Moseying around Savannah there is no shortage of great bars and restaurants. Excellent, cutting edge food and hand crafted cocktails are abundant. But where do all those restaurant employees go when the shift is done? Or even before it starts?
Savannah is not a cheap town to eat or drink in. It is littered with the type of establishments that the staff probably can't afford to frequent. Add to that rules that many high end restaurants have against employees eating and drinking where they work and I'm sure the options become fewer and further between.
Years in the industry have taught me where those folks would frequent. Somewhere dark. Where the drinks are affordable and the music loud. A place where you can go to shed the struggles of the most recent shift without the need to shower or even change out of your work clothes. A place, like Abe's on Lincoln.
After investigating the Savannah River front for a few hours. Having had a great seafood lunch with a few fabulous cocktails, we started toward our dinner location. On our way we found Abe's. Already on our list of places to visit we decided to stop for a mid-afternoon bracer.
If you follow Abe's social media accounts you already know they have a sense of humor. That irreverence is evident the second you enter. The room is small and dark. The A/C is cranking. A welcome respite from the Savannah summer heat and humidity. And the walls and ceiling are plastered with little paper drawings of visitors interpretations of Abe Lincoln.
We ordered our drinks at the bar, bourbon and ginger and a Miller Lite, and sat ourselves. The stools at the small bar were full but the few tables were open. After helping ourselves to a water from the self help cooler near the bar, I asked the bartender where to get paper so, we too, could contribute to the Lincoln wallpaper.
Our bartender, Chris (or was it Rick? I really need to start writing these things down. Sorry, man), an affable, laid back, dude was already reaching for paper and pens. Quickly we set about drawing our Lincoln's to add to the decor.
My wife went with a sophisticated Martini Lincoln. I, on the other hand, showed my age by attempting to draw Lance Lincoln, an homage to Lance Link, Secret Chimp. The 60's TV show where the characters were Chimpanzees. In hindsight I wonder if a single soul in that bar would get it? LOL.
The bartender provided tape and we affixed them to one of the few blank spots on the ceiling. He shared that about every 15 months they essentially replace all of them. Gravity, old tape, or other reasons help with the turn over. I've seen tons of bars put dollar bills, or business cards, on their walls or ceilings. Bad Abe Lincoln drawings is definitely a fun, original, idea.
As I said earlier, the vibe of Abe's is laid back and irreverent. From their name, to their social media, to their signage and more, this is a place that doesn't take itself too seriously. In a city with a reputation for serious food and cocktails, Abe's attitude is a welcome diversion.
On Fridays they have a live DJ come in and spin wax. Out the back door is a small patio. Nothing fancy. Three picnic tables with umbrellas, on a gravel surface, all surrounded by a wood privacy fence. Large ashtrays make smokers feel welcome and everyone is cordial.
Abe's is a great way to cool off and spend a chunk of the afternoon before heading off for one of those serious Savannah dinners at a serious Savannah restaurant.
When it was time to continue moseying we took advantage of Savanna's open container laws. Ask the bartender for a Go Cup, pour your drink in it, and walk out the door. After paying the tab, and tipping generously, of course. Much thanks to Abe's, and our bartender/host, Chris. Or Rick? Sorry, dude. I should have written it down.
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