The Ultimate Guide to Late Night Asheville

The perfect day in Asheville doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down. There are a myriad of late night adventures in Asheville: dance parties, drag shows, dive bars, karaoke, live music, craft cocktails and delicious eats that can be experienced after dark.

Here’s your ultimate guide for an unforgettable night in a city that never sleeps. Or, at least likes to stay up late...

Weekly Late Night Events

There’s something new going on in Asheville every night, and many local venues and bars have at least one weekly late-night event that you can count on.

The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall: Looking for some midweek gyration? The One Stop at Asheville Music Hall hosts a weekly Tuesday Night Funk Jam from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. with a suggested donation of $5 to $10. This is a great place to get your boogie on and also score some late night eats from the kitchen.

O. Henry’s: Check out one of Asheville’s premier weekly Drag Shows every Saturday night, starting at 11:30 p.m. Prepare to be impressed by the talent and the bar itself. In 2022, O. Henry's made Esquire magazine's list of "The 32 Best Gay Bars in America."

Scandals Night Club: Another scintillating weekly Drag Show is at Scandals Night Club on Friday and Saturday’s starting at 12:30 a.m. Showtimes usually run about an hour for a performance that has been put on since 1982!

Banks Ave: Tuck it up buttercup! Banks Ave hosts its weekly free Drag Show every Friday at 11:30 p.m. The party don’t stop until 2 a.m.!

The Double Crown: A West Asheville institution, the Double Crown hosts Western Wednesdays live band karaoke and a monthly Gospel show on Thursdays. It’s a great place for an intimate evening of dancing, drinks and fun, especially if you love a good dive bar.

Imperial: This downtown craft cocktail bar hosts late-night DJs Thursday through Sunday, starting at 9 p.m. Sundays are also service industry night and serve up a late-night brunch. 

The Odd: This quirky hang has a slew of fun activities, from karaoke to comedy to burlesque. Weekly shenanigans include a Saturday Party Foul Drag Show.

One World Brewing West: This westside brewery hosts lots of live music, plus a regular Latin night every Wednesday (come for dance lessons between 8:30 and 9 p.m.). Their regular Monday Mashups bring some of Asheville's top talents to the stage for a mix of soul, jazz, funk, reggae, and Afrobeat.  

Late Night Eats + Cocktails

Some of Asheville’s best food can be found after hours. We won’t make you wait. Here are some late night food haunts to hit:

Rankin Vault Lounge: Get your 2 a.m. chili cheese hot dog fix at Rankin with its late night menu served from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. There are plenty of other great food options, including a Vietnamese Hoagie made with either pork belly or tempeh. Pair that with the Vault's specialty cucumber martini or a signature cocktail like the Ashevillian Love Affair: a combination of whiskey, blood orange puree and champagne. 

Desoto Lounge: The kitchen may close at 10 p.m. Monday though Thursday, but on the weekend, it stays open until midnight, offering homemade starters and entrees that includes nachos, meatloaf sandwich, the popular Desoto Club and a host of vegetarian options.

Ben’s Tune Up: Offering delicious Asian fusion dishes like wonton nachos, fried tofu and edamame dumplings, Ben’s Tune Up’s kitchen stays open until 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday (closed on Tuesday) and until midnight Friday and Saturday. Come for the food and stay for the late dancing and fresh sake. 

Storm Rhum Bar: This cozy establishment offers a late-night menu from 9:45 p.m. to 1 a.m. daily that includes a mouth-watering smash burger on a constantly changing menu. Rhum Bar drink favorite include its Perfect Storm Mojito and a mistadobalina (spiced rum, apple shrub, habanero simple, chocolate bitters and soda). Yes, it's hard to pronounce but delicious to drink. 

The Med: This downtown late-night option comes with a convenient walk-up window for diners to pick up delicious food from 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday nights. Try the Gyro Box (shaved lamb, grilled peppers and onions over a bed of fries with tzatziki and fixings), the fried chicken basket or any one of its other delectable offerings.

The Odd: The kitchen rarely closes at The Odd, serving a full range of food alongside its famous signature cocktails until 2 a.m. Try one of the signature burgers or cheesesteaks. There are vegan eats as well.

The One Stop: Pair some great music with freshly baked pizzas or wings (veggie/vegan options available for both). The kitchen serves food from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday to Thursday and until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Village Pub: A new staple in Biltmore Village, the Village Pub kitchen stays open until 10:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, offering classic bar fare at an affordable price. We recommend the High Country Onion Burger and the Asheville, NC Dog fixed with coleslaw, chili, red onion and Firewalker hot sauce. Also a great place to grab a beer and watch some football. 

Off The Beaten Draft

Everyone knows about our tremendous craft beer scene, but there are some great dive bars that can slip under the radar. Here’s some places to check out if you’re looking to try something a little more local.

Like to shoot pool or throw darts? Check out these other late-night spots: Charlotte Street Pub, The Social, Westville Pub, Frazier’s Tavern, The Bier Garden, Barley’s Taproom or Olde London Road.

Want to mix it up with the locals? Try Tiger Mountain, Desoto Lounge, Fleetwood’s, The Double Crown or the Yacht Club. Go to the Burger Bar for a true dive bar experience, but don’t expect any burgers – it’s a drinks-only establishment.

Where Can I Karaoke?

Don’t listen to the haters. You’re a star. The world needs to hear your voice. Here’s where you can sing some late-night karaoke each week in and around Asheville!

27 Club: Mondays, 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

Burger Bar: Saturdays, 8 p.m.

Banks Ave.: Sundays, 9 p.m.-midnight

The Double Crown: Wednesdays, starting at 9 p.m.

Fleetwood’s: Sundays, 6 p.m.

Getaway River Bar: Thursdays, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

Handlebar & Grill: Fridays, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

O. Henrys: Wednesdays & Fridays, 9 p.m.-Midnight

Silverados: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 8-11p.m., occasionally on Fridays & Saturdays

The Social: Mondays at 7 p.m., Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays at 9 p.m.