PROHIBITION MUSEUM

Parking can be difficult in City Market. There are metered spaces available in the City Market area and on Broughton Street. There are two large parking garages nearby:

Whitaker Street Parking Garage: 7 Whitaker Street

Robinson Parking Garage: 132 Montgomery St, Savannah, GA 31401

The easiest access to the museum is through Old Town Trolley Tours^®, which operates daily. The museum is Stop 9 on their Savannah tour route, with trolleys coming through every fifteen to twenty minutes.

For Museum Hours Click here. For Speakeasy Hours Click here.

The American Prohibition Museum is open 364 days of the year. The only day we are not open is St. Patrick’s Day. The museum reserves the right to close for large group tours or private events.

Most guests spend an average of 45 minutes to an hour inside the museum. If you choose to stay longer in the Speakeasy, that is up to you!

Guided tours of the American Prohibition Museum are offered daily. To see the schedule and buy tickets, click here.

If you’re interested in private guided tours of the American Prohibition Museum, contact us to inquire with our Groups and Events Coordinator.

Yes! The museum is fully ADA compliant with an elevator to the second floor. Access to the Speakeasy at night is gained through the front door, please call us at 912-551-4054 for access.

No food and drink is allowed in the museum, until past the point of the Speakeasy. Only drinks purchased in the Speakeasy will be allowed in the subsequent galleries.

Only registered service animals on leashes are permitted in the American Prohibition Museum.

Photography is permitted inside the museum. If you post on social media, tag us with the #americanprohibition or @americanprohibition. Please, no video recording.

Yes! Please contact the Museum Director for more information on student programs by filling out the form here.

Please contact the museum by filling out the form here for all lost and found items.

While the Prohibition era began as a national movement to eliminate social ills through the 18th Amendment, it took on a distinct and defiant character in Savannah. As a key southern port city, Savannah’s identity was defined less by dry temperance and more by its strategic role as a hub for rumrunning and maritime smuggling. The city’s intricate waterways and coastal access provided the perfect cover for local syndicates to bypass federal agents, transforming the Savannah River into a high-stakes gateway for illegal spirits. At the American Prohibition Museum, visitors can step beyond general history to explore the gritty, local legacy of our “wet” city, learning about things like the secret tunnels used by bootleggers and the coastal “Black Ships” that anchored just offshore. By highlighting Savannah’s unique resistance to the 18th Amendment, our interactive exhibits offer an immersive look at how a port city’s geography fueled an era of rebellion and organized crime that changed the Lowcountry forever.

The term speakeasy is believed to have originated from the necessity for patrons to speak softly, or “easy,” in order to avoid detection by law enforcement officers. The word soon became synonymous with the hidden bars themselves. These hidden establishments were often located in basements, back alleyways, or behind secret doors in legitimate businesses. Some speakeasies were sophisticated operations, offering live music, dancing, and fine dining. Others were more rudimentary, offering little more than a bar and a few chairs. These hidden bars became part of the fabric of American culture during the Prohibition era, and even after the repeal of the 18th Amendment, the term speakeasy continued to hold a place in people’s hearts.

The Prohibition era may have ended long ago, but the allure of the speakeasy is alive and well in the heart of the Hostess City. Congress Street Up stands as one of Savannah’s hidden gems, offering an authentic 1920s atmosphere that transports guests back to the height of the Jazz Age. Rather than a typical modern bar, this speakeasy is tucked away within the American Prohibition Museum, requiring guests to find an inconspicuous entrance that leads into a space defined by vintage decor, period-accurate architecture, and dim, moody lighting. The bar stays true to the classics, boasting an impressive collection of rums and bourbons that reflect Savannah’s history as a smuggler’s port. For those seeking the full sensory experience of the Roaring Twenties, visiting on Friday or Saturday nights is a must, as live jazz bands fill the room with the era’s signature sound.

Carry Nation was born in Kentucky in 1846 and spent much of her early adulthood moving around the country with her husband. She was deeply religious and became involved in the temperance movement, which sought to limit or ban the sale and consumption of alcohol. Nation began visiting saloons and other establishments that sold alcohol and using rocks and other tools to smash bottles and destroy equipment. She often entered these establishments wearing a black dress and carrying a hatchet, which quickly earned her the nickname “The Hatchet Granny.” Nation’s actions helped to galvanize support for the temperance movement, which ultimately led to the passage of the 18th Amendment, which prohibited the sale and consumption of alcohol in the United States.

The term “bootlegging” started during the American Prohibition era that lasted from 1920 to 1933. During this period, the United States banned the sale, manufacturing, and transportation of alcoholic drinks. However, the demand for alcohol remained high, and people started smuggling and selling it illegally. The illegal drink merchants would hide their goods in the top of their boots and pant legs, hence the term “bootlegging.”

Moonshine is a type of unaged whiskey that is typically made in an unregulated environment. Despite its Prohibition roots, moonshine has become a staple in American culture and is now legal to produce and sell in many states. The American Prohibition Museum in Savannah, Georgia, showcases the rich history of moonshine and its integral role in shaping American drinking culture. The exhibit includes rare artifacts and detailed information on the production and distribution of the drink during Prohibition.

While there are several streets that boast of the best bars in town, Congress Street is a must-visit for bar hoppers. Congress Street Up has been designed to embody an authentic 1920s speakeasy bar. Moving beyond the typical nightlife scene, our 1920s-inspired speakeasy captures the true spirit of the Roaring Twenties with authentic period decor and costumed bartenders who bring history to life. The heart of the experience lies in our exceptional drink menu, where we serve a sophisticated mix of timeless classic cocktails alongside innovative, handcrafted creations developed by our expert bartenders.

Mixology is the art and science of creating cocktails that are unique, flavorful, and well-balanced. Mixologists experiment with different spirits, ingredients, and techniques to create cocktails that are not only delicious but also visually stunning. Bartending, on the other hand, is more about serving drinks quickly and efficiently. Bartenders have to be knowledgeable about different types of alcohol, how to pour drinks, and how to manage a bar effectively. Mixology and bartending are two sides of the same coin. While they both involve creating and serving drinks, they require different skills, equipment, and expertise.