2 days ago
Savannah's Death & Co. Bar Is the New Spot to See and Be Seen
When Municipal Grand swung its doors on July 11, the hotel's eponymous lobby bar quickly packed with patrons thirsty for a taste of its much-anticipated beverage program — and the people it attracts.
The debut came within two years after Midnight Auteur, a new hospitality group from the founders of Death & Co. and Denver's the Ramble Hotel, announced plans to reimagine the six-story, 1960s landmark into a cocktail-driven, 44-room destination.
Municipal Grand's name is a clever nod to the past: the First Federal Savings and Loan Association, which operated from 1961 to 1989, later served as a City of Savannah workplace at 45 Abercorn Street. The preserved architecture, from terrazzo tiles to the bank vault, sets the tone for the midcentury modern-inspired interiors by AAmp Studio — the same firm behind Death & Co.'s bars in Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. — in collaboration with Savannah-based Lynch Associates Architects and Ward Architecture + Preservation.
Drink martinis or 'cheekies' at the bar. Kelly Calvillo
By design, Municipal Bar is the city's best new spot to see and be seen, both in person and on Instagram. Anchoring the lobby is a curved, 14-seat bar surrounded by serpentine banquettes and low lounge seating. Although at street level, the entire floor feels like one big sunken conversation pit, thanks to an upper mezzanine level encasing the perimeter.
The Municipal Bar's menu of shareable drinks and small plates further leans into its sociability. A 'Family Style' list of playful offerings encourages guests to start with banana daiquiri 'cheekies' — miniature renditions made with Wray & Nephew rum and served in port glasses for $8 per person. Or, patrons can 'Keep It Going' with espresso martini cheekies at $6 a pop. For a fancier pour, the $36 'Proper Martini Service' for two — inspired by London's Dukes bar — is served ice-cold with a choose-your-own-adventure selection of accouterments, plus the option to add a side of salty shoestring fries for an additional $5.
Of course, there's also a full selection of regular-sized beverages, such as the neon-hued white Negroni (Terroir gin, Americano, and Gentian amaro), garnished with a juicy pineapple wedge. With a subtropical climate in mind, rum or mezcal concoctions — complete with crushed ice, crystal-clear rocks or frosted glassware — are heavenly for cooling off in Savannah's thick humidity. Ranging from $16 to $19, these are contemporary riffs on classics, expected given the Death & Co. association.
The hotel also offers creative fare for brunch and dinner. Kelly Calvillo
For the uninitiated, Death & Co. first opened by David Kaplan and Ravi DeRossi in the mid-aughts as an unassuming bar in Manhattan's East Village. The brand would become one of the world's most sought-after cocktail bars, with four locations in New York, Denver, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C.
With insatiable demand (parties still often wait hours to enter the flagship) came the spin-off concepts: in 2018, Kaplan launched the full-scale hospitality firm Gin & Luck with several partners, including Alex Day, who serves as chief operating officer. This branch is responsible for recent projects like Close Company in Las Vegas, Nashville, and soon, Atlanta.
The expansion is fueled in part by investor funding through SeedInvest, an online equity crowdfunding platform. As the Death & Co. institution appears closer to cementing its status as a household name, some may wonder if this dilutes the brand's popularity or prestige.
On the contrary, Midnight Auteur operates as a distinct entity—more of a cousin than a sibling. Joining Kaplan and Day in this venture is Ryan Diggins, the founder and operator of the Ramble Hotel in Denver, Colorado, where the second Death & Co. opened in 2018.
The midcentury modern-inspired interiors are by AAmp Studio. Kelly Calvillo
With this ownership team based across the country, they brought in Franck Savoy to lead Municipal Grand as general manager. The son of chef Guy Savoy, of Michelin-starred restaurants in France and Las Vegas, launched his career in fine dining alongside his father before moving on to roles at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica, California, Auberge Resorts, and most recently, Berg Hospitality Group in Houston, Texas.
Joining Savoy is a mix of talent recruited to relocate to Savannah, like Death & Co. veteran Sam Penton as the director of outlets, as well as an all-star lineup of familiar faces from around the city. Helming the kitchen is executive chef Karim Elkady (formerly of Hotel Bardo, Southern Cross Hospitality, and Perry Lane) and executive sous chef Shannon Koprivich (also formerly of Southern Cross Hospitality), with Justin Stevenson (formerly of Husk Savannah) managing the front of house. Behind the bar, locals recognize James Nowicki and Sebastián Montero-Hernández, just to name a couple.
Herein lies the true joy of a visit to Municipal Grand — the dynamite combination of the Hostess City's famed hospitality paired with Death & Co.'s gravitas. That, and food to back it all up. In the era of the aesthetic restaurant, when Instagrammability is weighted as highly as the quality of the food and service, Municipal Grand delivers on all three.
Brunch at Municipal Grand. Kelly Calvillo
Loaded with vibrant herbs and veggies, jewel-toned dishes are as colorful and refreshing as the cocktails and the artful vibe. Lunch standouts like the smoked salmon tartine, crispy chicken sandwich, and a mortadella roll, all served on Flora and Fauna bread.
'There's no club sandwich or Caesar salad. That's intentional,' says Savoy.
This fall, the hotel will unveil its basement cocktail den, Hot Eye, decked out in red walls, blackened mirrors, and oxblood leather booths, just in time for the SCAD Savannah Film Festival.
For a quieter experience, visit in the morning. The Carolina Gold rice porridge — a combination of currants, coconut, carrot, and pistachio that tastes like a cross between overnight oats and carrot cake — and a 'Fancy Omelet' (complete with a cheese pull) are well worth waking up early for.
The Municipal Bar is open daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Access to the rooftop Sun Club is currently reserved for hotel guests.
