Asheville
The natural-wine wave reshaped Asheville's wine bars — these are the ten worth a Friday evening. The wine bars on this list span every neighbourhood worth a trip — South Slope, Downtown, River Arts District, West Asheville all show up — and every price tier from a $5 local pour to a $25 hotel-bar tasting. Each bar earns its spot for a different reason. We have visited every one.
DOWNTOWN · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Asheville's most awarded cocktail bar. Order: Appalachian-apple sour. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
DOWNTOWN · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Members-only cocktail-and-absinthe bar with a serious back bar. Order: Appalachian-apple sour. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
DOWNTOWN · $$$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Cocktail bar inside the Chemist apothecary distillery. Order: Appalachian-apple sour. Best time: Sunday from 6pm, when it's the room's quietest premium night and the kitchen is unhurried. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Avoid post-match nights if the local team is playing — the upstairs gets loud.
DOWNTOWN · $$ · COCKTAIL BARS
Speakeasy above the Thirsty Monk pub. Order: Appalachian-apple sour. Best time: Thursday late or Friday early, when you'll catch the room building toward its weekend tempo. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. First-Friday traffic in the district can mean a 20-minute wait at the door.
SOUTH SLOPE · $ · CRAFT BEER
Asheville's flagship brewery. Order: Appalachian-apple sour. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for beer-knowledgeable drinkers and casual after-work pints. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
SOUTH SLOPE · $ · COCKTAIL BARS
Cult-locally-loved brewery with a serious sour-and-saison program. Order: Appalachian-apple sour. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
Use this guide either as a single curated route through Asheville or as a checklist to revisit over a long weekend. Reservations are flagged where they matter. Otherwise, walk in. Below: the ten wine bars that any serious drinker in Asheville would tell you to put on the list.
Asheville's most awarded cocktail bar. Order: Appalachian-apple sour. Best time: Tuesday and Wednesday before 9pm, when the regulars haven't filled the room yet. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Saturday after 10pm gets crowded — book ahead or arrive early.
Members-only cocktail-and-absinthe bar with a serious back bar. Order: Appalachian-apple sour. Best time: any weeknight between 7pm and 9pm, when the bar settles into its rhythm and the bartender has time to talk. Best for cocktail-curious drinkers who want technique without theatre. Friday from 8pm fills up; reserve a counter seat or a high table.
Looking beyond Asheville? See our guide to the best wine bars worldwide, or compare wine bars city by city.