Teufelhunden Tavern: Inside Hilton Head’s Hidden Marine Corps Speakeasy

Inside a hidden Hilton Head speakeasy where Marine Corps history, tradition and camaraderie live on

Story by Lance Hanlin + Photography by Zachary Green

The toast begins with a small piece of wood from Belleau Wood resting in the bourbon and sand from Iwo Jima in hand. Beneath a flag that once flew over the battlefield at Belleau Wood in France, Marines from different generations gather to share stories, honor those who came before them and raise a glass to a legacy that endures. It’s a ritual unlike any other on Hilton Head Island, and it takes place in the most unexpected of places.

Tucked behind a secret entrance inside a private Port Royal Plantation home is Teufelhunden Tavern, a speakeasy-style gathering place created by U.S. Marine veteran Zachary Green. Part museum, part tavern and part tribute, the space is dedicated to preserving Marine Corps history while creating opportunities for veterans and friends to connect through storytelling.

What began as a passion for military history gradually evolved into an extraordinary collection of rare recruiting posters, artifacts, books, uniforms and memorabilia. Green spent decades acquiring pieces connected to the Marine Corps, particularly those tied to the legendary Battle of Belleau Wood during World War I. When his family relocated to Hilton Head Island in 2021, he finally found the perfect place to bring the vision to life.

Just a short drive from Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, the tavern has become an unlikely gathering place for Marines visiting the Lowcountry. Historic recruiting posters line the walls. Rare artifacts fill display cases. A handcrafted mahogany bar pays homage to Tun Tavern, the Philadelphia birthplace of the Marine Corps. The scent of cigars drifts through the room while conversations unfold over bourbon, wine and stories shared among friends.

Not open to the public, the private, invitation-only space remains one of Hilton Head Island’s best-kept secrets. While the collection itself is remarkable, Green believes the real value lies in the connections it creates. Join us for a rare look inside Teufelhunden Tavern, where every artifact tells a story, and every toast honors a legacy.

The curator

Teufelhunden Tavern founder, Zachary Green, sits in his grandfather’s chair and holds an original Marine Corps campaign cover dating to 1917. More than a century old, the hat represents the direct lineage of the campaign covers still worn by Marine Corps drill instructors today. For Green, preserving history is about more than collecting artifacts. It is about honoring the service and sacrifices of those who came before him while ensuring their stories continue to inspire future generations.

Guardians of history

Original World War I helmets line a display honoring units of the famed Indianhead 2nd Division, including the legendary 5th and 6th Marines. At the far right sits a helmet representing the 3rd Infantry Division, the “Rock of the Marne,” displayed in honor of a childhood friend who served with the division during the Iraq War. The 3rd Infantry Division fought in the same Château-Thierry sector as the Marines at Belleau Wood and earned its legendary nickname by holding the line along the Marne River in 1918. Below are examples of trench art crafted from battlefield materials, along with an original 1918 edition of The New York Times featuring one of the earliest reports on the Battle of Belleau Wood.

Family legacy

At the center of this room is Green’s grandfather’s leather chair, a piece dating back to his service as a district attorney during Kentucky’s Prohibition era. Nearby, his great-grandfather’s curio cabinet houses original World War I artifacts, Marine Corps uniforms and lead toy soldiers. Together with antique firefighting communications equipment, the display reflects a family legacy of military service, public service and civic duty spanning multiple generations.

A Marine’s story

This handcrafted display incorporates spent .50-caliber cartridge cases from the iconic M2 Browning machine gun, affectionately known to Marines as “Ma Deuce.” Replica artillery and mortar rounds represent weapon systems Green worked with during his own Marine Corps career. While much of the tavern focuses on Marines from the past, this display offers a personal glimpse into the experiences and memories that shaped its founder.

Where the Corps began

Marine Corps tradition traces its origins to Philadelphia’s historic Tun Tavern, where the first Marines were recruited in 1775. Teufelhunden Tavern pays tribute to those roots with a handcrafted mahogany bar, cigar humidor and gathering space designed for fellowship. More than a place to display artifacts, it serves as the social heart of the collection, where stories are shared, friendships strengthened and traditions passed from one generation to the next.

The legend of the Devil Dogs

This original early 20th-century Marine Corps recruiting poster commemorates the Battle of Belleau Wood and the legendary “Devil Dog” nickname that inspired the tavern’s name. The artwork captures the fighting spirit, courage and determination associated with the Marines who fought there and remains one of the collection’s most treasured pieces.

Artifacts from the front

Throughout the tavern are dozens of original recruiting posters, wartime artifacts and an authentic replica World War I Marine uniform, complete with period gear. Together the displays offer a glimpse into the appearance, equipment and experiences of Marines who served more than a century ago.

A tradition unlike any other

Every Marine who visits Teufelhunden Tavern is invited to participate in a ceremonial toast. Standing on original floorboards from the home of legendary Marine Lt. Gen. Lewis “Chesty” Puller, guests raise a glass of bourbon infused with a small piece of wood from Belleau Wood, while holding sand collected from Iwo Jima. Afterward, they sign a board that serves as a living record of Marines from every generation who have shared in the experience.

Beneath sacred colors

Suspended above the tavern is an American flag that once flew over the Belleau Wood monument in France. For Marines the battlefield remains hallowed ground and a defining chapter in Corps history. The flag serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifice and courage of those who fought there in 1918. Beneath its folds, Marines from different generations find common ground, united by a legacy forged at Belleau Wood and carried forward by every generation since.