Asheville Nightlife

sante is a upscale wine bar located in the grove arcade in downtown asheville. sante has both an excellent wine and beer selection. a very nice place to have an after work drink in downtown asheville.

Dress Code: casual.

The real Irish atmosphere comes out at the Wood on Sunday afternoons when they have live traditional Irish music. It was one of the reasons (oh, and maybe some more IPA) we stayed in town so late and even thought of spending the night. We were glad we did. The music was excellent with the band featuring a harpist, a few fiddlers and a guitarist keeping it all together. With the bar being non-smoking and it being afternoon, there were numerous families on hand just as you would have in Ireland. It added a real laid back feel to the languid afternoon.

I did not eat here so I cannot speak for the food but it appeared to be good pub grub. I sat at my stool, drank many beers, listened to great music, and spoke to some friendly locals as I waited for friends to shower at the hotel.

Dress Code: Casual

Great medium sized venue to see a gig. The Orange Peel is about half the size of a place that many of the bands that play here would play in a major city. Great sound. Affordable beer. It is a former roller skating rink with that cool old hardwood floor that you do not see anymore.

Dress Code: Casual.

I will definitely start taking pictures of other watering holes around town. This camera doesn't do well at night, so I'm limited to daytime photos mostly. However, one of our beloved locals, Rigel Pawlak, known for his circus stunts and great personality, happens to be my partner on Monday Wine Night. Here we are, off work!

Well, this is where I work. The fun person you see here is James Browne, and after working in this place for almost a year, I can say that alot of people prefer to come here the nights he works, because he's fast and inventive and generally appears to be in a great mood and on top of things.

Famous line--"Let's drink more!"

and also--"What--you're leaving?? You just GOT here!!"

(It could be 1:55 a.m. and you'd been sitting there since 6 o'clock...feeling the effects of vodka...)

ANYHOW...this bar is centrally located in downtown Asheville and most people out on the town will pass through it at some point or another through-out the night. A lot of local people do hang out here...and different nights bring different regulars. It's also our company store, you'll get to meet personally the lovely staff!

The highlight of the Frog Bar is the patio in the summer. It's great for people watching! You may be serenaded by "Johnny" otherwise known as "Blaxle Rose..." This street cat can sing every Gun's n Roses song ever written...And he sure has rhythm...don't know about his range, though. You will hear the bluegrass by the flat iron, and later, the Funk, R&B and Hip Hop that generally rolls out of "the Frog" at night. We serve food until 10 p.m. After that we would be happy to serve you some Spinach and Artichoke Dip or homemade Hummus...and possibly dessert!!

I'll have more photos posted shortly that gives you a better idea of what this place looks like...

Dress Code: I would say just look hot. Wear shoes.

In the summertime, the Biltmore Estate offers a great concert series that attracts some fairly big names in music. The concerts are held on the grounds of the estate with gorgeous views of the Chateau as well as the surrounding mountains. This summer (2003), some of the performers include Isaac Hayes, Alison Krauss, and the Indigo Girls.

Dress Code: Come as you are.