The Sparetime — Photo courtesy of The Sparetime has an excellent selection of old world wines, craft beers and innovative cocktails.
Occupying a prime spot on the corner of West Congress Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, The Sparetime is the go-to bar for Savannahians in the know. Proprietor Clara Fishel, one of the owners of Café Metropole, a popular Downtown eatery that closed its doors a decade ago, opened The Sparetime in early 2012 and immediately drew a crowd of her former patrons.
The space itself is a gorgeous mix of old and new, with standout features including a stunning center bar made from reclaimed wood and a glassed-in façade that brings the outside in. The inventive drink menu features a lovely selection of old world wines and craft beers, but it's the self-described “alchemic cocktails” that get the most attention. From Cuba Libre, a concoction featuring Cruzan amber rum, lime juice and authentic Mexican Coca-Cola, to Mingling with Outsiders, a cocktail that combines bourbon, Fernet Branca (an Italian aromatic spirit), ginger-peach puree and ginger beer, you can’t leave The Sparetime without trying something new.
Most bars don’t get high marks for their food, but The Sparetime has consistently been hailed for its Neapolitan-style pizzas. The 10-inch pies may be the best in town and boast innovative toppings such as arugula, prosciutto and basil-fennel pesto. The Sparetime’s food menu also features a few small bites, among them a cheese plate with dried fruits and nuts that's the perfect accompaniment to the bar’s unique cocktails.
