Meet Nickel & Oak, a downtown Savannah lounge featuring live music, cocktails, weekly entertainment and a welcoming setting.
A chance discovery turned into four visits in one week for the HelloSav reader who nominated Nickel & Oak Lounge for this month’s Behind the Business feature.
Located at 111 W. Congress St. in downtown Savannah, Nickel & Oak is a 21 and up cocktail lounge built around live music. The business is owned by Matthew Lipman and opened in July 2026, adding a new option for residents looking for an evening out that feels different from a traditional bar or nightclub.
The reader who submitted the nomination had never heard of Nickel & Oak before happening upon it one evening. She decided to step inside without knowing what to expect, enjoyed the experience, and returned three more times that same week.
“Four visits in one week probably says more than anything else I could write about how much I enjoy this place,” she shared.
What stood out first was the atmosphere. The reader described Nickel & Oak as sophisticated and thoughtfully designed while still feeling comfortable and welcoming. She found it well suited for enjoying a performance, having a drink, and talking with friends without the evening feeling centered on a crowded nightclub environment.
That experience reflects the lounge’s music first approach. Live performances anchor the calendar, with headlining acts typically scheduled Thursday through Saturday. Other nights may include jam sessions, DJs, vinyl nights, karaoke, and additional programming. Llive music is scheduled consistently each week, with a mix of regional performers and touring acts.
The upcoming calendar illustrates some of that range. Lowcountry vocalist Anna Barnes is scheduled to open for Hannah Dasher on September 4. Nashville based soul artist Jed Harrelson, whose music combines soul, rock, and R&B, is set to perform on September 26. Robert Deitch will take the stage on September 30 at 8 p.m. Tickets for these performances are available through Nickel & Oak.
The venue is designed to keep the performances at the center of the evening. Its intimate layout gives guests a closer view of the stage while leaving room to enjoy a drink and conversation. It provides another option for Savannah residents looking for live entertainment without the atmosphere of a larger concert venue or crowded nightclub.
The cocktail program follows the lounge’s musical theme. Its menu combines drinks based on familiar classics with original options. One of its more unusual features is what the business calls “sonic maturation.” According to Nickel & Oak, select cocktails are aged using low frequency sound vibrations from the music played in the room. The process is intended to move and blend the liquid as it ages, influencing its flavor and texture.
Nickel & Oak does not offer a full food menu. Instead, guests can purchase a limited selection of small, prepackaged snacks intended to accompany drinks. Happy hour is offered daily from 4 to 6 p.m., with $10 covers, $8 Sapelo Spritzes, and $6 draft beverages among the listed specials.
In addition to its regular programming, Nickel & Oak can host private events ranging from small gatherings to full venue buyouts. Available options include reserved seating areas, access to a private mezzanine, custom beverage packages, entertainment coordination, and event support.
The space can accommodate corporate gatherings, cocktail receptions, rehearsal dinners, networking events, holiday parties, client entertainment, and milestone celebrations. Private events may range from approximately 20 to 100 guests, while the lounge’s total capacity is 180.
With live performances every weekend and additional programming throughout the week, Nickel & Oak is establishing itself as another place to hear music in downtown Savannah. Its combination of touring and regional performers, cocktails, and an intimate setting gives local audiences a new way to spend an evening on West Congress Street.
Nickel & Oak Lounge is located at 111 W. Congress St., Savannah, GA 31401. It is open Tuesday through Saturday from 3 p.m. to midnight and is limited to guests 21 and older. Performance details and ticket information are available through the lounge’s website.
