Beneath the landmark Municipal Grand hotel, a new chapter in Savannah’s cocktail story unfolds. The Hot Eye opened this weekend. An intimate, late-night bar accessed through a discreet laneway entrance and a porthole door that offers just a glimpse of the dimly lit revelry within.

Designed by Municipal Grand design partner AAmp Studio as a deliberate contrast to the bright sweep of the hotel above, The Hot Eye envelops guests in a sultry atmosphere of walnut wood, oxblood leather, glossy finishes, and black tile. Deep red walls, smoky mirrors, and an art-lined interior create a space that feels equal parts lounge and escape. Lighting and sound are tuned to set the mood for an evening of connection, discovery, and a touch of disarray.

The bar program, led by Head Bartender Alexis Cooper, is concise yet dynamic: a mix of inventive cocktails (priced from $12 to $17), refreshing highballs, a smart wine list, and a section of playful shooters. Standouts include Crushed Vice, a Tequila Mai Tai variation with corn and pasilla chiles that balances smoky, savory notes with bright seasonal energy. Classic highballs offer a sessionable counterpoint, designed for easy sipping. And for those who don’t want the night to end, the menu even features a sly add-on: “The Hot Eye Afters” — the option to tack on a room upstairs, M.P. (discounted, of course), turning one more round into a sleepover.

With room for about 50 guests across barstools, booths, and tables, The Hot Eye is built for intimacy: a black slate bar at the center flanked by serpentine banquettes, and just enough space for guests to slip out of their seats and find a spot to dance.

Guests of Municipal Grand may also stumble upon a surprise: a single key hidden somewhere within the hotel’s 44 rooms. Those lucky enough to find one can unlock a special experience downstairs at The Hot Eye, where it can be traded in for a round of drinks — a wink to the bar’s mischievous edge, and an after-hours ritual for those in the know.

The Hot Eye is the newest addition to Municipal Grand, which opened in July and is steadily shaping its place in Savannah as a destination for both locals and travelers. Tucked beneath its grandeur lies a bar designed for a rhythm all its own — close, boisterous, and buzzing with the kind of energy that belongs to the late hours.

“The Hot Eye may live under Municipal Grand, but it isn’t just the hotel’s bar,” says Head Bartender, Alexis Cooper. “It’s meant to be  a place for Savannah — for the SCAD community, for industry friends, for anyone looking for an offbeat spot that feels a little electric and alive.”

The bar is first come, first served, with no reservations or waitlist. Hours of operation are Thursday through Sunday, 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. The Hot Eye is located at 45 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA, accessible via a private alley entrance directly across Abercorn Street from the Lucas Theatre.

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