The Meeting Planner’s Guide to Unique Venues in Asheville
From grand estates to outdoor escapes, Asheville has no shortage of incredible venues for conference and meeting planners looking to create an exceptional offsite event. Whether you’re a planner who has visited many times, or you’re considering Asheville for the first time, this is your inside scoop to some of our city’s best and most memorable venues.
Distinctive Downtown Venues
In the heart of Asheville, a vibrant downtown welcomes you to explore streets lined with independent boutiques, buzz-worthy restaurants and notable craft breweries. Enjoy the city soundtrack of street-corner musicians and performers as you immerse your guests in Asheville’s free-spirited vibe.
Overlooking Pack Square Park in the center of town, choose from The Century Room’s beautiful wood and exposed brick ballroom (180 seated; 250 reception) or the chic and versatile private loft at The Loft at Twisted Laurel (85 seated; 125 reception). Nearby, The Venue boasts three levels of meeting space, including some outdoor space, and accommodates groups ranging from 200 to 750 attendees.
For open-air gatherings, book the patio at District 42 (40 seated; 60 reception), one of the restaurants of the Kimpton Hotel Arras. Or check out Asheville Yards, a concert and event venue—with capacities from one hundred to several thousand.
Take over the iconic Orange Peel concert venue (250 seated; 1,000+ reception), or host your event at The Asheville Masonic Temple, a 100-year-old landmark featuring a theater (350) and a wide-open dining room (200). For a distinct speakeasy vibe, explore Circa 29 (150) on the lower level of The S&W Market Food Hall, a classic art deco building. New to downtown, Fitz and the Wolfe offers multiple flexible event spaces for groups ranging from 4 to 400 guests. Or bring your group to HomeTrust Park, where the historic home of the Asheville Tourists pairs renovated event spaces with the energy of the ballpark, offering memorable indoor and outdoor settings for meetings, receptions and special events.
Sky-High Scenes
To elevate your offsite event, look to one of downtown Asheville’s exciting rooftop venues.
The Montford (75), perched atop the Doubletree by Hilton Asheville Downtown, is a classy spot for raising a toast with a craft cocktail or local brew while watching the sunset over the Blue Ridge Mountains. The Capital Club of Asheville (120 seated; 200 reception) features panoramic views from indoors and out, with a large terrace perfect for hosting happy hour after a day of seminars and workshops.
Large groups (up to 300) will love the mountain breeze and Cuban rhythms at Hemingway’s Cuba (at Cambria Hotel), where 4,000 square feet of rooftop terrace beckon with fire pits, flexible seating, and the flavors of Havana. Also overlooking downtown, Soprana (atop Embassy Suites) offers a warm rooftop setting with mountain views, brick-oven fare and seasonal menus. Reserve the private dining room for up to 16 guests, or buy out the restaurant for seated events of up to 125 or receptions for up to 175 using the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Looking for more rooftop inspiration? Explore our guide to Asheville's rooftop bars to discover additional venues perfect for client dinners, networking events, post-meeting cocktails or simply taking in panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Wide-Open Spaces
Just outside of Asheville’s city limits you’ll find mountain views and pastoral landscapes where you can breathe in the natural beauty that lures visitors to Asheville year after year.
To the west of downtown, the Event Center at The Farm offers a beautiful indoor/outdoor space for up to 300 guests, plus private cooking classes for small groups up to 12 and a Chef’s Table in-kitchen dining experience for up to 40 guests. Be sure to check out the breathtaking views and flexible spaces at venues like Claxton Farm, Franny’s Farm, and Taylor Ranch.
Hickory Nut Gap Farm is a fifth-generation farm in picturesque Fairview, about 20 minutes from downtown. The Big Barn (up to 225) is a 60-year-old dairy barn perfect for dinners, receptions, and concerts.
For a vintage experience, take a look at JuneBug Retro Resort, an outdoor venue located about 20 minutes north of downtown. Customize your event (up to 200) with a 1960s Airstream-turned-bar or a 1953 Ford farm truck that doubles as a performance stage.
For large group events with views of Asheville’s surrounding mountains, check out the event venue, Crest Center & Pavilion, or the historic resort with outdoor venues, The Omni Grove Park Inn.
For groups looking to extend the experience beyond a single event space, Asheville offers a variety of retreat-style properties where teams can gather, recharge and reconnect. Explore our guide to buyout-friendly retreat properties in the Asheville area for unique lodging options with built-in gathering spaces.
The Iconic Biltmore
One of Asheville’s most exceptional settings for a group event is Biltmore, which offers picturesque beauty, multiple venue locations, and exclusive programs for groups of all sizes.
For larger groups, consider Diana at Biltmore, an outdoor venue with sweeping views of the Biltmore house and the surrounding mountains. This secluded space accommodates up to 600 attendees. Also consider Antler Hill Barn, once the center of all agricultural operations on the estate—it’s been renovated as an informal event space for groups of up to 400.
Smaller groups can meet in one of Biltmore’s most intimate spaces. The Champagne Cellar, located at the estate winery, features stone walls and refined décor and is perfect for groups of up to 30. For medium-sized groups, Cedric’s Garden offers an open-air event space that can seat up to 70 and can be combined with indoor meeting space at Cedric’s Loft.
Inquire about Biltmore’s other historic venues—your group could dine amid the lush exotic plants and pointed glass roof of the 1890s Conservatory, mingle beside the tranquil pools of the Italian Garden, or have a picnic in the vineyard on the West Side of this legendary estate.
Meet With the Muses
Asheville’s creative community provides multiple ways for groups to immerse themselves in art and cultural experiences.
Many of the galleries at the newly renovated Asheville Art Museum are available for special events (200 seated; 400 reception). Imagine mingling among masterpieces at a cocktail reception in the glass-walled atrium or at the rooftop cafe and terrace overlooking the mountains. Ask about guided tours for groups of up to 20 to learn more about the museum’s permanent or rotating exhibits.
Check out Lexington Glassworks in downtown Asheville—the studio and showroom can host up to 110 for a reception while attendees enjoy local craft beer and watch a live glass-blowing demonstration. Or host a reception at a downtown gallery like the Center for Craft or the Benjamin Walls Gallery.
Beer City Rendezvous
Explore Asheville’s craft beer scene at some of the city’s most notable beer locales, many of which offer meeting space, behind-the-scenes tours, guided tastings and, of course, heady pints of locally brewed beer.
At Highland Brewing Company, Asheville’s oldest craft brewery, book the tri-level industrial-chic event space (300 seated; 400 reception) complete with a rooftop patio featuring 360-degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Medium-sized groups (up to 80) can book the barrel room for a more intimate experience.
As one of the few breweries in town along the French Broad River, New Belgium’s industrial-meets-the-outdoors property offers a variety of event options, from the Brewhouse (200 guests; 150 seated) to the Liquid Center Riverview Deck (75 guests) and a front lawn space for smaller gatherings under a 20’x20’ tent (up to 30 guests). Private group brewery tours for up to 20 guests are available.
On Asheville’s brewery-packed South Slope, Green Man Brewery welcomes groups to its “Green Mansion” location. The third-floor tasting room offers plenty of space for up to 125, plus exclusive access to the covered outdoor patio, which can also be booked separately for up to 40. For a more casual event, rent out the loading dock (up to 75) and hire a local food truck! This outdoor space has plenty of picnic tables and room to mingle. Inquire about adding a private tour or beer tasting to your group’s event.
At Hi-Wire Brewing’s Biltmore Village Production Brewery and Taproom, groups can choose from flexible indoor and outdoor spaces, including the industrial-modern Event Space (2,500 square feet) with a private seven-tap draft bar and AV capabilities, or The Greenhouse, a semi-private patio setting with string lighting, a private bar and lush greenery for more casual gatherings. At Hi-Wire Brewing’s downtown location, Cynamon Cove at The Tiki Easy offers a unique private event space with a tropical-inspired atmosphere for up to 10.
Let Our Business Development Team Assist
Explore Asheville is your best source for the latest on new hotels and venues and your ideal first point of contact when starting your planning process. Our local experts can assist in submitting your meeting’s RFP to hotels that fit your criteria, coordinating your site visits, and identifying the best Asheville experiences for your meeting. Any meeting planner who submits an RFP to Explore Asheville is also eligible for exclusive services
