Cocktail barSpeakeasy, whiskey bar$$$downtownDaily 17:00-24:00
The Crow and Quill on North Lexington Avenue is the hidden Asheville speakeasy with 800 whiskeys and 1,000 spirits behind an unmarked door. Edgar Allan Poe.
Signature drink: 800+ whiskeys, classic cocktails
Food: Snacks only
Tip: Look for the 106 and the lanterns; the door is unmarked. Membership-style with a small cover for non-members.
Cocktail barBrewery taproom, courtyard$$$south-slopeMon-Thu 12:00-23:00; Fri-Sat 12:00-24:00; Sun 12:00-23:00
Burial Beer's South Slope taproom on Collier Avenue is the defining Asheville craft beer hangout, opened 2013. Saisons, IPAs, sours; Good Hot Fish counter.
Signature drink: Saisons, IPAs, mixed-fermentation
Food: Good Hot Fish counter upstairs
Tip: Outdoor courtyard takes the overflow. The Forestry Camp on Shelburne Road is the sister destination for the barrel program.
Cocktail barCraft cocktail bar, coffee shop$$$downtownMon closed; Tue 17:00-23:00; Wed-Thu 10:00-23:00; Fri-Sat 10:00-01:00; Sun 10:00-23:00
The Times Bar inside the historic S and W Cafeteria (now the S and W Market food hall) on Patton Avenue runs as a coffee shop by day and craft cocktail bar.
Signature drink: Classic Manhattan, seasonal sazerac
Food: S and W Market food hall around it
Tip: Coffee until 16:00, cocktails after. Food from the surrounding S and W Market counters (Buxton Chicken, Hi-Wire, Highland).
Cocktail barBrewpub, large patio bar$$$downtownMon-Thu 12:00-22:00; Fri-Sat 12:00-23:00; Sun 12:00-22:00
Wicked Weed's downtown Brewpub on Biltmore Avenue opened in 2012. Hop-forward IPAs and lagers, full-service restaurant, large patio. The original Wicked Weed.
Signature drink: Hop-forward IPAs, Pernicious
Food: Full-service restaurant
Tip: The downstairs cellar offers private booths. The Funkatorium on Coxe Avenue runs the sour beer program.
Cocktail barBrewery taproom, lounge$$$downtownMon-Thu 15:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 12:00-23:00; Sun 12:00-20:00
DSSOLVR on North Lexington Avenue in the historic Tyler Building runs beer alongside cider, mead, wine and non-alcoholic options. Art-leaning labels.
Signature drink: Sours, fruited ales, lagers
Food: Snacks only, food trucks rotate
Tip: Upstairs lounge takes the late crowd. Open until midnight Sat, 22:00 Sun-Thu.
Cocktail barRooftop cocktail bar$$$downtownMon 11:00-15:00, Mon 16:00-21:30, Tue 11:00-15:00, Tue 16:00-21:30, Wed 11:00-15:00, Wed 16:00-21:30, Thu 11:00-15:00, Thu 16:00-21:30, Fri 11:00-15:00, Fri 16:00-21:30, Sat 11:00-15:00, Sat 16:00-21:30, Sun 11:00-15:00, Sun 16:00-21:30
The Social Lounge above Strada Italiano on Broadway Street is Asheville's original rooftop cocktail bar, with a covered rooftop patio and Italian-leaning.
Signature drink: Aperol spritz, Italian-leaning cocktails
Food: Italian small plates from Strada kitchen
Tip: Walk-up. Rooftop seats fill first on warm evenings; covered patio works in rain or shoulder season.