Nov 7, 2024

The Pirate’s House restaurant

The Pirate’s House restaurant in Savannah, Georgia, is not only famous for its delicious Southern cuisine and charming atmosphere, but also for its spine-chilling reputation as one of the most haunted places in the city.
WRITTEN BY
James Sutton

stablished in 1753, the restaurant is housed in one of Savannah’s oldest buildings, and its long, storied history is intertwined with both the lively adventures of pirates and sailors, as well as a dark legacy of mystery, death, and restless spirits. For over two centuries, The Pirate’s House has served as a hub for travelers, but it has also become a place where the past—both historical and supernatural—has refused to stay buried.

A Rich and Haunted History

The building that houses The Pirate’s House was originally built as an inn to accommodate sailors and pirates who frequented Savannah’s bustling port in the 18th century. It’s believed that the structure was used as a boarding house for pirates, where they would stay and drink before setting sail or returning from sea. The inn became a notorious stop for sailors who were looking to spend their earnings on alcohol and revelry—and it was not uncommon for some of them to disappear, often to be dragged off to sea under dubious circumstances. According to legend, the building’s “Pirate’s Den” was a popular meeting place where pirates would gather and plot their nefarious deeds, including the “shanghaiing” of unsuspecting men, forcing them into service aboard pirate ships.

Over time, the building evolved from its humble beginnings into a well-known restaurant and tavern, but its dark and turbulent past continues to haunt the establishment to this day. Numerous reports of strange occurrences and ghostly apparitions have made The Pirate’s House one of the most famous haunted locations in Savannah, a city already notorious for its paranormal activity.

The Ghosts of The Pirate’s House

The Pirate’s House restaurant is said to be home to several spirits, some of whom may have been regular patrons of the tavern during its pirate-infested days, while others may be the restless souls of those who met untimely deaths within the building’s walls. One of the most commonly reported apparitions is that of a pirate ghost, often seen wearing a traditional pirate outfit complete with a tricorn hat and eyepatch. This spectral figure is usually spotted in the oldest part of the restaurant, near the Captain’s Room or the Pirate’s Den, where sailors and pirates are believed to have gathered. Some patrons have reported feeling a sudden chill or hearing the sound of faint footsteps behind them, only to turn around and find no one there.

One of the most famous ghost stories at The Pirate’s House involves a young boy who is believed to have been tragically lost in the building’s cellar or beneath the floorboards many years ago. The child’s spirit is said to roam the restaurant, particularly in the basement, where he is often heard running, giggling, or crying. Several employees and guests have reported hearing the sounds of small footsteps or the voice of a child, sometimes accompanied by the sensation of being watched by an unseen presence. Some even claim to have caught glimpses of a young, shadowy figure darting between the shadows, just out of reach.

Another popular ghostly presence is that of a female spirit who is said to haunt the restaurant’s dining rooms. She is often described as a woman dressed in an old-fashioned gown, appearing near the windows or silently gliding through the dining area. Some believe she may be the ghost of a woman who was involved in a tragic love affair with one of the pirates, while others speculate that she could be the ghost of a sailor’s wife or lover who waited for her man to return from sea, only to die heartbroken.

Perhaps one of the most terrifying phenomena reported at The Pirate’s House is the sensation of being touched by invisible hands. Many guests and staff members have reported feeling their clothing tugged, their shoulders nudged, or even feeling the brush of a hand on their back while walking through the dining areas. Others claim that glasses and silverware have moved or shifted on tables, despite no one being nearby to cause the disturbance.

Paranormal Investigations

The Pirate’s House has long been a favorite location for ghost hunters and paranormal investigators. The restaurant has been featured on numerous paranormal television shows, including the popular Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures, where the ghostly activity was thoroughly documented. During investigations, experts have captured EVPs (electronic voice phenomena), including the sounds of disembodied voices, and photographs of unexplained orbs and shadowy figures. Many ghost hunters believe that the hotel’s long history of pirates, criminal activity, and the rough lifestyle of its sailors have contributed to the spirits that still haunt the building today.

Visiting The Pirate’s House

Today, The Pirate’s House is a bustling restaurant serving Southern fare, including dishes like shrimp and grits, fried chicken, and crab cakes. Visitors can dine in the historic rooms of the restaurant and explore the very rooms where pirates and sailors once drank and plotted their next moves. The restaurant even offers ghost tours of the premises, where guests can learn about its history while experiencing its eerie atmosphere firsthand.

For those interested in visiting, The Pirate’s House is located at 20 E Broad St, Savannah, Georgia, and it remains a popular spot for both tourists and locals. Whether you’re in town for the food, the history, or the paranormal intrigue, The Pirate’s House promises a memorable—and perhaps otherworldly—experience. For those brave enough to venture into the haunted corners of the restaurant, the spirits of the past may still have a few stories left to tell.