Looking for a night out in Asheville that moves a little slower? A place where conversation matters, the barstool fits just right, and the drink in your hand feels considered?
Asheville’s nightlife has always moved to its own rhythm. Here, creativity shows up behind the bar as much as it does on stage or canvas. Beyond our well-known brewery scene, there’s another layer to the night here: cocktail bars and wine spots meant for settling in, not bouncing around.
Rooftops that stay close to the mountains. Speakeasies that don’t announce themselves. Menus that change with the season or the mood of the person pouring. Whether you’re out for one drink or lose track of time entirely, these places invite you to slow down, stay awhile, and let Asheville do what it does best.
What are the best cocktail bars in Asheville?
Cocktails in Asheville tend to come with a point of view. Maybe it’s a housemade syrup, a backbar worth scanning, or a bartender who actually asks what you’re in the mood for. These are the places where the drinks are considered, the rooms are comfortable, and staying for one more feels like the right call.
Downtown Asheville
- DayTrip: A queer-owned cocktail and mocktail bar on Broadway with a retro lounge feel and a community-first energy that keeps the room humming.
- Färməsē (Farmese): A craft cocktail lounge focused on “culinary-inspired” cocktails—fresh, modern, and built for a dress-up-or-dress-down night out.
- Imperial: A nightlife spot combining cocktails, beer, and music, often drawing a late-night crowd looking for energy without a full club scene.
- Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge: A cocktail lounge in a renovated bank vault famous for strong drinks, a lively late-night feel, and a beloved burger.
- Red Ribbon Society: An underground speakeasy-style experience beneath The Flat Iron Hotel, set in a former boiler room—moody, immersive, and built for lingering.
- Sovereign Remedies: A stylish cocktail bar known for thoughtfully crafted drinks and a polished-but-approachable atmosphere that’s easy to settle into.
- The Crow & Quill: This cozy and eccentric cocktail lounge features vintage decor and an impressive selection of spirits. Dim lighting and live music add to the intimate ambiance.
- The Times Bar and Coffee Shop: A spot where craft coffee gives way to well-made cocktails, making it an easy stop any time of day or night.
Montford / Five Points
- Little Jumbo: An award-winning neighborhood cocktail bar with a cozy, “old Asheville” feel and a reputation for creative cocktails and cultural programming.
West Asheville
- Character Study: A literary-themed cocktail bar where the atmosphere is as intentional as the cocktail list (with a fun nod to books and storytelling).
- The Golden Pineapple: A neighborhood bar serving cocktails (plus dinner/NA options) with a tropical wink and a warm local feel.
- The Low Down: A cozy pub/cocktail bar with snacks and shuffleboard. Great for a low-key night that still feels a little special.
River Arts District
- Anoche: An agave spirits and espresso bar with a focus on small-batch producers and sustainability. Ideal for mezcal fans and espresso martini energy.
South Slope
- The Tiki Easy Bar: A hidden, “mythical island world” tucked behind Hi-Wire’s South Slope location with tiki drinks, speakeasy vibes, and serious rum energy.
East Asheville
- Cultivated Cocktails Distillery and Tavern: A local distillery/tasting concept offering cocktails and house-made spirits. Great if you like a “what’s in it?” kind of drink conversation.
Where can you get rooftop views with drinks in Asheville?
Rooftops here don’t try to outshine the mountains; they just give you a place to sit with them. Some look out over downtown, some toward the river, some catch the last bit of daylight before the air cools. All of them are better when you’re not in a hurry.
Downtown Asheville
- Capella on 9: A rooftop restaurant and bar on the AC Hotel with small plates, handcrafted cocktails, and big-city rooftop energy.
- Hemingway’s Cuba Rooftop Bar & Restaurant: A rooftop spot on the top of the Cambria Hotel serving Cuban-inspired drinks and dishes with a vibrant, tropical feel.
- Pillar Rooftop Bar: A rooftop bar on top of the Hilton Garden Inn offering cocktails and views in a refined, modern setting.
- Soprana Rooftop Cucina: An Italian-inspired rooftop spot on the Embassy Suites where pizza + cocktails meet skyline views.
- The Flat Iron Rooftop: A rooftop bar at The Flat Iron Hotel with sweeping views and an elevated drink list, perfect for a sunset sip.
- The Social Lounge: Asheville’s “original craft cocktail lounge,” adjacent to Italian restaurant Strada—come for classic cocktail-lounge ambiance with a view.
- Top of the Monk: A rooftop cocktail bar above Thirsty Monk. Come for handcrafted cocktails, settle in for the view.
- Wildwood Still: A rooftop distillery bar on the top of the Moxy Hotel offering cocktails made with house spirits alongside expansive mountain and city views.
South Slope
- Antidote: A coffee bar + cocktail lounge with a rooftop seating option; the rooftop bar is staffed on weekends, and the space is popular for a daytime-to-night hang.
- Visuals Rooftop Bar: A rooftop wine + cocktail bar perched atop Eulogy Music Hall, spotlighting natural wines, aperitifs, and cocktails with an artsy edge.
The River Arts District
- The Roof at The Radical: A River Arts District rooftop bar with cocktails, music, and French Broad River views.
Where can you sip wine, vermouth, sake and bubbles in Asheville?
This is where the night slows down. A good bottle, a half-pour you’ve never tried, something crisp or floral or unexpected. These spots are built for tasting, talking, and letting someone else decide what you’re drinking next.
Downtown Asheville
- 5 Walnut Wine Bar: A longtime favorite for wine-forward nights and live music. Easygoing, classic, and very Asheville.
- Botanist and Barrel Tasting Bar + Bottle Shop: A natural-leaning tasting bar for ciders and wines (plus cider cocktails), with a strong sense-of-place approach.
- Cúrate: While primarily a Spanish tapas restaurant, Cúrate also offers an extensive list of Spanish wines, sherries, and vermouths.
- Wine and Roses: A wine-focused gathering spot in the Zelda Dearest boutique hotel offering tastings and events in a cozy, neighborhood-style setting.
West Asheville
- Leo’s House of Thirst: A beloved wine bar with a sharp, ever-changing list and plenty of “try something you’ve never heard of” energy.
- Potential New Boyfriend: An intimate hi-fi listening bar built around good music, good vibes, and a decadent, grown-up hang.
South Slope
- Ben's Tune-Up: A Japanese-inspired beer garden and bar offering a diverse selection of craft beers, sake, and inventive cocktails in a relaxed outdoor setting.
Biltmore Estate
- Biltmore Winery Wine Bar: A polished setting for Biltmore wines by the glass (and snacks) in Antler Hill Village.
Fairview
- Rooted in Wine: A worth-it short drive to Fairview for a relaxed wine garden/shop vibe with tastings and an approachable feel.
What are the best dive bars in Asheville?
Every city needs a few places that don’t clean up for anyone. The lights are low, the music’s familiar, and the regulars have opinions. These bars are about comfort more than craft, and sometimes that’s exactly what the night calls for.
Downtown Asheville
- Asheville Yacht Club: A loud, legendary tiki dive with rock-and-roll energy and zero interest in polishing the edges.
- Shakey’s: A dive bar built around nightly events, dance-party energy, and pizza on the side.
- The Lazy Diamond: The Double Crown's downtown rock-and-roll sister bar with a divey feel, strong pours, and regular karaoke nights.
West Asheville
- Desoto Lounge: A neighborhood bar with local beer on tap, cocktails and wine, plus games and a tucked-away patio.
- Fleetwood’s: A rock-and-roll bar with a vintage shop and wedding chapel, plus live music and frequent karaoke nights.
- The Double Crown: A neighborhood bar known for a bourbon-leaning backbar, loud-in-a-good-way music energy, and a patio-friendly hang.
- The Odd: A proudly eccentric dive bar and performance space where live music, comedy, and community overlap in the best possible way.
- Westville Pub: A longtime neighborhood pub with a full bar, pool tables, and a relaxed, come-as-you-are vibe.
River Arts District
- Burger Bar: A classic Asheville dive (despite the name, no burgers) known for simple drinks and longtime-local status.
South Asheville
- Shiloh & Gaines: A neighborhood bar on Hendersonville Road with rotating food trucks and a steady mix of live music and karaoke nights.
What are some more bars near Asheville?
A short drive can change the whole mood. Mountain towns, front porches, quieter streets, a bar where everyone seems to know each other. These spots make a good excuse to leave downtown behind and see how the night unfolds just beyond the city limits.
Black Mountain
- Hell or High Water: A rooftop bar + dining spot in downtown Black Mountain; the rooftop bar/dining area is reserved for ages 16+ (ground floor is family-friendly).
- Peri Social House: A charming coffee + craft beverages bar (and tiny boutique hotel) made for porch sitting, laptop lounging, and slow sips.
- The Pure & Proper: A cozy, all-day eatery where espresso turns into craft cocktails. Great for a “start early, stay awhile” plan.
Weaverville
- Eda’s Hide-A-Way: A lively hangout from Eda Rhyne Distilling Co. with cocktails, beer, games, and frequent events in Weaverville.
Some nights start with a plan, some don’t. But in Asheville, the best ones usually involve a well-made drink and staying a little longer than you meant to.
