10 Best Nightlife Experiences in Asheville

Pack Square Park is an open green space in the middle of Downtown Asheville. The public square has been a central component of the city since its creation in the late 1700s. The beautiful 6.5-acre park features a central fountain and large green lawn, with the Town Hall and County Courthouse as its backdrop.

Pack Square Park hosts various festivals and events throughout the year. The most popular of these is Shindig on the Green, a free music and dance festival, and LEAF Downtown, a world cultural arts festival held in August. Whenever there’s a festival going on in the park, it’s certainly the place to be to enjoy the warm summer nights.

The Orange Peel is an 1,100-capacity live concert venue in Downtown Asheville. It’s an intimate space with a world-class sound system and is widely regarded as one of the best live music clubs in the U.S..

It has seen many famous acts over the years, such as Bob Dylan, Arcade Fire, Smashing Pumpkins, Blondie and Mail Malone. When a big act isn’t in town, you’ll also find stand-up comedy events and open mic nights at this Asheville icon. It’s typically a standing-only venue, though there are several stools around the perimeter for those who get in first.

The Gray Eagle is a popular music hall and taqueria in the River Arts District, west of Downtown Asheville. While there are more than 30 music venues in the city, this particular place has certainly become one of the local favorites for touring live acts.

The hall has a 600-standing capacity, with an attached retro bar serving a huge selection of draught beers. It’s popular for its array of music genres, from bluegrass and jazz to folk. The onsite Mexican restaurant is also a hit with its meal-sized tacos and burritos – a perfect pre- or post-show snack. No matter who’s playing at the hall, it’s a great place to head for a night out.

Thirsty Monk is a multilevel brewery, pub and bar on buzzing Patton Avenue in Asheville. It’s perfectly located in the heart of the city’s main nightlife district. It’s most popular for its choices of craft beer – many of which are brewed locally – with over 150 bottled beers to choose from.

For a more sophisticated vibe, you can head upstairs to Top of the Monk’s rooftop bar, which has an extensive menu of classic and modern cocktails. If you get peckish, Thirsty Monk serves a range of sandwiches, tacos and pizzas.

Off the Wagon Dueling Piano Bar is a casual cocktail bar tucked down a side street in the middle of Downtown Asheville. The unique bar has a distinct 1920s style, with a friendly and relaxed vibe.

The bar is most known for its specialty cocktails, offering an extensive list of spirits and unique concoctions. However, its standout feature is its live piano shows – even for those who aren’t keen on classical music, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the variety of music and party atmosphere in the bar. It’s often crowded on a weekend, so it’s worth booking ahead if you’re in a group.

5 Walnut Wine Bar is a cozy bar in Downtown Asheville. In a city that’s dominated by breweries, this bar offers a refreshing alternate with its wine and cheese specialty. The menu includes a variety of cheeses and charcuterie, designed to be paired with a glass of wine.

In true Asheville style, this brick-walled rustic bar hosts informal live music performances every night. You'll mostly hear folk, jazz and soul music performed by local artists and bands. The owners are passionate about supporting native talent as even all the furniture, décor and artwork has been made by local makers and artists.

Amazing Pubcycle Tours are the wildly popular alternate to the standard pub crawl in Asheville. The tour takes place on a 13-person pedal-powered vehicle as you navigate the buzzing streets of Downtown.

The pubcycle is BYO beverages and food, but you stop along the way at some of the best pubs in central Asheville to restock. It starts and ends in front of the Aloft Asheville Hotel every day of the week. You can book either a seat on the pubcycle or the whole bike, great for special occasions or group outings. It’s also motor-assisted, so you don't have to worry too much about being fit or able to pedal consistently the whole evening.

Wicked Weed Brewing Pub is one of the hottest breweries and pubs in Asheville. Despite only being on the brewery scene since 2012, it has quickly emerged as one of the best places to go in Asheville for a beer tasting and local food.

It has a huge selection of craft beers available along with a menu full of locally sourced American-style meals. Its outdoor patio area is the prime hangout location, especially with the open fire pit blazing on a weekend evening. It’s a popular place to meet before a live show at The Orange Peel, conveniently right next door.