The Social East on a Friday evening, doors at 5:30. Early start means you could catch this and still have your whole night ahead of you, or just post up there for the long haul.

Tunnel Road location means you skip the downtown parking nightmare and still get solid live music, plus the free lot out back seals the deal. Cory and Christen Short have been running this East Asheville spot since 2014, so they know how to keep the locals happy with pool tables, a full menu of burgers and wings, and bands rolling through on Fridays.

The Social is a neighborhood pub at 1078 Tunnel Road in East Asheville, hosting live acoustic and band performances, karaoke, comedy, and trivia nights since 2014. Burgers, wings, full bar, and craft beer; open until 2 AM nightly.

Locals rave about The Social for its friendly atmosphere, attentive staff, and consistently delicious pub fare. Many highlight the signature burgers like the Wow Burger with ghost pepper cheese and the Wild West, along with crispy wings and inventive bar snacks such as bacon jalapeño-wrapped tater tots and deep-fried Oreos. The venue is loved for its casual, unpretentious vibe where both regulars and visitors feel at home. Entertainment ranging from live music to karaoke and trivia keeps the nights lively and fun.

The Social

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 on Biltmore Avenue and Asheville Music Hall on Patton Avenue book touring bands, Jack of the Wood has hosted Celtic and bluegrass nights since 1997, and Hotel Eve does live jazz on Lexington Avenue. The South Slope has Eulogy on Buxton Avenue, Revival on Asheland Avenue and outdoor concerts at Asheville Yards on Coxe Avenue. Along Haywood Road in West Asheville, catch a set at The Odd, Fleetwood's or The Double Crown, or a quieter show at AyurPrana Listening Room and Story Parlor. The River Arts District has The Grey Eagle on Clingman Avenue and full album sides on vinyl at Joyful Noise. Hellbender by The Orange Peel puts outdoor shows on the Swannanoa River. Head east to Black Mountain for White Horse, Town Pump Tavern and Pisgah Brewing's outdoor stage, or north to JuneBug Retro Resort in Weaverville. For theater and orchestra, see the Wortham Center, the Asheville Symphony and free Shakespeare from Montford Park Players.

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

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, and Rocky's Hot Chicken Shack fries Nashville-style hot chicken on Patton Avenue and in Arden.

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.

The Grateful Family Band

The Scoop