50 Best Cocktail Bars in Asheville

“Wonderful experience at Tall John’s last night! We stopped in for appetizers and drinks. Everything was amazing! We had the special appetizer and mussels. Excellent wine menu, great atmosphere and overall amazing experience! We will definitely be back for brunch or dinner too! Side note- where can I find the bathroom wallpaper to purchase? Very interesting! 😊“

“The atmosphere and drinks were amazing! However we arrived around 5 o’clock and were told no coffee after 4pm - but they had coffee for cocktails. It was upsetting for our designated driver who was looking forward to enjoying a coffee while we had cocktails. Hoping this rule will change so we can enjoy a responsible night out in the future!“

“I still think about how good the wings are and I haven't been to Asheville in a while.“

“Very cool, laid back vibe. Bartenders are very friendly and knowledgeable. Michael created a drink for us off the menu that was delicious! Highly recommend!“

“expertly crafted cocktails, great service“

“delicious food, beautiful atmosphere, knowledgeable and helpful staff, and the most AMAZING tequilas and mezcals I've ever seen in one place! thank you for your hospitality during the snow, we enjoyed ourselves so much!“

“I love ❤️ the Rooftop with live music, friendly staff and good service 👌.“

“Fantastic meal last night at Jargon! The ginger carrot 🥕 soup was incredible. We paired it with Asparagus and risotto. The strawberry dessert was amazing and the after dinner drinks with espresso beans were perfection.“

“We were on our way through Asheville and found this little gem after our first choice was closed. Do glad we did. \n\nThey were quite full/busy but they fit us in and were very kind and gracious about it. \n\nThe entire experience was special. About four different staff members checked on us throughout our evening. \n\nTheir knowledge of the menu was incredible, and especially their very extensive wine list. \n\nWe started with their “Darling” bread and butter. Absolutely amazing. I would have been happy with just that. \n\nTheir offerings of different locally grown greens was amazing. \n\nWe had the lamb kebabs and rabbit pasta for our main. Our outstanding sever recommended two incredible wines to pair. \n\nAn incredible experience from start to finish.“

“I have been to Little D's several times since they opened, and every time they exceed the previous meal. they are creative, perfectly presented, and amazingly delicious!“

“Absolutely terrific. My wife and I come from Long Island, so we know our seafood. The mussels were amazing, a meal in themselves. My wife loved her octopus. I had fish and chips better than what I had in England. Friendly staff, great service. 10/10!“

“Lo mejor de lo mejor. Una bebidas 🍷 súper deliciosas 🥰🥰“

“Incredible food, drinks, and views! Definitely make a reservation and catch the sunset. 10/10 experience.“

“Our first time eating at the rooftop restaurant and we are so glad we did. We had pizza-Margarita and the Meatball ricotta. Both delicious. Some shared the chicken wings and crass salad, both very good! Kyndall was our server and she was very attentive and friendly. Also had Affogato for dessert and it was so delicious. Would recommend for anyone.“

“This is such a hidden gem and its amazing!! My wife had their Goat cheese smashburgers with pickled onions and lemon aruglua and it melts in your mouth...i had their Chicken entree which was soooooo good you cant go wrong trust me every bite so juicy good quauilty food...my mother in-law had their French dip which you can see is very good size portions. I havent even got to tell you all the Duck spring rolls🦆are a Must...by the time you all read this we already been back there ....enjoy!!!“

“Wonderful cocktails and atmosphere. Stop in, see Asheville from the roof top and experience your favorite new cocktail.“

“I’ve eaten here 2 times in the last 2 months. The food is delicious , the service has been excellent and the atmosphere is so nice . I’ve enjoyed eating on their patio . I know I’ll be returning .“

“Brandi took us on an amazing tour! 💯 recommend!“

“Service and food is great! One of our favorite places!“

“Dj was great, drinks were great and the atmosphere was great. Highly recommend.“

“our favorite cocktail bar!“

“Charming place. Great coffee and pastries. Local art on walls. Wonderful vibe.“

“The Low Down in West Asheville is absolutely amazing! It’s tucked just off Haywood next to The Hop you have to go downstairs to get to it, and the space is gorgeous. Everything here feels thoughtfully designed, from the decor to the lighting sconces, bar, booths, and wall art it’s unlike anywhere else. I wish I had taken pictures because it’s truly stunning.

The drinks are hand-crafted and top-notch, with some ingredients made in-house. Even the glassware is beautiful. There’s a fun game I’d never seen before they called it shuffleboard but not like my great grandads shuffle board, it was unique and the people playing it had a good time, and it adds to the vibe.

I went alone and sat at the bar, and the bartender was friendly, attentive, and fun to chat with even while busy. The overall vibe is a perfect mix of a warm, welcoming neighborhood bar with a classy, art-deco, decadent feel. Prices are fair, and the attention to detail is incredible. I’ve gone back twice, and each time it’s just as cozy, sophisticated, and enjoyable. I love this place!“

“Live music, no cover charge, great local atmosphere“

“A must try! Chef Lee is Amazing! Stacie makes great cocktails 🍹 and has a awesome crew!“

“Absolutely perfect! Ben was the best server and was so easy to talk to! the food was incredible and the drinks were delicious. loved the atmosphere. V chill! would Definitely return on our next visit. thanks for making my husband's birthday so great! 👏 Bravo“

“Brandi took us on an amazing tour! 💯 recommend!“

“This is one of the coolest coffee shops in town by far!! I love the Asheville themed hotel by Hilton that the coffee shop is located inside. It has amazing vibes. They have a huge chandelier in the lobby with amazing AVL inspired artwork on the walls to view while you sip your coffee. Or you can sit on their luxury couches under the chandelier, or you can sit at the coffee countertop which turns into a bar at night which is neat. Or you can sit outside along the sidewalk over looking the mountainous beautiful river arts district. It is dog friendly and they even have treats and a water bowl for our furry friends! I got the salted cinnamon mocha, and the sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit. Natalia was our barista and she was very knowledgeable and kind. She handcrafted my drink to perfection. She stated that they have a pastry chef who makes all of their pastries from scratch and that all of their food items are from locally sourced ingredients from NC. The breakfast sandwich is huge!!!! And the biscuit wasn’t your typical biscuit, it was all natural and still just as delicious! And it’s enough for someone to split, which was nice because i just HAD to try my brothers goat cheese and roasted tomato croissant pocket which was very flaky and melt in your mouth. The best ever!!!! I hope they don’t ever get rid of those pockets ;) or this coffee shop!! Thanks!! See you again soon!“

“Amazing food! Good folks too, the heart of Asheville.“

“We had absolutely wonderful service & delicious cocktails during our visit in Asheville. Meticulously crafted cocktails by a very knowledgeable mixologist (can’t remember his name). We will definitely be back next time we’re in town.“

“fantastic cocktails and really fun atmosphere.Sit and the bar and choose your own super fun cup! Mocktails are delicious for those who don't want alcohol. overall vibe is outstanding and service is top notch! you seriously need to come here!!!“

“The most amazing view! We went for lunch and enjoyed a relaxing and delicious meal. We had the shrimp cocktail, French onion soup, and salads. Everything was cooked exactly as we requested and well seasoned. Our server was very friendly and gave us lots of history about the resort. We will definitely be back for dinner as I would love to be there during sunset!“

“Great drinks, vibes, & service! The cocktails are delicious. They are really unique and perfectly balanced. This is a good spot to end the night. My only issue is that it was a bit loud & crowded so it was hard to find a place to sit.“

“Steven and Chloe made our observatory visit really awesome. They were welcoming, knowledgeable, and attentive, turning a beautiful setting into a truly memorable experience to celebrate our bride to be. Exceptional service that stood out during our stay!“

“The WALK has always been one of my favorite West Asheville hangouts because their tacos are to die for! My most recent lunch there I had the best service thanks to Emma. I appreciate that the WALK not only has good food but they have good people that provide great service!!!“

“Tucked inside the Moxy hotel 🏨✨, this place feels like a stylish little surprise once you step in. Parking is straightforward with a paid garage nearby 🚗💳, just note the restaurant does not validate. It is a great fit for small to medium groups 👯‍♀️🍽️, with a decorative interior and elevated views from most seats that instantly change the perspective 🌆👀. The menu leans non traditional and invites a bit of exploration, which we appreciated 😊📖. Craft cocktails shine with creative ingredients and unexpected pairings 🍸🌿 if you’re into that, and there is also a solid spirits list for anyone who prefers familiar pours 🥃👌. Food wise, the stuffed chicken wings were a standout 😍🔥, the lamb shank was fall apart tender but could have used more flavor depth, and the sea bass with bok choy 🥬 was absolutely phenomenal 🌟🐟. A quick heads up that the carrot cake is not your classic version, so go in curious 🍰🤔. The glassware is beautiful ✨🍸 and art installations throughout add visual interest at every turn 🎨📸. Raea was a lovely server who made thoughtful recommendations and stayed attentive, with great support from Yessenia and Ryan as well 🙌😊. We really enjoyed the overall vibe, the views, and the experience, and it felt like a refreshing break from eye level living 😌🌃. Definitely check it out, I’d recommend it 👍✨.“

“Love the “Dive Bar” atmosphere! Great staff. Next time I’m in Asheville, I’m definitely coming back!“

“Update:

After being reached out to by the Flat Iron team, we had a redo experience that was vastly improved. It’s clear the team wants to provide top tier customer service and I’ve added two stars to this review to reflect the effort the team put in to provide a great night out for my girlfriend and I! Shoutout to Sarah and the rest of the team for making this happen.

Initial Review:

My girlfriend and I were looking for a rooftop bar to kick off the evening with some espresso martinis, and found the Flat Iron Rooftop after doing some searching. While the views were great, we had issues with both the drinks and service.

The espresso martinis were completely batched with every ingredient pre-mixed; on its own not a problem, but they had such a strong licorice taste (similar to Amaretto). After trying to get through them for 10 minutes, we gave up and I brought them back more than half full to the female bartender working there around 5:30pm last night. Customer service was lacking, with no acknowledgement or offer to make things right. While that in its own would not usually make me write a review, as we walked away and were waiting for the elevator the server made a derogatory remark to (who I assume was) the other bartender, implying that my girlfriend was underage and we had no idea what we were talking about.

Really wanted to like the place, but expected better from a rooftop lounge at a 4 star hotel.“

“Great European feel. Sweet people and super clean.“

“We spent our 25th anniversary at The Restoration Hotel and were thrilled to find The Draftsman a short elevator ride away. A fun menu of bar basics made fresh and all the free games make this spot a great place to gather for a date or GNO/BNO. When they have live music - it’s even more fun!!“

“Located on Lexington Ave in downtown Asheville. Small venue with some of the best local and regional dj's. Several weekly ongoing events. Great staff behind the bar and the unfriendly manager has been replaced. Great Sunday, family-friendly daytime events, too. It's worth checking out if you're tired of ratchet vibes just a few doors down. Late night food available (directly above at the static age bar), too!“

“Awesome hotel bar. Bar is very nice with an awesome selection of liquor and craft cocktails. The bar can get backed up if the restaurant is very busy but it’s usually not an issue. DJs on Friday and Saturday inside/outside depending on the weather with
fire pits. Would recommend“

“Great place with a great welcoming staff.“

“Love Rabbit Rabbit! Thanks so much for bringing great live music to NC/Upstate SC!!!“

“Fantastic!! Waiter was Cassidy he was very nice and welcoming with great knowledge of the menu, this was our first time there and was so relieved to find a great noodle stop as we have tried others and were highly disappointed but not here. We got the dynamite shrimp , so creamy and just a hint of heat, we got the kids ramen so next extra stuff just the noodles and broth and those had great flavor they approved!! I got the deluxe ramen with the black garlic oil and pork belly so bold and smooth, and we got the spicy ramen which had a great heat level and my husband loved. Over all great food worth the price which wasn’t super high , nice environment with great music choice would highly recommend!!!! Thanks again Cassidy“

“We love this place. One of the best steaks in town. Sides are amazing and don’t even get me started on deserts. Staff is wonderful and sweet. Couldn’t ask for a better experience.“

“Beautiful place, wonderful service, and an amazing view of WNC!“

“delicious food, beautiful atmosphere, knowledgeable and helpful staff, and the most AMAZING tequilas and mezcals I've ever seen in one place! thank you for your hospitality during the snow, we enjoyed ourselves so much!“

“We ate brunch at the Exchange and it was excellent. Food and service were great. Savannah took great care of us and even surprised us with a slice of cake for my wife's birthday. Definitely recommend the basket of pastries for the table.“