The Grove closes as new owners plan Christmas pop-up, 1970s disco bar

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The Grove Restaurant and Bar in downtown Savannah has closed, and new ownership is converting the ground floor and rooftop into a Christmas-themed bar called the “Xmas Bar.”

They have plans to open their doors for those in the holiday spirit on November 5, but it could be pushed back a few days at this time.

Forward Hospitality Group buys the Grove

The Forward Hospitality Group bought the Grove a few days ago, according to Good Night John Boy owner and operator Beth McLeod.

People stopped by for lunch, reunions, or just a drink on Friday afternoon but were turned away as construction is underway to transform the three-story building.

McLeod said the company wanted to keep former Grove employees on staff for the Xmas Bar, giving them a job opportunity during the holiday months.

The 21-and-up pop-up “Xmas Bar” will occupy the ground floor, with the rooftop becoming the “North Pole.”

McLeod said Good Night John Boy will open on Congress Street in March 2027 as a 1970s-themed disco bar. She said permits for the disco bar are still being finalized. The bar will feature custom-built sofas that allow people to sit on the backs of them and dance on them as well, along with the lit-up dance floors throughout.

“The adults need some place to go and have a great time and dance and feel safe, and it has to be clean, and so that’s kind of how John Boy came about,” McLeod said.

McLeod said the business focuses on older adults, but they’ve seen the wide range of 70- and 80-year-olds to those who just turned 21 looking for a fun night out.

“Our biggest demo [in Cleveland, Ohio] really became 30-60. In Florida, it’s so much fun to watch a couple of clubs, so we’ll have the retirees, and the 80-year-olds and 70-year-olds and some of them will go, ‘this was my original move,’ right next to the Instagramers. So you get a really good mix. In Cleveland, we had a 100-year birthday party, she came with her little walker, she came with a party bus full of people.”

Company has looked at Savannah for years

McLeod and her partners began looking into investing in Savannah about three to four years ago. They had another location in mind closer to River Street but ultimately did not choose it.

“Everyone got really excited about it, it’s a newer building, we like the southern charm aspect.”

With this location, the company will own nine Good Night John Boy bars, including three in Florida. The first Good Night John Boy opened in Cleveland, Ohio.

“People were saying, ‘You guys are really going to open a disco?’ And we were prepared for people to just hang out and just take in the music and dance a little. Forget that,” she said. “They’re dancing sometimes at two in the afternoon, and we’re packed, so it’s adult fun, clean, happy, Bee Gees, you can’t get too upset with the Bee Gees.”