You’ve probably seen it. That big, sprawling Victorian porch on the corner of Hypolita and Spanish Street. For decades, it was the soul of downtown St. Augustine. If you were looking for a stiff drink, a basket of fried shrimp, or maybe just a spot to watch the tourists melt in the Florida humidity, Scarlett O’Hara’s was the place.
But things changed. Honestly, the story of Scarlett O'Hara's restaurant St Augustine is kinda heartbreaking for those of us who remember the "old" city before the modern boom.
The news hit like a ton of bricks in July 2022. One day people were eating burgers, and the next, there was a sign on the door. It wasn't just a "closed for renovations" thing. It was a "goodbye for good" thing. The owners at the time, ServStar, couldn't reach a deal on the lease. Prices were skyrocketing. The pandemic had already done its damage. Basically, the math just didn't work anymore.
It felt like the end of an era.
The Ghostly Legend of 70 Hypolita Street
Most people don’t realize that the building actually started as two separate houses. They were joined together way back in the day to create the maze-like interior we knew. The most famous part of the history involves a guy named George Colee.
Around 1879, George was building this house for his fiancée. It was supposed to be their dream home. Then, she left him. Talk about a bad break. George didn't handle it well—who would? A few weeks later, they found him dead in his bathtub upstairs.
People say George never left.
The "Ghost Bar" upstairs became a legendary spot for a reason. Ask any of the old bartenders; they’ve got stories. Bottles flying off shelves. Cold spots that make your hair stand up. Some visitors even claimed George would mess with guys in the men’s restroom if they were being too loud or disrespectful. He was a proper gentleman, apparently, even in the afterlife.
What is the restaurant called now?
If you walk by today, you won’t see the Scarlett O’Hara’s sign. At least, not the original one.
After the big closure in 2022, the space sat empty for a minute. Then, a new spot called The Scarlett House moved in. It’s a bit different. They tried to keep some of that neighborhood pub vibe alive—live music, porch seating, burgers—but it's definitely got a new energy. There was even a brief stint where it was linked to the Bourbon Street bar next door, with the fences opened up so people could flow between the two.
It’s a bit of a "Ship of Theseus" situation. Is it still Scarlett's? Or is it just a ghost of what used to be there?
Why the original Scarlett O'Hara's couldn't survive
St. Augustine is changing fast.
Ten years ago, you could park downtown without a mortgage. Now? Good luck. The owners of the original Scarlett O'Hara's restaurant St Augustine pointed to a "change in guest tastes." That’s business-speak for: people want fancy small plates and $18 craft cocktails now. The old-school, smoky, wooden-floor pub vibe is becoming a rarity.
Inflation was the final nail. When your light bill goes up and the cost of chicken wings doubles, you can only raise prices so much before the locals stop coming.
- The Lease Issue: The property owner and the management group simply couldn't agree on terms.
- Competition: Massive new restaurants like Casa Reina and River and Fork opened nearby, drawing crowds away from the older dives.
- Labor: Finding staff in a city where the cost of living has exploded is nearly impossible.
It’s a tough environment. Even staples aren't safe.
Is the food still the same?
If you go to The Scarlett House today, you’ll find a menu that hits the classics. We're talking chili cheese fries, pulled pork, and burgers with names like the "Mac Daddy." It’s solid pub food. But for the regulars who spent twenty years at the old oyster bar, it’s just not the same.
The soul of a place isn't just the menu. It's the way the floorboards creak and the specific way the light hits the bar at 4:00 PM on a Tuesday.
✨ Don't miss: Red light area Philippines: What it’s actually like on the ground in 2026
What to do if you're visiting today
Don't let the closure of the "original" stop you from visiting the building. The architecture alone is worth the trip. It’s one of the most photographed spots in the city for a reason.
If you want to experience the history:
- Sit on the porch. It’s still one of the best people-watching spots in the South.
- Head upstairs. Even if the "Ghost Bar" isn't exactly what it was in 1995, the energy in that old Victorian attic is heavy.
- Take a ghost tour. Almost every tour in town stops here. They’ll tell you more about George Colee than I ever could.
The Future of 70 Hypolita Street
Will it ever go back to being the Scarlett O'Hara's we knew? Probably not. The name is owned by the previous management group, and they’ve mentioned possibly "relaunching" it elsewhere. But you can't just move a 140-year-old haunted house.
The current iteration, The Scarlett House, is doing its own thing. It’s more of a high-energy bar scene now, especially on weekends when the college crowd from Flagler drifts over.
Change is the only constant in a city this old.
If you're looking for a dose of nostalgia, your best bet is to grab a drink, find a rocking chair on that front porch, and imagine the thousands of people who did the exact same thing over the last century. Just keep an eye out for George.
Next Steps for Your Visit:
- Check the current hours: Things shift seasonally in St. Augustine, so verify they're open before walking over.
- Visit during the day: If you want a quieter look at the history and the woodwork, lunch is a much better time than Saturday night.
- Look for the plaque: There are historical markers nearby that explain the transition of the houses and the Hampton family history.