Explore Asheville’s Best Wine & Spirits Destinations

Oak and Grist Distilling Company is a small-batch, grain-to-glass artisan distillery in Black Mountain, just east of Asheville. Using locally grown and malted barley, they craft whiskey and gin that capture the flavors of Western North Carolina, and their covered patio overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains is one of the best spots for sipping award-winning craft spirits near Asheville.

The Workshop Lounge is a craft cocktail bar and live music room inside The Foundry Hotel on South Market Street in downtown Asheville's Block neighborhood. The space runs a serious rotating cocktail menu alongside scheduled live music Wednesday through Saturday — jazz residencies, acoustic sets, and small-group ensembles that fill the room without overwhelming it. It's a spot that works as a hotel bar and a neighborhood bar at the same time, which isn't easy to pull off.

Eda Rhyne Distilling Company creates farm to flask craft spirits that capture the unique flavors of Asheville and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Eda Rhyne is offered in ABC stores across North Carolina as well as bars and independent liquor stores across the country. Be sure to swing by their Asheville tasting room in Biltmore Village, or in Weaverville at Eda's Hide-a-Way for craft cocktails, fresh natural wines, and cold beer.

Fitz and the Wolfe is a downtown Asheville live music venue with three rooms: The Showroom for honky tonk and dancing, The Den for pinball and pool, and The Palm Room speakeasy for cocktails. Hosts swing dance and singer-songwriter nights.

Banks Ave Bar is a South Slope Asheville live music venue and nightlife spot, hosting drag shows, DJ nights, and live bands several times a week. Pool tables in back, full bar.

5 Walnut Wine Bar is a downtown Asheville listening room on Walnut Street, hosting live music seven nights a week. Jazz, swing, gypsy jazz, and acoustic singer-songwriter shows fill the small wine bar most evenings.

District 42® blends small shareable plates, warm hospitality, and unique cocktails in its all-day lounge and bar located in downtown Asheville right at the lively center of historic Pack Square. Open seven days a week, this stylish spot offers a mix of tables and cozy soft seating, plus an outdoor patio perfect for relaxing while enjoying craft libations made with house-made juices, regionally sourced bitters, and a dash of downtown Asheville’s celebrated history.

Two Trees Distilling is a craft distillery in Fletcher, NC — about 15 minutes south of Asheville off I-26 — producing small-batch spirits aged sustainably with locally sourced Appalachian grains and mountain water. Toasted wood varieties are matched to specific grain profiles for rich, smoke-edged whiskeys and gins, and Two Trees is also the distillery behind Tim Smith Spirits from the Discovery Channel's 'Moonshiners' series. Voted Best Distillery in Asheville Media Group's Best of Asheville awards in both 2023 and 2024.

Imperiál, located in downtown Asheville, is a lively cocktail bar with an emphasis on mezcal, tequila, and agave-based spirits. Formerly known as The Imperial Life, this venue began as an auxiliary bar to the renowned restaurant Table and evolved into a spirited and lively nightlife destination. The intimate space features a dynamic DJ lineup, a crafted cocktail menu focused on unique agave flavors, and a late-night atmosphere perfect for dancing, socializing, or enjoying expertly mixed drinks. Imperiál operates primarily in the evenings from Wednesday through Saturday, making it a prime spot for after-dinner drinks and late-night fun.

Ginger's Revenge is Asheville's original craft ginger beer brewery and tasting room, located on Riverside Drive in the River Arts District. They brew gluten-free alcoholic ginger beers with 95% organic ingredients and rotate creative flavors like Cranberry Herb, Hibiscus Lavender, and Lime Agave. Eight ginger beers on tap, draft cocktails, snacks, and live music on weekends.

Located in the South Slope of Asheville, the Funkatorium is the East Coast’s first sour beer dedicated taproom. Featuring over a dozen varieties of these styles on draught, visitors can expect a full immersion into the old world way of experiencing and appreciating beer along with a creative food menu.

Located inside The Weinhaus, a 40+ year-old beer and wine store in Asheville, Cork & Keg Bar offers a refined selection of wines and draft beers by the glass as well as cheese plates and lite snacks. The bar features a cozy indoor space and inviting patio seating overlooking lively downtown Asheville and Pritchard Park, perfect for people watching or enjoying live music. Frequent live entertainment from local musicians makes Cork & Keg a favored spot for locals looking to wind down with a quality drink and good vibes.

The Crow and Quill is Asheville’s go-to secret spot for craft cocktails, rare spirits, and truly cozy vibes right in the heart of downtown. Tucked behind a nondescript entry on North Lexington, this Victorian-inspired speakeasy is famous for its mind-blowing selection: over 800 whiskeys and 1,100 spirits from all over the planet. Whether you’re craving a perfectly smoked Old-Fashioned or something totally new, the friendly bartenders here shape drinks using fresh, seasonal ingredients—even garnishes picked straight from the owner’s garden. Bar snacks and tasty bites round out the menu, perfect for late-night hangs or a pre-show sip. Known for expertly crafted cocktails with seasonal ingredients sourced locally, their drinks are as much a show as they are a delight—think flaming cinnamon sticks and infused smoke. The bar often hosts live jazz, folk, and Americana music, plus themed events like blanket forts and storytelling during winter, making it a staple of Asheville’s nighttime culture.

Biltmore Estate Winery is located on the grounds of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville — America's largest private home — and is one of the most-visited wineries in the United States. Producing more than 150,000 cases annually from a combination of estate-grown and carefully sourced grapes, the winery offers tastings, tours, and barrel-aging cellar experiences that make it a signature wine destination in Asheville NC.

The Low Down is a craft cocktail bar in West Asheville tucked below The Hop at 723 Haywood Road — look for the golden arrow through the glass door. Created by the founder of The Crow and Quill, the underground bar pairs art deco design with understated occult touches: wood interiors, a canopy bar, and a shuffleboard table. The seasonal menu of craft cocktails and mocktails is built for precision, not volume, and it's consistently named one of the best cocktail bars in West Asheville.

Crow Bar brings fresh energy to downtown Asheville with 22 beer taps pouring rotating local brews, tasty bar bites, and a laid-back vibe that’s perfect for a chill night out. Newly opened on Patton Avenue in the old Thirsty Monk space, it’s quickly become a new favorite for catching up over a pint, grabbing a game night with friends, or starting a downtown bar hop. There’s plenty of room to spread out, and the friendly staff keep things easy and welcoming whether you’re a regular or dropping in for the first time.

Potential New Boyfriend (PNB) is a total gem tucked in West Asheville that locals absolutely love. It’s not your typical bar or dessert spot—it blends the cozy vibes of a living room hangout with a first-class wine bar and an ice cream parlor all rolled into one. The place has this cool, retro-modern feel with plush furniture, colorful artwork, and a hi-fi sound system playing vinyl. It’s perfect for winding down over amazing desserts and curated wines. This spot is 21+ and open from Tuesday through Sunday, with happy hour early in the afternoons. Whether you’re coming for an after-dinner treat or stopping by for some quality downtime, PNB serves up inventive ice creams, charcuterie, and small bites that pair beautifully with their wine selection.

Burntshirt Vineyards awarded 2015 & 2016 Winery of the Year. Burntshirt Vineyards award-winning wines are expertly crafted from 100% estate grown fruit from our two vineyards which are among the highest elevations on the East Coast

A classic cocktail bar set in the early 1900's. Featuring craft cocktails, beer and wine in the lively South Slope area of Asheville. Antidote is a private club. Please have your ID ready to become a member when first visiting. Thank you.

Battery Park Book Exchange is a downtown Asheville used bookstore and champagne bar in the historic Grove Arcade on Battery Park Avenue. Hosts live jazz shows weekly in the back room.

Ben’s Tune Up is a unique spot in Asheville’s South Slope, blending an American sake brewery with an Asian fusion restaurant and open-air beer garden. Housed in a converted auto shop, Ben’s offers a quirky, laid-back vibe ideal for sipping sake, craft beer, or creative cocktails. Outdoor picnic tables, live music on weekends, and dog-friendly spaces make it a welcoming hangout for all.

Pillar Rooftop Bar is on top the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Asheville, offering craft cocktails, southern fusion small plates, and sweeping views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Asheville skyline. The space features a bright indoor lounge and a cozy rooftop terrace with fire pits, making it perfect for year-round visits. Pillar’s seasonal menus showcase local brews, sustainable wines, and well-crafted cocktails with fresh, creative ingredients. Live music most nights adds to the lively yet relaxed atmosphere.

West Asheville's neighborhood natural wine shop and CD bar, tucked above Neng Jr.'s on Haywood Road. Small-production bottles, a well-curated soundtrack, and occasional karaoke nights give it the feel of a friend's living room — if that friend had impeccable taste.

Dalton Distillery is downtown Asheville’s first legal distillery, crafting small-batch Caribbean-inspired vodka and rum right here in the mountains. They take pride in handcrafting their spirits using rainwater and local mountain spring water, creating clean, complex flavors that stand out. The distillery also features a lively bar with indoor and outdoor seating, billiards, ping pong, arcade games, and a great local vibe. Tours & Tastings offered every weekend.

Bebop Bottle Shop is Asheville’s premier boutique wine, craft beer, and no/low-alcohol beverage shop located on Haywood Road. Known for its finely curated selection, the shop offers hard-to-find bottles paired with a cozy, art-filled atmosphere featuring rotating local artwork and live events like tastings and paint & sip nights. Whether you’re a seasoned sommelier or looking to discover something new, Bebop is a top local destination for personal service and unique finds.

If craft mezcal and tequila cocktails are your thing, Anoche in Asheville’s River Arts District is a spot to check out. It’s a cozy lounge with a relaxed vibe and a charming outdoor patio that’s perfect when the weather’s nice. Their menu features creative agave-based drinks, classic cocktails, and artisan espresso — all served up by bartenders who really know their stuff.

Färməsē Cocktail Lounge is a cozy speakeasy-style bar in downtown Asheville specializing in farm-to-glass craft cocktails made with herbal, locally sourced ingredients. The intimate space embraces its historic building’s natural character with exposed brick walls and thoughtful lighting, creating a vibey underground atmosphere. Färməsē offers an innovative menu featuring infused, barrel-aged, smoked, clarified, carbonated cocktails, and classics crafted with fresh, creative ingredients.

Wildwood Still is Asheville’s easygoing rooftop spot perched atop the Moxy Hotel in downtown. Known for an extensive whiskey and bourbon selection, it’s a relaxed hangout whether you’re a spirit enthusiast or just want a nice place to unwind. Their food menu leans into Asian-inspired small plates, offering a casual shareable experience complemented by great views of Asheville’s skyline and surrounding mountains.

Asheville Club is a unique coffee, beer, and wine bar right in the heart of downtown Asheville. Open daily, it serves espresso drinks made with Counter Culture coffee, alongside a great selection of local craft beers, ginger beer, ciders, wines, and non-alcoholic options. It’s the kind of laid-back spot perfect for a daytime hangout, people-watching, or meeting up with friends.

Little Jumbo is a well-regarded cocktail bar located in Asheville, NC, in the Montford and Five Points neighborhoods. It occupies a former 1920s grocery store building, blending vintage charm with a modern speakeasy vibe.