Asheville isn't a tall city, and that works in its favor. Get six or seven floors up and you can see over downtown to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Most of our rooftop bars sit on top of hotels downtown and on the South Slope, and one in the River Arts District looks over the French Broad River.
Before you go, check whether the rooftop you want is covered. Some have roofs, roll-up walls or heat and stay open all year. Others are open-air and close when it rains or for the winter. We've noted which is which, and the FAQ at the bottom covers cold-weather options and reservations. Rooftops get busy around sunset, so plan to arrive early.
Capella on 9 Rooftop Bar and Lounge
Downtown Asheville, 10 Broadway (9th floor, AC Hotel)
Capella on 9 is on the ninth floor of the AC Hotel Asheville Downtown. From up there you see across downtown to the Blue Ridge Mountains. Executive chef Rakim Gaines grew up in Asheville. His menu is tapas-style, built on local ingredients, so it's easy to make a meal out of small plates instead of having one drink and moving on. The bar makes its own cocktails. Capella also serves breakfast every morning, which makes it one of the few rooftops downtown where you can have coffee with a view. In the evening, people come here for a drink before dinner downtown or bring visiting friends to see the city from above.
Tip: Parties of 12 or more should contact Capella ahead of time instead of walking in.
VISUALS Rooftop Bar at Eulogy
South Slope, 10 Buxton Ave
VISUALS is the open-air bar on the roof of Eulogy, Burial Beer's music venue on the South Slope. Instead of beer, it focuses on wine and other drinks: natural wines, including Burial's own VISUALS wines, plus a list of other producers' wines. It also pours Asheville-made ciders, mostly from North Carolina apples, house aperitifs and craft cocktails, and it has local snacks. Eulogy books experimental and underground music, so you can have a drink upstairs and then catch a show downstairs. The rooftop is also available for private events.
Tip: Before you climb the stairs, check Eulogy's calendar. On show nights, a drink at VISUALS fits nicely before doors.
Rooftop Bar Questions
Which Asheville rooftop bars are open in winter?
Look for a cover. The Social Lounge's rooftop is covered and heated in the colder months (AFAR), and Pillar keeps a fire pit going on cool nights (When in AVL). Open-air rooftops like The Roof at The Radical have closed for the winter in the past, so check before you go.
Do Asheville rooftop bars take reservations?
Some do. The Social Lounge takes reservations for its rooftop tables, and Soprana takes them by phone. Antidote seats people first come, first served. Most of the others are walk-in, so arriving before sunset is the most reliable way to get a seat.
What is the rooftop bar at the Hilton Garden Inn?
It's Pillar Rooftop Bar, on the sixth floor at 309 College St. (Pillar). The Montford is on top of the DoubleTree, Capella on 9 is on top of the AC Hotel, Soprana is on top of Embassy Suites, and The Observatory is on top of The Restoration.
Which rooftop has a river view instead of a mountain view?
The Roof at The Radical, in the River Arts District, looks over the French Broad River. Most of the downtown rooftops face the mountains and the city skyline.
Can I bring kids to a rooftop bar in Asheville?
It depends on the bar. Antidote is 21 and up after 3 PM (Antidote), and Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours are 21 and up. The restaurant rooftops are usually the better bet with kids, but call ahead because policies vary.
