Deep in the heart of Savannah, Georgia, where cobblestone streets whisper centuries-old secrets, lies one of the city’s most captivating and historic gems: the Pirates’ House. Just steps from the Savannah River, this revered landmark isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a living museum of maritime mischief, rum-fueled revelry, and possibly, spectral residents who never truly left. Whether you’re a foodie, a history buff, or an intrepid ghost hunter, the Pirates’ House offers more than just a dining experience — it offers a portal into the city’s eerie and enthralling past. In this post, we’ll dive into the turbulent—and perhaps haunted—history of one of Savannah’s oldest standing buildings.
The History
Origins: The Herb House (circa 1734)
Long before pirates raised glasses of grog in its tavern, the Pirates’ House began as a humble structure known as the Herb House. Built in 1734, it is believed to be the oldest standing building in Georgia. Initially part of an experimental botanical garden called the Trustee’s Garden, the Herb House was used by the garden’s gardener and functioned as storage and living quarters.
The Trustee’s Garden itself was modeled after London’s Chelsea Botanical Garden and intended to supply agricultural knowledge and medicinal herbs to the early colony. This ambitious project planted the first seeds—both literal and figurative—that would help transform Savannah into a vital port city.
Rise of the Seafaring Trade
As Savannah’s port flourished in the 18th century, the humble Herb House expanded into a multi-room structure that served various roles including an inn, tavern, and boarding house. Positioned just a block from the Savannah River, the location proved ideal for incoming sailors, fishermen, merchants—and yes—pirates. The growing building soon became synonymous with riverfront revelry and maritime mystery.
The establishment’s transformation into the Pirates’ House was organic. With proximity to the wharves, it attracted a rough-and-tumble clientele, becoming a sanctuary for sailors looking to escape the drudgery of ship life. Some came here to drink, some to find work, and others—according to legend—were kidnapped and forced back onto the high seas.
The Legend of the Tunnels
One of the most enduring stories associated with the Pirates’ House is that of the hidden tunnels. According to local lore, a network of subterranean passages once connected the house directly to the river. These tunnels were supposedly used to smuggle cargo, rum, and even people in and out of Savannah, away from the watchful eyes of authorities.
The most chilling claim involves sailors who were “shanghaied”—drugged or intoxicated, dragged through these tunnels, and forced into unwanted service aboard ships. Though concrete historical evidence of these practices at the Pirates’ House is scant, the tales have endured, passed from generation to generation, adding a delicious air of danger and mystery to the establishment’s legacy.
Connection to Treasure Island
Fans of classic literature may be delighted to know that the Pirates’ House is rumored to have inspired portions of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. The inn in the book closely resembles that of the Pirates’ House in both atmosphere and clientele. While definitive proof of this connection remains elusive, it’s easy to imagine Stevenson finding inspiration in the tavern’s dark wooden beams, low ceilings, and salty aura.
The Haunt
If the stories of drunken sailors, secret tunnels, and kidnapped crew members aren’t enough to stir your interest, the Pirates’ House is also widely considered one of Savannah’s most haunted locations. Paranormal investigators and visitors alike have reported eerie encounters within its aged walls, prompting ghost hunters to flock here in search of the unexplained.
Apparitions of the Past
Many guests and staff members have claimed to see shadowy figures moving through the halls or vanishing around corners. Several reports identify the specter of a grizzled old pirate, complete with tricorn hat and tattered clothing, standing silently in the Captain’s Room before dissipating into thin air.
Strange Noises and Disembodied Voices
Late at night, when the diners have gone and quiet settles over the house, strange sounds seem to surface. Disembodied whispers echo from empty rooms, chairs mysteriously shift, and heavy footsteps are sometimes heard pacing on wooden floors—despite no one being present. Some speculate these noises come from spirits of past patrons who met untimely ends, or perhaps sailors eternally bound to the tavern where their last earthly memories were made.
Paranormal Equipment Hot Spot
Paranormal investigation teams report frequent electromagnetic field (EMF) spikes, temperature drops, and audio anomalies when setting up inside the Pirates’ House. In particular, the Rum Cellar and the tunnel-adjacent sections of the building are said to produce the most activity. Spirit boxes have yielded incomprehensible whispers and occasional coherent words such as “ship,” “help,” and chillingly, “trapped.”
Ghost Tours and Haunted Dining
The Pirates’ House does not shy away from its ghostly reputation. It’s a popular stop on Savannah’s many haunted history tours, and the owners enthusiastically share tales of the supernatural with curious guests. Diners hoping to sample both Southern cuisine and a side of spooky atmosphere are in for a treat—just be careful where you sit. Some guests swear certain chairs rock on their own, or that icy gusts of wind sweep over them in enclosed rooms.
While there’s no official registry of the house’s spectral tenants, psychics and mediums who have visited claim the energy within the building is palpable. More than one psychic has refused to enter the Old Rum Cellar, describing the overwhelming presence of “unsettled spirits” that linger in the stone-walled basement.
Conclusion: A Paranormal Pilgrimage Awaits
For those seeking the shadows of the past, the Pirates’ House in Savannah is more than just a historic landmark; it’s a living canvas stained with tales of tragedy, revelry, and mystery. Its centuries-old walls have seen everything from colonial gardeners and naval mutinies to legends of buried treasure and ghostly figures that refuse to fade.
Ghost hunters, grab your gear—EMF detectors, spirit boxes, infrared cameras—and book a table or tour at the Pirates’ House. Whether you’re drawn by lore or the lure of the unknown, one thing is certain: You won’t leave without a story. It may just be one whispered in your ear by something—or someone—you can’t see.
So next time your travels take you to Savannah, remember: the ghosts at the Pirates’ House are always ready to welcome another curious soul. Are you brave enough to meet them?