Purple Onion is a restaurant and live music venue on East Main Street in downtown Saluda, serving regionally inspired food with Mediterranean influences, with outdoor dining and evening shows.

Lunch and dinner share the week with Thursday and Saturday performances. The November calendar includes Michael Reno Harrell, Brian Ashley Jones and Melanie Jean, Nanseera, and The Moon and You.

Purple Onion

Looking for live music in Asheville tonight? Find venues and show schedules downtown, on the South Slope, in West Asheville and the River Arts District. Almost all post shows as Scoops on Dig Local, so check a profile before you go. Downtown, [The Orange Peel](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1298-the-orange-peel) on Biltmore Avenue and [Asheville Music Hall](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/695-asheville-music-hall) on Patton Avenue book touring bands, [Jack of the Wood](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1404-jack-of-the-wood-pub) has hosted Celtic and bluegrass nights since 1997, and [Hotel Eve](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/4555-hotel-eve-jazz) does live jazz on Lexington Avenue. The South Slope has [Eulogy](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2479-eulogy) on Buxton Avenue, [Revival](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/4294-revival) on Asheland Avenue and outdoor concerts at [Asheville Yards](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2006-asheville-yards-amphitheater) on Coxe Avenue. Along Haywood Road in West Asheville, catch a set at [The Odd](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1413-the-odd-eclectic-dive-bar-music-venue-oddities-museum), [Fleetwood's](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2073-fleetwood-s) or [The Double Crown](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/4855-the-double-crown), or a quieter show at [AyurPrana Listening Room](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/4533-ayurprana-listening-room) and [Story Parlor](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/4550-story-parlor). The River Arts District has [The Grey Eagle](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/17-the-grey-eagle-music-hall-taqueria) on Clingman Avenue and full album sides on vinyl at [Joyful Noise](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/4610-joyful-noise-listening-lounge-kitchen). [Hellbender by The Orange Peel](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/4690-hellbender-by-the-orange-peel) puts outdoor shows on the Swannanoa River. Head east to Black Mountain for [White Horse](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1558-white-horse-black-mountain), [Town Pump Tavern](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/3998-town-pump-tavern) and [Pisgah Brewing](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/886-pisgah-brewing-company)'s outdoor stage, or north to [JuneBug Retro Resort](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/4756-junebug-retro-resort) in Weaverville. For theater and orchestra, see the [Wortham Center](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1402-wortham-center-for-performing-arts), the [Asheville Symphony](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/4723-asheville-symphony-orchestra) and free Shakespeare from [Montford Park Players](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2252-montford-park-players). For weekly jams, venue sizes and answers to common questions, see our Dig Deeper guides to [Asheville live music venues](/asheville-nc/dig-deeper/6-the-amazing-live-music-scene-in-asheville-nc-venues-festivals-shows) and [weekly bluegrass jams](/asheville-nc/dig-deeper/13-bluegrass-jams-asheville-nc).

Live Music in Asheville, NC: Venues, Shows and Events

Asheville's food scene is mostly local, and this guide walks it neighborhood by neighborhood. Start with our [Asheville Food Guide](/asheville-nc/dig-deeper/242-asheville-food-guide-where-to-eat-asheville-nc) for Michelin picks. For specials by day and happy hours, see the [Dig Deeper guide to deals, specials and free things to do](/asheville-nc/dig-deeper/142-deals-specials-free-things-to-do-asheville-nc). Downtown, [Posana](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/34-posana) on Biltmore Avenue builds its menu around local farms, [Bargello](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1883-bargello) makes hand-rolled pasta on Pack Square, [Old Europe Pastries](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1716-old-europe-pastries) has made Hungarian pastries since 1994 and now sits on Broadway, and [Capella on 9](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1369-capella-on-9-rooftop-bar-and-lounge) serves tapas on the roof of the AC Hotel. On the South Slope, [Tiger Bay Cafe](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2068-tiger-bay-cafe) cooks Latin and West Indian food inside Ben's Tune Up, and the [Funkatorium](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1134-the-funkatorium) on Coxe Avenue pours sour beer. Haywood Road in West Asheville has [Biscuit Head](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1753-biscuit-head), [Thai Pearl](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1985-thai-pearl-west-asheville), [Finest](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/4262-finest) and [Westville Pub](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/118-westville-pub). Merrimon Avenue in North Asheville has [plant](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1574-plant), [Mountain Madre](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1186-mountain-madre), [Mother Ocean Seafood Market](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/2187-mother-ocean-seafood-market) and [828 Family Pizzeria](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/962-828-family-pizzeria). In East Asheville, [RendezVous](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1907-rendezvous) serves French bistro food on New Haw Creek Road. [Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack](/asheville-nc/explore-places-to-go/1185-rocky-s-hot-chicken-shack-west-avl) fries Nashville-style hot chicken on Patton Avenue in West Asheville and on Sweeten Creek Road in South Asheville. For vegan kitchens and meat-free menus, see the [Dig Deeper guide to vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Asheville](/asheville-nc/dig-deeper/2-best-vegetarian-food-in-asheville-nc).

Asheville Food and Drink: Restaurants, Specials and Happy Hours

Experience Asheville, NC, your gateway to the best live music, vibrant nightlife, premier shopping, and unforgettable things to do. Stroll through bustling markets and unique boutiques for one-of-a-kind finds, or browse Asheville’s eclectic shops for local art, fashion, wellness, and gifts. Savor Asheville’s dynamic food scene, from award-winning restaurants and cozy cafés to innovative food trucks and local favorites. 

Dive into the city’s thriving hemp, CBD, and THCA community with welcoming dispensaries and specialty wellness stores. Whether you’re looking for top bars, relaxing cocktail lounges, a memorable bite, or hidden gems off the beaten path, Asheville offers fresh adventures and experiences every season. Stay updated on the latest events, hotspots, and must-visit places, Asheville is your home for discovery.

Purple Onion

What you need to know

Local's Tip

What the locals say

What you need to know

What the locals say