Saturday afternoon at Jack of the Wood hits different when you can catch live music before dinner. The downstairs bar gets that good weekend energy going early, and you can still make other plans later if you want.

Jack of the Wood on Patton has been pouring pints and hosting pickers since 1997, back when it was Green Man's original home. The pub menu hits hard with proper fish and chips and Reubens, while 18 rotating taps and a cask engine keep things interesting. Between the Thursday night bluegrass jam and Sunday Irish sessions, there's always someone playing something worth hearing.

Jack of the Wood is a Celtic-style pub at 95 Patton Avenue in downtown Asheville, pouring since 1997. It has 18 rotating taps of local and international craft beer, a whiskey list and a menu of fish and chips, Philly cheesesteaks, classic and vegetarian Reubens and burgers. Live music runs through the week: an Old-Time Jam on Wednesdays at 5 p.m., Drew Matulich's Bluegrass Jam on Thursdays at 7 p.m. with an open jam after, and local and touring bands on Friday and Saturday nights at 9.

Asheville locals and pickers have treated Jack's as a home base for years, and regulars say the Thursday bluegrass jam is a highlight of the week.

Jack of the Wood Pub

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.

Nobody's Darling String Band

The Scoop