To be honest, I was not impressed as I had thought I would be with Collaboratory. While it's well located in the heart of downtown Asheville, close to everything, and has a cool concept with collaborating with other breweries in producing different styles of beer, along with a decent menu of bar bites, I was unimpressed with what I ordered.The service wasn't bad but felt like it could have better given there weren't that many people at Collaboratory on a Friday night back in January. Beers like the Buncombe Blush and the Mountain Fog were OK but no more than that if you compare to craft beers by nearby local breweries. The pretzels weren't that great while the wings tasted a bit dry and bland. Overall, it's a nice and spacious spot, with a cool stage, and a hip interior that included a stylish bar. Hell, I liked the bathrooms too. But ultimately, I wasn't as impressed with the beers, food, and experience, as I thought I would be. Maybe the next time will be the charm.
Tina G.
Call spot for people watching. This place is the old laboratory on Lexington. The place was a bit dead buts it's March and I was there during the week when most people are working. The server was also the bartender who politely told us this do that we would know to be patient for our drinks. We were served promptly !! The atmosphere is very cool and they have open windows and you can sit facing the street and just chill!! Go here you will love it
Ian McKeown
Only had drinks so I can’t speak for the food, but the beers were great tasting and well chilled; Autumn took great care of us.
Rockyis15
Awesome fresh salad, good service, tasty beer, and great ambiance with music. I really felt I was somewhere.
Lauren Guyton
This is my second time eating at Collaboratory and I was pretty disappointed in my entree. I got the steak frites. The cut of steak was not really what I would expect for the price as it had tons of inedible fat and tough pieces. I ordered my steak MR and it was actually pushing W. ☹️ My husband got the chefs burger and he was disappointed too. It was cooked spot on at MR, however it lacked the toppings he was excited to get including the cabbage. It was literally burger, pork and cheese. We were starving so we just ate it.
Josh F.
Stopped in to have a few drinks before going to dinner.. they have a great selection of unique collaboration beers from well known breweries. As well as good liquor selection. Service was great and food menu looked amazing.. must stop in for at least a few beers.
Patrick McGuire
What a great local place! we have been there five or six times. The service there cannot be beat. The drinks come out fast, the appetizers come out fast. Tonight we had Rachel, and she was phenomenal! Order the tater tot‘s as an appetizer. The sauces that come with it are excellent. My wife’s salad was very good, as was the Reuben sandwich. I had chicken wings with the chipotle barbecue, which were OK. I like them a little crisper, but still very good. It’s a great vibe and certainly if you’re looking for a local Asheville experience, this is the place. Thank you Rachel for making it great!!
Debbie Foster
nice place to hang out and have a bite to eat and a few craft beers.
Jackie S
Everything we ordered was very good. Friendly and knowledgeable staff too. Service was a little slow each time drinks were ordered. That said, the place was very busy on a Saturday evening.
Morgan D.
I don't know where to start.... the beers were amazing! The food was unreal- we had a pretzel (unlike anything I've ever had), kids Mac and cheese and beer cheese platter. Probably the most aesthetically pleasing places with the friendliest staff. I think it's completely underrated for the Asheville area.
The beer presented was pretty good and the hot wings were awesome. The server didn't seem to be very excited about working and it showed through his lack of charisma for beer. I did like the clean lines, lights, and decor of the place. The place itself was very clean and good looking.
Tucker P.
I should've been paid to try the nachos but they insist they're worth $20 after you add 3 cubes of chicken for 6 bucks. So if you want a plate filled with cold queso and chips on top...yeah I said that right...the queso is served UNDER THE CHIPS! Good luck trying to figure out how to eat them. I've never seen nachos that you had to dismantle...First on the plate is queso, then the chips, then the beans, then this sauce that reminded me of baby vomit and then the 3 cubes of $6 chicken...WTF Hickory Tavern makes better nachos for half the price!
Sean Henderson
Basing this purely off the two dishes I tried: the punk beet salad and the duck poutine. The duck poutine just tastes too strongly of better than bouillon; the gravy wasn’t good, nor was the duck. Plus it was overpriced. The salad (also overpriced) was over dressed, over salted, over cheesed, and not creative or interesting. The whole place has a good atmosphere tho. But yeah I would never eat there again after that experience, nor would my boyfriend.
Travers Hartley
This 5 stars is due to the outstanding service provided by Aaron when the place was clearly short staffed. The beer was good but without Aaron it was really hard to obtain and we were sitting at the bar. We were surprised to learn he wasn't the manager. I worked in a bar for 7 years holding various positions and I can say he has the people skills to and work ethic to be the Publican. Well done mate, you turned it around with a smile, good chats and some sweat to get the work done.
Steve Roth
Great service, amazing food and good place to people watch.
To be honest, I was not impressed as I had thought I would be with Collaboratory. While it's well located in the heart of downtown Asheville, close to everything, and has a cool concept with collaborating with other breweries in producing different styles of beer, along with a decent menu of bar bites, I was unimpressed with what I ordered.The service wasn't bad but felt like it could have better given there weren't that many people at Collaboratory on a Friday night back in January. Beers like the Buncombe Blush and the Mountain Fog were OK but no more than that if you compare to craft beers by nearby local breweries. The pretzels weren't that great while the wings tasted a bit dry and bland. Overall, it's a nice and spacious spot, with a cool stage, and a hip interior that included a stylish bar. Hell, I liked the bathrooms too. But ultimately, I wasn't as impressed with the beers, food, and experience, as I thought I would be. Maybe the next time will be the charm.
Call spot for people watching. This place is the old laboratory on Lexington. The place was a bit dead buts it's March and I was there during the week when most people are working. The server was also the bartender who politely told us this do that we would know to be patient for our drinks. We were served promptly !! The atmosphere is very cool and they have open windows and you can sit facing the street and just chill!! Go here you will love it
Only had drinks so I can’t speak for the food, but the beers were great tasting and well chilled; Autumn took great care of us.
Awesome fresh salad, good service, tasty beer, and great ambiance with music. I really felt I was somewhere.
This is my second time eating at Collaboratory and I was pretty disappointed in my entree. I got the steak frites. The cut of steak was not really what I would expect for the price as it had tons of inedible fat and tough pieces. I ordered my steak MR and it was actually pushing W. ☹️ My husband got the chefs burger and he was disappointed too. It was cooked spot on at MR, however it lacked the toppings he was excited to get including the cabbage. It was literally burger, pork and cheese. We were starving so we just ate it.
Stopped in to have a few drinks before going to dinner.. they have a great selection of unique collaboration beers from well known breweries. As well as good liquor selection. Service was great and food menu looked amazing.. must stop in for at least a few beers.
What a great local place! we have been there five or six times. The service there cannot be beat. The drinks come out fast, the appetizers come out fast. Tonight we had Rachel, and she was phenomenal! Order the tater tot‘s as an appetizer. The sauces that come with it are excellent. My wife’s salad was very good, as was the Reuben sandwich. I had chicken wings with the chipotle barbecue, which were OK. I like them a little crisper, but still very good. It’s a great vibe and certainly if you’re looking for a local Asheville experience, this is the place. Thank you Rachel for making it great!!
nice place to hang out and have a bite to eat and a few craft beers.
Everything we ordered was very good. Friendly and knowledgeable staff too. Service was a little slow each time drinks were ordered. That said, the place was very busy on a Saturday evening.
I don't know where to start.... the beers were amazing! The food was unreal- we had a pretzel (unlike anything I've ever had), kids Mac and cheese and beer cheese platter. Probably the most aesthetically pleasing places with the friendliest staff. I think it's completely underrated for the Asheville area.
Restaurantji Recommends
The beer presented was pretty good and the hot wings were awesome. The server didn't seem to be very excited about working and it showed through his lack of charisma for beer. I did like the clean lines, lights, and decor of the place. The place itself was very clean and good looking.
I should've been paid to try the nachos but they insist they're worth $20 after you add 3 cubes of chicken for 6 bucks. So if you want a plate filled with cold queso and chips on top...yeah I said that right...the queso is served UNDER THE CHIPS! Good luck trying to figure out how to eat them. I've never seen nachos that you had to dismantle...First on the plate is queso, then the chips, then the beans, then this sauce that reminded me of baby vomit and then the 3 cubes of $6 chicken...WTF Hickory Tavern makes better nachos for half the price!
Basing this purely off the two dishes I tried: the punk beet salad and the duck poutine. The duck poutine just tastes too strongly of better than bouillon; the gravy wasn’t good, nor was the duck. Plus it was overpriced. The salad (also overpriced) was over dressed, over salted, over cheesed, and not creative or interesting. The whole place has a good atmosphere tho. But yeah I would never eat there again after that experience, nor would my boyfriend.
This 5 stars is due to the outstanding service provided by Aaron when the place was clearly short staffed. The beer was good but without Aaron it was really hard to obtain and we were sitting at the bar. We were surprised to learn he wasn't the manager. I worked in a bar for 7 years holding various positions and I can say he has the people skills to and work ethic to be the Publican. Well done mate, you turned it around with a smile, good chats and some sweat to get the work done.
Great service, amazing food and good place to people watch.