Rooftop Sips with a Question Mark List
Downtown · Savannah · American Contemporary · Visit Website ↗
Updated March 2026
Reviewed February 21, 2026
Wingman Metrics
Bar Julian sits atop the Thompson Savannah with river views that do the heavy lifting. The wine list feels like an afterthought to the scenery—functional but not particularly inspired, built for hotel guests who want something cold and white after a day of touring.
The selection leans heavily into safe California picks and Euro standards that won't offend anyone or excite anyone. You'll find your Prisoner Red Blend, a Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc, maybe a serviceable Côtes du Rhône. It's the kind of list assembled by a purchasing manager three states away, not someone who lives and breathes Savannah's food scene. Regional wines feel absent—no Georgia producers, no nod to the South beyond sweet tea cocktails. The list reads like every other hotel rooftop from Charleston to Austin.
Glass pours skew predictable—six to eight options that rotate about as often as hotel carpeting gets replaced. You're looking at the usual suspects: a Pinot Grigio, a Chardonnay, a Cab, a Pinot Noir. Service temperature varies wildly depending on who's behind the bar that night. The upside: portions are generous and they don't skimp on the pour.
Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône — $48
Reliable Grenache-Syrah blend that drinks above its weight, though still marked up 3x retail
La Crema Monterey Pinot Noir
Not sexy, but one of the few wines here showing actual fruit character instead of oak bomb tendencies
Any Champagne by the glass
Whatever prosecco they're calling 'champagne' at $18 a pour is flat and overpriced—stick to cocktails
Sonoma-Cutrer Russian River Chardonnay + Raw bar oysters
The bright acidity cuts through brine without fighting the mineral salinity—simple pairing that works
✔️ The Bottom Line
Come for the view, stay for a drink, but don't make wine the main event. Bar Julian is reliable enough for a sundowner but won't convert anyone into a wine enthusiast.
Downtown Savannah · Savannah · Farm to Table, Seasonal
The 1540 Room is a dependable, well-curated list in one of Savannah's most atmospheric dining rooms — you won't find anything to argue with, but you won't find anything to be shocked by either. Send your friends here when they want a great bottle with a great meal and zero drama.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Proper
Historic District · Savannah · Port City Southern
The Grey proves that a curated, adventurous wine list can be just as impressive as a 700-bottle cellar. James Beard Outstanding Chef Mashama Bailey's food demands a wine program that matches its ambition, and the sommelier team delivers — with indigenous varietals, natural wines, and by-the-glass pours you won't find anywhere else in the Southeast. Come for the food, stay for the wine education you didn't know you needed.
Adventurous & Curated
Worth It
Varietal Specific
Sommelier Led
Seasonal Rotation
Proper
Thomas Square · Savannah · Southern
Common Thread is Savannah's rising wine sleeper. Libby Burk is building one of the most interesting sommelier-driven programs in the Southeast — indigenous varietals, natural wines, and a genuine passion for making wine accessible and fun. Not as deep as Common's 710-bottle cathedral, not as famous as The Grey's James Beard pedigree, but arguably the most exciting wine program in town for anyone who wants to learn something new every visit.
Adventurous
Fair
Proper
Sommelier Led
Wine Club & Events
Proper
Historic District · Savannah · Southern American
Common isn't just the best wine program in Savannah — it's one of the best in the Southeast. 710 selections including first-growth Bordeaux verticals, Grand Cru Burgundy, and Napa trophy wines, backed by a three-sommelier team. The $25 corkage fee is fair if you bring something the list doesn't cover, but good luck finding a gap. Plan a trip around this one.
Encyclopedic
Fair
Varietal Specific
Sommelier Team
Rotating
Cellar Proper
Historic District · Savannah · Southern American
Come for the pirate history and the She-Crab soup, but leave wine expectations at the door. This list exists to fill a checkbox, not to enhance your meal—order a cocktail or local beer instead.
Crowd Pleasers
Gouge
Red Flag
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Historic District · Savannah · Italian Steakhouse
Pacifico won't change your wine life, but it won't ruin your dinner either. If you're here for the steaks and want a safe Italian red, you'll be fine. Just don't expect value or adventure.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Stemless Casual
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Charlotte · Charlotte · American Contemporary
The Artisan's Palate is your reliable neighborhood option when you want a decent bottle without drama. Nothing flashy, nothing offensive—just solid enough to keep you coming back when convenience beats adventure.
Solid Range
Fair
Stemless Casual
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
South End · Charlotte · American Contemporary
Sixty Vines isn't chasing wine geeks, and that's fine. It's a solid neighborhood spot where you can drink well without thinking too hard, and the tap system actually delivers on its promise of freshness and variety.
Solid Range
Fair
Stemless Casual
Willing but Green
Active Program
Acceptable
Sand Lake · Orlando · American Contemporary
Sixty Vines is what happens when a chain actually thinks about wine instead of just slapping together a corporate-approved list. The tap system works, prices stay honest, and there's enough range to keep it interesting. Not a destination, but a solid neighborhood option.
Solid Range
Fair
Stemless Casual
Willing but Green
Active Program
Proper
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.