From Water Bills to Whiskey - Municipal Grand Flirts with Savannah Locals

By Vanessa Lantos Daly (Spicy Melon)

Nov. 10, 2025 – Sometimes, when I mention the name Death & Company, people don’t know what I’m talking about.

But if you’re even remotely connected to the mixology world, or even a studious bartender at the most basic level, it’s impossible not to know. This New York–based bar was instrumental in pioneering the classic cocktail revival movement.

Ever wonder why people started ordering classic daiquiris? Manhattans? Old Fashioneds? This is why.

James Nowicki mixes drinks at Municipal Grand’s bar, below the signature blue wall tile preserved from its time as a municipal utility building.

Their cocktail books are referenced worldwide when building drink menus for new bars and restaurants. They’ve built a reputation, and a cult-like following, among all of us who work at casual or high-end bars—or anyone interested in the art of mixology itself.

Now, their desire to blend this experience with more aspects of hospitality has taken them further: to enjoy the magic of the Death & Company experience day and night, with incomparable bars housed inside boutique hotels.

So what does it look like when a world-famous bar opens a little hotel?

There were whispers humming in the Savannah bartender world long before Municipal Grand’s doors opened at 45 Abercorn Street:

“Death and Co is coming to Savannah… I hear they make you train for a month and a half.”

“It’s like a bartending lobotomy—you have to forget everything you know and how you bartended at other places.”

“Training takes so long… it has to be more than $7.25 an hour, right? How does anyone survive? I’m going to save up two months of bills and apply once they open.”

After talking to a few industry friends, now bartenders at this hip new establishment, some rumors were debunked. Yes, the training is intense, but it only lasted two weeks. Still, that’s a significant commitment for those of us who make our living mostly from tips.

When I first walked in, I had flashbacks of paying my water bill in this building. They kept many of the same elements, including those little blue tiles on the wall. I call them ‘depressing blues.. The kind tied to late water bills and long waits in line, with unimpressed employees asking people if they wanted to get on a payment plan to get their water turned back on.

There was never anything glamorous in the many times I visited this place, I can tell you that much.

Now, though, it’s the opposite. Elegantly designed. Luxuriously furnished. Every corner dripping with thoughtful details and artistic touches.

Municipal Grand bar and lounge + dining area

I attended the opening with the one and only Mr. Curl.

Actually, the day of the opening, I was a few minutes late trying to find parking, and he almost left me. Nearly 10 minutes after our agreed upon meeting time, he texts me casually “I think I’m gonna go…”. I swear this man went on Temu and bought himself a bucket of audacity on sale.

Imagine me running to this place in heels and arriving all flustered. I wore a bright pink dress to accentuate my flustered self, fittingly enough. “What?! Why?! No, stay! Let’s explore a little,” I pleaded, out of breath.

“This place is too fancy. Let’s leave immediately, please.” Eric whispers sheepishly but urgently.

I had to instantly charm him into staying (a fancy cocktail in hand, and some caviar bites from the beautiful cocktail servers helped). Eric is super down-to-earth: That’s why people love him. Me, on the other hand, I’m a fancy girl who can’t resist luxurious bites and inventive cocktails.

The cocktails were perfection… As they should be, they got this oversized reputation to uphold…

I will smile at everyone: I’ll very happily talk to strangers. I’ve got no fear, no shame—just curiosity. That’s probably why Eric keeps me around.

The smiles and compliments to the managers and hosts earned us a private tour of the hotel suites, so we could see first hand what all the fuss was about.

How is this hotel so special?

Well, for starters: If you enjoy a cocktail, they assume you might enjoy indulging in quality spirits in the privacy of your room.

Every room has a mini cocktail bar with half-sized liquor bottles and a surprisingly reasonable price list.

Dangerously reasonable, if you ask me…

Mini bar and specialized coffee area in each suite

This might be the most attractive and approachable mini-bar menu in the universe. No snack is more than $5. Half a bottle of quality tequila for $34… Hangover prevention for $4? What kind of witchcraft is this?!

I can feel the seductive whisper of bad decisions caressing my neck and giving me ideas…

Also, a coffee machine that serves filtered hot water to steep hot tea independently. Plush luxury robes. Minimalist chic suites with little thoughtful details all around.

And if you book a signature suite? There’s a bathtub in the bedroom—just sitting there pretty, right next to the bed.

Invasive thoughts instantly take over: Drinking tequila in the bathtub. Straight from the bottle, because why not? Then jumping straight into bed if I manage not to drown. No towels. No clothes. No in-betweens.

Luxury Bathtub next to bed and sitting spaces are all in-room

Has anyone done this yet? How about jumping out of bed when you wake and running into the bathtub? Sometimes I marvel at how unhinged my imagination gets when left unchecked…

Let’s explore further: Their cocktail menu at the bar has the mandatory signature drinks, but also offerings like an “Amaro of the Day” for $7—casually sitting on the menu next to $220 bottles of champagne.

That’s the way to do it.

Excuse me, Mr. Champagne, I know you are so rich and elegant and covered in gold, but you can come here and cozy up next to me, little affordable amaro.

Many restaurants put their expensive reserves in separate menus, or even in the final pages. Secluded, kings of their own menu sections. But these peeps thought, “What if we sprinkle them in with everything else? Next to Espresso Martini shots for $6 a pop?”

Cocktails range from $16 to $19, which is expected for downtown prices and for their level of craft. But then there’s a $6 Guinness…Also a Baby Bloody Mary + A mini pilsner for $10.

Almost as if to say: “We see you, have an appetizer and stay for the main course if you wish. No pressure or commitment needed.”

And then, a happy hour menu happens every day from 3 to 5 p.m. On Mondays and Tuesdays, happy hour offerings are available from 3 p.m. until close. So two fully happy days a week…

Happy hour cocktails are $10 and perfect classics: Old Fashioned, Margarita, and Daiquiri. Monday and Tuesday there’s a Martini + Hashbrown + Caviar special for $9.

Martinis and caviar and potatoes all night long… Pardon me, are you seeing anyone? Would you like to marry me, please? Where do I sign?

Martini + Hashbrown + Caviar special For Happy Hour.

Not only that, but a ridiculously juicy happy hour burger for $16, finished with a magical yolk jam (whatever that is), which is pure bliss. Or just get their happy hour fries for $5.

Decadent Municipal Grand Happy Hour Burger with signature egg yolk jam

Municipal Grand opened their hotel, then brunch (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.), happy hour, and dinner, with the last unveiling happening this past October 10th: their speakeasy-style secret bar, The Hot Eye.

Once again, Eric brought me to the opening of this little underground gem—but this time he knew better than to just leave without taking in some magic and delicious sips.

All work and no play makes Eric a dull boy.

And yes, I’ll quote The Shining at any appropriate time, forever… and ever… and ever…

The space is dark and evocative, with warm light, red tones, and rich leather details. Self-described as “low-lit, glossy, and alive.”

Cocktails here start at $15, but there are also highballs for $12, shooters for $8, Guinness for $6, and mini Millers for $4.

Full-blown affordable luxury. Ideal for a secret rendezvous, or meeting a group of friends to gossip after hours.

After all this flirtation, I’m fully convinced to recommend and enjoy this place at every hour of the day and night. I’ve been enchanted with every detail and layer of The Municipal Grand, like many locals and visitors alike.

They don’t let their reputation or craft get to their head: there’s something here for everyone.

Let yourself experience it and be seduced.

Love always,

Vanessa

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