Name: Shareable Plates and Craft Cocktails Downtown at District 42
Start: 2026-10-19
End: 2026-10-19
Location: District 42

Shareable Plates and Craft Cocktails Downtown at District 42

District 42 blends small shareable plates, warm hospitality, and unique cocktails in the heart of Asheville’s historic Pack Square. Open daily, it offers a cozy lounge, outdoor patio, and lively bar scene where house-made juices and regionally sourced bitters shine. 

Whether you’re grabbing morning coffee or settling in for evening drinks, District 42 delivers flavorful food and craft cocktails in a welcoming downtown vibe.

District 42 pairs small shareable plates, warm hospitality and creative cocktails in an all-day lounge and bar right on historic Pack Square in downtown Asheville. It's open seven days a week, with tables, soft seating and an outdoor patio, and the drinks use house-made juices and regionally sourced bitters.

Locals like the easygoing service and a room that feels polished without being stuffy. It's a go-to for sharing small plates over cocktails before a show or after work downtown.

District 42

Asheville's food scene is mostly local, and this guide walks it neighborhood by neighborhood. Many of these spots post their daily specials, happy hours and events on Dig Local, so check a profile before you go. Downtown, Posana on Biltmore Avenue builds its menu around local farms, The Rhu on South Lexington Avenue is known for its cruffin, Old Europe Pastries has made Hungarian pastries since 1994 and now sits on Broadway, and Capella on 9 serves tapas on the roof of the AC Hotel. On the South Slope, Tiger Bay Cafe cooks Latin and West Indian food inside Ben's Tune Up, and the Funkatorium on Coxe Avenue pours sour beer. Haywood Road in West Asheville has Biscuit Head, Thai Pearl, Finest and Westville Pub. Merrimon Avenue in North Asheville has plant, Mountain Madre, Mother Ocean Seafood Market and 828 Family Pizzeria. In East Asheville, RendezVous serves French bistro food on New Haw Creek Road. Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack fries Nashville-style hot chicken on Patton Avenue in West Asheville and on Sweeten Creek Road in South Asheville. For fully vegan kitchens, restaurants with real meat-free menus and answers to common questions, see our Dig Deeper guide to vegetarian and vegan restaurants in Asheville.

Asheville Food and Drink: Restaurants, Specials and Happy Hours

Looking for the best bars in Asheville? Find cocktail lounges, dive bars, rooftops and live music spots downtown, on the South Slope and in West Asheville. Downtown, Little Jumbo pours cocktails in an old grocery on Broadway, The Crow and Quill stocks more than 800 whiskeys behind an easy-to-miss door on Lexington Avenue, and The Workshop Lounge has jazz inside The Foundry Hotel. Capella on 9 serves drinks with mountain views atop the AC Hotel, District 42 sits on Pack Square, and Cork & Keg pours wine inside The Weinhaus on Patton Avenue. 5 Walnut Wine Bar has live jazz and acoustic sets most nights, and Fitz and the Wolfe runs three rooms on Battery Park Avenue. On the South Slope, Banks Ave. hosts drag shows and DJ nights, and Sovereign Kava pours kava on Biltmore Avenue. Haywood Road in West Asheville has The Low Down under The Hop, wine and vinyl at Potential New Boyfriend, and late shows at The Odd and Fleetwood's. Out east, The Social is a neighborhood pub on Tunnel Road, and Town Pump Tavern and White Horse anchor downtown Black Mountain. When the night's over, call AVL Ride for the trip home.

Bars in Asheville, NC: Nightlife, Lounges and Music Halls

Experience the rich flavors of Asheville, NC’s wine and spirits scene, featuring local wineries, craft distilleries, and stylish wine bars. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast, cocktail aficionado, or simply looking to savor small-batch spirits, Asheville offers a diverse range of tasting experiences and expertly crafted beverages. Explore vineyard tours, distillery tastings, and cozy bars offering innovative cocktails made with local ingredients. Find the perfect spot to unwind, celebrate, or discover new favorite drinks in this dynamic southern city known for its vibrant beverage culture and craftsmanship.

Wine and Spirits in Asheville, NC: Distilleries and Wine Bars

Asheville is a dog friendly town, and these breweries, restaurant patios, bars, shops and pet services welcome you and your dog. Many breweries allow leashed dogs, including Highland Brewing and its meadow in East Asheville, Wedge Brewing, RAD Brewing, New Belgium and Ginger's Revenge in the River Arts District, and Archetype, One World West and Westville Pub on Haywood Road in West Asheville. Downtown, Wicked Weed's brewpub has two pet friendly patios, the Funkatorium is on the South Slope, and Twisted Laurel and Posana have dog friendly patios near Pack Square. Woodfin has Zillicoah, Riverside Rhapsody and Salt Face Mule along the French Broad River. South of town, try Sweeten Creek Brewing, 12 Bones Smokehouse in Arden, Turgua in Fairview, and Sierra Nevada and Mills River Brewing in Mills River. Black Mountain has Pisgah Brewing and Lookout Brewing. For pet supplies and care, visit Asheville Pet Supply on Merrimon Avenue and All Pets Animal Hospital on Patton Avenue. Every listing below has hours, photos and directions.

Shareable Plates and Craft Cocktails Downtown at District 42

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