The Brass Coyote: Proof River Street Can Still Feel Local

By Vanessa Lantos Daly (Spicy Melon)

Feb. 3, 2026 – Many moons ago, I wrote about the opening of The Whiskey.

Shortly after I wrote the article, I received a mysterious message with a note of gratitude from a private Instagram page. Mr. Arthur Gasdik himself reached out to thank me and extend an invitation to the opening of his Wine Bar on the River.

The Instagram profile had barely a hundred followers, no profile photo, and was set to private. I had suspicions at first. Is this the owner of all these bars and businesses?

The Wine Bar is a beautiful lounge space with temperature-controlled, high-quality wines poured by the glass. The lounge is connected to The Mercantile store, also owned by him. It’s good to know which businesses on River Street are locally owned, since much of that stretch of River Street is now dominated by the JW Marriott Plant Riverside complex and its associated restaurants and bars.

Which is the complete opposite of a local experience in Savannah.

Mr. Gasdik has had businesses on River Street for 40 years, opening his very first store there. Now he has a total of 10 businesses on River Street, his latest being The Brass Coyote.

I know for a fact that 40 years ago River Street was not nearly as glammed up and manicured for tourism as it is today. Some native Savannahians even say that parts of the beginning and end of River Street were dangerous to walk at night. Dark and poorly lit, a high contrast with the rainbow of lights and businesses in every corner of the rebuilt walkways.

Mr. Gasdik clearly had a vision when he decided to start early on and open the bulk of his businesses in what is now one of the most touristically visited parts of Savannah.

I met Robby Allison, the bar manager, and Ryan Kessler, the operations manager at The Brass Coyote, for a friendly chat. This bar opened in October 2025, a week before Halloween.

Left: Robby Allison. Right: Ryan Kessler.

The Brass Coyote is the fifth bar Mr. Gasdik has on River Street. This location was previously Club 309 West. Robby shares, “Originally this bar was supposed to be Savannah’s first Coyote Ugly-style bar. It didn’t quite go that way, so we wanted to keep bits of that concept and class it up, which is why the name is Brass Coyote.”

Club 309 West closed this past July, and within that week they were already doing renovations. “We did all the demolition ourselves,” Robby smiles. The resulting space after the renovations is warm and inviting, adorned with wood finishes and warm lighting.

Upon entering the bar from the downstairs River Street entrance, the bar seems small. The spacious upstairs area is unexpected. The lounge spaces are similar to The Whiskey: elegant and unpretentious.

When asked what their message for Savannah locals is, Robby jumps in. “We have live entertainment every Thursday through Saturday, always focusing on showcasing great talent. In my opinion, our bar staff is very dedicated and one of the best in the city. You can see that we are passionate about cocktails and a fun atmosphere.”

Robby shares a bit of background working for the Gasdik family of businesses. “All in all, I’ve worked for the company for about eight years. I started my bartending career at Rusty Rudders Tap House. I worked and managed there. Then I worked at The Grove to expand my craft cocktail experience. I came back to the company when they opened the Frosty Frog. I split my time between that bar and The Whiskey when it opened. Eventually, after mastering their craft cocktails, I managed at The Whiskey. When they decided they wanted to open another one, I went into fully managing The Whiskey and Brass Coyote.”

Ryan also chimes in. “I have been with the company for about five years. I also started as a bartender at Rusty Rudders for two years, and after that went into full-time management. What is exciting to me about our bars is that they are local and specialize in craft cocktails and live music on the river.”

This matters to locals, many of whom will tell you that River Street has become increasingly dominated by tourist-focused restaurants and attractions. It almost feels like a Savannah Disney World down there, with prices to match the experience.

Let me tell you, creating a local and genuine experience is not something that comes naturally to corporate developments.

The fact that both Robby and Ryan have been with the company for so long also piques my interest in a very high-turnover industry. I could also see the love and care that staff and friends had for Mr. Gasdik at the opening of The Wine Bar on River Street. He hosted it with his family in attendance and was nothing but warmth and smiles with his friends and staff, even with a strange little writer like me.

Ryan shares why they feel such ownership and commitment to The Brass Coyote. “It wasn’t just that we paid somebody to do this. We, as a company, and the team members who have been here for a long time, like Robby and me, did a lot of the work ourselves. So we are very proud of it and want other people to enjoy it as well.”

Taking a glance at the cocktail list, Robby shares that he created the recipes and points out some of the ones he is most proud of.

He recommends ordering the “West River,” a refreshing vodka cocktail crafted with fresh lemon, lychee soju, and mint.

I took a sip and mindlessly enjoyed half of the cocktail before remembering to take a photo. Being super professional and poised, per usual. Oops. It tastes like a herbaceous lemonade, so delicious. I recommend ordering two for yourself.

West River Cocktail, half finished. Credit: An absent-minded thirsty writer.

Then Robby sees me curiously glancing at another name, the “Three-Legged Bastard.”

I am imagining some wild story coming from this one.

“I was at The Whiskey for a long time, and I created the Three-Legged Bastard. Might not be the best name to put out…”

I start fully laughing at this point. Excuse me sir, please continue: I’m sure there’s an intuitive process for the name of this cocktail.

“If you enjoy bourbon or whiskey, that is one of the most well-balanced cocktails I’ve ever made. The inspiration comes from a Vieux Carré, an Old Fashioned, and a Sazerac. It borrows elements from all three and brings them together in a very harmonious way.”

After accidentally fully sipping the West River nonchalantly, and without having had any lunch beforehand, like one does, I somehow convince Robby to make some funny and slightly spicy videos crafting two of their signature cocktails. Somehow, I don’t get canceled from this interview immediately, and this happens.

Curious? Click here to watch Robby make the Three-Legged Bastard, and click here to watch the Berry Me in Chocolate martini.

Meanwhile, Ryan stands by and laughs awkwardly at the whole thing. The scene is so funny…is that the vodka speaking? Honestly, everything tastes so good, and these peeps can definitely laugh at themselves and don’t mind some jokes. Please go pay them a visit for exceptional sips and a great time.

Ryan shares, “The Whiskey is our more elegant lounge, while Rusty Rudders is a lot more casual. We wanted to make The Brass Coyote a blend of both, with the mixology and craft of The Whiskey, but a bit more laid back like Rusty.”

Robby adds, “We do have a service industry menu, which is offered all week long, not just one day. The service industry is the backbone of Savannah, and we believe in taking care of our own. We also notice that everyone who works in the service industry and comes here often recommends us to their guests. What we do is a set list of discounted drinks, like a $5 Jameson or $6 well drinks. If they order from our classic menu, they get an automatic 25 percent discount. We want service industry people in here, we want them to experience us, tell their friends, and recommend us.”

I agree. That’s the best way to spread the love in Savannah. Bartenders and servers recommending each other and their places of work for an amazing experience, especially to visitors looking for a non-touristy experience.

This service industry love applies to all the bars owned by Mr. Gasdik. I highly recommend visiting The Brass Coyote, or any of their other bars, to experience the charm and craft I did, along with the warm hospitality of Ryan, Robby, and their team of bartenders.

It is always great to see managers praise their team and owner, and to see them involved with a company from the inside out. In an often chaotic and unpredictable industry, with peak and slow seasons, everyday drama, and razor-thin margins at times, it speaks volumes.

Happy sipping! I can still taste that Berry Me in Chocolate martini. So incredibly yum.

Love always,

Vanessa

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