45 Bistro Makes it Official: They Will Close at Years End

It’s official, and for a lot of Savannah, this one is going to sting: 45 Bistro will leave its home at the Marshall House at the end of this year, with a final day of service on December 31st. Where it goes from here, if anywhere, remains TBA.

In a statement posted to social media, the 45 Bistro team confirmed the move. They explained that the Marshall House’s longtime, much-loved owners are moving on, and that the incoming ownership will be reimagining the space in 2027. Adding to the moment, Sandy, the face of 45 Bistro for so many years, is going to take some time to consider any options going forward. The message, signed by Sandy, Laura, and the 45 Bistro staff, was gracious even in a hard moment, thanking the guests who made the restaurant their “go-to place” for exceptional food, libations, and service.

Back on June 1st, we shared the news that The Marshall House Hotel itself had been sold. At the time, we were told the restaurant’s future was genuinely up in the air. That sounded promising, but there was a sense that the hotel’s new owners would be moving in a different direction. How so? The management group in charge is The Indigo Hospitality Group. Owners of Oak Steakhouses in Charleston, Nashville and now Athens, Georgia (photo below). The group sports a portfolio more than 3 dozen F&B establishments largely across the South, with others in development. Whatever is planned for the space at The Marshall House will be magnificent. So while today’s announcement isn’t a total surprise, knowing it was coming doesn’t make it any easier to hear now that it’s real.

The good news for Savannah is in the announcement as well. This isn’t necessarily the end of 45 Bistro, just the end of this chapter at this address. The team says they’re hopeful the restaurant will live on somewhere else in Savannah, with more details to come in the months ahead. And if that happens, it wouldn’t even be the first time 45 Bistro has packed up and moved on.

45 Bistro began in the mid-80’s as “45 South” at 45 Eisenhower Drive in Savannah at the Best Western Hotel. The man who put it together was Sandy Hollander. The name came from the address. After a brief planned stint on Congress Street in the late ’80s, the fine-dining concept transitioned to the historic East Broad Street corridor. It was housed inside Savannah’s legendary and historic The Pirates’ House complex, where it brought an elevated, multi-room fine dining experience to downtown locals and tourists.

In 2001, Sandy moved his restaurant to his current location at The Marshall House Hotel, rebranding as 45 Bistro, the restaurant expanded into a comprehensive fine-dining venue and lounge, carrying over the culinary traditions, ownership, and signature menu items from its original Southside days.

The one constant? Savannah has been fiercely loyal to Sandy and his hospitality since day one. An honor he has earned and, frankly, he can take as much time as he needs to decide what comes next.

Forty-five years, across three locations, is a lifetime in this industry, and a lot of Savannahians have their own memories tied to that name, wherever it’s been. If you’re feeling a genuine pang about this news, that’s a fair response to have. The team is also planning a special New Year’s Eve celebration at the Marshall House before they go, one last chance to raise a glass in that room.

So we still have time to eat, drink and be merry. Sandy, Laura and their team will be very happy to see you. The guess here is weekend reservations are going to start filling up for the rest of the year.

We will certainly keep you posted on their plans for the future.

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