Best of Savann 2007: Drink

Best New Bar

Hang Fire

37 Whitaker St./ 443-9956

As a regular patron of this spartan, hardwood “rock and roll” bar on Whitaker St. around the corner from the world-famous Lady & Sons Restaurant, I’ve wondered often just what exactly it is about the place which so instantly appealed to such a diverse crowd of people.

Drawing one of the strangest mixes of imbibers in a town known for quirky watering holes is no small feat — and it’s not uncommon to encounter drastically different vibes and customers in there from night to night (and sometimes from hour to hour). College kids, professionals, blue-collar workers, local musicians, professors, artists, even bikers all seem to find common ground at Hang Fire.

Maybe it’s the name, which references an age-old British euphemism for dicking around, or maybe it’s the way-cool jukebox stocked with 300 albums’ worth of rock, punk, jazz, blues and exotica that reflects proprietor and Savannah native Wes Daniels’ own eclectic taste in music. Or maybe it’s the fact that in his own words, he set out to “open a place that just felt like a music club, but without live music.”

Well, they have been known to feature live bands on special occasions, as well as live pop culture trivia, art openings and high-concept, music-based wine tastings — but at the end of the day, this place is still just a loud, bawdy, blank slate of a saloon in which to grab a Stella or Caucasian, talk yourself hoarse over loud, good music, and get a bird’s-eye view of Savannah scenesters that you won’t find anywhere else. -- (JR)

Editors’ Pick: Hang Fire

Best Overall Bar

Best Southside Bar

Best Live Music Venue

Loco’s Pub & Grill

301 W. Broughton St./ 236-8711

8108 Abercorn St./ 921-2199

Editors’ Pick, overall: Friendly’s Tavern II

Editors’ Pick, southside: Loco’s

Editors’ Pick, live music: American Legion Hall

Best Martini

Best Bar Staff

Best Bartender (Traci)

Jazz’d Tapas Bar

52 Barnard St./ 236-7777

Editors’ Pick, martini: Jazz’d

Editors’ Pick, staff: Pinkie Masters

Editors’ Pick, bartender: Miss Carol

Best River Street Bar

Wet Willie’s

101 E. River St./ 233-5650

Editors’ Pick: Chuck’s

Best Islands Bar

Britannia Pub

140 Johnny Mercer Blvd./ 898-4257

Editors’ Pick: Britannia Pub

Best Tybee Bar

Doc’s Bar

10 Tybrisa St./ 786-5506

Editors’ Pick: Scandals

Best Westside Bar

Island Grill

Pt. Wentworth

Editors’ Pick: Red Baron’s

Best Happy Hour

Chili’s Grill & Bar

7805 Abercorn St./ 352-3636

Editors’ Pick: 1790

Best Wine Selection, Retail

Best Beer Selection, Retail

Habersham Beverage

4618 Habersham St./ 354-6477

7927 Abercorn St./ 961-6744

Editors’ Pick, wine: Le Chai galerie du vin

Editors’ Pick, beer: Habersham Beverage

Best Wine Selection, Bar or Restaurant

A Vida Restaurant & Wine Bar

113 W. Broughton St./ 232-8432

Editors’ Pick: Venus de Milo

Best British Pub

Best Bottled Beer Selection, Bar or Restaurant

Churchill’s Pub

13 W. Bay St./ 232-8501

Editors’ Pick, Brit pub: Churchill’s

Editors’ Pick, bottled beer: Mercury Lounge

Best Beer on Tap

Moon River Brewery

21 W. Bay St./ 447-0943

Editors’ Pick: Murphy’s Law

Best Irish Pub

Kevin Barry’s

117 W. River St./ 233-9626

Editors’ Pick: Murphy’s Law

Best Pool Hall

B&B Billiards

411 W. Congress St./ 233-7116

Editors’ Pick: Capone’s

Best Dance Club

Best Gay/Lesbian Club

Club 1 Jefferson

1 Jefferson St./ 232-0200

Editors’ Pick, dance: Club 1

Editors’ Pick, gay/lesbian: Chuck’s

Best Latin Dancing

Tropicana

220 W. Broughton St./ 232-6002

Editors’ Pick: Tropicana

Best Hookup Spot

The Bar-Bar

219 W. St. Julian St./ 231-1910

Editors’ Pick: Bar-Bar

Best Sports Bar

Coach’s Corner

3016 E. Victory Dr./ 352-2933

It started as the dream of two native sons, Al and John Henderson, both athletes of some renown at their high school alma mater (and mine), Savannah Christian Preparatory School.

Area football experts remember Al, my fellow Class of ‘82 graduate, as being an excellent blocking back in that old wishbone formation everybody ran back in those days. Al didn’t rack up the yards like the golden boys in the backfield, because he was too busy knocking defenders on their butts. John, Class of ‘87, followed in his brother’s diligent, disciplined footsteps on the gridiron, and after graduation both these young men went into the bar business together in a then-out of the way location in Thunderbolt. Their timing was as good as their business sense; the Braves were huge at the time, and every playoff run was the signal for more and more heated and inventive promotions, all of which attracted a lot of media attention and a lot of devoted patrons.

None of us are quite so young anymore, but Coach’s Corner has blossomed into one of Savannah’s business success stories, following a year-round sports schedule on dozens of wide-screens, with the biggest Super Bowl party in the area. -- (JM)

Editors’ Pick: Coach’s