Dance clubs, live music, rooftop bars, speakeasies, LGBTQ+ nightlife, listening bars and late-night dives across Asheville, with where to go and what is worth the late night.

Dance Clubs

Live Music in Asheville

The Orange Peel ★ 4.6

$$downtownDoors typically 19:30-20:00 for ticketed shows

The Orange Peel on Biltmore Avenue is Asheville's headline mid-size music venue. 1,050 capacity, hosting national touring acts from Bob Dylan to Smashing.

Tip: Buy tickets via the venue website. Standing-room floor; balcony seats are limited and sell first.

5 Walnut Wine Bar (live music) ★ 4.4

$$downtownSun-Thu 17:00-23:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-24:00

5 Walnut Wine Bar on West Walnut Street pairs an eclectic by-the-glass wine list with live music every night: jazz, salsa, blues, Afrobeat.

Tip: Walk-in, no cover. Brass and Afrobeat on weekend evenings; arrive by 19:30 for a seat near the stage.

Rooftop Bars in Asheville

The Social Lounge at Strada ★ 4.3

$$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. Italian-leaning cocktails, covered patio, weekend.

Tip: Walk-up; covered patio works in rain or shoulder season. The rooftop fills first on warm evenings.

Speakeasies in Asheville

The Crow and Quill ★ 4.5

$$$downtownDaily 17:00-24:00

The Crow and Quill on North Lexington Avenue is Asheville's hidden speakeasy with 800+ whiskeys and 1,000 spirits. Edgar Allan Poe-meets-1920s aesthetic.

Tip: Look for the 106 and the lanterns; door is unmarked. Small cover for non-members; reservations recommended weekends.

Lgbtq in Asheville

O.Henry's ★ 4.3

$downtownDaily 16:00-02:00

O.Henry's on Haywood Street is Asheville's longtime LGBTQ pub, with drag shows on weekends.

Tip: Weekend drag shows from 22:30; pub-style cocktail and beer menu. Walk-in welcoming format.

Listening Bars

Late Night Dives in Asheville

The Rankin Vault ★ 4.4

$$downtownMon-Wed 12:00-24:00; Thu 12:00-01:00; Fri-Sat 12:00-02:00; Sun 12:00-24:00

The Rankin Vault on Rankin Avenue, a one-way downtown alley, opened in 2008 as a cocktail lounge with the Vault Burger served until 02:00 daily.

Tip: Late-night menu kicks in at 23:00. The Vault Burger is the local-cult late-night order.

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