Asheville has a way of lifting you up—literally and figuratively.
Step onto a rooftop, and the city spreads out at your feet while the Blue Ridge Mountains hold the horizon. Up here, cocktails slow down, conversations deepen, and the whole place feels a little softer, a little more spacious.
These rooftop bars aren’t about flash. They’re about moments: a sunset that crawls into evening light, a drink that tastes like the day, and a view you want to make room for in your memory. Whether you’re here for the first time or you call this city home, there’s a perch waiting for you.
What Are the Best Rooftop Bars in Asheville?
Antidote
Antidote brings an early-1900s apothecary sensibility to the South Slope, featuring glassware, meticulous details, and a cocktail list that matches the mood. Rooftop seating upstairs gives you fresh air and a little breathing room without leaving downtown behind.
Capella on 9
Set on the ninth-floor terrace of the AC Hotel, Capella on 9 pairs skyline views with a distinctly Asheville sensibility. Cocktails and tapas highlight regional ingredients, while the elevated vantage offers a rare mix of mountain silhouettes and downtown geometry, especially striking as the light fades.
Hemingway's Cuba
Perched atop the Cambria Hotel, Hemingway’s Cuba brings a lively, tropical energy to Asheville’s rooftop scene. With both indoor and open-air seating, the space channels Cuban-inspired hospitality through rum-forward cocktails, bold flavors, and a soundtrack that keeps the atmosphere buzzing well into the evening.
Highland Brewing
At Asheville’s original craft brewery, the seasonal rooftop offers long views across the mountains and river valley just beyond downtown. It’s casual and open-air by design, a place to pair a local beer or simple cocktail with fresh air, wide skies, and the sense that Asheville’s brewing roots still shape the city.
The Montford
Located atop the DoubleTree in the historic Montford district, this rooftop balances neighborhood charm with sweeping views. Locals gravitate here for sunset drinks, a comfortable indoor-outdoor layout, and a cocktail menu that nods to seasonal ingredients without overcomplicating the moment.
Pillar Bar
Rising above the Hilton Garden Inn downtown, Pillar Bar blends a garden-to-glass cocktail program with fire pits, greenery, and live music. The result feels less like a hotel rooftop and more like a relaxed gathering place—ideal for easing from late afternoon into evening without changing venues.
The Social Lounge
Often called Asheville’s original rooftop cocktail lounge, The Social Lounge sits beside Strada Italiano and just above downtown’s core. String lights, classic cocktails, and an unpretentious wine list give it a familiar, longtime-favorite feel, equal parts date spot and local standby.
Top of the Monk
Above Thirsty Monk Pub downtown, Top of the Monk offers a quieter, more contemplative rooftop experience. Mid-century touches, rare spirits, and a relaxed patio make it an easy place to slow down without leaving the heart of the city.
Soprana
On top of the Embassy Suites downtown, Soprana combines brick-oven pizza, Italian-inspired small plates, and a relaxed rooftop setting. It’s approachable and unfussy, working equally well for a full meal or a casual drink with a view.
The Rooftop at the Flat Iron
Above the Flat Iron Hotel downtown, this rooftop offers views across the French Broad River Valley and toward the Blue Ridge Mountains. The focus is simple and classic: beer, wine, cocktails, and one of Asheville’s most recognizable architectural settings.
VISUALS Wine & Cocktail Bar
Located above Eulogy Music Hall downtown, VISUALS connects Asheville’s arts scene with its rooftop culture through natural wines, aperitifs, and creative cocktails.
Wildwood Still
Sitting atop the Moxy Hotel downtown, Wildwood Still stands out for its deep whiskey and bourbon selection (more than 150 bottles) paired with fire pits and expansive city and mountain views. It’s especially inviting as the light shifts in the evening.
The Roof at The Radical
The only rooftop bar in Asheville’s River Arts District, The Roof at The Radical looks out over the French Broad River and surrounding mountains. Cocktails, DJs, and a social atmosphere give it a different energy than downtown rooftops.
Hell or High Water
A short drive east of Asheville, this rooftop in downtown Black Mountain offers thoughtful cocktails, a full dinner menu, and mountain-town hospitality. It’s an easy way to extend the rooftop experience beyond the city without losing the sense of place.
Take a Rooftop Bar Tour in Asheville
If you want to see more than one view without watching the clock, Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours offers an easy way to do it. The guided tour visits three to four rooftop bars in a single afternoon, with transportation included so you can settle in and enjoy each stop.
Along the way, you’ll get a mix of local history, city perspective, and time to experience some of Asheville’s most distinctive rooftop spaces—no navigating, no parking shuffle, just a curated way to take in the city from above, one drink at a time.
