The fish poboy and Bernie's Special were perfect. The grilled chicken salad was slightly above average. The coleslaw was amazing! The ambiance was nice, too. It's a quaint, dark, brick-walled room with loud, New Orleans-esque music playing. To me, this is the ideal place on River St. It beats the heck out of the white, linen tablecloth type places. The service, on the other hand, was terrible. He was more interested in watching a football game than to seat customers, take our order, bring us napkins, or refill our waters. I rarely tip less than 20%, and this guy got 12%.
(3)
Joshua M.
Let's just say the waitress had no idea what to do because we had to ask for refills and everything else. The place was unorganized and needs a hostess at the door. It took 30 minutes to make a bowl of crappy coleslaw, BBQ, and the worst po boy I've ever had in my life. Then, she spilled water all over the table. You live and you learn, but do not go here if you expect something great.
(1)
Vang H.
Even though there is nothing special about this place, I always find myself wanting to go back for their bucket of oysters + pitcher of beer for $20 special. The oysters are not flavorful and are average at best but served with lemon, crackers and cheap beer... it washes down quite well. The attraction for me here is a great place to sit with friends and enjoy the experience of working for your meal :)
(3)
Denise B.
Delicious shrimp boil and fish tacos. Like the atmosphere and good customer service. Wish they weren't out of hush puppies (along with a handful of other menu items).
(4)
Bria D.
Bernie's is something short of a good time. To be fair, I say this because the Bernie's crowd is simply not my scene. The bar doesn't misrepresent itself: what you expect is pretty much exactly what you get. I had gorged myself on 25cent oysters during Happy Hour in the past, so swung by to get my bivalve on during this most recent trip to Savannah. As I was there latenight, the oysters were all of $10.95/dozen, so still completely affordable. Bonus: a couple of the oysters had stowaways and the shucker had helpfully opened those as well, including one scallop--well, I think that was a scallop. There were 3 other patrons in the bar when we got there, all of whom were deeply engrossed in Monday Night Football. Of course. There was lots of hootin' and hollerin' and general purpose celebration that made little sense. We quickly scampered away for more chill pastures. The bottom line: come for the oysters. Leave as soon as you're done.
(3)
Chris W.
Great place to come from the heat on River Street. Grab a cold brew and some oysters. Steamed were awesome. Small hole in the wall. Great service with a smile.
(4)
Alex F.
I love this place. I make a point to stop here every time I am in Savannah for a bucket of oysters and a cold beer. Recently I tried the low country boil and was not dissapointed.
(5)
Lena F.
This is a fun place to eat on River Street. We had raw oysters and they didn't disappoint. You can order on the half shell or get a full bucket to shuck yourself. No thanks. You have to know what you are doing. I saw a "Bro" slice his hand really bad. Like really. The place was super busy, but our service never slacked and our beer never ran dry. We came for the oysters, but we also split a fish Po-Boy. I wish we hadn't. It was very average and not worth the price. Stick to the oyster and beer. Loud music and fun will ensue.
(4)
Nancy R.
Bernie's is located right on River Street. It's a small, quaint but cozy place. Everybody was eating their raw oysters, but I chose something else. FOOD: I had their fried oyster po'boy sandwich with fries for 9.75. It was very tasty and good. BAD: service. TIP: It's a good place after a night of drinking.
(4)
Ryan E.
Great food, cheap price, and extremely friendly staff!! The beer was really good too, will definitely go back if I am every in Savannah!!
(5)
Lisa R.
Terrific oysters and super friendly staff.
(4)
Maxine C.
Went here last Saturday night with L and her mom and aunt. I ordered the bread and hot cheese because I only ever see that on menus in Savannah. L had the fish tacos which looked really good, I had the Low Country Boil with just shrimp, aunt had LCB with shrimp and crawfish and L's mom had a platter of fried. My LCB was really really good and a HUGE portion. I'd eat there again.
(4)
Brandon G.
Ok I do not give many 5 star reviews. I think this is only my second. But, if you know what you are walking into, there is no reason to not give it 5 stars!!! This was my second time at Bernie's. First was with my wife and kiddo last year and this time was with just my wife on our weekend trip. I will almost combine both reviews into one. The place is great. It is a dive that is for sure. Sure it might seem dirty and dark but hey, it is a basement bar on river street no the posh gentleman's club at the Weston! First time I came I had the crawfish boil and a dozen oysters and both were great. This time I got the buck of shuck 'em yourself. I was told that there were 2-3 dozen in the bucket but I had just under two dozen. Still does not warrant taking a star off. The oysters were huge. Seriously, I am very picky about my seafood and freshness. These things were MASSIVE with some of them being bigger than the size of my hand. I had trouble finding a few small enough for my wife to eat. My wife had the fish and chips. She said the hushpuppies were good and the fish was ok. Or something like that. I really could not hear here through the blissful thoughts that were running through my head. Twice now with good food at an OK price has make this a spot that I will be sure to come back to if/when we come back to Savannah!!!
(5)
W T.
Typical bar food. Nothing spectacular. I wouldn't go outta my way to go back but if I was in the area, perhaps. The oyster was a bit room temperature for my taste. Could have been colder.
(3)
James H.
Stopped in with a large group for a friend's birthday. The size of our group necessitated a bit of a wait, but the staff expedited that process as best they could. We grabbed drinks and walked back outside. The menu has all the standard seafood fare you'd expect, but we couldn't pass up the beer and bucket of oysters special that day. Service was polite and attentive. I'll be back. No question about it.
(4)
Loren S.
What a GREAT place! A hole-in-the-wall dive, it truly is, but friendly, inviting, and unpretentious. The kind of place where "everybody WOULD know my name", if only I lived close enough to go more often. Alas, only on vacation. The steamed shrimp and oysters are the best I ever ate. Add cold draft beer, hush puppies, and cole slaw, and ... well... it's just heaven on earth. A special thanks to the friendly and helpful waitress who took the time to show me how to eat crawfish properly. She must have had 50 customers, but she took a moment for me like I was the only one in the place. Thanks!
(5)
Ally S.
Like someone said on this post earlier "oyster orgy" lol. Big and juicy oysters lol. I also had the oyster taco. They were delicious . They were great on service
(5)
Danie J.
Great raw oysters on the half shell from LA...can't beat that on hot summer day! Kid friendly and you get to write on the walls if you ask for a piece of chalk... local breweries out of the tap and good friendly service!
(4)
Jennifer M.
Peggy..the bartender with spice. Revel with a cause to cure your hunger and thirst. She's phenomenal and the food and drink and atmosphere is all you want from a bar without fluff but straight down to earth personality. Go. Get yourself there.
(5)
Dan P.
The positive reviews for this place are correct. My wife wasn't sure she was going to like the raw oysters so we started out with half dozen. They were so good she wanted more so we ordered six more plus steamed crawfish and shrimp. The oysters came with horseradish and cocktail sauce but really didn't need either. They were delicious just with lemon. My one complaint was that the oysters were not shucked to my preference. Whoever did the shucking left the oysters connected to the shell at the muscle. Maybe that's how it's done here, maybe not. I would prefer not to have to scrape through the oyster with a plastic fork to detach it from the shell. The shrimp and crawfish were well seasoned, probably with paprika and salt. Beer was a vital accompaniment to the steamed crustaceans. I'm not sure I was eating the crawfish right, but they were good. I drank bud lite and the wife had the draft cider. It was good, but one was her limit due to the sweetness. Service was good. Server was responsive and friendly. This is the first time I have been to savannah since 1991. If I come back again, I will be going here for my raw oysters and beer.
(4)
Thracius L.
Came here for oysters and they were meh. The shells were still muddy, like they hadn't been rinsed, and the oysters were unusually hard to shuck, probably because they were all still stuck together in clumps. Maybe people in these parts don't typically eat raw oysters or maybe the oysters at this establishment aren't representative of local oysters, but it wasn't a great experience. Or maybe it's just geography: just a month ago my wife and I were eating the best raw oysters we've ever had in Vancouver. Maybe they're just not as good down south. Oh well. Service was nice and the local beers were good. Might come back, but not for the oysters.
(2)
Jenny D.
We only had drinks but my Peach daiquiri was so delicious I thought it was worthy of a review. First of all this is a dive and I would not think to get a frozen cocktail from a place like this. But It's August in savannah and I really needed to cool down. Well this taught me a lesson to not judge a book by its cover. The daiquiri was fresh..not made from a frozen mix machine. I also had a taste of a tiny chunk of peach. Try it yourself...you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Justin B.
Wow!! About the best place we have ate in Savannah. We all had po'boys which were amazing but their raw oysters looked delicious. The also had good music playing and the TV's were on as well. Might have to make another stop here before we head out of town. GREAT PLACE!!
(5)
Kristin V.
Four stars only because we only had some stuff at the bar. John the bartender was a super friendly bartender and showed us true southern hospitality, super personable. Definitely recommend the sangria (house made with cinnamon, unique but still refreshing.) And the Bloody Mary (also house made.) had some oysters, raw and fresh. Don't know much about any more but if your looking for atmosphere, drinks, and seafood this is a must try.
(4)
Kristi B.
Excellent bloody Mary's!!!! I haven't had their oysters but everyone in our group loved them.
(4)
Katherine I.
This is a relatively laid back place on River Street. The husband and I had a few drinks and seafood here. The raw oysters were from New Orleans and were huge and tasty. We also had some boiled crawfish which were seasoned well. People were scarfing buckets of steamed oysters, although we didn't have any. They have televisions playing sports and a full bar, if that's your thing in addition to the fresh seafood.
(4)
Melissa B.
We visited on 7/24/15 and had boiled shrimp and a side of new potatoes. The shrimp were really good although I prefer them spicier. The new potatoes were amazing. They were pan seared with great flavor and a little crispy on the outside. Wendy was our waiter and very nice.
(4)
Morgan H.
Friendly bartender, fast service, and the raw oysters are the best and most inexpensive in Savannah...a no fail!
(4)
Lisa S.
Beer selection could be better volume wise but the oysters were fresh and great!!! Service was solid at the bar. Bar is really high tho lol!
(4)
Jessica L.
If you love oysters, you should check out Bernie's. The raw oysters were big and fresh! The fried oysters were also excellent. Nothing better than fresh oysters and an ice cold beer! Highly recommend!!
(5)
luiza o.
Omg !!!!! That's all!! The food is amazing soooooooo fresh!!!! Captain something sooooooo good
(5)
Zach G.
I could see this being a good place for a drink later at night, but not much else. I rolled in for a non-drinking dinner and was not impressed. I sat at the bar and did receive good service, but not great service. My Coke refill took forever, but aside from that everything was fine on the service side. Food wise, it was a disappointment. My shrimp po'boy was mediocre - the shrimp were not all that flavorful, and the bread tasted pretty cheap. The fries were generic at best. All very forgettable. Wish I had not wasted one of my few Savannah dinners here.
It was okay! Bar-style food, mostly fried. Not many healthy options. Laid back, very tiny. Not really fit for large groups.
(3)
Holly C.
Stopped by for some raw oysters. We ended up getting two dozen raw oysters and their seafood platter. Both were a bit disappointing in quality and quantity. The service was very friendly and fast. Overall, it wasn't a bad experience, and I would come again to try other menu items.
(3)
Jillian A.
Bernie's was on my itinerary for our day trip to Savannah on the way to Hilton Head Island, SC. I was drawn to it based on my research because it's as divey as they get with what is suppose to be good food. Needless to say, this is just what the Doctor ordered after a long day of driving. We arrived on a Sunday at 11:00 am. If anyone is familiar in the drinking laws in Georgia, you cannot buy alcohol or beer before 12:30 on a Sunday. I'm on vacation, I want a beer. At no fault of Bernie's we walked around for about an hour and half up and down River St until it was time. When 12:30 passed we walked through the threshold of Bernie's and it was seat yourself. We parked ourselves and were immediately greeted by a server. I ordered a local microbrew and my husband a Yuengling. Took a sip and relished in the fact that I'm finally on vacation. Once we were done reviewing the menu I wanted to start my seafood rampage with the best way to eat seafood by ordering the Low Country Boil, 1/2 shrimp 1/2 crawfish. My husband ordered the crab cakes, which seemed like he regretted once he saw what I ordered. This was my first experience with eating a seafood boil. Piece by piece I dismantled every shrimp and crawfish in the most barbaric means possible. The server was nice enough to show me the easiest way to enjoy my meal, including sucking on the heads of the crawfish. It sounds crazy, but it's the most delicious part. Not to mention every piece of seafood I ate was fresh. Word to the wise, if you order the Low Country Boil, make sure you're with someone who can help you finish it. My husband obliged to assist me after finishing his crab cakes. The crab cakes, although delicious, are not what you want to get when you visit Bernie's. This will not be the last time we will find ourselves in Savannah. Rest assure I'll be back at Bernie's again, but I think I'll conquer the oysters next.
(4)
Jose H.
Our server Courtney made our food decisions for us! She did an amazing job. For drinks we had Bernies local beer and the homemade Bloody Mary, both excellent choices. For a "snack" we had stuffed shrimp, hush puppiesn and Raw oysters on a half shell. The atmosphere was great small place but not too small. I recommend this place for a quick drink and apps.
(5)
Ching H.
Love the low country boil. For $18 you get 1/2 lb of shrimp or crawfish or both, corn on the cob, red potatoes, smoked sausages and slaw. Accompanied by sweet cocktail sauce and melted hot butter. At first when I saw the plate, I thought portion was little but as I kept on eating, portion was just right. I love the freshness and taste of it. Only downside, it could've used more seasoning on shrimp, potatoes, and especially on the sausages. Plus, cole slaw was bit too sweet. My friend had the same thing plus a dozen oysters. I don't eat oysters so can't really review on it but my friend enjoyed it. She ordered side order of hush puppies (4pcs) for $2. They had corn inside and it was delicious. Service was very friendly and attentive. Overall, this restaurant gets a 4.5 stars. I will definitely come back next time I visit Savannah.
(5)
Sierra L.
Service was good, but food not so much. Seafood wasn't flavorful. Oysters were dirty and not tasty! Also a bit of a party place, it's pretty loud in there.
(2)
Cheryl S.
Peggie was a great server and bartender had a great lunch. I would deathly come back here in the future.
(4)
Tim B.
Don't waste your time!! Visited with three people on Thursday Jan 29, 2015 for lunch. Sat down and was greeted and given menus. Then didn't see the wait person for over 10 min. So we left. Tried again the next day and experienced the same bad service!! Obviously we never got to sample the food!
(1)
Bonneil K.
Oysters were very good. The Seafood Platter was sub par. Good place to hop in for a drink or two.
(3)
Erin V.
After being in Savannah for about an hour, my boyfriend and I ended up in Bernie's with a bucket of oysters to shuck and pints of cold beer. While it was a return trip for my boyfriend both for Bernie's and shucking oysters, it was my first time for both. Peggy the bartender was great at helping me get started with my shucking skills. The oysters were fantastic and I turned into quite the "shucker". At $25 for the bucket, we had about 2-3 dozen oysters. We actually made a stop at Bernie's a couple of other evenings for drinks and to say hi to Roy. We will definitely make a return trip to Bernie's when we are back in Savannah. Bernie's is a great way to start a trip in Savannah.
(4)
Randi H.
Good oysters but I left smelling like greesy fried fair food. Compared to what I had for dinner (Gribaldi's)...I should have stayed at Bernies and had fair food.
(2)
Meagan S.
We stop for a quick lunch for our friends bachelorette party because of their advertising about homemade bloody Mary's. We order four bloody Mary's and were told they did not have enough mix which happens that fine but the waitress was quite rude about the whole thing. When we asked for other opinions the waitress was "not sure " about the beers they had or the prices. Then it just went down hill from there. The food took quite some time to come out. Once the food arrived the raw and fried oysters where great but the shrimp po boy was horrible! When we asked for the check since our friends eyes where burning from something in the restaurant the waitress was rude again. Once we got the the checks she asked if there was anything else we needed we said no. She then proceeded to huff and puff and roll her eyes at us I would not go back because the waitress alone.
(2)
paula w.
Little dive bar atmosphere but wonderful food and service. The fried oyster basket was huge and so good! Crispy tots and sweet hush puppies were tasty! Plastic utensils and cups, but worth it! Oh, and try the crab bisque with sherry, so rich and creamy!
(5)
Jeremy G.
Cold beer a plus. Oysters were mediocre. Crawfish was bad (steamed with old bay?!?!). Would not recommend for anything other than drinking.
(2)
Edward R.
A serious shot,beer and raw bar dive. Bernie's is the type of place you bring the big,hungry Gal with the neck tattoos you just met on the Grayhound bus from Jacksonville to for adult beverages,Po boys and a bucket of "shuck your own oysters". It's dank,dark and rowdy but the food is good,the beer is cold and the patient waitresses pass no judgments on your choice of dining or drinking companions. Tip well folks as these are the type of folks that would bury a body for you and still turn out a deep,rich bisque with just a hint of sherry.
(3)
Lindsey H.
I can't believe this place has such high reviews. First off, my husband and I sat down and it took almost half an hour to be greeted and drink order taken. We were finally greeted and were ready to place order...since we had waited almost 30 mins...we had ample time to figure out what we wanted. We ordered. Then waited... And waited... And wAited. Finally another 45 minutes went by and we received our warm raw oysters and cold fried fish. Still praying I don't get food poisoning. DONT EAT HERE. I still don't understand how they got good reviews. THEY ARE HORRIBLE. Just go somewhere else, anywhere. Not to mention they forgot to bring out half of the meal. It's just a bad place overall. I highly doubt anyone that gives the place high reviews.
(1)
Shaggy S.
This place has a very local feel. You are at an oyster bar! We had a very good bartender here, her name is Ashley! She knew the menu as well as any bartender should and had personality. We had crawfish for the second time and it was awesome! She taught us a few tips and they turned out great! This place all in all deserves a visit. The staff is courteous the food is really good and the atmosphere sets it off!
(5)
Donna S.
Bernie's is our first stop whenever we go to Savannah. Originally for the oysters, but now for the fun. It must be Kismet, because the same chairs at the bar are available each time we visit. We stay for a few hours and people come and go, all with a great story and a laugh. The music is rock band, but played softly to not interrupt conversation. What is the primary reason for our returning over and over again? Peggy the bartender. Peggy is a joy to talk to and knows how to mix any drink you can think of. She never stops moving and draws out even the most shy customers. She is Bernie's star asset. We will always return to Bernie's for the oysters, but we'll return more often for a visit with Peggy.
(5)
Susan L.
Horrible service, rude and nasty. Sat for 20 mins at the bar waiting for a table and was completely ignored by both bartenders. We were a party of 6 , no acknowledgment and filthy plates left in front of us. When we asked if we could place an order, the snarky bartender/ server said "I'd love to but you're gonna have to wait." We left and spent our money at Cotton Gin. Super friendly, fast service and good food.
(1)
Shelley H.
Meh. I guess the signs reading RAW OYSTERS & OYSTER HAPPY HOUR posted all over the walls should have tipped us off that they don't pride themselves on much else. Beer was cold, that's the best compliment I can give this place. The service was slow, although the place was packed because it was Christmas Day and there was only one other place open serving food on River Street. My hubby got the shrimp basket with fries & cole slaw. There were 17 in the basket & they were cooked properly, but very salty. The fries were good, crisp, hot, but the coleslaw was sour & not very cold. I had the grouper tacos. Eh. I've made better at home from frozen fish sticks! A flour tortilla with 3 little over-fried pieces of alleged grouper (though it wasn't very fresh tasting if so). Maybe I'm spoiled because I'm from Florida and I've eaten A LOT of fish tacos. All different... ALL better than Bernie's version. We won't make a point to visit again. We are in Savannah a few times a year and stay on River Street at least twice a year & have only wandered in here once, late night & for a beer. I don't think we'll be seeking them out again for anything but oysters. (Should have saved our money & eaten the turkey/bacon sandwiches I brought from the house)!
(2)
Liz O.
Not bad if you can find a place to sit and eat! This place isn't very big but they are very busy! They offer crawfish but you'll have to season it yourself. Don't look for Cajun here it's either raw, steamed, boiled or fried.
(4)
DeeJay P.
Food is mediocre, place smells of old grease (so much that your clothes and hair will reek by the time you leave,) nighttime bartender is a psycho. I've personally seen him on two occasions cuss out patrons who didn't leave at the end of the night quickly enough-- completely unprofessional. Waitresses do NOT stay here... so service is mediocre, as well. It's just not good. Floor is always sticky and disgusting; there's always slimy mold around the ladies' bathroom sink spigot. Gross.
(1)
Brian B.
Great oysters had a bucket steamed must have been close to 4 dozen plump fresh tasty and steamed lightly. We also had a basket of there hush puppies server was great this place is a throw back to the old days of oyster bars. G rest food and service
(5)
Caroline M.
So, it's a "dive bar" filled with families, and screaming children, in the middle of the tourist district. "That sounds like an awesome concept!" said no one ever. Food is mediocre at best. Tried the Lowcountry Boil with crawfish and shrimp. Shrimp were decent, crawfish were TERRIBLE (and I've had good crawfish, so I know the difference). Do yourself a favor and go to a bar that's not packed with the 6-year-old and under crowd at 10pm. Beer was cold. So that's a plus.
(1)
Danielle D.
Solid meal. Had fried oysters for app and shrimp po boy. Cheese fries were good. Service was excellent and food came out fast. Breading on shrimp and oysters was tasty.
(3)
Christina K.
This is really a hole in the wall, and not in a good way either. Like a previous post, there is no sign to seat yourself and when we entered, the 2 waitresses were busy with other customers and didn't even look up, until after 5 minutes one them shouts out: it's seat yourself. er.. ok... We found a table and found the place really dirty. Not like, someone forgot to sweep up last night, but rather it seemed like years of neglect as evident of the sticky table and chairs. i didn't even want to touch the menu! I decided on an oyster po-boy and SO decided on the advertised low country boil. The waitress could have been more attentive, but the poor girl was kidnapped and held hostage by a drunk customer behind me who insisted on telling her 50 million times that he wanted 2 containers of cocktail sauce and 1 container of tartar. The food was gross. My oysters were plump yes, but had no flavor. In fact, I can't even remember what this sandwich tasted like. SO's low country boil was nothing more than a handful of shrimp, corn on the cob and some potatoes cut in half. It wasn't spicy or seasoned and tasted god awful. I don't understand the rave reviews.
(1)
Mike F.
Worst service you can experience, girl did not even care about any of her tables. No management to wasch over things. Food was basic fast food, fun foods etc..
(2)
Steve M.
Just finished lunch at Bernie's. Excellent BBQ sandwich at a very good price. Will remember this bar next time in Savannah. Top service by Julie.
(4)
Doug S.
Oysters any way you want them and friendly service. I've been a couple times and will return when I'm feeling oysters. Ask for Roy at the bar, excellent service from a fine gentlemen. He'll also tell you other bars to check out if you're just visiting Savannah.
(5)
Eric T.
Great little dive bar/ restaurant. A lot of fried seafood and the shrimp wasn't de-veined but that's my only complaint. The waitress was fantastic. Didn't even write down our order and remember 4 different meals and our drinks. Food was really good. Had the crap cake platter which is only 2 crab cakes. I got tator tots and cole slaw as my side and ended up filling up on those and my beer so I didn't finish both crab cakes. They had Yuengling and a handful of other beers on draft. Can't wait to try some other restaurants on River street to compare but won't hesitate going back to this one.
(4)
Lauren L.
My second favorite bar in Savannah. The karaoke night was so much fun! I sang a song, attempted to rap baby got back & had a blast! The people at the bar had a great energy and were a lot of fun. The guy manages the karaoke backed it up for me while I was rapping which was a bonus! I guess I am a dive bar girl at heart and I give this place my stamp of approval.
(5)
Brian M.
It's dive, and a great dive at that. Wish it wasn't along the touristy waterfront so it would be more of a "find" but at the same time, what a welcome relief to discover such a great place among the other tourist traps on River St. We went for the oysters upon a recommendation of our hostess at our B & B. Part of me really wanted to buy the bucket and open them myself but I really didn't want to smell like oysters for the rest of the evening so we had ours on the half shell. Now I've always been a snob with oysters preferring the smaller, cold-water oysters from up north (either coast). I couldn't imagine these things that were the size of a small child's fist having any taste. I was wrong. These local gulf oysters were as sweet and succulent as anything I've tasted from ME or WA state. And $13 for a dozen! By NY prices, that's practically giving them away. I don't know if there was any champagne on the menu but they were great with a 420 draft and my wife's chardonnay. Escape from the roving middle-aged men in pastel shorts and women in flowery blouses and come in for some good music and a great time.
(4)
Elizabeth W.
Great place for fresh raw oysters and a Bloody Mary! Friendly staff, dive-y atmosphere, and decent pricing for what you get. Me and my husband spent $40 for two drinks, a dozen oysters, and a basket of shrimp. If you can't make it out to Tybee for seafood, this is a great substitute.
(4)
Gao Y.
A bartender recommend this place. It was a nice little joint. Waitress was nice and attentive. I got the shrimp broil. It was really bland. I'm from MN and the broil we have cost less and is so much more flavorful! I was disappointed!
(2)
Sandy K.
Came here for happy hour after walking around river street on a Thursday evening. Bernie's is located right on the river and has a offers HH Monday through Thursday. Bernie's is quite small and I can imagine this place gets packed late evening and they open until 3:00am Friday's and Saturday's! I'm a raw oyster fan and they had dozen for $6.00 and domestic beers for $2.00 by the cup. The oysters were decent for the price how can ya go wrong? After a couple of dozens and a few beers it was time to move on. Our waitress was super nice and friendly and I recommend Bernie's for HH for sure.
(4)
Kevin J.
On our Savannah vacation I was determined to eat seafood. A lot. And fried oysters were high on the list. I know...not the most healthy of choices but I was on vacation ok? Bernie's was recommended by our hotel. As others have mentioned IT IS basically a dive bar with food, but I like a good dive bar once in awhile, and this one didn't disappoint. We sat at the bar and were served by Roy the bartender. Roy pours a very generous drink, is personable, very good with the service, and they had the best fried oysters I've ever had, seriously. Great dinner, good drinks, a lot of laughter and a final tab of about 40 bucks. It's a five-star kind for place for me.
(5)
Russ H.
Eating peel and eat shrimp coated with cayenne shrimp boil its great. Getting ready for shuck your own oysters. Good choice when in Savannah.
(3)
Erika S.
Dive bar. Dont expect anything more. Bloody mary was good. Steamed oysters were good. Buffalo fried oysters were good. DO NOT GET CHILI CHEESE FRIES literally just hormel chili and white american cheese. They have angry orchard that was dope..... We went during the day might be cool at night.
(3)
Rose C.
I drive from Atlanta to Savannah just to get the bucket of shuck yourself oysters! You get so many oysters and shucking had a steep learning curve, but once I got it, it is really fun :) Oysters are so fresh and juicy (most of the time). I've gone once and had small and not as good oysters. A bucket is also really cheap! Get a beer and a bucket of oysters... SO SATISFYING.
(4)
S G.
Excellent oysters and going for the crawfish. Friendly bartenders and great music to listen to while you eat
(5)
JT M.
The definition of a great dive. Not sure if it really stands out in Savannah (may get another star if this place was anywhere in the Midwest), but surprisingly good food and good setting to relax with friends. They do have a winner with their Bloody Mary.
Tourist trap hole in the wall with mediocre food and very mediocre service (at least they warned us that if we order the craw fish we would send it back like the 5 people before us...hence their second star). The fried stuff was okay- but that is hard to get wrong and the broiled stuff was not so great. The wait staff took for ever to greet us bring us drinks or bring us the check. I would skip this place.
(2)
Annie L.
Slightly on the pricier side of things, but you really do pay for what you get. The oysters are absolutely delish...you scrape it off of the shell with the plastic knife they give you, and slurp that stuff up. Add a little horse radish, tabasco sauce, and cocktail sauce...maybe a little squirt of lemon...and you have yourself the perfect little oyster. It was like $9 for 1/2 dozen already shucked raw oysters.
(4)
Jen B.
Happy Hour Oysters- $6 a dozen!!!! Plus a decent beer selection and the cleanest bathroom on the River. Great little dive bar to stop in and get a beer to go, which we did our first night in Savannah. The next day we stopped by again just in time to score the happy hour oyster deal. (I think it was 4pm-6.) Yes, please!
(4)
Peto F.
Quick seating. Excellent fresh oysters. Cool looking place. Kid friendly. Make sure to ask about the picture of the ghost they have in there.
(5)
Terrence G.
My wife and I ate here for lunch during our trip to Savannah. Our experience was made great only by the bar tender on duty. I wish I could remember his name to give him kudos on this review. When we walked in the place was packed tight. The servers were all busy. The bartender noticed us looking around and shouted to us that there were 2 seats open at the bar. He definitely made us feel comfortable right away. We ordered raw oysters which were good. You can get a bucket of oysters and shuck them yourselves if you want, but we opted for them to shuck'em. I ordered a shrimp po'boy which wasn't the best I've had, but it did the job for a normal lunch. The bartender took care of us and it was nice seeing him treat everyone else just as well. We would definitely come back here next time we're in town only because of him.
(4)
Alex G.
Totally cool, funky "dive" joint for great oysters, steamed and fried seafood, and great drinks (the bloody mary with a pickled okra was top notch). Oysters were fresh and clean, although not as cold as I normally like. Crawfish were amazing! Highly recommended - even our six year old ate half a dozen! Buffalo shrimp maybe the best I've ever had; mini hush puppies also top notch. Skip the crab bisque. Wow- great place for honest, down home seafood. Do it!
(4)
Lorenzo P.
Oysters were good but they didn't offer the happy hour that was advertised. But overall it was a good experience.
(4)
Ian T.
Friendly service and atmosphere on the water of Savannah. A nice find amongst other generic restaurants with uninspiring menus. We had oysters, crab bisque, crab cakes and the signature Bloody Mary - all were smooth and flavourful. Liz was very friendly and attentive!
(5)
ed s.
Got my Oyster fix as the gulf seafood industry is still coming back. I had heard of the bucket/pitcher special, but unfortunatly it wasn't going on last Mon night. Not knowing that the steamy hefty pale was going to come with 2 1/2 doz+ Med size and fresh. I also got an order of hush puppies; very tasty and not too oily. Miss Mia kept the brews coming and never let me run out of fresh horseradish and cocktail sauce! 5th star added for military discount/beer and oyster specials to come back for those of us with caviar tastes on a rice&beans budget. You just can't drink domestic when they have Sweetwater 420 and Moon River on tap ;O)
(4)
Dann H.
It's not for everyone, but the fact that my wife and I were able to order a bucket of oysters and shuck them ourselves made me happier than I can truly express. The waitress was suitably impressed by our speed - I imagine they get a lot of people in there who haven't had much oyster shucking experience. I smelled like grease, the floor was sticky and it was somehow both cold and hot at the same time, but I'll go back in a second the next time I'm in Savannah just to get at another bucket of shuck 'em yourself oysters.
(5)
Richard A.
I came here one late evening with my sister and brother. We were looking for a spot that was still open at 930pm, and wasn't too expensive in comparison to the other restaurants along the river. We should have just went elsewhere to eat. I had the Bernie's Special on the menu, which was basically a stack of cold cuts between 2 slices of bread with a leaf of lettuce and a tomato. Trust me, it wasn't anything special. My sister wasn't too hungry, so she shared the Low Country Boil with my brother. It was disappointing because they had run out of crawfish and substituted some puny shrimp. Again, nothing excellent, just mediocre. Now the plus side of this experience, was that the service and staff were excellent! Especially the bartender, who allowed me a few tastes of their brews before deciding on one. I don't think I'll come back, nothing really to draw me back. I'm not big on oysters, but after this one visit, I'll risk raw shellfish elsewhere.
(2)
Robert P.
Shuck me?! Shuck you!! Bernie's is the maird, MoFos! Six dollar a dozen happy hour oysters can't be beat! Great cold beer and a very entertaining bar staff round out a must visit.
(4)
Susan M.
We loved this place! We discovered it when we took the Savannah Taste food tour and we liked it so much we came back the next day. We got there at 11 am, right after they opened. Gordon, the bartender, made us delicious Bloody Marys and we ordered a dozed steamed oysters. The Bloody Marys and the oysters were both so good that we ordered a new round of each. The place is divey/hole in the wallish, which is just our speed. Our service was great because we sat at the bar and Gordon took great care of us. He also have a great Scottish brogue and an even better sense of humor, he made me an award for being the "Best Okra Cathcher out of a Bloody Mary in the Bar". We spent a couple of hours just killing time before we meandered off. If you like oysters and beer or Bloody Marys, stop by Bernie's. I bet you will wind up killing a few hours, too.
(5)
Wendi M.
I would've never stopped by if it weren't for the foodie tour, but after the tour, we went back and ate lunch. The food is delicious! It's fresh, affordable, lots of food. I would definitely recommend!
(5)
Alice M.
This place deserves higher ratings. Yes, it's a dive. If you know that going in, I can't imagine any other complaints. The wait staff are super friendly and accomodating. The hush puppies were some of the best we've had, the oysters were mammoth, and the bbq sandwich was excellent. We'll be back!
(4)
Don W.
As everyone describes; a dive bar. However, the place was almost full of patrons and service was good. Had a dozen steamed oysters and a cold beer. Outstanding! Limited menu, but what do you want from a dive bar?
(4)
Chris G.
Gonna make this short and sweet, unlike the songs we sang last week at their Karaoke. Drinks: Good Prices: Reasonable Karaoke: Horrible (maybe it was just us), but in a good way, and we totally apologize for the Prince songs. But we will sing them again, just the same! Buck up!! The Karaoke Jockey was awesome (and happy belated birthday again to you!)
(3)
Sandy P.
Had been so excited to stop by this place as I'd heard so much about it. Fantasy better than the reality. Horrible service! I mean BAD. Ignored by both bartender and both waitresses despite it not being busy and only one table having their order taken. Left to visit another shop with some friends and came back. Same thing. Waitresses standing like three feet away and talking to each other but wouldn't acknowledge us. Another couple was in there and and experienced the same thing. We just looked at each other and I queried if they had closed the kitchen. The other customer didn't know and neither of the two waitresses or bartender could be bothered to take the 30 seconds to tell us they had closed the kitchen. We didn't know. Patrons were eating and no signs were posted. Only found out after I chased one of the girls down. Drinks were still being served, spin figured I'd at least try one of their so-called famous Bloody Marys. An ordeal there too just to get the bartender's attention despite only a handful of people at the bar. This is my favorite drink and I've had one from almost every city I've ever visited. This wasn't the worst I've had, but it was a long ways away from good. Bitter. Weak on spices. Barely any vodka. Man, this place couldn't get anything right. An pure tourist trap which gets away with awful service b/c of their novelty and the fact that their customers are mostly just visiting and a new influx of one-timers hit it up each season.
(1)
Kelsey C.
A great dive with quality crawfish and good beer. We also got the steamed oysters, which were yummy. Our server was friendly. I can't wait to go back on my next trip to Savannah.
(4)
Susanna C.
I would highly recommend this place as the best place to get oysters in Savannah. On our many trips to Savannah we always stop here for lunch and share a bucket of steamed oysters. The hush puppies here are great as well. If you love oysters steamed or raw this is the place. Wait staff is good and beer selection is not bad either.
(5)
Mason S.
Can you give zero stars??? Staff at the front door sucked....no sign for seating was visible so I asked and received a grunt... Craw fish was over seasoned....that is what happens when you do it everyday and forget what it is like to pay attention to detail. They don't pride themselves in many things....keeping up with the interior decor/cleanliness is one of those things you think they would pay attention to.
(1)
Bob B.
Really disappointed with Bernie's this time. Staff was unfriendly, oysters had grit in them, and prices are up due to lack of competition. This place was so much fun but now doesn't seem to care about their customers.
(2)
Dawen H.
Only ordered some wings and beer. The wings were not bad, but they gave us bottled Guiness which was not what we expected since it somehow looked like an authentic Irish Pub.
(3)
Dean Y.
Stopped in for lunch yesterday; my wife and I ordered fish tacos and oyster tacos, respectively. The fish (grouper) was excellent as were the oysters; both nicely seasoned with lettuce, chopped tomatoes and po' boy sauce in a soft tortilla. The sauce had a nice horseradish kick to it. Prompt, friendly service.
(4)
Joe R.
After 3 straight nights of eating seafood, I wanted some meat and the bbq pork sandwich sounded good. My wife thought the parmesan chicken sounded good as well. My sandwich was good, but my wife's sandwich was horrible. The marinara sauce on it was the worst I've ever tasted, I believe it had fermented. If it fermented then it had been left out at room temperature all day; marinara must be kept refrigerated and can only be out at room temp. for 8 hours max. before it's no good. She ate one or two bites and went back to the hotel hungry. Won't go back again.
(2)
Kim N.
My husband and I loved this place! If you are looking for something more tourist-oriented with lots of windows overlooking River Street, then don't come here. But if you want an authentic, Savannah experience and want to hang out in a cool place, this is it. I think that most people miss it because from the street, you would never notice it. As I mentioned, there are no windows and once inside, it is kind of like a cave (for me, that just adds to the coolness). The service is good and their seafood is great. I had absolutely no idea that fried oysters could be so tender and delicious until we came here. The bloody marys were ridiculously good - a must if you visit any time while the sun is still up. Seafood boils were great too. We liked it so much we came back again a couple days later! So, if you come here, order something that makes sense (like the seafood) - don't order a stupid sandwich.
(4)
Gary C.
Wanna Hoist some Oysters. Meet Friends and see all the activity on River Street? My favorite Place for a Drink and Oysters is Bernies. A stone building right on River Street, Bernies offers Great HUSH PUPPIES, while having an Ice Cold Beer or Drink with Friends in a Cozy atmosphere. Bernies will NOT sell Oysters unless they're in season. Generally the rule of thumb is Months that have an "R" in them are in Season! Grab a bucket of Oysters and Some Cold Beer with Friends. This is a Fun Place!
(4)
Ashley E.
awesome oysters. great vibe.
(4)
Frida Y.
We had the happy hour oyster deal and later on couldn't help but ordered one shrimp basket. All sea food we had the day was fresh and delicious, and price is not high. It's a very nice experience.
(4)
Jennifer O.
This is a dive bar. Make no mistake about it. Fortunately, I am a fan of local dive bars when on vacation! Dive bar simply means, it's small, it's dark, and been around the block a few times. If you are looking for pretense, this isn't your spot. If you are looking for something that makes you feel a little like family, lets you write on the walls, and serves up some fairly priced extremely good steamed sea creatures, you have hit pay dirt. I personally don't care for oysters so I ordered a 1/2 pound of peel and eat shrimp. The fiance ordered a dozen steamers. I am forced to say, the shirmp were some of the best steamed peelers I have had. I have traveled ALL over so thats saying alot. I wasn't expecting the quality. With very firm, great texture, it gave off that "hey, I was swimming a few hours ago" vibe. Not the "we thought we'd never leave the freezer" one. Fiance loved his oysters but once he thieved a shrimp from me, he was hooked on it like briney crack. The bar tender Roy was extremely personable, knowledgable and whipped out some stellar mixed drinks for me. This is a repeater. I will be back again tonite and will make it a point to come by any other time I am in Savannah to play!
(4)
I. C.
My husband and I came upon Bernie's one afternoon before Christmas. The bartender was great and we had good, cheap drinks(in to-go cups,Savnnah is awesome!) while we relaxed by the water. After a late night ghost tour we went again, this time to eat. Gene had some good fish tacos and I had fried skrumps. The building itself is an old warehouse and boy if those walls could talk! I loved Bernie's. It's my kind of place.
(4)
Nannylou G.
Every trip to Savannah has included a visit to Bernie's for me. The food is great and the staff friendly although not very knowledgeable. When asked what kind of Chardonnay they have the response was "Chardonnay, Cabernet and Merlot". this question was repeated and the same response received. How funny. Karaoke night is fun even if you can't sing or are over 20. The crowd is very accepting and we have had so much fun! The food is tasty. The bathrooms are cleaner than most bars in the area. Can be drafty and too cold in any weather.
(4)
Jennifer M.
Peggy..the bartender with spice. Revel with a cause to cure your hunger and thirst. She's phenomenal and the food and drink and atmosphere is all you want from a bar without fluff but straight down to earth personality. Go. Get yourself there.
(5)
Katherine I.
This is a relatively laid back place on River Street. The husband and I had a few drinks and seafood here. The raw oysters were from New Orleans and were huge and tasty. We also had some boiled crawfish which were seasoned well. People were scarfing buckets of steamed oysters, although we didn't have any. They have televisions playing sports and a full bar, if that's your thing in addition to the fresh seafood.
(4)
Melissa B.
We visited on 7/24/15 and had boiled shrimp and a side of new potatoes. The shrimp were really good although I prefer them spicier. The new potatoes were amazing. They were pan seared with great flavor and a little crispy on the outside. Wendy was our waiter and very nice.
(4)
Morgan H.
Friendly bartender, fast service, and the raw oysters are the best and most inexpensive in Savannah...a no fail!
(4)
Lisa S.
Beer selection could be better volume wise but the oysters were fresh and great!!! Service was solid at the bar. Bar is really high tho lol!
(4)
Dan P.
The positive reviews for this place are correct. My wife wasn't sure she was going to like the raw oysters so we started out with half dozen. They were so good she wanted more so we ordered six more plus steamed crawfish and shrimp. The oysters came with horseradish and cocktail sauce but really didn't need either. They were delicious just with lemon. My one complaint was that the oysters were not shucked to my preference. Whoever did the shucking left the oysters connected to the shell at the muscle. Maybe that's how it's done here, maybe not. I would prefer not to have to scrape through the oyster with a plastic fork to detach it from the shell. The shrimp and crawfish were well seasoned, probably with paprika and salt. Beer was a vital accompaniment to the steamed crustaceans. I'm not sure I was eating the crawfish right, but they were good. I drank bud lite and the wife had the draft cider. It was good, but one was her limit due to the sweetness. Service was good. Server was responsive and friendly. This is the first time I have been to savannah since 1991. If I come back again, I will be going here for my raw oysters and beer.
(4)
Thracius L.
Came here for oysters and they were meh. The shells were still muddy, like they hadn't been rinsed, and the oysters were unusually hard to shuck, probably because they were all still stuck together in clumps. Maybe people in these parts don't typically eat raw oysters or maybe the oysters at this establishment aren't representative of local oysters, but it wasn't a great experience. Or maybe it's just geography: just a month ago my wife and I were eating the best raw oysters we've ever had in Vancouver. Maybe they're just not as good down south. Oh well. Service was nice and the local beers were good. Might come back, but not for the oysters.
(2)
Jenny D.
We only had drinks but my Peach daiquiri was so delicious I thought it was worthy of a review. First of all this is a dive and I would not think to get a frozen cocktail from a place like this. But It's August in savannah and I really needed to cool down. Well this taught me a lesson to not judge a book by its cover. The daiquiri was fresh..not made from a frozen mix machine. I also had a taste of a tiny chunk of peach. Try it yourself...you won't be disappointed.
(4)
Justin B.
Wow!! About the best place we have ate in Savannah. We all had po'boys which were amazing but their raw oysters looked delicious. The also had good music playing and the TV's were on as well. Might have to make another stop here before we head out of town. GREAT PLACE!!
(5)
Kristin V.
Four stars only because we only had some stuff at the bar. John the bartender was a super friendly bartender and showed us true southern hospitality, super personable. Definitely recommend the sangria (house made with cinnamon, unique but still refreshing.) And the Bloody Mary (also house made.) had some oysters, raw and fresh. Don't know much about any more but if your looking for atmosphere, drinks, and seafood this is a must try.
(4)
Kristi B.
Excellent bloody Mary's!!!! I haven't had their oysters but everyone in our group loved them.
(4)
Ally S.
Like someone said on this post earlier "oyster orgy" lol. Big and juicy oysters lol. I also had the oyster taco. They were delicious . They were great on service
(5)
Danie J.
Great raw oysters on the half shell from LA...can't beat that on hot summer day! Kid friendly and you get to write on the walls if you ask for a piece of chalk... local breweries out of the tap and good friendly service!
(4)
Jessica L.
If you love oysters, you should check out Bernie's. The raw oysters were big and fresh! The fried oysters were also excellent. Nothing better than fresh oysters and an ice cold beer! Highly recommend!!
(5)
luiza o.
Omg !!!!! That's all!! The food is amazing soooooooo fresh!!!! Captain something sooooooo good
(5)
Jillian A.
Bernie's was on my itinerary for our day trip to Savannah on the way to Hilton Head Island, SC. I was drawn to it based on my research because it's as divey as they get with what is suppose to be good food. Needless to say, this is just what the Doctor ordered after a long day of driving. We arrived on a Sunday at 11:00 am. If anyone is familiar in the drinking laws in Georgia, you cannot buy alcohol or beer before 12:30 on a Sunday. I'm on vacation, I want a beer. At no fault of Bernie's we walked around for about an hour and half up and down River St until it was time. When 12:30 passed we walked through the threshold of Bernie's and it was seat yourself. We parked ourselves and were immediately greeted by a server. I ordered a local microbrew and my husband a Yuengling. Took a sip and relished in the fact that I'm finally on vacation. Once we were done reviewing the menu I wanted to start my seafood rampage with the best way to eat seafood by ordering the Low Country Boil, 1/2 shrimp 1/2 crawfish. My husband ordered the crab cakes, which seemed like he regretted once he saw what I ordered. This was my first experience with eating a seafood boil. Piece by piece I dismantled every shrimp and crawfish in the most barbaric means possible. The server was nice enough to show me the easiest way to enjoy my meal, including sucking on the heads of the crawfish. It sounds crazy, but it's the most delicious part. Not to mention every piece of seafood I ate was fresh. Word to the wise, if you order the Low Country Boil, make sure you're with someone who can help you finish it. My husband obliged to assist me after finishing his crab cakes. The crab cakes, although delicious, are not what you want to get when you visit Bernie's. This will not be the last time we will find ourselves in Savannah. Rest assure I'll be back at Bernie's again, but I think I'll conquer the oysters next.
(4)
Jose H.
Our server Courtney made our food decisions for us! She did an amazing job. For drinks we had Bernies local beer and the homemade Bloody Mary, both excellent choices. For a "snack" we had stuffed shrimp, hush puppiesn and Raw oysters on a half shell. The atmosphere was great small place but not too small. I recommend this place for a quick drink and apps.
(5)
Erika S.
Dive bar. Dont expect anything more. Bloody mary was good. Steamed oysters were good. Buffalo fried oysters were good. DO NOT GET CHILI CHEESE FRIES literally just hormel chili and white american cheese. They have angry orchard that was dope..... We went during the day might be cool at night.
(3)
Rose C.
I drive from Atlanta to Savannah just to get the bucket of shuck yourself oysters! You get so many oysters and shucking had a steep learning curve, but once I got it, it is really fun :) Oysters are so fresh and juicy (most of the time). I've gone once and had small and not as good oysters. A bucket is also really cheap! Get a beer and a bucket of oysters... SO SATISFYING.
(4)
Ching H.
Love the low country boil. For $18 you get 1/2 lb of shrimp or crawfish or both, corn on the cob, red potatoes, smoked sausages and slaw. Accompanied by sweet cocktail sauce and melted hot butter. At first when I saw the plate, I thought portion was little but as I kept on eating, portion was just right. I love the freshness and taste of it. Only downside, it could've used more seasoning on shrimp, potatoes, and especially on the sausages. Plus, cole slaw was bit too sweet. My friend had the same thing plus a dozen oysters. I don't eat oysters so can't really review on it but my friend enjoyed it. She ordered side order of hush puppies (4pcs) for $2. They had corn inside and it was delicious. Service was very friendly and attentive. Overall, this restaurant gets a 4.5 stars. I will definitely come back next time I visit Savannah.
(5)
Sierra L.
Service was good, but food not so much. Seafood wasn't flavorful. Oysters were dirty and not tasty! Also a bit of a party place, it's pretty loud in there.
(2)
Cheryl S.
Peggie was a great server and bartender had a great lunch. I would deathly come back here in the future.
(4)
Zach G.
I could see this being a good place for a drink later at night, but not much else. I rolled in for a non-drinking dinner and was not impressed. I sat at the bar and did receive good service, but not great service. My Coke refill took forever, but aside from that everything was fine on the service side. Food wise, it was a disappointment. My shrimp po'boy was mediocre - the shrimp were not all that flavorful, and the bread tasted pretty cheap. The fries were generic at best. All very forgettable. Wish I had not wasted one of my few Savannah dinners here.
It was okay! Bar-style food, mostly fried. Not many healthy options. Laid back, very tiny. Not really fit for large groups.
(3)
Holly C.
Stopped by for some raw oysters. We ended up getting two dozen raw oysters and their seafood platter. Both were a bit disappointing in quality and quantity. The service was very friendly and fast. Overall, it wasn't a bad experience, and I would come again to try other menu items.
(3)
Tim B.
Don't waste your time!! Visited with three people on Thursday Jan 29, 2015 for lunch. Sat down and was greeted and given menus. Then didn't see the wait person for over 10 min. So we left. Tried again the next day and experienced the same bad service!! Obviously we never got to sample the food!
(1)
Bonneil K.
Oysters were very good. The Seafood Platter was sub par. Good place to hop in for a drink or two.
(3)
Erin V.
After being in Savannah for about an hour, my boyfriend and I ended up in Bernie's with a bucket of oysters to shuck and pints of cold beer. While it was a return trip for my boyfriend both for Bernie's and shucking oysters, it was my first time for both. Peggy the bartender was great at helping me get started with my shucking skills. The oysters were fantastic and I turned into quite the "shucker". At $25 for the bucket, we had about 2-3 dozen oysters. We actually made a stop at Bernie's a couple of other evenings for drinks and to say hi to Roy. We will definitely make a return trip to Bernie's when we are back in Savannah. Bernie's is a great way to start a trip in Savannah.
(4)
Randi H.
Good oysters but I left smelling like greesy fried fair food. Compared to what I had for dinner (Gribaldi's)...I should have stayed at Bernies and had fair food.
(2)
Meagan S.
We stop for a quick lunch for our friends bachelorette party because of their advertising about homemade bloody Mary's. We order four bloody Mary's and were told they did not have enough mix which happens that fine but the waitress was quite rude about the whole thing. When we asked for other opinions the waitress was "not sure " about the beers they had or the prices. Then it just went down hill from there. The food took quite some time to come out. Once the food arrived the raw and fried oysters where great but the shrimp po boy was horrible! When we asked for the check since our friends eyes where burning from something in the restaurant the waitress was rude again. Once we got the the checks she asked if there was anything else we needed we said no. She then proceeded to huff and puff and roll her eyes at us I would not go back because the waitress alone.
(2)
paula w.
Little dive bar atmosphere but wonderful food and service. The fried oyster basket was huge and so good! Crispy tots and sweet hush puppies were tasty! Plastic utensils and cups, but worth it! Oh, and try the crab bisque with sherry, so rich and creamy!
(5)
Jeremy G.
Cold beer a plus. Oysters were mediocre. Crawfish was bad (steamed with old bay?!?!). Would not recommend for anything other than drinking.
(2)
Edward R.
A serious shot,beer and raw bar dive. Bernie's is the type of place you bring the big,hungry Gal with the neck tattoos you just met on the Grayhound bus from Jacksonville to for adult beverages,Po boys and a bucket of "shuck your own oysters". It's dank,dark and rowdy but the food is good,the beer is cold and the patient waitresses pass no judgments on your choice of dining or drinking companions. Tip well folks as these are the type of folks that would bury a body for you and still turn out a deep,rich bisque with just a hint of sherry.
(3)
Lindsey H.
I can't believe this place has such high reviews. First off, my husband and I sat down and it took almost half an hour to be greeted and drink order taken. We were finally greeted and were ready to place order...since we had waited almost 30 mins...we had ample time to figure out what we wanted. We ordered. Then waited... And waited... And wAited. Finally another 45 minutes went by and we received our warm raw oysters and cold fried fish. Still praying I don't get food poisoning. DONT EAT HERE. I still don't understand how they got good reviews. THEY ARE HORRIBLE. Just go somewhere else, anywhere. Not to mention they forgot to bring out half of the meal. It's just a bad place overall. I highly doubt anyone that gives the place high reviews.
(1)
Shaggy S.
This place has a very local feel. You are at an oyster bar! We had a very good bartender here, her name is Ashley! She knew the menu as well as any bartender should and had personality. We had crawfish for the second time and it was awesome! She taught us a few tips and they turned out great! This place all in all deserves a visit. The staff is courteous the food is really good and the atmosphere sets it off!
(5)
Donna S.
Bernie's is our first stop whenever we go to Savannah. Originally for the oysters, but now for the fun. It must be Kismet, because the same chairs at the bar are available each time we visit. We stay for a few hours and people come and go, all with a great story and a laugh. The music is rock band, but played softly to not interrupt conversation. What is the primary reason for our returning over and over again? Peggy the bartender. Peggy is a joy to talk to and knows how to mix any drink you can think of. She never stops moving and draws out even the most shy customers. She is Bernie's star asset. We will always return to Bernie's for the oysters, but we'll return more often for a visit with Peggy.
(5)
Susan L.
Horrible service, rude and nasty. Sat for 20 mins at the bar waiting for a table and was completely ignored by both bartenders. We were a party of 6 , no acknowledgment and filthy plates left in front of us. When we asked if we could place an order, the snarky bartender/ server said "I'd love to but you're gonna have to wait." We left and spent our money at Cotton Gin. Super friendly, fast service and good food.
(1)
Shelley H.
Meh. I guess the signs reading RAW OYSTERS & OYSTER HAPPY HOUR posted all over the walls should have tipped us off that they don't pride themselves on much else. Beer was cold, that's the best compliment I can give this place. The service was slow, although the place was packed because it was Christmas Day and there was only one other place open serving food on River Street. My hubby got the shrimp basket with fries & cole slaw. There were 17 in the basket & they were cooked properly, but very salty. The fries were good, crisp, hot, but the coleslaw was sour & not very cold. I had the grouper tacos. Eh. I've made better at home from frozen fish sticks! A flour tortilla with 3 little over-fried pieces of alleged grouper (though it wasn't very fresh tasting if so). Maybe I'm spoiled because I'm from Florida and I've eaten A LOT of fish tacos. All different... ALL better than Bernie's version. We won't make a point to visit again. We are in Savannah a few times a year and stay on River Street at least twice a year & have only wandered in here once, late night & for a beer. I don't think we'll be seeking them out again for anything but oysters. (Should have saved our money & eaten the turkey/bacon sandwiches I brought from the house)!
(2)
Liz O.
Not bad if you can find a place to sit and eat! This place isn't very big but they are very busy! They offer crawfish but you'll have to season it yourself. Don't look for Cajun here it's either raw, steamed, boiled or fried.
(4)
DeeJay P.
Food is mediocre, place smells of old grease (so much that your clothes and hair will reek by the time you leave,) nighttime bartender is a psycho. I've personally seen him on two occasions cuss out patrons who didn't leave at the end of the night quickly enough-- completely unprofessional. Waitresses do NOT stay here... so service is mediocre, as well. It's just not good. Floor is always sticky and disgusting; there's always slimy mold around the ladies' bathroom sink spigot. Gross.
(1)
Brian B.
Great oysters had a bucket steamed must have been close to 4 dozen plump fresh tasty and steamed lightly. We also had a basket of there hush puppies server was great this place is a throw back to the old days of oyster bars. G rest food and service
(5)
Caroline M.
So, it's a "dive bar" filled with families, and screaming children, in the middle of the tourist district. "That sounds like an awesome concept!" said no one ever. Food is mediocre at best. Tried the Lowcountry Boil with crawfish and shrimp. Shrimp were decent, crawfish were TERRIBLE (and I've had good crawfish, so I know the difference). Do yourself a favor and go to a bar that's not packed with the 6-year-old and under crowd at 10pm. Beer was cold. So that's a plus.
(1)
Danielle D.
Solid meal. Had fried oysters for app and shrimp po boy. Cheese fries were good. Service was excellent and food came out fast. Breading on shrimp and oysters was tasty.
(3)
Christina K.
This is really a hole in the wall, and not in a good way either. Like a previous post, there is no sign to seat yourself and when we entered, the 2 waitresses were busy with other customers and didn't even look up, until after 5 minutes one them shouts out: it's seat yourself. er.. ok... We found a table and found the place really dirty. Not like, someone forgot to sweep up last night, but rather it seemed like years of neglect as evident of the sticky table and chairs. i didn't even want to touch the menu! I decided on an oyster po-boy and SO decided on the advertised low country boil. The waitress could have been more attentive, but the poor girl was kidnapped and held hostage by a drunk customer behind me who insisted on telling her 50 million times that he wanted 2 containers of cocktail sauce and 1 container of tartar. The food was gross. My oysters were plump yes, but had no flavor. In fact, I can't even remember what this sandwich tasted like. SO's low country boil was nothing more than a handful of shrimp, corn on the cob and some potatoes cut in half. It wasn't spicy or seasoned and tasted god awful. I don't understand the rave reviews.
(1)
Mike F.
Worst service you can experience, girl did not even care about any of her tables. No management to wasch over things. Food was basic fast food, fun foods etc..
(2)
Steve M.
Just finished lunch at Bernie's. Excellent BBQ sandwich at a very good price. Will remember this bar next time in Savannah. Top service by Julie.
(4)
Doug S.
Oysters any way you want them and friendly service. I've been a couple times and will return when I'm feeling oysters. Ask for Roy at the bar, excellent service from a fine gentlemen. He'll also tell you other bars to check out if you're just visiting Savannah.
(5)
Eric T.
Great little dive bar/ restaurant. A lot of fried seafood and the shrimp wasn't de-veined but that's my only complaint. The waitress was fantastic. Didn't even write down our order and remember 4 different meals and our drinks. Food was really good. Had the crap cake platter which is only 2 crab cakes. I got tator tots and cole slaw as my side and ended up filling up on those and my beer so I didn't finish both crab cakes. They had Yuengling and a handful of other beers on draft. Can't wait to try some other restaurants on River street to compare but won't hesitate going back to this one.
(4)
Lauren L.
My second favorite bar in Savannah. The karaoke night was so much fun! I sang a song, attempted to rap baby got back & had a blast! The people at the bar had a great energy and were a lot of fun. The guy manages the karaoke backed it up for me while I was rapping which was a bonus! I guess I am a dive bar girl at heart and I give this place my stamp of approval.
(5)
Brian M.
It's dive, and a great dive at that. Wish it wasn't along the touristy waterfront so it would be more of a "find" but at the same time, what a welcome relief to discover such a great place among the other tourist traps on River St. We went for the oysters upon a recommendation of our hostess at our B & B. Part of me really wanted to buy the bucket and open them myself but I really didn't want to smell like oysters for the rest of the evening so we had ours on the half shell. Now I've always been a snob with oysters preferring the smaller, cold-water oysters from up north (either coast). I couldn't imagine these things that were the size of a small child's fist having any taste. I was wrong. These local gulf oysters were as sweet and succulent as anything I've tasted from ME or WA state. And $13 for a dozen! By NY prices, that's practically giving them away. I don't know if there was any champagne on the menu but they were great with a 420 draft and my wife's chardonnay. Escape from the roving middle-aged men in pastel shorts and women in flowery blouses and come in for some good music and a great time.
(4)
Elizabeth W.
Great place for fresh raw oysters and a Bloody Mary! Friendly staff, dive-y atmosphere, and decent pricing for what you get. Me and my husband spent $40 for two drinks, a dozen oysters, and a basket of shrimp. If you can't make it out to Tybee for seafood, this is a great substitute.
(4)
Gao Y.
A bartender recommend this place. It was a nice little joint. Waitress was nice and attentive. I got the shrimp broil. It was really bland. I'm from MN and the broil we have cost less and is so much more flavorful! I was disappointed!
(2)
Sandy K.
Came here for happy hour after walking around river street on a Thursday evening. Bernie's is located right on the river and has a offers HH Monday through Thursday. Bernie's is quite small and I can imagine this place gets packed late evening and they open until 3:00am Friday's and Saturday's! I'm a raw oyster fan and they had dozen for $6.00 and domestic beers for $2.00 by the cup. The oysters were decent for the price how can ya go wrong? After a couple of dozens and a few beers it was time to move on. Our waitress was super nice and friendly and I recommend Bernie's for HH for sure.
(4)
Kevin J.
On our Savannah vacation I was determined to eat seafood. A lot. And fried oysters were high on the list. I know...not the most healthy of choices but I was on vacation ok? Bernie's was recommended by our hotel. As others have mentioned IT IS basically a dive bar with food, but I like a good dive bar once in awhile, and this one didn't disappoint. We sat at the bar and were served by Roy the bartender. Roy pours a very generous drink, is personable, very good with the service, and they had the best fried oysters I've ever had, seriously. Great dinner, good drinks, a lot of laughter and a final tab of about 40 bucks. It's a five-star kind for place for me.
(5)
Russ H.
Eating peel and eat shrimp coated with cayenne shrimp boil its great. Getting ready for shuck your own oysters. Good choice when in Savannah.
(3)
S G.
Excellent oysters and going for the crawfish. Friendly bartenders and great music to listen to while you eat
(5)
JT M.
The definition of a great dive. Not sure if it really stands out in Savannah (may get another star if this place was anywhere in the Midwest), but surprisingly good food and good setting to relax with friends. They do have a winner with their Bloody Mary.
Tourist trap hole in the wall with mediocre food and very mediocre service (at least they warned us that if we order the craw fish we would send it back like the 5 people before us...hence their second star). The fried stuff was okay- but that is hard to get wrong and the broiled stuff was not so great. The wait staff took for ever to greet us bring us drinks or bring us the check. I would skip this place.
(2)
Annie L.
Slightly on the pricier side of things, but you really do pay for what you get. The oysters are absolutely delish...you scrape it off of the shell with the plastic knife they give you, and slurp that stuff up. Add a little horse radish, tabasco sauce, and cocktail sauce...maybe a little squirt of lemon...and you have yourself the perfect little oyster. It was like $9 for 1/2 dozen already shucked raw oysters.
(4)
Jen B.
Happy Hour Oysters- $6 a dozen!!!! Plus a decent beer selection and the cleanest bathroom on the River. Great little dive bar to stop in and get a beer to go, which we did our first night in Savannah. The next day we stopped by again just in time to score the happy hour oyster deal. (I think it was 4pm-6.) Yes, please!
(4)
Peto F.
Quick seating. Excellent fresh oysters. Cool looking place. Kid friendly. Make sure to ask about the picture of the ghost they have in there.
(5)
Terrence G.
My wife and I ate here for lunch during our trip to Savannah. Our experience was made great only by the bar tender on duty. I wish I could remember his name to give him kudos on this review. When we walked in the place was packed tight. The servers were all busy. The bartender noticed us looking around and shouted to us that there were 2 seats open at the bar. He definitely made us feel comfortable right away. We ordered raw oysters which were good. You can get a bucket of oysters and shuck them yourselves if you want, but we opted for them to shuck'em. I ordered a shrimp po'boy which wasn't the best I've had, but it did the job for a normal lunch. The bartender took care of us and it was nice seeing him treat everyone else just as well. We would definitely come back here next time we're in town only because of him.
(4)
Alex G.
Totally cool, funky "dive" joint for great oysters, steamed and fried seafood, and great drinks (the bloody mary with a pickled okra was top notch). Oysters were fresh and clean, although not as cold as I normally like. Crawfish were amazing! Highly recommended - even our six year old ate half a dozen! Buffalo shrimp maybe the best I've ever had; mini hush puppies also top notch. Skip the crab bisque. Wow- great place for honest, down home seafood. Do it!
(4)
Lorenzo P.
Oysters were good but they didn't offer the happy hour that was advertised. But overall it was a good experience.
(4)
Ian T.
Friendly service and atmosphere on the water of Savannah. A nice find amongst other generic restaurants with uninspiring menus. We had oysters, crab bisque, crab cakes and the signature Bloody Mary - all were smooth and flavourful. Liz was very friendly and attentive!
(5)
ed s.
Got my Oyster fix as the gulf seafood industry is still coming back. I had heard of the bucket/pitcher special, but unfortunatly it wasn't going on last Mon night. Not knowing that the steamy hefty pale was going to come with 2 1/2 doz+ Med size and fresh. I also got an order of hush puppies; very tasty and not too oily. Miss Mia kept the brews coming and never let me run out of fresh horseradish and cocktail sauce! 5th star added for military discount/beer and oyster specials to come back for those of us with caviar tastes on a rice&beans budget. You just can't drink domestic when they have Sweetwater 420 and Moon River on tap ;O)
(4)
Richard A.
I came here one late evening with my sister and brother. We were looking for a spot that was still open at 930pm, and wasn't too expensive in comparison to the other restaurants along the river. We should have just went elsewhere to eat. I had the Bernie's Special on the menu, which was basically a stack of cold cuts between 2 slices of bread with a leaf of lettuce and a tomato. Trust me, it wasn't anything special. My sister wasn't too hungry, so she shared the Low Country Boil with my brother. It was disappointing because they had run out of crawfish and substituted some puny shrimp. Again, nothing excellent, just mediocre. Now the plus side of this experience, was that the service and staff were excellent! Especially the bartender, who allowed me a few tastes of their brews before deciding on one. I don't think I'll come back, nothing really to draw me back. I'm not big on oysters, but after this one visit, I'll risk raw shellfish elsewhere.
(2)
Robert P.
Shuck me?! Shuck you!! Bernie's is the maird, MoFos! Six dollar a dozen happy hour oysters can't be beat! Great cold beer and a very entertaining bar staff round out a must visit.
(4)
Susan M.
We loved this place! We discovered it when we took the Savannah Taste food tour and we liked it so much we came back the next day. We got there at 11 am, right after they opened. Gordon, the bartender, made us delicious Bloody Marys and we ordered a dozed steamed oysters. The Bloody Marys and the oysters were both so good that we ordered a new round of each. The place is divey/hole in the wallish, which is just our speed. Our service was great because we sat at the bar and Gordon took great care of us. He also have a great Scottish brogue and an even better sense of humor, he made me an award for being the "Best Okra Cathcher out of a Bloody Mary in the Bar". We spent a couple of hours just killing time before we meandered off. If you like oysters and beer or Bloody Marys, stop by Bernie's. I bet you will wind up killing a few hours, too.
(5)
Wendi M.
I would've never stopped by if it weren't for the foodie tour, but after the tour, we went back and ate lunch. The food is delicious! It's fresh, affordable, lots of food. I would definitely recommend!
(5)
Alice M.
This place deserves higher ratings. Yes, it's a dive. If you know that going in, I can't imagine any other complaints. The wait staff are super friendly and accomodating. The hush puppies were some of the best we've had, the oysters were mammoth, and the bbq sandwich was excellent. We'll be back!
(4)
Chris G.
Gonna make this short and sweet, unlike the songs we sang last week at their Karaoke. Drinks: Good Prices: Reasonable Karaoke: Horrible (maybe it was just us), but in a good way, and we totally apologize for the Prince songs. But we will sing them again, just the same! Buck up!! The Karaoke Jockey was awesome (and happy belated birthday again to you!)
(3)
Don W.
As everyone describes; a dive bar. However, the place was almost full of patrons and service was good. Had a dozen steamed oysters and a cold beer. Outstanding! Limited menu, but what do you want from a dive bar?
(4)
Dann H.
It's not for everyone, but the fact that my wife and I were able to order a bucket of oysters and shuck them ourselves made me happier than I can truly express. The waitress was suitably impressed by our speed - I imagine they get a lot of people in there who haven't had much oyster shucking experience. I smelled like grease, the floor was sticky and it was somehow both cold and hot at the same time, but I'll go back in a second the next time I'm in Savannah just to get at another bucket of shuck 'em yourself oysters.
(5)
Joshua M.
Let's just say the waitress had no idea what to do because we had to ask for refills and everything else. The place was unorganized and needs a hostess at the door. It took 30 minutes to make a bowl of crappy coleslaw, BBQ, and the worst po boy I've ever had in my life. Then, she spilled water all over the table. You live and you learn, but do not go here if you expect something great.
(1)
Sandy P.
Had been so excited to stop by this place as I'd heard so much about it. Fantasy better than the reality. Horrible service! I mean BAD. Ignored by both bartender and both waitresses despite it not being busy and only one table having their order taken. Left to visit another shop with some friends and came back. Same thing. Waitresses standing like three feet away and talking to each other but wouldn't acknowledge us. Another couple was in there and and experienced the same thing. We just looked at each other and I queried if they had closed the kitchen. The other customer didn't know and neither of the two waitresses or bartender could be bothered to take the 30 seconds to tell us they had closed the kitchen. We didn't know. Patrons were eating and no signs were posted. Only found out after I chased one of the girls down. Drinks were still being served, spin figured I'd at least try one of their so-called famous Bloody Marys. An ordeal there too just to get the bartender's attention despite only a handful of people at the bar. This is my favorite drink and I've had one from almost every city I've ever visited. This wasn't the worst I've had, but it was a long ways away from good. Bitter. Weak on spices. Barely any vodka. Man, this place couldn't get anything right. An pure tourist trap which gets away with awful service b/c of their novelty and the fact that their customers are mostly just visiting and a new influx of one-timers hit it up each season.
(1)
Kelsey C.
A great dive with quality crawfish and good beer. We also got the steamed oysters, which were yummy. Our server was friendly. I can't wait to go back on my next trip to Savannah.
(4)
Susanna C.
I would highly recommend this place as the best place to get oysters in Savannah. On our many trips to Savannah we always stop here for lunch and share a bucket of steamed oysters. The hush puppies here are great as well. If you love oysters steamed or raw this is the place. Wait staff is good and beer selection is not bad either.
(5)
Mason S.
Can you give zero stars??? Staff at the front door sucked....no sign for seating was visible so I asked and received a grunt... Craw fish was over seasoned....that is what happens when you do it everyday and forget what it is like to pay attention to detail. They don't pride themselves in many things....keeping up with the interior decor/cleanliness is one of those things you think they would pay attention to.
(1)
Denise B.
Delicious shrimp boil and fish tacos. Like the atmosphere and good customer service. Wish they weren't out of hush puppies (along with a handful of other menu items).
(4)
Ryan O.
The fish poboy and Bernie's Special were perfect. The grilled chicken salad was slightly above average. The coleslaw was amazing! The ambiance was nice, too. It's a quaint, dark, brick-walled room with loud, New Orleans-esque music playing. To me, this is the ideal place on River St. It beats the heck out of the white, linen tablecloth type places. The service, on the other hand, was terrible. He was more interested in watching a football game than to seat customers, take our order, bring us napkins, or refill our waters. I rarely tip less than 20%, and this guy got 12%.
(3)
Bria D.
Bernie's is something short of a good time. To be fair, I say this because the Bernie's crowd is simply not my scene. The bar doesn't misrepresent itself: what you expect is pretty much exactly what you get. I had gorged myself on 25cent oysters during Happy Hour in the past, so swung by to get my bivalve on during this most recent trip to Savannah. As I was there latenight, the oysters were all of $10.95/dozen, so still completely affordable. Bonus: a couple of the oysters had stowaways and the shucker had helpfully opened those as well, including one scallop--well, I think that was a scallop. There were 3 other patrons in the bar when we got there, all of whom were deeply engrossed in Monday Night Football. Of course. There was lots of hootin' and hollerin' and general purpose celebration that made little sense. We quickly scampered away for more chill pastures. The bottom line: come for the oysters. Leave as soon as you're done.
(3)
Chris W.
Great place to come from the heat on River Street. Grab a cold brew and some oysters. Steamed were awesome. Small hole in the wall. Great service with a smile.
(4)
Alex F.
I love this place. I make a point to stop here every time I am in Savannah for a bucket of oysters and a cold beer. Recently I tried the low country boil and was not dissapointed.
(5)
Lena F.
This is a fun place to eat on River Street. We had raw oysters and they didn't disappoint. You can order on the half shell or get a full bucket to shuck yourself. No thanks. You have to know what you are doing. I saw a "Bro" slice his hand really bad. Like really. The place was super busy, but our service never slacked and our beer never ran dry. We came for the oysters, but we also split a fish Po-Boy. I wish we hadn't. It was very average and not worth the price. Stick to the oyster and beer. Loud music and fun will ensue.
(4)
Nancy R.
Bernie's is located right on River Street. It's a small, quaint but cozy place. Everybody was eating their raw oysters, but I chose something else. FOOD: I had their fried oyster po'boy sandwich with fries for 9.75. It was very tasty and good. BAD: service. TIP: It's a good place after a night of drinking.
(4)
Brandon G.
Ok I do not give many 5 star reviews. I think this is only my second. But, if you know what you are walking into, there is no reason to not give it 5 stars!!! This was my second time at Bernie's. First was with my wife and kiddo last year and this time was with just my wife on our weekend trip. I will almost combine both reviews into one. The place is great. It is a dive that is for sure. Sure it might seem dirty and dark but hey, it is a basement bar on river street no the posh gentleman's club at the Weston! First time I came I had the crawfish boil and a dozen oysters and both were great. This time I got the buck of shuck 'em yourself. I was told that there were 2-3 dozen in the bucket but I had just under two dozen. Still does not warrant taking a star off. The oysters were huge. Seriously, I am very picky about my seafood and freshness. These things were MASSIVE with some of them being bigger than the size of my hand. I had trouble finding a few small enough for my wife to eat. My wife had the fish and chips. She said the hushpuppies were good and the fish was ok. Or something like that. I really could not hear here through the blissful thoughts that were running through my head. Twice now with good food at an OK price has make this a spot that I will be sure to come back to if/when we come back to Savannah!!!
(5)
W T.
Typical bar food. Nothing spectacular. I wouldn't go outta my way to go back but if I was in the area, perhaps. The oyster was a bit room temperature for my taste. Could have been colder.
(3)
James H.
Stopped in with a large group for a friend's birthday. The size of our group necessitated a bit of a wait, but the staff expedited that process as best they could. We grabbed drinks and walked back outside. The menu has all the standard seafood fare you'd expect, but we couldn't pass up the beer and bucket of oysters special that day. Service was polite and attentive. I'll be back. No question about it.
(4)
Loren S.
What a GREAT place! A hole-in-the-wall dive, it truly is, but friendly, inviting, and unpretentious. The kind of place where "everybody WOULD know my name", if only I lived close enough to go more often. Alas, only on vacation. The steamed shrimp and oysters are the best I ever ate. Add cold draft beer, hush puppies, and cole slaw, and ... well... it's just heaven on earth. A special thanks to the friendly and helpful waitress who took the time to show me how to eat crawfish properly. She must have had 50 customers, but she took a moment for me like I was the only one in the place. Thanks!
(5)
Bob B.
Really disappointed with Bernie's this time. Staff was unfriendly, oysters had grit in them, and prices are up due to lack of competition. This place was so much fun but now doesn't seem to care about their customers.
(2)
Dawen H.
Only ordered some wings and beer. The wings were not bad, but they gave us bottled Guiness which was not what we expected since it somehow looked like an authentic Irish Pub.
(3)
Vang H.
Even though there is nothing special about this place, I always find myself wanting to go back for their bucket of oysters + pitcher of beer for $20 special. The oysters are not flavorful and are average at best but served with lemon, crackers and cheap beer... it washes down quite well. The attraction for me here is a great place to sit with friends and enjoy the experience of working for your meal :)
(3)
Ryan E.
Great food, cheap price, and extremely friendly staff!! The beer was really good too, will definitely go back if I am every in Savannah!!
(5)
Lisa R.
Terrific oysters and super friendly staff.
(4)
Maxine C.
Went here last Saturday night with L and her mom and aunt. I ordered the bread and hot cheese because I only ever see that on menus in Savannah. L had the fish tacos which looked really good, I had the Low Country Boil with just shrimp, aunt had LCB with shrimp and crawfish and L's mom had a platter of fried. My LCB was really really good and a HUGE portion. I'd eat there again.
(4)
Dean Y.
Stopped in for lunch yesterday; my wife and I ordered fish tacos and oyster tacos, respectively. The fish (grouper) was excellent as were the oysters; both nicely seasoned with lettuce, chopped tomatoes and po' boy sauce in a soft tortilla. The sauce had a nice horseradish kick to it. Prompt, friendly service.
(4)
Joe R.
After 3 straight nights of eating seafood, I wanted some meat and the bbq pork sandwich sounded good. My wife thought the parmesan chicken sounded good as well. My sandwich was good, but my wife's sandwich was horrible. The marinara sauce on it was the worst I've ever tasted, I believe it had fermented. If it fermented then it had been left out at room temperature all day; marinara must be kept refrigerated and can only be out at room temp. for 8 hours max. before it's no good. She ate one or two bites and went back to the hotel hungry. Won't go back again.
(2)
Kim N.
My husband and I loved this place! If you are looking for something more tourist-oriented with lots of windows overlooking River Street, then don't come here. But if you want an authentic, Savannah experience and want to hang out in a cool place, this is it. I think that most people miss it because from the street, you would never notice it. As I mentioned, there are no windows and once inside, it is kind of like a cave (for me, that just adds to the coolness). The service is good and their seafood is great. I had absolutely no idea that fried oysters could be so tender and delicious until we came here. The bloody marys were ridiculously good - a must if you visit any time while the sun is still up. Seafood boils were great too. We liked it so much we came back again a couple days later! So, if you come here, order something that makes sense (like the seafood) - don't order a stupid sandwich.
(4)
Gary C.
Wanna Hoist some Oysters. Meet Friends and see all the activity on River Street? My favorite Place for a Drink and Oysters is Bernies. A stone building right on River Street, Bernies offers Great HUSH PUPPIES, while having an Ice Cold Beer or Drink with Friends in a Cozy atmosphere. Bernies will NOT sell Oysters unless they're in season. Generally the rule of thumb is Months that have an "R" in them are in Season! Grab a bucket of Oysters and Some Cold Beer with Friends. This is a Fun Place!
(4)
Ashley E.
awesome oysters. great vibe.
(4)
Frida Y.
We had the happy hour oyster deal and later on couldn't help but ordered one shrimp basket. All sea food we had the day was fresh and delicious, and price is not high. It's a very nice experience.
(4)
Jennifer O.
This is a dive bar. Make no mistake about it. Fortunately, I am a fan of local dive bars when on vacation! Dive bar simply means, it's small, it's dark, and been around the block a few times. If you are looking for pretense, this isn't your spot. If you are looking for something that makes you feel a little like family, lets you write on the walls, and serves up some fairly priced extremely good steamed sea creatures, you have hit pay dirt. I personally don't care for oysters so I ordered a 1/2 pound of peel and eat shrimp. The fiance ordered a dozen steamers. I am forced to say, the shirmp were some of the best steamed peelers I have had. I have traveled ALL over so thats saying alot. I wasn't expecting the quality. With very firm, great texture, it gave off that "hey, I was swimming a few hours ago" vibe. Not the "we thought we'd never leave the freezer" one. Fiance loved his oysters but once he thieved a shrimp from me, he was hooked on it like briney crack. The bar tender Roy was extremely personable, knowledgable and whipped out some stellar mixed drinks for me. This is a repeater. I will be back again tonite and will make it a point to come by any other time I am in Savannah to play!
(4)
I. C.
My husband and I came upon Bernie's one afternoon before Christmas. The bartender was great and we had good, cheap drinks(in to-go cups,Savnnah is awesome!) while we relaxed by the water. After a late night ghost tour we went again, this time to eat. Gene had some good fish tacos and I had fried skrumps. The building itself is an old warehouse and boy if those walls could talk! I loved Bernie's. It's my kind of place.
(4)
Nannylou G.
Every trip to Savannah has included a visit to Bernie's for me. The food is great and the staff friendly although not very knowledgeable. When asked what kind of Chardonnay they have the response was "Chardonnay, Cabernet and Merlot". this question was repeated and the same response received. How funny. Karaoke night is fun even if you can't sing or are over 20. The crowd is very accepting and we have had so much fun! The food is tasty. The bathrooms are cleaner than most bars in the area. Can be drafty and too cold in any weather.
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Divey Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Ryan O.
The fish poboy and Bernie's Special were perfect. The grilled chicken salad was slightly above average. The coleslaw was amazing! The ambiance was nice, too. It's a quaint, dark, brick-walled room with loud, New Orleans-esque music playing. To me, this is the ideal place on River St. It beats the heck out of the white, linen tablecloth type places. The service, on the other hand, was terrible. He was more interested in watching a football game than to seat customers, take our order, bring us napkins, or refill our waters. I rarely tip less than 20%, and this guy got 12%.
(3)Joshua M.
Let's just say the waitress had no idea what to do because we had to ask for refills and everything else. The place was unorganized and needs a hostess at the door. It took 30 minutes to make a bowl of crappy coleslaw, BBQ, and the worst po boy I've ever had in my life. Then, she spilled water all over the table. You live and you learn, but do not go here if you expect something great.
(1)Vang H.
Even though there is nothing special about this place, I always find myself wanting to go back for their bucket of oysters + pitcher of beer for $20 special. The oysters are not flavorful and are average at best but served with lemon, crackers and cheap beer... it washes down quite well. The attraction for me here is a great place to sit with friends and enjoy the experience of working for your meal :)
(3)Denise B.
Delicious shrimp boil and fish tacos. Like the atmosphere and good customer service. Wish they weren't out of hush puppies (along with a handful of other menu items).
(4)Bria D.
Bernie's is something short of a good time. To be fair, I say this because the Bernie's crowd is simply not my scene. The bar doesn't misrepresent itself: what you expect is pretty much exactly what you get. I had gorged myself on 25cent oysters during Happy Hour in the past, so swung by to get my bivalve on during this most recent trip to Savannah. As I was there latenight, the oysters were all of $10.95/dozen, so still completely affordable. Bonus: a couple of the oysters had stowaways and the shucker had helpfully opened those as well, including one scallop--well, I think that was a scallop. There were 3 other patrons in the bar when we got there, all of whom were deeply engrossed in Monday Night Football. Of course. There was lots of hootin' and hollerin' and general purpose celebration that made little sense. We quickly scampered away for more chill pastures. The bottom line: come for the oysters. Leave as soon as you're done.
(3)Chris W.
Great place to come from the heat on River Street. Grab a cold brew and some oysters. Steamed were awesome. Small hole in the wall. Great service with a smile.
(4)Alex F.
I love this place. I make a point to stop here every time I am in Savannah for a bucket of oysters and a cold beer. Recently I tried the low country boil and was not dissapointed.
(5)Lena F.
This is a fun place to eat on River Street. We had raw oysters and they didn't disappoint. You can order on the half shell or get a full bucket to shuck yourself. No thanks. You have to know what you are doing. I saw a "Bro" slice his hand really bad. Like really. The place was super busy, but our service never slacked and our beer never ran dry. We came for the oysters, but we also split a fish Po-Boy. I wish we hadn't. It was very average and not worth the price. Stick to the oyster and beer. Loud music and fun will ensue.
(4)Nancy R.
Bernie's is located right on River Street. It's a small, quaint but cozy place. Everybody was eating their raw oysters, but I chose something else. FOOD: I had their fried oyster po'boy sandwich with fries for 9.75. It was very tasty and good. BAD: service. TIP: It's a good place after a night of drinking.
(4)Ryan E.
Great food, cheap price, and extremely friendly staff!! The beer was really good too, will definitely go back if I am every in Savannah!!
(5)Lisa R.
Terrific oysters and super friendly staff.
(4)Maxine C.
Went here last Saturday night with L and her mom and aunt. I ordered the bread and hot cheese because I only ever see that on menus in Savannah. L had the fish tacos which looked really good, I had the Low Country Boil with just shrimp, aunt had LCB with shrimp and crawfish and L's mom had a platter of fried. My LCB was really really good and a HUGE portion. I'd eat there again.
(4)Brandon G.
Ok I do not give many 5 star reviews. I think this is only my second. But, if you know what you are walking into, there is no reason to not give it 5 stars!!! This was my second time at Bernie's. First was with my wife and kiddo last year and this time was with just my wife on our weekend trip. I will almost combine both reviews into one. The place is great. It is a dive that is for sure. Sure it might seem dirty and dark but hey, it is a basement bar on river street no the posh gentleman's club at the Weston! First time I came I had the crawfish boil and a dozen oysters and both were great. This time I got the buck of shuck 'em yourself. I was told that there were 2-3 dozen in the bucket but I had just under two dozen. Still does not warrant taking a star off. The oysters were huge. Seriously, I am very picky about my seafood and freshness. These things were MASSIVE with some of them being bigger than the size of my hand. I had trouble finding a few small enough for my wife to eat. My wife had the fish and chips. She said the hushpuppies were good and the fish was ok. Or something like that. I really could not hear here through the blissful thoughts that were running through my head. Twice now with good food at an OK price has make this a spot that I will be sure to come back to if/when we come back to Savannah!!!
(5)W T.
Typical bar food. Nothing spectacular. I wouldn't go outta my way to go back but if I was in the area, perhaps. The oyster was a bit room temperature for my taste. Could have been colder.
(3)James H.
Stopped in with a large group for a friend's birthday. The size of our group necessitated a bit of a wait, but the staff expedited that process as best they could. We grabbed drinks and walked back outside. The menu has all the standard seafood fare you'd expect, but we couldn't pass up the beer and bucket of oysters special that day. Service was polite and attentive. I'll be back. No question about it.
(4)Loren S.
What a GREAT place! A hole-in-the-wall dive, it truly is, but friendly, inviting, and unpretentious. The kind of place where "everybody WOULD know my name", if only I lived close enough to go more often. Alas, only on vacation. The steamed shrimp and oysters are the best I ever ate. Add cold draft beer, hush puppies, and cole slaw, and ... well... it's just heaven on earth. A special thanks to the friendly and helpful waitress who took the time to show me how to eat crawfish properly. She must have had 50 customers, but she took a moment for me like I was the only one in the place. Thanks!
(5)Ally S.
Like someone said on this post earlier "oyster orgy" lol. Big and juicy oysters lol. I also had the oyster taco. They were delicious . They were great on service
(5)Danie J.
Great raw oysters on the half shell from LA...can't beat that on hot summer day! Kid friendly and you get to write on the walls if you ask for a piece of chalk... local breweries out of the tap and good friendly service!
(4)Jennifer M.
Peggy..the bartender with spice. Revel with a cause to cure your hunger and thirst. She's phenomenal and the food and drink and atmosphere is all you want from a bar without fluff but straight down to earth personality. Go. Get yourself there.
(5)Dan P.
The positive reviews for this place are correct. My wife wasn't sure she was going to like the raw oysters so we started out with half dozen. They were so good she wanted more so we ordered six more plus steamed crawfish and shrimp. The oysters came with horseradish and cocktail sauce but really didn't need either. They were delicious just with lemon. My one complaint was that the oysters were not shucked to my preference. Whoever did the shucking left the oysters connected to the shell at the muscle. Maybe that's how it's done here, maybe not. I would prefer not to have to scrape through the oyster with a plastic fork to detach it from the shell. The shrimp and crawfish were well seasoned, probably with paprika and salt. Beer was a vital accompaniment to the steamed crustaceans. I'm not sure I was eating the crawfish right, but they were good. I drank bud lite and the wife had the draft cider. It was good, but one was her limit due to the sweetness. Service was good. Server was responsive and friendly. This is the first time I have been to savannah since 1991. If I come back again, I will be going here for my raw oysters and beer.
(4)Thracius L.
Came here for oysters and they were meh. The shells were still muddy, like they hadn't been rinsed, and the oysters were unusually hard to shuck, probably because they were all still stuck together in clumps. Maybe people in these parts don't typically eat raw oysters or maybe the oysters at this establishment aren't representative of local oysters, but it wasn't a great experience. Or maybe it's just geography: just a month ago my wife and I were eating the best raw oysters we've ever had in Vancouver. Maybe they're just not as good down south. Oh well. Service was nice and the local beers were good. Might come back, but not for the oysters.
(2)Jenny D.
We only had drinks but my Peach daiquiri was so delicious I thought it was worthy of a review. First of all this is a dive and I would not think to get a frozen cocktail from a place like this. But It's August in savannah and I really needed to cool down. Well this taught me a lesson to not judge a book by its cover. The daiquiri was fresh..not made from a frozen mix machine. I also had a taste of a tiny chunk of peach. Try it yourself...you won't be disappointed.
(4)Justin B.
Wow!! About the best place we have ate in Savannah. We all had po'boys which were amazing but their raw oysters looked delicious. The also had good music playing and the TV's were on as well. Might have to make another stop here before we head out of town. GREAT PLACE!!
(5)Kristin V.
Four stars only because we only had some stuff at the bar. John the bartender was a super friendly bartender and showed us true southern hospitality, super personable. Definitely recommend the sangria (house made with cinnamon, unique but still refreshing.) And the Bloody Mary (also house made.) had some oysters, raw and fresh. Don't know much about any more but if your looking for atmosphere, drinks, and seafood this is a must try.
(4)Kristi B.
Excellent bloody Mary's!!!! I haven't had their oysters but everyone in our group loved them.
(4)Katherine I.
This is a relatively laid back place on River Street. The husband and I had a few drinks and seafood here. The raw oysters were from New Orleans and were huge and tasty. We also had some boiled crawfish which were seasoned well. People were scarfing buckets of steamed oysters, although we didn't have any. They have televisions playing sports and a full bar, if that's your thing in addition to the fresh seafood.
(4)Melissa B.
We visited on 7/24/15 and had boiled shrimp and a side of new potatoes. The shrimp were really good although I prefer them spicier. The new potatoes were amazing. They were pan seared with great flavor and a little crispy on the outside. Wendy was our waiter and very nice.
(4)Morgan H.
Friendly bartender, fast service, and the raw oysters are the best and most inexpensive in Savannah...a no fail!
(4)Lisa S.
Beer selection could be better volume wise but the oysters were fresh and great!!! Service was solid at the bar. Bar is really high tho lol!
(4)Jessica L.
If you love oysters, you should check out Bernie's. The raw oysters were big and fresh! The fried oysters were also excellent. Nothing better than fresh oysters and an ice cold beer! Highly recommend!!
(5)luiza o.
Omg !!!!! That's all!! The food is amazing soooooooo fresh!!!! Captain something sooooooo good
(5)Zach G.
I could see this being a good place for a drink later at night, but not much else. I rolled in for a non-drinking dinner and was not impressed. I sat at the bar and did receive good service, but not great service. My Coke refill took forever, but aside from that everything was fine on the service side. Food wise, it was a disappointment. My shrimp po'boy was mediocre - the shrimp were not all that flavorful, and the bread tasted pretty cheap. The fries were generic at best. All very forgettable. Wish I had not wasted one of my few Savannah dinners here.
(2)Anna N.
Average food. Bar type atmosphere. Nice waitor, but food took awhile to come out. The seafood boil didn't taste fresh. Nobody at the table was impressed with their entrée. This place is fine to hangout and drink but don't expect great food.
(3)R J.
It was okay! Bar-style food, mostly fried. Not many healthy options. Laid back, very tiny. Not really fit for large groups.
(3)Holly C.
Stopped by for some raw oysters. We ended up getting two dozen raw oysters and their seafood platter. Both were a bit disappointing in quality and quantity. The service was very friendly and fast. Overall, it wasn't a bad experience, and I would come again to try other menu items.
(3)Jillian A.
Bernie's was on my itinerary for our day trip to Savannah on the way to Hilton Head Island, SC. I was drawn to it based on my research because it's as divey as they get with what is suppose to be good food. Needless to say, this is just what the Doctor ordered after a long day of driving. We arrived on a Sunday at 11:00 am. If anyone is familiar in the drinking laws in Georgia, you cannot buy alcohol or beer before 12:30 on a Sunday. I'm on vacation, I want a beer. At no fault of Bernie's we walked around for about an hour and half up and down River St until it was time. When 12:30 passed we walked through the threshold of Bernie's and it was seat yourself. We parked ourselves and were immediately greeted by a server. I ordered a local microbrew and my husband a Yuengling. Took a sip and relished in the fact that I'm finally on vacation. Once we were done reviewing the menu I wanted to start my seafood rampage with the best way to eat seafood by ordering the Low Country Boil, 1/2 shrimp 1/2 crawfish. My husband ordered the crab cakes, which seemed like he regretted once he saw what I ordered. This was my first experience with eating a seafood boil. Piece by piece I dismantled every shrimp and crawfish in the most barbaric means possible. The server was nice enough to show me the easiest way to enjoy my meal, including sucking on the heads of the crawfish. It sounds crazy, but it's the most delicious part. Not to mention every piece of seafood I ate was fresh. Word to the wise, if you order the Low Country Boil, make sure you're with someone who can help you finish it. My husband obliged to assist me after finishing his crab cakes. The crab cakes, although delicious, are not what you want to get when you visit Bernie's. This will not be the last time we will find ourselves in Savannah. Rest assure I'll be back at Bernie's again, but I think I'll conquer the oysters next.
(4)Jose H.
Our server Courtney made our food decisions for us! She did an amazing job. For drinks we had Bernies local beer and the homemade Bloody Mary, both excellent choices. For a "snack" we had stuffed shrimp, hush puppiesn and Raw oysters on a half shell. The atmosphere was great small place but not too small. I recommend this place for a quick drink and apps.
(5)Ching H.
Love the low country boil. For $18 you get 1/2 lb of shrimp or crawfish or both, corn on the cob, red potatoes, smoked sausages and slaw. Accompanied by sweet cocktail sauce and melted hot butter. At first when I saw the plate, I thought portion was little but as I kept on eating, portion was just right. I love the freshness and taste of it. Only downside, it could've used more seasoning on shrimp, potatoes, and especially on the sausages. Plus, cole slaw was bit too sweet. My friend had the same thing plus a dozen oysters. I don't eat oysters so can't really review on it but my friend enjoyed it. She ordered side order of hush puppies (4pcs) for $2. They had corn inside and it was delicious. Service was very friendly and attentive. Overall, this restaurant gets a 4.5 stars. I will definitely come back next time I visit Savannah.
(5)Sierra L.
Service was good, but food not so much. Seafood wasn't flavorful. Oysters were dirty and not tasty! Also a bit of a party place, it's pretty loud in there.
(2)Cheryl S.
Peggie was a great server and bartender had a great lunch. I would deathly come back here in the future.
(4)Tim B.
Don't waste your time!! Visited with three people on Thursday Jan 29, 2015 for lunch. Sat down and was greeted and given menus. Then didn't see the wait person for over 10 min. So we left. Tried again the next day and experienced the same bad service!! Obviously we never got to sample the food!
(1)Bonneil K.
Oysters were very good. The Seafood Platter was sub par. Good place to hop in for a drink or two.
(3)Erin V.
After being in Savannah for about an hour, my boyfriend and I ended up in Bernie's with a bucket of oysters to shuck and pints of cold beer. While it was a return trip for my boyfriend both for Bernie's and shucking oysters, it was my first time for both. Peggy the bartender was great at helping me get started with my shucking skills. The oysters were fantastic and I turned into quite the "shucker". At $25 for the bucket, we had about 2-3 dozen oysters. We actually made a stop at Bernie's a couple of other evenings for drinks and to say hi to Roy. We will definitely make a return trip to Bernie's when we are back in Savannah. Bernie's is a great way to start a trip in Savannah.
(4)Randi H.
Good oysters but I left smelling like greesy fried fair food. Compared to what I had for dinner (Gribaldi's)...I should have stayed at Bernies and had fair food.
(2)Meagan S.
We stop for a quick lunch for our friends bachelorette party because of their advertising about homemade bloody Mary's. We order four bloody Mary's and were told they did not have enough mix which happens that fine but the waitress was quite rude about the whole thing. When we asked for other opinions the waitress was "not sure " about the beers they had or the prices. Then it just went down hill from there. The food took quite some time to come out. Once the food arrived the raw and fried oysters where great but the shrimp po boy was horrible! When we asked for the check since our friends eyes where burning from something in the restaurant the waitress was rude again. Once we got the the checks she asked if there was anything else we needed we said no. She then proceeded to huff and puff and roll her eyes at us I would not go back because the waitress alone.
(2)paula w.
Little dive bar atmosphere but wonderful food and service. The fried oyster basket was huge and so good! Crispy tots and sweet hush puppies were tasty! Plastic utensils and cups, but worth it! Oh, and try the crab bisque with sherry, so rich and creamy!
(5)Jeremy G.
Cold beer a plus. Oysters were mediocre. Crawfish was bad (steamed with old bay?!?!). Would not recommend for anything other than drinking.
(2)Edward R.
A serious shot,beer and raw bar dive. Bernie's is the type of place you bring the big,hungry Gal with the neck tattoos you just met on the Grayhound bus from Jacksonville to for adult beverages,Po boys and a bucket of "shuck your own oysters". It's dank,dark and rowdy but the food is good,the beer is cold and the patient waitresses pass no judgments on your choice of dining or drinking companions. Tip well folks as these are the type of folks that would bury a body for you and still turn out a deep,rich bisque with just a hint of sherry.
(3)Lindsey H.
I can't believe this place has such high reviews. First off, my husband and I sat down and it took almost half an hour to be greeted and drink order taken. We were finally greeted and were ready to place order...since we had waited almost 30 mins...we had ample time to figure out what we wanted. We ordered. Then waited... And waited... And wAited. Finally another 45 minutes went by and we received our warm raw oysters and cold fried fish. Still praying I don't get food poisoning. DONT EAT HERE. I still don't understand how they got good reviews. THEY ARE HORRIBLE. Just go somewhere else, anywhere. Not to mention they forgot to bring out half of the meal. It's just a bad place overall. I highly doubt anyone that gives the place high reviews.
(1)Shaggy S.
This place has a very local feel. You are at an oyster bar! We had a very good bartender here, her name is Ashley! She knew the menu as well as any bartender should and had personality. We had crawfish for the second time and it was awesome! She taught us a few tips and they turned out great! This place all in all deserves a visit. The staff is courteous the food is really good and the atmosphere sets it off!
(5)Donna S.
Bernie's is our first stop whenever we go to Savannah. Originally for the oysters, but now for the fun. It must be Kismet, because the same chairs at the bar are available each time we visit. We stay for a few hours and people come and go, all with a great story and a laugh. The music is rock band, but played softly to not interrupt conversation. What is the primary reason for our returning over and over again? Peggy the bartender. Peggy is a joy to talk to and knows how to mix any drink you can think of. She never stops moving and draws out even the most shy customers. She is Bernie's star asset. We will always return to Bernie's for the oysters, but we'll return more often for a visit with Peggy.
(5)Susan L.
Horrible service, rude and nasty. Sat for 20 mins at the bar waiting for a table and was completely ignored by both bartenders. We were a party of 6 , no acknowledgment and filthy plates left in front of us. When we asked if we could place an order, the snarky bartender/ server said "I'd love to but you're gonna have to wait." We left and spent our money at Cotton Gin. Super friendly, fast service and good food.
(1)Shelley H.
Meh. I guess the signs reading RAW OYSTERS & OYSTER HAPPY HOUR posted all over the walls should have tipped us off that they don't pride themselves on much else. Beer was cold, that's the best compliment I can give this place. The service was slow, although the place was packed because it was Christmas Day and there was only one other place open serving food on River Street. My hubby got the shrimp basket with fries & cole slaw. There were 17 in the basket & they were cooked properly, but very salty. The fries were good, crisp, hot, but the coleslaw was sour & not very cold. I had the grouper tacos. Eh. I've made better at home from frozen fish sticks! A flour tortilla with 3 little over-fried pieces of alleged grouper (though it wasn't very fresh tasting if so). Maybe I'm spoiled because I'm from Florida and I've eaten A LOT of fish tacos. All different... ALL better than Bernie's version. We won't make a point to visit again. We are in Savannah a few times a year and stay on River Street at least twice a year & have only wandered in here once, late night & for a beer. I don't think we'll be seeking them out again for anything but oysters. (Should have saved our money & eaten the turkey/bacon sandwiches I brought from the house)!
(2)Liz O.
Not bad if you can find a place to sit and eat! This place isn't very big but they are very busy! They offer crawfish but you'll have to season it yourself. Don't look for Cajun here it's either raw, steamed, boiled or fried.
(4)DeeJay P.
Food is mediocre, place smells of old grease (so much that your clothes and hair will reek by the time you leave,) nighttime bartender is a psycho. I've personally seen him on two occasions cuss out patrons who didn't leave at the end of the night quickly enough-- completely unprofessional. Waitresses do NOT stay here... so service is mediocre, as well. It's just not good. Floor is always sticky and disgusting; there's always slimy mold around the ladies' bathroom sink spigot. Gross.
(1)Brian B.
Great oysters had a bucket steamed must have been close to 4 dozen plump fresh tasty and steamed lightly. We also had a basket of there hush puppies server was great this place is a throw back to the old days of oyster bars. G rest food and service
(5)Caroline M.
So, it's a "dive bar" filled with families, and screaming children, in the middle of the tourist district. "That sounds like an awesome concept!" said no one ever. Food is mediocre at best. Tried the Lowcountry Boil with crawfish and shrimp. Shrimp were decent, crawfish were TERRIBLE (and I've had good crawfish, so I know the difference). Do yourself a favor and go to a bar that's not packed with the 6-year-old and under crowd at 10pm. Beer was cold. So that's a plus.
(1)Danielle D.
Solid meal. Had fried oysters for app and shrimp po boy. Cheese fries were good. Service was excellent and food came out fast. Breading on shrimp and oysters was tasty.
(3)Christina K.
This is really a hole in the wall, and not in a good way either. Like a previous post, there is no sign to seat yourself and when we entered, the 2 waitresses were busy with other customers and didn't even look up, until after 5 minutes one them shouts out: it's seat yourself. er.. ok... We found a table and found the place really dirty. Not like, someone forgot to sweep up last night, but rather it seemed like years of neglect as evident of the sticky table and chairs. i didn't even want to touch the menu! I decided on an oyster po-boy and SO decided on the advertised low country boil. The waitress could have been more attentive, but the poor girl was kidnapped and held hostage by a drunk customer behind me who insisted on telling her 50 million times that he wanted 2 containers of cocktail sauce and 1 container of tartar. The food was gross. My oysters were plump yes, but had no flavor. In fact, I can't even remember what this sandwich tasted like. SO's low country boil was nothing more than a handful of shrimp, corn on the cob and some potatoes cut in half. It wasn't spicy or seasoned and tasted god awful. I don't understand the rave reviews.
(1)Mike F.
Worst service you can experience, girl did not even care about any of her tables. No management to wasch over things. Food was basic fast food, fun foods etc..
(2)Steve M.
Just finished lunch at Bernie's. Excellent BBQ sandwich at a very good price. Will remember this bar next time in Savannah. Top service by Julie.
(4)Doug S.
Oysters any way you want them and friendly service. I've been a couple times and will return when I'm feeling oysters. Ask for Roy at the bar, excellent service from a fine gentlemen. He'll also tell you other bars to check out if you're just visiting Savannah.
(5)Eric T.
Great little dive bar/ restaurant. A lot of fried seafood and the shrimp wasn't de-veined but that's my only complaint. The waitress was fantastic. Didn't even write down our order and remember 4 different meals and our drinks. Food was really good. Had the crap cake platter which is only 2 crab cakes. I got tator tots and cole slaw as my side and ended up filling up on those and my beer so I didn't finish both crab cakes. They had Yuengling and a handful of other beers on draft. Can't wait to try some other restaurants on River street to compare but won't hesitate going back to this one.
(4)Lauren L.
My second favorite bar in Savannah. The karaoke night was so much fun! I sang a song, attempted to rap baby got back & had a blast! The people at the bar had a great energy and were a lot of fun. The guy manages the karaoke backed it up for me while I was rapping which was a bonus! I guess I am a dive bar girl at heart and I give this place my stamp of approval.
(5)Brian M.
It's dive, and a great dive at that. Wish it wasn't along the touristy waterfront so it would be more of a "find" but at the same time, what a welcome relief to discover such a great place among the other tourist traps on River St. We went for the oysters upon a recommendation of our hostess at our B & B. Part of me really wanted to buy the bucket and open them myself but I really didn't want to smell like oysters for the rest of the evening so we had ours on the half shell. Now I've always been a snob with oysters preferring the smaller, cold-water oysters from up north (either coast). I couldn't imagine these things that were the size of a small child's fist having any taste. I was wrong. These local gulf oysters were as sweet and succulent as anything I've tasted from ME or WA state. And $13 for a dozen! By NY prices, that's practically giving them away. I don't know if there was any champagne on the menu but they were great with a 420 draft and my wife's chardonnay. Escape from the roving middle-aged men in pastel shorts and women in flowery blouses and come in for some good music and a great time.
(4)Elizabeth W.
Great place for fresh raw oysters and a Bloody Mary! Friendly staff, dive-y atmosphere, and decent pricing for what you get. Me and my husband spent $40 for two drinks, a dozen oysters, and a basket of shrimp. If you can't make it out to Tybee for seafood, this is a great substitute.
(4)Gao Y.
A bartender recommend this place. It was a nice little joint. Waitress was nice and attentive. I got the shrimp broil. It was really bland. I'm from MN and the broil we have cost less and is so much more flavorful! I was disappointed!
(2)Sandy K.
Came here for happy hour after walking around river street on a Thursday evening. Bernie's is located right on the river and has a offers HH Monday through Thursday. Bernie's is quite small and I can imagine this place gets packed late evening and they open until 3:00am Friday's and Saturday's! I'm a raw oyster fan and they had dozen for $6.00 and domestic beers for $2.00 by the cup. The oysters were decent for the price how can ya go wrong? After a couple of dozens and a few beers it was time to move on. Our waitress was super nice and friendly and I recommend Bernie's for HH for sure.
(4)Kevin J.
On our Savannah vacation I was determined to eat seafood. A lot. And fried oysters were high on the list. I know...not the most healthy of choices but I was on vacation ok? Bernie's was recommended by our hotel. As others have mentioned IT IS basically a dive bar with food, but I like a good dive bar once in awhile, and this one didn't disappoint. We sat at the bar and were served by Roy the bartender. Roy pours a very generous drink, is personable, very good with the service, and they had the best fried oysters I've ever had, seriously. Great dinner, good drinks, a lot of laughter and a final tab of about 40 bucks. It's a five-star kind for place for me.
(5)Russ H.
Eating peel and eat shrimp coated with cayenne shrimp boil its great. Getting ready for shuck your own oysters. Good choice when in Savannah.
(3)Erika S.
Dive bar. Dont expect anything more. Bloody mary was good. Steamed oysters were good. Buffalo fried oysters were good. DO NOT GET CHILI CHEESE FRIES literally just hormel chili and white american cheese. They have angry orchard that was dope..... We went during the day might be cool at night.
(3)Rose C.
I drive from Atlanta to Savannah just to get the bucket of shuck yourself oysters! You get so many oysters and shucking had a steep learning curve, but once I got it, it is really fun :) Oysters are so fresh and juicy (most of the time). I've gone once and had small and not as good oysters. A bucket is also really cheap! Get a beer and a bucket of oysters... SO SATISFYING.
(4)S G.
Excellent oysters and going for the crawfish. Friendly bartenders and great music to listen to while you eat
(5)JT M.
The definition of a great dive. Not sure if it really stands out in Savannah (may get another star if this place was anywhere in the Midwest), but surprisingly good food and good setting to relax with friends. They do have a winner with their Bloody Mary.
(4)Shakira H.
Great hole in the wall! Ok, not really thanks to fellow yelpers! But this place was straight to the point good solid food. I had the fried shrimp and oysters. Fiancé had the fried platter. Everything was cooked beautifully and was delicious. Service was good and it was a good night.
(4)Diana H.
Tourist trap hole in the wall with mediocre food and very mediocre service (at least they warned us that if we order the craw fish we would send it back like the 5 people before us...hence their second star). The fried stuff was okay- but that is hard to get wrong and the broiled stuff was not so great. The wait staff took for ever to greet us bring us drinks or bring us the check. I would skip this place.
(2)Annie L.
Slightly on the pricier side of things, but you really do pay for what you get. The oysters are absolutely delish...you scrape it off of the shell with the plastic knife they give you, and slurp that stuff up. Add a little horse radish, tabasco sauce, and cocktail sauce...maybe a little squirt of lemon...and you have yourself the perfect little oyster. It was like $9 for 1/2 dozen already shucked raw oysters.
(4)Jen B.
Happy Hour Oysters- $6 a dozen!!!! Plus a decent beer selection and the cleanest bathroom on the River. Great little dive bar to stop in and get a beer to go, which we did our first night in Savannah. The next day we stopped by again just in time to score the happy hour oyster deal. (I think it was 4pm-6.) Yes, please!
(4)Peto F.
Quick seating. Excellent fresh oysters. Cool looking place. Kid friendly. Make sure to ask about the picture of the ghost they have in there.
(5)Terrence G.
My wife and I ate here for lunch during our trip to Savannah. Our experience was made great only by the bar tender on duty. I wish I could remember his name to give him kudos on this review. When we walked in the place was packed tight. The servers were all busy. The bartender noticed us looking around and shouted to us that there were 2 seats open at the bar. He definitely made us feel comfortable right away. We ordered raw oysters which were good. You can get a bucket of oysters and shuck them yourselves if you want, but we opted for them to shuck'em. I ordered a shrimp po'boy which wasn't the best I've had, but it did the job for a normal lunch. The bartender took care of us and it was nice seeing him treat everyone else just as well. We would definitely come back here next time we're in town only because of him.
(4)Alex G.
Totally cool, funky "dive" joint for great oysters, steamed and fried seafood, and great drinks (the bloody mary with a pickled okra was top notch). Oysters were fresh and clean, although not as cold as I normally like. Crawfish were amazing! Highly recommended - even our six year old ate half a dozen! Buffalo shrimp maybe the best I've ever had; mini hush puppies also top notch. Skip the crab bisque. Wow- great place for honest, down home seafood. Do it!
(4)Lorenzo P.
Oysters were good but they didn't offer the happy hour that was advertised. But overall it was a good experience.
(4)Ian T.
Friendly service and atmosphere on the water of Savannah. A nice find amongst other generic restaurants with uninspiring menus. We had oysters, crab bisque, crab cakes and the signature Bloody Mary - all were smooth and flavourful. Liz was very friendly and attentive!
(5)ed s.
Got my Oyster fix as the gulf seafood industry is still coming back. I had heard of the bucket/pitcher special, but unfortunatly it wasn't going on last Mon night. Not knowing that the steamy hefty pale was going to come with 2 1/2 doz+ Med size and fresh. I also got an order of hush puppies; very tasty and not too oily. Miss Mia kept the brews coming and never let me run out of fresh horseradish and cocktail sauce! 5th star added for military discount/beer and oyster specials to come back for those of us with caviar tastes on a rice&beans budget. You just can't drink domestic when they have Sweetwater 420 and Moon River on tap ;O)
(4)Dann H.
It's not for everyone, but the fact that my wife and I were able to order a bucket of oysters and shuck them ourselves made me happier than I can truly express. The waitress was suitably impressed by our speed - I imagine they get a lot of people in there who haven't had much oyster shucking experience. I smelled like grease, the floor was sticky and it was somehow both cold and hot at the same time, but I'll go back in a second the next time I'm in Savannah just to get at another bucket of shuck 'em yourself oysters.
(5)Richard A.
I came here one late evening with my sister and brother. We were looking for a spot that was still open at 930pm, and wasn't too expensive in comparison to the other restaurants along the river. We should have just went elsewhere to eat. I had the Bernie's Special on the menu, which was basically a stack of cold cuts between 2 slices of bread with a leaf of lettuce and a tomato. Trust me, it wasn't anything special. My sister wasn't too hungry, so she shared the Low Country Boil with my brother. It was disappointing because they had run out of crawfish and substituted some puny shrimp. Again, nothing excellent, just mediocre. Now the plus side of this experience, was that the service and staff were excellent! Especially the bartender, who allowed me a few tastes of their brews before deciding on one. I don't think I'll come back, nothing really to draw me back. I'm not big on oysters, but after this one visit, I'll risk raw shellfish elsewhere.
(2)Robert P.
Shuck me?! Shuck you!! Bernie's is the maird, MoFos! Six dollar a dozen happy hour oysters can't be beat! Great cold beer and a very entertaining bar staff round out a must visit.
(4)Susan M.
We loved this place! We discovered it when we took the Savannah Taste food tour and we liked it so much we came back the next day. We got there at 11 am, right after they opened. Gordon, the bartender, made us delicious Bloody Marys and we ordered a dozed steamed oysters. The Bloody Marys and the oysters were both so good that we ordered a new round of each. The place is divey/hole in the wallish, which is just our speed. Our service was great because we sat at the bar and Gordon took great care of us. He also have a great Scottish brogue and an even better sense of humor, he made me an award for being the "Best Okra Cathcher out of a Bloody Mary in the Bar". We spent a couple of hours just killing time before we meandered off. If you like oysters and beer or Bloody Marys, stop by Bernie's. I bet you will wind up killing a few hours, too.
(5)Wendi M.
I would've never stopped by if it weren't for the foodie tour, but after the tour, we went back and ate lunch. The food is delicious! It's fresh, affordable, lots of food. I would definitely recommend!
(5)Alice M.
This place deserves higher ratings. Yes, it's a dive. If you know that going in, I can't imagine any other complaints. The wait staff are super friendly and accomodating. The hush puppies were some of the best we've had, the oysters were mammoth, and the bbq sandwich was excellent. We'll be back!
(4)Don W.
As everyone describes; a dive bar. However, the place was almost full of patrons and service was good. Had a dozen steamed oysters and a cold beer. Outstanding! Limited menu, but what do you want from a dive bar?
(4)Chris G.
Gonna make this short and sweet, unlike the songs we sang last week at their Karaoke. Drinks: Good Prices: Reasonable Karaoke: Horrible (maybe it was just us), but in a good way, and we totally apologize for the Prince songs. But we will sing them again, just the same! Buck up!! The Karaoke Jockey was awesome (and happy belated birthday again to you!)
(3)Sandy P.
Had been so excited to stop by this place as I'd heard so much about it. Fantasy better than the reality. Horrible service! I mean BAD. Ignored by both bartender and both waitresses despite it not being busy and only one table having their order taken. Left to visit another shop with some friends and came back. Same thing. Waitresses standing like three feet away and talking to each other but wouldn't acknowledge us. Another couple was in there and and experienced the same thing. We just looked at each other and I queried if they had closed the kitchen. The other customer didn't know and neither of the two waitresses or bartender could be bothered to take the 30 seconds to tell us they had closed the kitchen. We didn't know. Patrons were eating and no signs were posted. Only found out after I chased one of the girls down. Drinks were still being served, spin figured I'd at least try one of their so-called famous Bloody Marys. An ordeal there too just to get the bartender's attention despite only a handful of people at the bar. This is my favorite drink and I've had one from almost every city I've ever visited. This wasn't the worst I've had, but it was a long ways away from good. Bitter. Weak on spices. Barely any vodka. Man, this place couldn't get anything right. An pure tourist trap which gets away with awful service b/c of their novelty and the fact that their customers are mostly just visiting and a new influx of one-timers hit it up each season.
(1)Kelsey C.
A great dive with quality crawfish and good beer. We also got the steamed oysters, which were yummy. Our server was friendly. I can't wait to go back on my next trip to Savannah.
(4)Susanna C.
I would highly recommend this place as the best place to get oysters in Savannah. On our many trips to Savannah we always stop here for lunch and share a bucket of steamed oysters. The hush puppies here are great as well. If you love oysters steamed or raw this is the place. Wait staff is good and beer selection is not bad either.
(5)Mason S.
Can you give zero stars??? Staff at the front door sucked....no sign for seating was visible so I asked and received a grunt... Craw fish was over seasoned....that is what happens when you do it everyday and forget what it is like to pay attention to detail. They don't pride themselves in many things....keeping up with the interior decor/cleanliness is one of those things you think they would pay attention to.
(1)Bob B.
Really disappointed with Bernie's this time. Staff was unfriendly, oysters had grit in them, and prices are up due to lack of competition. This place was so much fun but now doesn't seem to care about their customers.
(2)Dawen H.
Only ordered some wings and beer. The wings were not bad, but they gave us bottled Guiness which was not what we expected since it somehow looked like an authentic Irish Pub.
(3)Dean Y.
Stopped in for lunch yesterday; my wife and I ordered fish tacos and oyster tacos, respectively. The fish (grouper) was excellent as were the oysters; both nicely seasoned with lettuce, chopped tomatoes and po' boy sauce in a soft tortilla. The sauce had a nice horseradish kick to it. Prompt, friendly service.
(4)Joe R.
After 3 straight nights of eating seafood, I wanted some meat and the bbq pork sandwich sounded good. My wife thought the parmesan chicken sounded good as well. My sandwich was good, but my wife's sandwich was horrible. The marinara sauce on it was the worst I've ever tasted, I believe it had fermented. If it fermented then it had been left out at room temperature all day; marinara must be kept refrigerated and can only be out at room temp. for 8 hours max. before it's no good. She ate one or two bites and went back to the hotel hungry. Won't go back again.
(2)Kim N.
My husband and I loved this place! If you are looking for something more tourist-oriented with lots of windows overlooking River Street, then don't come here. But if you want an authentic, Savannah experience and want to hang out in a cool place, this is it. I think that most people miss it because from the street, you would never notice it. As I mentioned, there are no windows and once inside, it is kind of like a cave (for me, that just adds to the coolness). The service is good and their seafood is great. I had absolutely no idea that fried oysters could be so tender and delicious until we came here. The bloody marys were ridiculously good - a must if you visit any time while the sun is still up. Seafood boils were great too. We liked it so much we came back again a couple days later! So, if you come here, order something that makes sense (like the seafood) - don't order a stupid sandwich.
(4)Gary C.
Wanna Hoist some Oysters. Meet Friends and see all the activity on River Street? My favorite Place for a Drink and Oysters is Bernies. A stone building right on River Street, Bernies offers Great HUSH PUPPIES, while having an Ice Cold Beer or Drink with Friends in a Cozy atmosphere. Bernies will NOT sell Oysters unless they're in season. Generally the rule of thumb is Months that have an "R" in them are in Season! Grab a bucket of Oysters and Some Cold Beer with Friends. This is a Fun Place!
(4)Ashley E.
awesome oysters. great vibe.
(4)Frida Y.
We had the happy hour oyster deal and later on couldn't help but ordered one shrimp basket. All sea food we had the day was fresh and delicious, and price is not high. It's a very nice experience.
(4)Jennifer O.
This is a dive bar. Make no mistake about it. Fortunately, I am a fan of local dive bars when on vacation! Dive bar simply means, it's small, it's dark, and been around the block a few times. If you are looking for pretense, this isn't your spot. If you are looking for something that makes you feel a little like family, lets you write on the walls, and serves up some fairly priced extremely good steamed sea creatures, you have hit pay dirt. I personally don't care for oysters so I ordered a 1/2 pound of peel and eat shrimp. The fiance ordered a dozen steamers. I am forced to say, the shirmp were some of the best steamed peelers I have had. I have traveled ALL over so thats saying alot. I wasn't expecting the quality. With very firm, great texture, it gave off that "hey, I was swimming a few hours ago" vibe. Not the "we thought we'd never leave the freezer" one. Fiance loved his oysters but once he thieved a shrimp from me, he was hooked on it like briney crack. The bar tender Roy was extremely personable, knowledgable and whipped out some stellar mixed drinks for me. This is a repeater. I will be back again tonite and will make it a point to come by any other time I am in Savannah to play!
(4)I. C.
My husband and I came upon Bernie's one afternoon before Christmas. The bartender was great and we had good, cheap drinks(in to-go cups,Savnnah is awesome!) while we relaxed by the water. After a late night ghost tour we went again, this time to eat. Gene had some good fish tacos and I had fried skrumps. The building itself is an old warehouse and boy if those walls could talk! I loved Bernie's. It's my kind of place.
(4)Nannylou G.
Every trip to Savannah has included a visit to Bernie's for me. The food is great and the staff friendly although not very knowledgeable. When asked what kind of Chardonnay they have the response was "Chardonnay, Cabernet and Merlot". this question was repeated and the same response received. How funny. Karaoke night is fun even if you can't sing or are over 20. The crowd is very accepting and we have had so much fun! The food is tasty. The bathrooms are cleaner than most bars in the area. Can be drafty and too cold in any weather.
(4)Jennifer M.
Peggy..the bartender with spice. Revel with a cause to cure your hunger and thirst. She's phenomenal and the food and drink and atmosphere is all you want from a bar without fluff but straight down to earth personality. Go. Get yourself there.
(5)Katherine I.
This is a relatively laid back place on River Street. The husband and I had a few drinks and seafood here. The raw oysters were from New Orleans and were huge and tasty. We also had some boiled crawfish which were seasoned well. People were scarfing buckets of steamed oysters, although we didn't have any. They have televisions playing sports and a full bar, if that's your thing in addition to the fresh seafood.
(4)Melissa B.
We visited on 7/24/15 and had boiled shrimp and a side of new potatoes. The shrimp were really good although I prefer them spicier. The new potatoes were amazing. They were pan seared with great flavor and a little crispy on the outside. Wendy was our waiter and very nice.
(4)Morgan H.
Friendly bartender, fast service, and the raw oysters are the best and most inexpensive in Savannah...a no fail!
(4)Lisa S.
Beer selection could be better volume wise but the oysters were fresh and great!!! Service was solid at the bar. Bar is really high tho lol!
(4)Dan P.
The positive reviews for this place are correct. My wife wasn't sure she was going to like the raw oysters so we started out with half dozen. They were so good she wanted more so we ordered six more plus steamed crawfish and shrimp. The oysters came with horseradish and cocktail sauce but really didn't need either. They were delicious just with lemon. My one complaint was that the oysters were not shucked to my preference. Whoever did the shucking left the oysters connected to the shell at the muscle. Maybe that's how it's done here, maybe not. I would prefer not to have to scrape through the oyster with a plastic fork to detach it from the shell. The shrimp and crawfish were well seasoned, probably with paprika and salt. Beer was a vital accompaniment to the steamed crustaceans. I'm not sure I was eating the crawfish right, but they were good. I drank bud lite and the wife had the draft cider. It was good, but one was her limit due to the sweetness. Service was good. Server was responsive and friendly. This is the first time I have been to savannah since 1991. If I come back again, I will be going here for my raw oysters and beer.
(4)Thracius L.
Came here for oysters and they were meh. The shells were still muddy, like they hadn't been rinsed, and the oysters were unusually hard to shuck, probably because they were all still stuck together in clumps. Maybe people in these parts don't typically eat raw oysters or maybe the oysters at this establishment aren't representative of local oysters, but it wasn't a great experience. Or maybe it's just geography: just a month ago my wife and I were eating the best raw oysters we've ever had in Vancouver. Maybe they're just not as good down south. Oh well. Service was nice and the local beers were good. Might come back, but not for the oysters.
(2)Jenny D.
We only had drinks but my Peach daiquiri was so delicious I thought it was worthy of a review. First of all this is a dive and I would not think to get a frozen cocktail from a place like this. But It's August in savannah and I really needed to cool down. Well this taught me a lesson to not judge a book by its cover. The daiquiri was fresh..not made from a frozen mix machine. I also had a taste of a tiny chunk of peach. Try it yourself...you won't be disappointed.
(4)Justin B.
Wow!! About the best place we have ate in Savannah. We all had po'boys which were amazing but their raw oysters looked delicious. The also had good music playing and the TV's were on as well. Might have to make another stop here before we head out of town. GREAT PLACE!!
(5)Kristin V.
Four stars only because we only had some stuff at the bar. John the bartender was a super friendly bartender and showed us true southern hospitality, super personable. Definitely recommend the sangria (house made with cinnamon, unique but still refreshing.) And the Bloody Mary (also house made.) had some oysters, raw and fresh. Don't know much about any more but if your looking for atmosphere, drinks, and seafood this is a must try.
(4)Kristi B.
Excellent bloody Mary's!!!! I haven't had their oysters but everyone in our group loved them.
(4)Ally S.
Like someone said on this post earlier "oyster orgy" lol. Big and juicy oysters lol. I also had the oyster taco. They were delicious . They were great on service
(5)Danie J.
Great raw oysters on the half shell from LA...can't beat that on hot summer day! Kid friendly and you get to write on the walls if you ask for a piece of chalk... local breweries out of the tap and good friendly service!
(4)Jessica L.
If you love oysters, you should check out Bernie's. The raw oysters were big and fresh! The fried oysters were also excellent. Nothing better than fresh oysters and an ice cold beer! Highly recommend!!
(5)luiza o.
Omg !!!!! That's all!! The food is amazing soooooooo fresh!!!! Captain something sooooooo good
(5)Jillian A.
Bernie's was on my itinerary for our day trip to Savannah on the way to Hilton Head Island, SC. I was drawn to it based on my research because it's as divey as they get with what is suppose to be good food. Needless to say, this is just what the Doctor ordered after a long day of driving. We arrived on a Sunday at 11:00 am. If anyone is familiar in the drinking laws in Georgia, you cannot buy alcohol or beer before 12:30 on a Sunday. I'm on vacation, I want a beer. At no fault of Bernie's we walked around for about an hour and half up and down River St until it was time. When 12:30 passed we walked through the threshold of Bernie's and it was seat yourself. We parked ourselves and were immediately greeted by a server. I ordered a local microbrew and my husband a Yuengling. Took a sip and relished in the fact that I'm finally on vacation. Once we were done reviewing the menu I wanted to start my seafood rampage with the best way to eat seafood by ordering the Low Country Boil, 1/2 shrimp 1/2 crawfish. My husband ordered the crab cakes, which seemed like he regretted once he saw what I ordered. This was my first experience with eating a seafood boil. Piece by piece I dismantled every shrimp and crawfish in the most barbaric means possible. The server was nice enough to show me the easiest way to enjoy my meal, including sucking on the heads of the crawfish. It sounds crazy, but it's the most delicious part. Not to mention every piece of seafood I ate was fresh. Word to the wise, if you order the Low Country Boil, make sure you're with someone who can help you finish it. My husband obliged to assist me after finishing his crab cakes. The crab cakes, although delicious, are not what you want to get when you visit Bernie's. This will not be the last time we will find ourselves in Savannah. Rest assure I'll be back at Bernie's again, but I think I'll conquer the oysters next.
(4)Jose H.
Our server Courtney made our food decisions for us! She did an amazing job. For drinks we had Bernies local beer and the homemade Bloody Mary, both excellent choices. For a "snack" we had stuffed shrimp, hush puppiesn and Raw oysters on a half shell. The atmosphere was great small place but not too small. I recommend this place for a quick drink and apps.
(5)Erika S.
Dive bar. Dont expect anything more. Bloody mary was good. Steamed oysters were good. Buffalo fried oysters were good. DO NOT GET CHILI CHEESE FRIES literally just hormel chili and white american cheese. They have angry orchard that was dope..... We went during the day might be cool at night.
(3)Rose C.
I drive from Atlanta to Savannah just to get the bucket of shuck yourself oysters! You get so many oysters and shucking had a steep learning curve, but once I got it, it is really fun :) Oysters are so fresh and juicy (most of the time). I've gone once and had small and not as good oysters. A bucket is also really cheap! Get a beer and a bucket of oysters... SO SATISFYING.
(4)Ching H.
Love the low country boil. For $18 you get 1/2 lb of shrimp or crawfish or both, corn on the cob, red potatoes, smoked sausages and slaw. Accompanied by sweet cocktail sauce and melted hot butter. At first when I saw the plate, I thought portion was little but as I kept on eating, portion was just right. I love the freshness and taste of it. Only downside, it could've used more seasoning on shrimp, potatoes, and especially on the sausages. Plus, cole slaw was bit too sweet. My friend had the same thing plus a dozen oysters. I don't eat oysters so can't really review on it but my friend enjoyed it. She ordered side order of hush puppies (4pcs) for $2. They had corn inside and it was delicious. Service was very friendly and attentive. Overall, this restaurant gets a 4.5 stars. I will definitely come back next time I visit Savannah.
(5)Sierra L.
Service was good, but food not so much. Seafood wasn't flavorful. Oysters were dirty and not tasty! Also a bit of a party place, it's pretty loud in there.
(2)Cheryl S.
Peggie was a great server and bartender had a great lunch. I would deathly come back here in the future.
(4)Zach G.
I could see this being a good place for a drink later at night, but not much else. I rolled in for a non-drinking dinner and was not impressed. I sat at the bar and did receive good service, but not great service. My Coke refill took forever, but aside from that everything was fine on the service side. Food wise, it was a disappointment. My shrimp po'boy was mediocre - the shrimp were not all that flavorful, and the bread tasted pretty cheap. The fries were generic at best. All very forgettable. Wish I had not wasted one of my few Savannah dinners here.
(2)Anna N.
Average food. Bar type atmosphere. Nice waitor, but food took awhile to come out. The seafood boil didn't taste fresh. Nobody at the table was impressed with their entrée. This place is fine to hangout and drink but don't expect great food.
(3)R J.
It was okay! Bar-style food, mostly fried. Not many healthy options. Laid back, very tiny. Not really fit for large groups.
(3)Holly C.
Stopped by for some raw oysters. We ended up getting two dozen raw oysters and their seafood platter. Both were a bit disappointing in quality and quantity. The service was very friendly and fast. Overall, it wasn't a bad experience, and I would come again to try other menu items.
(3)Tim B.
Don't waste your time!! Visited with three people on Thursday Jan 29, 2015 for lunch. Sat down and was greeted and given menus. Then didn't see the wait person for over 10 min. So we left. Tried again the next day and experienced the same bad service!! Obviously we never got to sample the food!
(1)Bonneil K.
Oysters were very good. The Seafood Platter was sub par. Good place to hop in for a drink or two.
(3)Erin V.
After being in Savannah for about an hour, my boyfriend and I ended up in Bernie's with a bucket of oysters to shuck and pints of cold beer. While it was a return trip for my boyfriend both for Bernie's and shucking oysters, it was my first time for both. Peggy the bartender was great at helping me get started with my shucking skills. The oysters were fantastic and I turned into quite the "shucker". At $25 for the bucket, we had about 2-3 dozen oysters. We actually made a stop at Bernie's a couple of other evenings for drinks and to say hi to Roy. We will definitely make a return trip to Bernie's when we are back in Savannah. Bernie's is a great way to start a trip in Savannah.
(4)Randi H.
Good oysters but I left smelling like greesy fried fair food. Compared to what I had for dinner (Gribaldi's)...I should have stayed at Bernies and had fair food.
(2)Meagan S.
We stop for a quick lunch for our friends bachelorette party because of their advertising about homemade bloody Mary's. We order four bloody Mary's and were told they did not have enough mix which happens that fine but the waitress was quite rude about the whole thing. When we asked for other opinions the waitress was "not sure " about the beers they had or the prices. Then it just went down hill from there. The food took quite some time to come out. Once the food arrived the raw and fried oysters where great but the shrimp po boy was horrible! When we asked for the check since our friends eyes where burning from something in the restaurant the waitress was rude again. Once we got the the checks she asked if there was anything else we needed we said no. She then proceeded to huff and puff and roll her eyes at us I would not go back because the waitress alone.
(2)paula w.
Little dive bar atmosphere but wonderful food and service. The fried oyster basket was huge and so good! Crispy tots and sweet hush puppies were tasty! Plastic utensils and cups, but worth it! Oh, and try the crab bisque with sherry, so rich and creamy!
(5)Jeremy G.
Cold beer a plus. Oysters were mediocre. Crawfish was bad (steamed with old bay?!?!). Would not recommend for anything other than drinking.
(2)Edward R.
A serious shot,beer and raw bar dive. Bernie's is the type of place you bring the big,hungry Gal with the neck tattoos you just met on the Grayhound bus from Jacksonville to for adult beverages,Po boys and a bucket of "shuck your own oysters". It's dank,dark and rowdy but the food is good,the beer is cold and the patient waitresses pass no judgments on your choice of dining or drinking companions. Tip well folks as these are the type of folks that would bury a body for you and still turn out a deep,rich bisque with just a hint of sherry.
(3)Lindsey H.
I can't believe this place has such high reviews. First off, my husband and I sat down and it took almost half an hour to be greeted and drink order taken. We were finally greeted and were ready to place order...since we had waited almost 30 mins...we had ample time to figure out what we wanted. We ordered. Then waited... And waited... And wAited. Finally another 45 minutes went by and we received our warm raw oysters and cold fried fish. Still praying I don't get food poisoning. DONT EAT HERE. I still don't understand how they got good reviews. THEY ARE HORRIBLE. Just go somewhere else, anywhere. Not to mention they forgot to bring out half of the meal. It's just a bad place overall. I highly doubt anyone that gives the place high reviews.
(1)Shaggy S.
This place has a very local feel. You are at an oyster bar! We had a very good bartender here, her name is Ashley! She knew the menu as well as any bartender should and had personality. We had crawfish for the second time and it was awesome! She taught us a few tips and they turned out great! This place all in all deserves a visit. The staff is courteous the food is really good and the atmosphere sets it off!
(5)Donna S.
Bernie's is our first stop whenever we go to Savannah. Originally for the oysters, but now for the fun. It must be Kismet, because the same chairs at the bar are available each time we visit. We stay for a few hours and people come and go, all with a great story and a laugh. The music is rock band, but played softly to not interrupt conversation. What is the primary reason for our returning over and over again? Peggy the bartender. Peggy is a joy to talk to and knows how to mix any drink you can think of. She never stops moving and draws out even the most shy customers. She is Bernie's star asset. We will always return to Bernie's for the oysters, but we'll return more often for a visit with Peggy.
(5)Susan L.
Horrible service, rude and nasty. Sat for 20 mins at the bar waiting for a table and was completely ignored by both bartenders. We were a party of 6 , no acknowledgment and filthy plates left in front of us. When we asked if we could place an order, the snarky bartender/ server said "I'd love to but you're gonna have to wait." We left and spent our money at Cotton Gin. Super friendly, fast service and good food.
(1)Shelley H.
Meh. I guess the signs reading RAW OYSTERS & OYSTER HAPPY HOUR posted all over the walls should have tipped us off that they don't pride themselves on much else. Beer was cold, that's the best compliment I can give this place. The service was slow, although the place was packed because it was Christmas Day and there was only one other place open serving food on River Street. My hubby got the shrimp basket with fries & cole slaw. There were 17 in the basket & they were cooked properly, but very salty. The fries were good, crisp, hot, but the coleslaw was sour & not very cold. I had the grouper tacos. Eh. I've made better at home from frozen fish sticks! A flour tortilla with 3 little over-fried pieces of alleged grouper (though it wasn't very fresh tasting if so). Maybe I'm spoiled because I'm from Florida and I've eaten A LOT of fish tacos. All different... ALL better than Bernie's version. We won't make a point to visit again. We are in Savannah a few times a year and stay on River Street at least twice a year & have only wandered in here once, late night & for a beer. I don't think we'll be seeking them out again for anything but oysters. (Should have saved our money & eaten the turkey/bacon sandwiches I brought from the house)!
(2)Liz O.
Not bad if you can find a place to sit and eat! This place isn't very big but they are very busy! They offer crawfish but you'll have to season it yourself. Don't look for Cajun here it's either raw, steamed, boiled or fried.
(4)DeeJay P.
Food is mediocre, place smells of old grease (so much that your clothes and hair will reek by the time you leave,) nighttime bartender is a psycho. I've personally seen him on two occasions cuss out patrons who didn't leave at the end of the night quickly enough-- completely unprofessional. Waitresses do NOT stay here... so service is mediocre, as well. It's just not good. Floor is always sticky and disgusting; there's always slimy mold around the ladies' bathroom sink spigot. Gross.
(1)Brian B.
Great oysters had a bucket steamed must have been close to 4 dozen plump fresh tasty and steamed lightly. We also had a basket of there hush puppies server was great this place is a throw back to the old days of oyster bars. G rest food and service
(5)Caroline M.
So, it's a "dive bar" filled with families, and screaming children, in the middle of the tourist district. "That sounds like an awesome concept!" said no one ever. Food is mediocre at best. Tried the Lowcountry Boil with crawfish and shrimp. Shrimp were decent, crawfish were TERRIBLE (and I've had good crawfish, so I know the difference). Do yourself a favor and go to a bar that's not packed with the 6-year-old and under crowd at 10pm. Beer was cold. So that's a plus.
(1)Danielle D.
Solid meal. Had fried oysters for app and shrimp po boy. Cheese fries were good. Service was excellent and food came out fast. Breading on shrimp and oysters was tasty.
(3)Christina K.
This is really a hole in the wall, and not in a good way either. Like a previous post, there is no sign to seat yourself and when we entered, the 2 waitresses were busy with other customers and didn't even look up, until after 5 minutes one them shouts out: it's seat yourself. er.. ok... We found a table and found the place really dirty. Not like, someone forgot to sweep up last night, but rather it seemed like years of neglect as evident of the sticky table and chairs. i didn't even want to touch the menu! I decided on an oyster po-boy and SO decided on the advertised low country boil. The waitress could have been more attentive, but the poor girl was kidnapped and held hostage by a drunk customer behind me who insisted on telling her 50 million times that he wanted 2 containers of cocktail sauce and 1 container of tartar. The food was gross. My oysters were plump yes, but had no flavor. In fact, I can't even remember what this sandwich tasted like. SO's low country boil was nothing more than a handful of shrimp, corn on the cob and some potatoes cut in half. It wasn't spicy or seasoned and tasted god awful. I don't understand the rave reviews.
(1)Mike F.
Worst service you can experience, girl did not even care about any of her tables. No management to wasch over things. Food was basic fast food, fun foods etc..
(2)Steve M.
Just finished lunch at Bernie's. Excellent BBQ sandwich at a very good price. Will remember this bar next time in Savannah. Top service by Julie.
(4)Doug S.
Oysters any way you want them and friendly service. I've been a couple times and will return when I'm feeling oysters. Ask for Roy at the bar, excellent service from a fine gentlemen. He'll also tell you other bars to check out if you're just visiting Savannah.
(5)Eric T.
Great little dive bar/ restaurant. A lot of fried seafood and the shrimp wasn't de-veined but that's my only complaint. The waitress was fantastic. Didn't even write down our order and remember 4 different meals and our drinks. Food was really good. Had the crap cake platter which is only 2 crab cakes. I got tator tots and cole slaw as my side and ended up filling up on those and my beer so I didn't finish both crab cakes. They had Yuengling and a handful of other beers on draft. Can't wait to try some other restaurants on River street to compare but won't hesitate going back to this one.
(4)Lauren L.
My second favorite bar in Savannah. The karaoke night was so much fun! I sang a song, attempted to rap baby got back & had a blast! The people at the bar had a great energy and were a lot of fun. The guy manages the karaoke backed it up for me while I was rapping which was a bonus! I guess I am a dive bar girl at heart and I give this place my stamp of approval.
(5)Brian M.
It's dive, and a great dive at that. Wish it wasn't along the touristy waterfront so it would be more of a "find" but at the same time, what a welcome relief to discover such a great place among the other tourist traps on River St. We went for the oysters upon a recommendation of our hostess at our B & B. Part of me really wanted to buy the bucket and open them myself but I really didn't want to smell like oysters for the rest of the evening so we had ours on the half shell. Now I've always been a snob with oysters preferring the smaller, cold-water oysters from up north (either coast). I couldn't imagine these things that were the size of a small child's fist having any taste. I was wrong. These local gulf oysters were as sweet and succulent as anything I've tasted from ME or WA state. And $13 for a dozen! By NY prices, that's practically giving them away. I don't know if there was any champagne on the menu but they were great with a 420 draft and my wife's chardonnay. Escape from the roving middle-aged men in pastel shorts and women in flowery blouses and come in for some good music and a great time.
(4)Elizabeth W.
Great place for fresh raw oysters and a Bloody Mary! Friendly staff, dive-y atmosphere, and decent pricing for what you get. Me and my husband spent $40 for two drinks, a dozen oysters, and a basket of shrimp. If you can't make it out to Tybee for seafood, this is a great substitute.
(4)Gao Y.
A bartender recommend this place. It was a nice little joint. Waitress was nice and attentive. I got the shrimp broil. It was really bland. I'm from MN and the broil we have cost less and is so much more flavorful! I was disappointed!
(2)Sandy K.
Came here for happy hour after walking around river street on a Thursday evening. Bernie's is located right on the river and has a offers HH Monday through Thursday. Bernie's is quite small and I can imagine this place gets packed late evening and they open until 3:00am Friday's and Saturday's! I'm a raw oyster fan and they had dozen for $6.00 and domestic beers for $2.00 by the cup. The oysters were decent for the price how can ya go wrong? After a couple of dozens and a few beers it was time to move on. Our waitress was super nice and friendly and I recommend Bernie's for HH for sure.
(4)Kevin J.
On our Savannah vacation I was determined to eat seafood. A lot. And fried oysters were high on the list. I know...not the most healthy of choices but I was on vacation ok? Bernie's was recommended by our hotel. As others have mentioned IT IS basically a dive bar with food, but I like a good dive bar once in awhile, and this one didn't disappoint. We sat at the bar and were served by Roy the bartender. Roy pours a very generous drink, is personable, very good with the service, and they had the best fried oysters I've ever had, seriously. Great dinner, good drinks, a lot of laughter and a final tab of about 40 bucks. It's a five-star kind for place for me.
(5)Russ H.
Eating peel and eat shrimp coated with cayenne shrimp boil its great. Getting ready for shuck your own oysters. Good choice when in Savannah.
(3)S G.
Excellent oysters and going for the crawfish. Friendly bartenders and great music to listen to while you eat
(5)JT M.
The definition of a great dive. Not sure if it really stands out in Savannah (may get another star if this place was anywhere in the Midwest), but surprisingly good food and good setting to relax with friends. They do have a winner with their Bloody Mary.
(4)Shakira H.
Great hole in the wall! Ok, not really thanks to fellow yelpers! But this place was straight to the point good solid food. I had the fried shrimp and oysters. Fiancé had the fried platter. Everything was cooked beautifully and was delicious. Service was good and it was a good night.
(4)Diana H.
Tourist trap hole in the wall with mediocre food and very mediocre service (at least they warned us that if we order the craw fish we would send it back like the 5 people before us...hence their second star). The fried stuff was okay- but that is hard to get wrong and the broiled stuff was not so great. The wait staff took for ever to greet us bring us drinks or bring us the check. I would skip this place.
(2)Annie L.
Slightly on the pricier side of things, but you really do pay for what you get. The oysters are absolutely delish...you scrape it off of the shell with the plastic knife they give you, and slurp that stuff up. Add a little horse radish, tabasco sauce, and cocktail sauce...maybe a little squirt of lemon...and you have yourself the perfect little oyster. It was like $9 for 1/2 dozen already shucked raw oysters.
(4)Jen B.
Happy Hour Oysters- $6 a dozen!!!! Plus a decent beer selection and the cleanest bathroom on the River. Great little dive bar to stop in and get a beer to go, which we did our first night in Savannah. The next day we stopped by again just in time to score the happy hour oyster deal. (I think it was 4pm-6.) Yes, please!
(4)Peto F.
Quick seating. Excellent fresh oysters. Cool looking place. Kid friendly. Make sure to ask about the picture of the ghost they have in there.
(5)Terrence G.
My wife and I ate here for lunch during our trip to Savannah. Our experience was made great only by the bar tender on duty. I wish I could remember his name to give him kudos on this review. When we walked in the place was packed tight. The servers were all busy. The bartender noticed us looking around and shouted to us that there were 2 seats open at the bar. He definitely made us feel comfortable right away. We ordered raw oysters which were good. You can get a bucket of oysters and shuck them yourselves if you want, but we opted for them to shuck'em. I ordered a shrimp po'boy which wasn't the best I've had, but it did the job for a normal lunch. The bartender took care of us and it was nice seeing him treat everyone else just as well. We would definitely come back here next time we're in town only because of him.
(4)Alex G.
Totally cool, funky "dive" joint for great oysters, steamed and fried seafood, and great drinks (the bloody mary with a pickled okra was top notch). Oysters were fresh and clean, although not as cold as I normally like. Crawfish were amazing! Highly recommended - even our six year old ate half a dozen! Buffalo shrimp maybe the best I've ever had; mini hush puppies also top notch. Skip the crab bisque. Wow- great place for honest, down home seafood. Do it!
(4)Lorenzo P.
Oysters were good but they didn't offer the happy hour that was advertised. But overall it was a good experience.
(4)Ian T.
Friendly service and atmosphere on the water of Savannah. A nice find amongst other generic restaurants with uninspiring menus. We had oysters, crab bisque, crab cakes and the signature Bloody Mary - all were smooth and flavourful. Liz was very friendly and attentive!
(5)ed s.
Got my Oyster fix as the gulf seafood industry is still coming back. I had heard of the bucket/pitcher special, but unfortunatly it wasn't going on last Mon night. Not knowing that the steamy hefty pale was going to come with 2 1/2 doz+ Med size and fresh. I also got an order of hush puppies; very tasty and not too oily. Miss Mia kept the brews coming and never let me run out of fresh horseradish and cocktail sauce! 5th star added for military discount/beer and oyster specials to come back for those of us with caviar tastes on a rice&beans budget. You just can't drink domestic when they have Sweetwater 420 and Moon River on tap ;O)
(4)Richard A.
I came here one late evening with my sister and brother. We were looking for a spot that was still open at 930pm, and wasn't too expensive in comparison to the other restaurants along the river. We should have just went elsewhere to eat. I had the Bernie's Special on the menu, which was basically a stack of cold cuts between 2 slices of bread with a leaf of lettuce and a tomato. Trust me, it wasn't anything special. My sister wasn't too hungry, so she shared the Low Country Boil with my brother. It was disappointing because they had run out of crawfish and substituted some puny shrimp. Again, nothing excellent, just mediocre. Now the plus side of this experience, was that the service and staff were excellent! Especially the bartender, who allowed me a few tastes of their brews before deciding on one. I don't think I'll come back, nothing really to draw me back. I'm not big on oysters, but after this one visit, I'll risk raw shellfish elsewhere.
(2)Robert P.
Shuck me?! Shuck you!! Bernie's is the maird, MoFos! Six dollar a dozen happy hour oysters can't be beat! Great cold beer and a very entertaining bar staff round out a must visit.
(4)Susan M.
We loved this place! We discovered it when we took the Savannah Taste food tour and we liked it so much we came back the next day. We got there at 11 am, right after they opened. Gordon, the bartender, made us delicious Bloody Marys and we ordered a dozed steamed oysters. The Bloody Marys and the oysters were both so good that we ordered a new round of each. The place is divey/hole in the wallish, which is just our speed. Our service was great because we sat at the bar and Gordon took great care of us. He also have a great Scottish brogue and an even better sense of humor, he made me an award for being the "Best Okra Cathcher out of a Bloody Mary in the Bar". We spent a couple of hours just killing time before we meandered off. If you like oysters and beer or Bloody Marys, stop by Bernie's. I bet you will wind up killing a few hours, too.
(5)Wendi M.
I would've never stopped by if it weren't for the foodie tour, but after the tour, we went back and ate lunch. The food is delicious! It's fresh, affordable, lots of food. I would definitely recommend!
(5)Alice M.
This place deserves higher ratings. Yes, it's a dive. If you know that going in, I can't imagine any other complaints. The wait staff are super friendly and accomodating. The hush puppies were some of the best we've had, the oysters were mammoth, and the bbq sandwich was excellent. We'll be back!
(4)Chris G.
Gonna make this short and sweet, unlike the songs we sang last week at their Karaoke. Drinks: Good Prices: Reasonable Karaoke: Horrible (maybe it was just us), but in a good way, and we totally apologize for the Prince songs. But we will sing them again, just the same! Buck up!! The Karaoke Jockey was awesome (and happy belated birthday again to you!)
(3)Don W.
As everyone describes; a dive bar. However, the place was almost full of patrons and service was good. Had a dozen steamed oysters and a cold beer. Outstanding! Limited menu, but what do you want from a dive bar?
(4)Dann H.
It's not for everyone, but the fact that my wife and I were able to order a bucket of oysters and shuck them ourselves made me happier than I can truly express. The waitress was suitably impressed by our speed - I imagine they get a lot of people in there who haven't had much oyster shucking experience. I smelled like grease, the floor was sticky and it was somehow both cold and hot at the same time, but I'll go back in a second the next time I'm in Savannah just to get at another bucket of shuck 'em yourself oysters.
(5)Joshua M.
Let's just say the waitress had no idea what to do because we had to ask for refills and everything else. The place was unorganized and needs a hostess at the door. It took 30 minutes to make a bowl of crappy coleslaw, BBQ, and the worst po boy I've ever had in my life. Then, she spilled water all over the table. You live and you learn, but do not go here if you expect something great.
(1)Sandy P.
Had been so excited to stop by this place as I'd heard so much about it. Fantasy better than the reality. Horrible service! I mean BAD. Ignored by both bartender and both waitresses despite it not being busy and only one table having their order taken. Left to visit another shop with some friends and came back. Same thing. Waitresses standing like three feet away and talking to each other but wouldn't acknowledge us. Another couple was in there and and experienced the same thing. We just looked at each other and I queried if they had closed the kitchen. The other customer didn't know and neither of the two waitresses or bartender could be bothered to take the 30 seconds to tell us they had closed the kitchen. We didn't know. Patrons were eating and no signs were posted. Only found out after I chased one of the girls down. Drinks were still being served, spin figured I'd at least try one of their so-called famous Bloody Marys. An ordeal there too just to get the bartender's attention despite only a handful of people at the bar. This is my favorite drink and I've had one from almost every city I've ever visited. This wasn't the worst I've had, but it was a long ways away from good. Bitter. Weak on spices. Barely any vodka. Man, this place couldn't get anything right. An pure tourist trap which gets away with awful service b/c of their novelty and the fact that their customers are mostly just visiting and a new influx of one-timers hit it up each season.
(1)Kelsey C.
A great dive with quality crawfish and good beer. We also got the steamed oysters, which were yummy. Our server was friendly. I can't wait to go back on my next trip to Savannah.
(4)Susanna C.
I would highly recommend this place as the best place to get oysters in Savannah. On our many trips to Savannah we always stop here for lunch and share a bucket of steamed oysters. The hush puppies here are great as well. If you love oysters steamed or raw this is the place. Wait staff is good and beer selection is not bad either.
(5)Mason S.
Can you give zero stars??? Staff at the front door sucked....no sign for seating was visible so I asked and received a grunt... Craw fish was over seasoned....that is what happens when you do it everyday and forget what it is like to pay attention to detail. They don't pride themselves in many things....keeping up with the interior decor/cleanliness is one of those things you think they would pay attention to.
(1)Denise B.
Delicious shrimp boil and fish tacos. Like the atmosphere and good customer service. Wish they weren't out of hush puppies (along with a handful of other menu items).
(4)Ryan O.
The fish poboy and Bernie's Special were perfect. The grilled chicken salad was slightly above average. The coleslaw was amazing! The ambiance was nice, too. It's a quaint, dark, brick-walled room with loud, New Orleans-esque music playing. To me, this is the ideal place on River St. It beats the heck out of the white, linen tablecloth type places. The service, on the other hand, was terrible. He was more interested in watching a football game than to seat customers, take our order, bring us napkins, or refill our waters. I rarely tip less than 20%, and this guy got 12%.
(3)Bria D.
Bernie's is something short of a good time. To be fair, I say this because the Bernie's crowd is simply not my scene. The bar doesn't misrepresent itself: what you expect is pretty much exactly what you get. I had gorged myself on 25cent oysters during Happy Hour in the past, so swung by to get my bivalve on during this most recent trip to Savannah. As I was there latenight, the oysters were all of $10.95/dozen, so still completely affordable. Bonus: a couple of the oysters had stowaways and the shucker had helpfully opened those as well, including one scallop--well, I think that was a scallop. There were 3 other patrons in the bar when we got there, all of whom were deeply engrossed in Monday Night Football. Of course. There was lots of hootin' and hollerin' and general purpose celebration that made little sense. We quickly scampered away for more chill pastures. The bottom line: come for the oysters. Leave as soon as you're done.
(3)Chris W.
Great place to come from the heat on River Street. Grab a cold brew and some oysters. Steamed were awesome. Small hole in the wall. Great service with a smile.
(4)Alex F.
I love this place. I make a point to stop here every time I am in Savannah for a bucket of oysters and a cold beer. Recently I tried the low country boil and was not dissapointed.
(5)Lena F.
This is a fun place to eat on River Street. We had raw oysters and they didn't disappoint. You can order on the half shell or get a full bucket to shuck yourself. No thanks. You have to know what you are doing. I saw a "Bro" slice his hand really bad. Like really. The place was super busy, but our service never slacked and our beer never ran dry. We came for the oysters, but we also split a fish Po-Boy. I wish we hadn't. It was very average and not worth the price. Stick to the oyster and beer. Loud music and fun will ensue.
(4)Nancy R.
Bernie's is located right on River Street. It's a small, quaint but cozy place. Everybody was eating their raw oysters, but I chose something else. FOOD: I had their fried oyster po'boy sandwich with fries for 9.75. It was very tasty and good. BAD: service. TIP: It's a good place after a night of drinking.
(4)Brandon G.
Ok I do not give many 5 star reviews. I think this is only my second. But, if you know what you are walking into, there is no reason to not give it 5 stars!!! This was my second time at Bernie's. First was with my wife and kiddo last year and this time was with just my wife on our weekend trip. I will almost combine both reviews into one. The place is great. It is a dive that is for sure. Sure it might seem dirty and dark but hey, it is a basement bar on river street no the posh gentleman's club at the Weston! First time I came I had the crawfish boil and a dozen oysters and both were great. This time I got the buck of shuck 'em yourself. I was told that there were 2-3 dozen in the bucket but I had just under two dozen. Still does not warrant taking a star off. The oysters were huge. Seriously, I am very picky about my seafood and freshness. These things were MASSIVE with some of them being bigger than the size of my hand. I had trouble finding a few small enough for my wife to eat. My wife had the fish and chips. She said the hushpuppies were good and the fish was ok. Or something like that. I really could not hear here through the blissful thoughts that were running through my head. Twice now with good food at an OK price has make this a spot that I will be sure to come back to if/when we come back to Savannah!!!
(5)W T.
Typical bar food. Nothing spectacular. I wouldn't go outta my way to go back but if I was in the area, perhaps. The oyster was a bit room temperature for my taste. Could have been colder.
(3)James H.
Stopped in with a large group for a friend's birthday. The size of our group necessitated a bit of a wait, but the staff expedited that process as best they could. We grabbed drinks and walked back outside. The menu has all the standard seafood fare you'd expect, but we couldn't pass up the beer and bucket of oysters special that day. Service was polite and attentive. I'll be back. No question about it.
(4)Loren S.
What a GREAT place! A hole-in-the-wall dive, it truly is, but friendly, inviting, and unpretentious. The kind of place where "everybody WOULD know my name", if only I lived close enough to go more often. Alas, only on vacation. The steamed shrimp and oysters are the best I ever ate. Add cold draft beer, hush puppies, and cole slaw, and ... well... it's just heaven on earth. A special thanks to the friendly and helpful waitress who took the time to show me how to eat crawfish properly. She must have had 50 customers, but she took a moment for me like I was the only one in the place. Thanks!
(5)Bob B.
Really disappointed with Bernie's this time. Staff was unfriendly, oysters had grit in them, and prices are up due to lack of competition. This place was so much fun but now doesn't seem to care about their customers.
(2)Dawen H.
Only ordered some wings and beer. The wings were not bad, but they gave us bottled Guiness which was not what we expected since it somehow looked like an authentic Irish Pub.
(3)Vang H.
Even though there is nothing special about this place, I always find myself wanting to go back for their bucket of oysters + pitcher of beer for $20 special. The oysters are not flavorful and are average at best but served with lemon, crackers and cheap beer... it washes down quite well. The attraction for me here is a great place to sit with friends and enjoy the experience of working for your meal :)
(3)Ryan E.
Great food, cheap price, and extremely friendly staff!! The beer was really good too, will definitely go back if I am every in Savannah!!
(5)Lisa R.
Terrific oysters and super friendly staff.
(4)Maxine C.
Went here last Saturday night with L and her mom and aunt. I ordered the bread and hot cheese because I only ever see that on menus in Savannah. L had the fish tacos which looked really good, I had the Low Country Boil with just shrimp, aunt had LCB with shrimp and crawfish and L's mom had a platter of fried. My LCB was really really good and a HUGE portion. I'd eat there again.
(4)Dean Y.
Stopped in for lunch yesterday; my wife and I ordered fish tacos and oyster tacos, respectively. The fish (grouper) was excellent as were the oysters; both nicely seasoned with lettuce, chopped tomatoes and po' boy sauce in a soft tortilla. The sauce had a nice horseradish kick to it. Prompt, friendly service.
(4)Joe R.
After 3 straight nights of eating seafood, I wanted some meat and the bbq pork sandwich sounded good. My wife thought the parmesan chicken sounded good as well. My sandwich was good, but my wife's sandwich was horrible. The marinara sauce on it was the worst I've ever tasted, I believe it had fermented. If it fermented then it had been left out at room temperature all day; marinara must be kept refrigerated and can only be out at room temp. for 8 hours max. before it's no good. She ate one or two bites and went back to the hotel hungry. Won't go back again.
(2)Kim N.
My husband and I loved this place! If you are looking for something more tourist-oriented with lots of windows overlooking River Street, then don't come here. But if you want an authentic, Savannah experience and want to hang out in a cool place, this is it. I think that most people miss it because from the street, you would never notice it. As I mentioned, there are no windows and once inside, it is kind of like a cave (for me, that just adds to the coolness). The service is good and their seafood is great. I had absolutely no idea that fried oysters could be so tender and delicious until we came here. The bloody marys were ridiculously good - a must if you visit any time while the sun is still up. Seafood boils were great too. We liked it so much we came back again a couple days later! So, if you come here, order something that makes sense (like the seafood) - don't order a stupid sandwich.
(4)Gary C.
Wanna Hoist some Oysters. Meet Friends and see all the activity on River Street? My favorite Place for a Drink and Oysters is Bernies. A stone building right on River Street, Bernies offers Great HUSH PUPPIES, while having an Ice Cold Beer or Drink with Friends in a Cozy atmosphere. Bernies will NOT sell Oysters unless they're in season. Generally the rule of thumb is Months that have an "R" in them are in Season! Grab a bucket of Oysters and Some Cold Beer with Friends. This is a Fun Place!
(4)Ashley E.
awesome oysters. great vibe.
(4)Frida Y.
We had the happy hour oyster deal and later on couldn't help but ordered one shrimp basket. All sea food we had the day was fresh and delicious, and price is not high. It's a very nice experience.
(4)Jennifer O.
This is a dive bar. Make no mistake about it. Fortunately, I am a fan of local dive bars when on vacation! Dive bar simply means, it's small, it's dark, and been around the block a few times. If you are looking for pretense, this isn't your spot. If you are looking for something that makes you feel a little like family, lets you write on the walls, and serves up some fairly priced extremely good steamed sea creatures, you have hit pay dirt. I personally don't care for oysters so I ordered a 1/2 pound of peel and eat shrimp. The fiance ordered a dozen steamers. I am forced to say, the shirmp were some of the best steamed peelers I have had. I have traveled ALL over so thats saying alot. I wasn't expecting the quality. With very firm, great texture, it gave off that "hey, I was swimming a few hours ago" vibe. Not the "we thought we'd never leave the freezer" one. Fiance loved his oysters but once he thieved a shrimp from me, he was hooked on it like briney crack. The bar tender Roy was extremely personable, knowledgable and whipped out some stellar mixed drinks for me. This is a repeater. I will be back again tonite and will make it a point to come by any other time I am in Savannah to play!
(4)I. C.
My husband and I came upon Bernie's one afternoon before Christmas. The bartender was great and we had good, cheap drinks(in to-go cups,Savnnah is awesome!) while we relaxed by the water. After a late night ghost tour we went again, this time to eat. Gene had some good fish tacos and I had fried skrumps. The building itself is an old warehouse and boy if those walls could talk! I loved Bernie's. It's my kind of place.
(4)Nannylou G.
Every trip to Savannah has included a visit to Bernie's for me. The food is great and the staff friendly although not very knowledgeable. When asked what kind of Chardonnay they have the response was "Chardonnay, Cabernet and Merlot". this question was repeated and the same response received. How funny. Karaoke night is fun even if you can't sing or are over 20. The crowd is very accepting and we have had so much fun! The food is tasty. The bathrooms are cleaner than most bars in the area. Can be drafty and too cold in any weather.
(4)