If you were any kind of Savannah party person in the 20th century, you turned a twirl at Johnny Harris Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge on Victory Drive. From the 1920s through the 1950s the octagonal-shaped ballroom hosted the biggest bands of the era, couples jitterbugging under the starlight ceiling and canoodling in the built-in booths every night of the week.
This is where I grew up. Had my first Tom Collins, kissed my first boy, played the slot machines, danced and jitterbugged until closing. And have eaten ,more fried chicken and lemon coconut pie than I can count. A major part of my life was on that dance floor jitterbugging for hours. Thank you, Red Donaldson.
First, thank you for this trip back in time. Your writing is pure pleasure! I worked on the weekends in the early 1970's at Johnny Harris, both in the dining room and the bar. I remember Richard Worlds, a tall, elegant Black man who worked as a waiter for close to 50 years I think. He told me some of the best stories! One of the favorites is how many wait staff did not know how to read or write in the early years and memorized every meal order, from soup to nuts! I remember the Gene Taggart Band with their huge RV in the back parking lot , Miss Kitty, an older friendly woman with white hair who worked in the bar area for many years and my boss, Norman Heidt, a very nice man. Today I have a booth table and seat from the bar, acquired during the auction of furnishings when they closed. If that booth could talk, oh the stories and secrets it could offer!
One of the tragic things that occurred in the city was the destruction of this fabulous architectural masterpiece to build a tasteless grocery store. The bastardization of Victory Drive continues unabated along much of it's corridor. How sad.
My mom loves to tell stories about watching her parents dance there when she was a little girl. The hot pants under the high split skirt & fitted top that my nana would wear. If only we had photos! It was a legit fancy place when I was young & I always adored the starlit ceiling✨ The first time I ever met my husband’s mom was at The Kitchen for lunch. He joined us thankfully. I can’t rmmbr what I ordered, but I rmmbr hers bc she got the same thing every time. Memories💖
This is where I grew up. Had my first Tom Collins, kissed my first boy, played the slot machines, danced and jitterbugged until closing. And have eaten ,more fried chicken and lemon coconut pie than I can count. A major part of my life was on that dance floor jitterbugging for hours. Thank you, Red Donaldson.
First, thank you for this trip back in time. Your writing is pure pleasure! I worked on the weekends in the early 1970's at Johnny Harris, both in the dining room and the bar. I remember Richard Worlds, a tall, elegant Black man who worked as a waiter for close to 50 years I think. He told me some of the best stories! One of the favorites is how many wait staff did not know how to read or write in the early years and memorized every meal order, from soup to nuts! I remember the Gene Taggart Band with their huge RV in the back parking lot , Miss Kitty, an older friendly woman with white hair who worked in the bar area for many years and my boss, Norman Heidt, a very nice man. Today I have a booth table and seat from the bar, acquired during the auction of furnishings when they closed. If that booth could talk, oh the stories and secrets it could offer!
Thank you for these memories, Maggie!
One of the tragic things that occurred in the city was the destruction of this fabulous architectural masterpiece to build a tasteless grocery store. The bastardization of Victory Drive continues unabated along much of it's corridor. How sad.
I guess they want to compete w Whole Foods/amazon. Seems like there would be a good spot somewhere else. But alas that lot was empty/for sale, so…
Didn't have to happen. Too much complacency in this city.
Thanks for an “update” on the history!
My mom loves to tell stories about watching her parents dance there when she was a little girl. The hot pants under the high split skirt & fitted top that my nana would wear. If only we had photos! It was a legit fancy place when I was young & I always adored the starlit ceiling✨ The first time I ever met my husband’s mom was at The Kitchen for lunch. He joined us thankfully. I can’t rmmbr what I ordered, but I rmmbr hers bc she got the same thing every time. Memories💖