Johnny Mercer Theatre
The Johnny Mercer Theatre is the 2,566-seat theatre inside the Savannah Civic Center, on the corner of Liberty and Montgomery Streets in the Historic District and 8 miles from the airport. Its own parking lot is entered off Liberty Street, with metered street parking and city garages nearby. Bags are the thing to plan around: a clutch no bigger than 4.5 by 6.5 by 2 inches, or a clear bag up to 14 by 14 by 6, and everything gets searched.
Before you go
- Capacity
- 2,566 seats (the Civic Center's own page says 2,524)
- Indoor or outdoor
- Indoor: a proscenium theatre with orchestra, mezzanine and balcony levels
- Official site
- johnnymercertheatre.com
- Next festival here
- Savannah Music Festival, Apr 2 to 17, 2027
Worth knowing before you go
- A clutch must be 4.5 by 6.5 by 2 inches or smaller; anything larger must be clear and no bigger than 14 by 14 by 6 with at most two pockets, or it goes to the $10 cash-only bag check.
- Backpacks, umbrellas, strollers, selfie sticks and cameras with lenses over six inches are all on the prohibited list.
- Accessible and wheelchair seating is in the Orchestra section and first come, first served; call 800-351-7469 at least two weeks ahead.
- The theatre recommends a taxi or Uber as the most direct way to arrive, and the CAT bus stops close to the Civic Center.
- Age limits vary by event; generally under-15s need an adult with them.
Festivals here
Venue basics: Own lot off Liberty Street, garages nearby · Clutch or clear bag only · Accessible seating in the Orchestra.
Is it for you
Choose it if
- You want a big, seated theatre show with a parking lot at the door.
- You are staying in the Historic District and want to walk to the venue.
- You need Orchestra-level accessible seating or an assistive listening device.
Think twice if
- You carry a backpack or a big bag everywhere: only a small clutch or a clear bag gets in.
- You want to bring your own food or drink: none is allowed in the auditorium.
- You are travelling with a stroller or an umbrella: both are on the prohibited list.
- You are planning to camp on site: we don't yet have confirmed information about camping here.
Getting there and parking
The theatre is at 301 W. Oglethorpe Ave, on the corner of Liberty and Montgomery Streets in the heart of Savannah's Historic District, within walking distance of many hotels, restaurants and galleries and 8 miles from Savannah Airport. The theatre's own parking lot is entered off Liberty Street, and there is on-street metered parking and several city lots and garages close by.
CAT buses serve downtown with stops close to the Civic Center, and the theatre recommends a taxi or Uber as the most direct, stress-free way to get there. The box office is at the Civic Center, open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm on 912.651.6550, and tickets are sold through Ticketmaster.com.
Accessibility
Accessible parking and seating are available. Accessible and wheelchair seating is in the Orchestra section on a first-come, first-served basis, and anyone who needs accommodations should call the box office at least two weeks before the event on 800-351-7469.
Assistive Listening Devices are lent in exchange for a valid, non-expired ID, and service animals are welcome when leashed or harnessed.
Confirm your specific needs with the venue before you travel (johnnymercertheatre.com).
Camping
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at the Johnny Mercer Theatre. The venue's own pages are the place to check: johnnymercertheatre.com.
Food, water and what you can bring
Outside food and beverages are not allowed in the auditorium. Concessions are sold at the theatre before the show and at intermission.
Clutches must be 4.5 by 6.5 by 2 inches or smaller. Anything bigger must be clear, no larger than 14 by 14 by 6 inches with at most two pockets. Diaper bags and medical bags are allowed but searched, and a bag that is not allowed in can be held at the $10, cash-only bag check until the end of the show. All bags are searched on entry.
Backpacks, luggage, coolers, cans and bottles, camcorders, cameras with lenses over six inches, laptops, laser pointers, selfie sticks, strollers, umbrellas, tobacco, outside food and drink and weapons are prohibited. Cameras and recording devices are generally not permitted, phones must be silenced, and smoking, including vapes, is not allowed.
Sound and sensory
The theatre has one of the largest prosceniums in the Southeast and is designed for acoustics and sightlines, so even the more distant seats have a good view. The orchestra level is the main floor with the most direct view, the mezzanine sits above it, and the balcony is the highest and most distant tier. Assistive Listening Devices are available with a valid ID.
Quick answers
Where do I park for the Johnny Mercer Theatre?
In the theatre's own lot, entered off Liberty Street, or in the metered street parking and city garages nearby.
What is the bag policy at the Johnny Mercer Theatre?
A clutch no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 by 2 inches, or a clear bag up to 14 by 14 by 6 inches with at most two pockets. Diaper and medical bags are allowed but searched, and other bags can be checked for $10 cash until the end of the show.
Is the Johnny Mercer Theatre wheelchair accessible?
Partly. Accessible parking is available and accessible and wheelchair seating is in the Orchestra section, first come, first served; call 800-351-7469 at least two weeks ahead to arrange it.
Can I bring food or drink into the Johnny Mercer Theatre?
No. Outside food and beverages are not allowed in the auditorium; concessions are sold before the show and at intermission.
Can I take photos at the Johnny Mercer Theatre?
Generally no. Cameras and recording devices are not permitted at events, cameras with lenses over six inches and camcorders are on the prohibited list, and phones must be silenced.
Can I bring children to the Johnny Mercer Theatre?
It depends on the event. Generally children under 15 must be with an adult, and for most performances children under two are free on an adult's lap. Strollers are not allowed in.
How many seats does the Johnny Mercer Theatre have?
2,566 across orchestra, mezzanine and balcony levels, with one of the largest prosceniums in the Southeast. The Civic Center's own page gives 2,524.
Can I camp at the Johnny Mercer Theatre?
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at the Johnny Mercer Theatre. The venue's own pages at johnnymercertheatre.com are the place to check.
A little history
The Johnny Mercer Theatre opened in 1990 as part of the Savannah Civic Center. It is named after Savannah native Johnny Mercer, who never performed at or visited the venue, and it is owned by the City of Savannah and managed by Oak View Group.