stories about the Sorrel-Weed House, which is widely considered the most haunted house in Savannah, and the Colonial Park Cemetery, where many Yellow Fever victims were buried.

You’ll also see the iconic Olde Pink House, known for its supernatural activity, and explore the Telfair Academy, Savannah’s oldest public art museum, to enjoy spine-tingling stories. Along the way, you’ll hear lively tales told by some of Savannah’s most illustrious “spirits” – from deceased theater performers to dead pirates – who hop on the trolley to share their morbid tales of misfortune.

After your tour, enjoy a delicious dinner at The Pirates’ House – one of Georgia’s most iconic restaurants, which originally opened in 1753 as an inn for seafarers – and keep your eyes out for paranormal activity. Immortalized by Robert Louis Stevenson in his acclaimed novel Treasure Island, The Pirates’ House once served as a site where patrons were unceremoniously “shanghaied” and woke up to find themselves at sea aboard a working pirate ship.

Where does this tour begin?

At the  Savannah Welcome Center at 215 West Boundary Street.

Is this tour too scary for kids?

Grave Encounters if spooky fun for all ages!

Is this tour pet friendly?

No. We do not allow pets on our ghost tours because the venues we tour do not allow pets.

What are the ages for children taking the tour?

Children age 4 and under are free. Children ages 5-11 are charged the child’s price. Any young person age 12 and over is considered an adult and will be charged the adult ticket price.

Where do I park? Is parking free?

We offer limited free parking on a first come, first served basis at our Welcome Center (215/217 W. Boundary Street).

What are your hours of operation?

Grave Encounters is offered 7 nights per week. We do not tour and are closed on St. Patrick’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Are your tours handicapped accessible?

We do have wheelchair/handicapped accessible vehicles in our fleet. A 48 hour notice is requested in order to accommodate this need.

Our Recent Reviews

Caught the last bus out of the day out of the welcome centre, so did a ride around the city without off/on. The guide was interesting and engaging and ... read more the driver was awesome. Great backup Sandra!! Best part was we took our dog and he lay happily at our feet the entire time getting lots of cuddles from other riders. Thanks to Old Savannah Tours for being so accommodating.

Mr. Comedy was my tour guide and Is the best out of dozens of tour guides I've had. Knows a lot and Is fun and deserves bigger tips but I ... read more couldn't make change... Differs from Old Town Trolley because cheaper and character actors board at some stop s to tell stories. Only bad thing is they make you get off the bus after one round so I couldn't continue with Mr.Comedy. 😢

We took the Savanna Queen lunch tour and completely enjoyed our trip! Tours are available without lunch. The buffet was delicious and offered gluten-free options. The shrimp and grits are fantastic ... read more as well as the greens and sweet potatoes. I went back for seconds! Our friends had the fried chicken, gumbo, cornbread, mashed potatoes, green beans, and cobbler. All was said to be delicious. Learning about the history of the area and taking the trip up river with narrative added to our experience. We were welcome to go out on the different decks for viewing and able to return to the dining level as we wished. The boat was clean with many restrooms available. Our sights included shipping facilities, a fort, a sunken barge, and wildlife. A wonderful day was had and we learned much about the history of the river and Savanna.

It was a great experience. Personnel was very sweet. They greeted us from the beginning to the end. They had actors that jump in in some stops that make the ... read more experience different (i just wished they had more, at least one in every other stop - they were dressed like back in those years, accents, everything was perfectly thought) thank you for the great experience. Great tour guide as well, knowledgeable, funny, and courteous.

BOOK THIS TOUR

Ages 5-11 4 years and under are free.

Get our Guide Book ($15.99 value) FREE when you purchase tour tickets online. 

Operating 362/365 Days

Tours do not operate St. Patrick's Day, Thanksgiving Day, or Christmas Day.

Free Parking

We offer limited free parking, on a first come basis, at our Welcome Center, 215/217 W. Boundary St.

• Mon - Sun : 8AM - 5PM
• 912 234-8128
• Departure Location: 215 West Boundary St. Savannah, GA 31401
• [email protected]

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The pirate’s house – savannah.

One of the oldest buildings in all of Savannah, The Pirate’s House is just about 250 years old with a sketchy past to match its weathered exterior. Rumored to be the oldest building in the entire state of Georgia, the Pirate’s House has seen the darker side of Savannah since the 1700s.

From shanghai-ing to spectral pirates, Savannah has it all! Want to see it all up close? Join us for a hauntingly fun and historically accurate Savannah ghost tour!

A History of the Pirate’s House

A block away from the rushing waters of the Savannah River, the Pirate’s House is a tavern that was built in 1794. Pirates and sailors alike would meet at the tavern for a drink and a good time. It was a popular destination among sea-faring men and soon became the local hotspot for brews and brawls.

Located in one of the most famous spots in Savannah, the place where the Pirate’s House was built was naturally inviting for sailors due to the thriving seaport town Savannah had become.

Underground tunnels were soon dug out to make the shady happenings of the Pirate’s House even more discreet.

During WWII, the building fell into disuse and lost its nautical spark. In 1945, the property was acquired by the Savannah Gas Company and the building was scheduled to be demolished. It was saved by Mrs. Mary Hillyer, the wife of Mr. Hansell Hillyer. Mary, along with a few other local lovers of history took it upon themselves to restore General Oglethorpe’s vision of Savannah.

In the process, the Pirate’s House received a loving restoration, ensuring that it would endure the years and be available for generations to come. The establishment reopened as a tea room in 1953 and boasts a fabulous menu with a cozy dining space. It changed faces again and once housed a jazz club before it became the bar and restaurant that it is today. But, as with any location in Savannah, all is not beauty and happiness — as you’ll find out soon enough below.

Treasure Island Inspiration

During the height of the Pirate’s House’s popularity, author Robert Louis Stevenson visited the building for some sort of inspiration. He left feeling the fires of creativity and soon wrote Treasure Island in 1883. The novel became immensely popular and even created the stereotypes about pirates that still exist today. A description of the book is as follows:

“In the book, Captain Flint and the Haunted Pirate House are mentioned. Flint was a ruthless pirate that captained his ship, The Walrus, around the world collecting a bounty of riches and treasure. Captain Flint then buried his treasure on a deserted island and murdered his crew. In true pirate fashion, Captain Flint created a map of the location of the buried treasure with an “X” to mark the spot. He then gave this map to his first mate, Treasure Island character, Billy Bones. Eventually, Bones died from a stroke and the map fell into the possession of the book’s narrator, Jim Hawkins. It’s said that Captain Flint’s life ended in Savannah many years after the story of his lost beloved treasure. His love affair with rum led to his eventual death. It’s even possible that he died in the very inn that inspired Stevenson to create his character. The Treasure Room of The Haunted Pirate House still contains early editions of Treasure Island to this day.”

The Pirate’s House Tunnels

It the early days, The Pirate’s House was a haven for seamen, criminals, and other less-than-saintly figures. Many men found themselves in the bar for a brew or two and waking up on a ship hundreds of miles off of the coast. This was a process known as ‘shanghai-ing’ and left countless men as indentured servants to the sea captains that kidnapped them.

Leading from the Pirate’s House rum cellar onto River Street is a musty tunnel. It’s been covered over since, but it was once used as a transport tunnel for these unsuspecting men. The Pirate’s House isn’t the only location with spooky subterranean tunnels — read about all of Savannah’s hidden tunnels here!

Even more, the Pirate’s House was well known for its drunken brawls, fights, and even murders.

Spirits of the Pirate’s House in Savannah

Savannah is a place of turmoil and unrest when it comes to the spirit world. It’s no surprise to hear when yet another location is ridiculously haunted. This popular tavern is no different — many visitors have reported strange ghostly activity during their visits to the Pirate’s House.

Even the employees of the bar have had their own strange happenings including glasses falling from shelves on their own and visions of apparitions wandering throughout the dining room.

Workers have reported feeling the eerie presence of entities and even coming face-to-face with the spirits of seamen who enjoyed the tavern in years past. The sounds of heavy boots have been heard moving about the building after closing time, and screams have even been reported coming from the closed off tunnels that run underneath the building.

Spirits of sailors are the most commonly reported occurrence, and for good reason considering the past of the building.

One of the more popular ghost stories may be just a tall tale, but it is interesting nonetheless — it tells of Captain Flint from treasure Island. As the story goes, Flint died inside the Pirate’s House and decided to stay. Could there have been a real life man that Captain Flint was based off of that actually did die in the tavern? Perhaps, but that’s a conversation for another blog!

In Conclusion

Savannah is packed quite literally to the brim with haunts and spirits. Every corner, shop, cemetery, and square is teeming with legends of ghosts and reported hauntings. The Pirate’s House included. Looking to learn more about the spookier side of Savannah? Check out our blog here to take a deep dive into the darker side of the Hostess City of the South and to learn about haunted places all over the nation!

Sources Cited:

https://savannahterrors.com/the-pirates-house-savannah/

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Pirates House

The Pirates' House

Step into The Pirate’s House for a taste of what Savannah was like in the mid 1700’s. It was a time when visiting sailors came off the seas to eat hearty meals, share a story about their adventures and raise a ruckus. An Inn, just steps away from the Savannah River, served as a watering-hole for pirates and seamen from the Seven Seas. Today, that very Inn is The Pirate’s House, a specialty restaurant featuring authentic Georgia cuisine served in a theme reminiscent of its early roots. 15 separate dining rooms showcase Pirate artifacts and seafaring décor.

Wooden ships, iron pirates and framed pages from an early edition of the book Treasure Island adorn the walls throughout the restaurant. The Pirate’s House’s historic, lighthearted setting has been recognized by the American Museum Society and the restaurant is now a house museum. Many Savannahians and visitors make it a point to stop in at The Pirate’s House for the scrumptious Southern food and the high seas ambiance.

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• The Haunting History of The Pirates’ House in Savannah, GA

by talysin | Feb 22, 2024 | Haunted Savannah , Savannah Ghost Tours , Strange Savannah Stories , Visiting Savannah | 0 comments

Nestled in the heart of Savannah’s historic district, The Pirates’ House stands as a testament to the city’s rich and tumultuous past. This venerable establishment, now a popular restaurant, has witnessed centuries of history, from the early days of American experimentation in agriculture to its notorious reputation as a haunt for seafarers and, as some believe, the spirits of those who once frequented its rooms.

A Beginning with Botanical Roots

The story of The Pirates’ House begins in 1734, a year after James Oglethorpe founded Savannah. Originally serving as a gardener’s house for the Trustees’ Garden, America’s first experimental garden, this building soon morphed into an inn around 1753, catering to sailors as Savannah burgeoned into a bustling seaport.

From Maritime Museum to Dining Destination

After a period as a maritime museum, The Pirates’ House underwent a significant transformation in 1953, spearheaded by Herbert Smith Traub Jr. and James T. Casey. During renovations, a secret chamber was discovered beneath the house, its purpose lost to history. The building, having narrowly escaped demolition thanks to the efforts of Mrs. Mary Hillyer and local preservationists, was rejuvenated into the restaurant beloved by locals and tourists today.

A Seafaring Inn’s Darker Side

As the inn welcomed sailors from across the seven seas, it gained a reputation not just for hospitality but for danger. Stories abound of men being shanghaied through a rum cellar tunnel leading to the Savannah River, press-ganged into service on ships awaiting offshore. There are chilling tales of men kidnapped from the cellar, some never to emerge alive, and speaks of a mysterious little boy and a woman in an 18th-century blue dress haunting the premises, their origins as murky as the tunnels below.

The Spirits That Linger

The Pirates’ House’s ghostly reputation is as much a draw as its culinary offerings. Staff and patrons alike report unexplained phenomena: glasses and bottles hurled from shelves by unseen forces, shadowy figures wandering the dining rooms, and the eerie sound of footsteps echoing on wooden floors. Skeptics may doubt the ghostly explanations, but the tales persist, adding a layer of mystique to the dining experience.

Sorting Fact from Fiction

Among the spectral stories is the legend of Captain Flint, the notorious pirate from Robert Louis Stevenson’s “Treasure Island,” said to have died within these walls. Though Captain Flint is a work of fiction, his association with The Pirates’ House speaks to the blurred lines between history and legend that envelop this historic site. It is known that Robert Louis Stevenson spent some time in Savannah, and even mentions the Pirates’ House in ‘ Treasure Island’, could Captain Flint be based on a real Pirate he met there?

Today’s Pirate’s House

Located at 20 East Broad Street, The Pirates’ House continues to welcome guests with its unique blend of history, hospitality, and perhaps a hint of the supernatural. Whether you come for the food, the history, or the chance of a ghostly encounter, The Pirates’ House offers an experience as rich and complex as Savannah itself.

In this corner of Georgia, where the past and present intertwine, The Pirates’ House stands as a monument to Savannah’s enduring spirit, a place where stories of pirates and phantoms mingle with the laughter and conversations of today’s visitors. It’s a reminder that history, no matter how shadowy or uncertain, remains a vital part of our collective imagination, inviting us to explore, question, and perhaps even believe in the extraordinary.

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The Pirates’ House

The Pirates Inn, Savannah, is known as one of the oldest buildings in Savannah. It is 250 years old and has been one of the most popular places to eat in the city. It is also rumored to be the oldest building in the entire state. This building has a shady past that we are going to talk about. The building was used in the 1700s to Shanghai or force someone into work on a ship by less than honorable means. However, this was done with this building. We are going to talk about the history and haunted history of the Pirates’ House in Savannah, Georgia.

 Brief History of the Pirates’ House

This was a tavern that would be built in 1794. It was only a block away from the river. This river is the Savannah River. Pirates and sailors would meet here for a drink and to talk. It was a popular destination. There are stories that the sea captains would Shanghai seamen from the tavern onto their ships to complete their crew. The seamen who would get drunk would be dragged and even carried to strange ships, not even knowing where they were going.

The tavern would be made famous in a book called “Treasure Island.” The book states that a captain named Flint would die upstairs in a room. His last breath had him shouting to bring run. The character in the book stated that he was with Flint when he passed away in that tavern. It is said that Captain Flint still haunts the building to this day.

In-Depth History

No one really knows the full date in which the tavern was built. Some state that it was in 1753, and others in 94. However, it was established in the downtown portion of Savannah. Some of the buildings would be built earlier on. It was believed that one portion was built in 1734. This is why it is the oldest building in Georgia. You can find the building on a plot of land. It is found on the eastern side of the original city plan. The plot of land that was supposed to be a botanical garden. It would be a garden based on the Chelsea Botanical Garden in England. The garden would be dedicated to the trustees of Oglethorpe. The trustees would hire botanists from around the world to get all different types of plants. This garden was supposed to bring much success with wine and silk. They were growing mulberry trees. However, the mulberry trees would not be produced because the weather and soil were not good enough for these trees. It would never produce the silk and wine that they wanted. However, the peach tree that Georgia is known for started here. Later on, cotton would also be a staple of the economy.

A small building would be added to the land in 1734. This was to provide housing for the gardener who was working on the land. This was known as the Herb House. This is the oldest standing building in the state. However, in 1754, the city’s people no longer wanted a botanical garden, and it was irrelevant. Savannah was known as a port town at this time, and the house would be transformed into a tavern and inn for the men who were visiting from abroad.

Treasure Island

The Pirates’ House is home to a famous book. It has some early pages in the book written by Robert Stevenson. The pages are hung from the Treasure and Captain’s room walls in the Pirates’ House to this day. The current owners of the place state that Captain Flint, the pirate in the book, had died upstairs in the bedroom at this location. However, people need to realize that the captain is a made-up character. The story is not true at all. However, it is still claimed that this captain haunts the place. There is nothing that states that Flint had died in the building or even in Savannah.

Ownership & Renovation of the Pirates’ House

It was in 1948 that the Savannah Gas Company would purchase the land and the house. The building would catch the interest of the company’s wife, Mrs. Hilyer. She would renew the house and make it how it is today. The house has fifteen different dining rooms and can hold 120 people. The cuisine focuses on southern home-cooked meals.

Ghosts of The Restaurant

You can find the restaurant in the historic district of Savannah. As stated, it is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, buildings in Savannah. It is also one of the most haunted as well. For decades, ghost stories have been told all around Savannah; however, the center of the talk revolves around the Pirates’ House. The building is 250 years old and has some history. Because it is old and has its fair share of time, there is going to be paranormal activity occurring.

Pirate House Tunnels

During the earlier times of the building, as you know, it was a place for seamen to have a drink. However, there were also criminals and less-than-decent people in the tavern as well. This place was not a place that you would want to go to. Many men would walk into this bar to have a drink. However, they would wake up hundreds of miles from the bar on a ship that had been sailing for hours. They had no choice but to work on the ship. The only other option was to go overboard.

These tunnels would lead from the Rum Cellar to the tunnel on River Street. It has been covered for quite some time now; however, it would carry the drunk men to the bars.

There have been murders, fights, and anything that you can name happen in the building. Many people have even stayed beyond death in the building.

Ghosts of the Sailors

It is said that when you go into the place, you can see shadow figures and other ghostly things. You will see them walking around the dining halls. When the staff is all alone, they can still feel like they are being watched. It always feels like you are never alone in the building. Many employees stated that they felt watched only to turn around and see an apparition of a seaman from long ago. These ghosts are reportedly looking right into the eyes of the employees. You can expect to hear footsteps when there is silence. You know that these are the sounds of boots on plant floors. People who have walked past the building have also reported seeing ghosts in the windows.

The most famous legend is that of Captain Flint. He is a fictional character who is said to haunt the area because he died in a bedroom in the building. However, there is no truth behind this, and his death cannot be proved. It also cannot be proved that he was even a real person.

There are many things that have happened inside this building. It was once a place to go and get drunk. Many people would go there to get drunk if they were down on their luck and had nowhere else to go. However, they would not get to go home. They would basically be kidnapped and brought aboard a ship to serve. They would serve or be tossed overboard. The tavern had once been a less-than-exceptional place to be. However, today, the Pirates’ House is a great place to stop and get a bite to eat. You will be able to eat during lunch and dinner hours. They are a great place to stop. However, don’t be surprised if you see or hear something out of the ordinary while you are here.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirates%27_House

https://www.visit-historic-savannah.com/pirates-house.html