Asheville's 4 Hottest Rooftop Bars & Restaurants

Asheville, North Carolina was a resort destination in the Appalachian Mountains for the wealthy and affluent after the Civil War. It attracted the attention of one of the wealthiest families in the US - the Vanderbilts - particularly George W. Vanderbilt, who built his chateau style home there in the late 1800's. That home - the largest private residence in the country still to this day - is one of the largest attractions in Asheville. But in recent years Asheville has become a boomtown of a different nature.

It's quirky, and it's residents pride themselves on being different. There are bearded hipsters galore, a drum circle in Pritchard Park downtown on Friday nights, a vibrant Arts district and the city has been voted the top Beer City four years in a row. You can visit a newish outpost of both Fat Tire and Sierra Nevada along with over 20 local craft breweries. In fact, Asheville has one of the highest rates of craft beer consumption in the South. 

But today we're not visiting breweries, but Rooftop Bars. With the influx of mass tourism to Asheville recently - the word is out that it's a beyond cool place to visit - there have been a few additions to the skyline. (Also note that Asheville has one of the best examples of Art Deco architecture of US cities and you can walk a self-guided Art Deco tour) So here are four rooftop bars that you can visit for views of that beautiful mountain scenery - and maybe even a sunset to boot.

Pillar - atop the Hilton Garden Inn
Pillar sits atop the Hilton Garden Inn - parking is free in the adjacent lot - and it has an indoor bar and tables along with an outdoor patio accessed by garage doors. There are two fire pits and heaters if you need them. You can order a cocktail, beer or wine and there is a limited food menu. You can enjoy live music a few nights per week and some awesome sunset views of the mountains. I haven't been when there was live music but I loved that they were playing a recording of a bluegrass mashup of 80's hits when we were there.

The Social Lounge
The Social is a "local craft cocktail bar with fresh ingredients and a rooftop view in downtown Asheville." The downstairs and upstairs bar have a speakeasy feel - you can tell your favorite ingredients to the bartender and they will craft a cocktail for you. There are weekly drink specials, a bar menu and brunch is served on Saturday and Sunday from 11-3. Live local music is on Wednesday and Thursday and the second Tuesday is Tiki Tuesday  with more drink specials. And to top it off Awakened Life Yoga hosts rooftop yoga on weekend mornings. The views aren't as stupendous here as the rooftop is really only on the 2nd floor. But it has a cool vibe and as they say you can come and "eat, drink and be social"

The Montford - atop Hyatt Place
The Montford, sitting atop Hyatt Place, has some fantastic views. They serve beer, wine, cocktails and small plates in an indoor bar and a very small outdoor patio. Seriously, get there early for sunset views on the patio - it's tiny. No matter what time of year either. Parking is free though through a valet stand and the elevator is right there to go up to the Montford - you don't even need to enter the hotel. Also serving brunch on the weekends, the Montford's tag line is "Visit for the views. Stay for the cocktails and small bites."

Sky Bar at World Coffee Cafe atop the Flatiron Building
Sky Bar is one of the most unique rooftop bars I've been to. You reach sky bar by an awesome old, yet manned, elevator and step out onto what is essentially a bar on a fire escape. Voted "Best Drink with a View 2017", Sky Bar overlooks downtown Asheville and the mountains. It serves local craft beer (you'd really be hard pressed to find a place in Asheville that doesn't serve craft beer), craft cocktails and affordable wine - along with a new tapas menu ( we visited before this was started) Truly unique - and if you're not a fan of heights this might not be the place for you.

There are a few rooftop bars in Asheville I still want to visit - I haven't tried Top of the Monk or Capella on 9.  I try to visit one each time I'm there - you just can't beat those mountain views - summer, winter, spring or fall!


How about you? Do you seek out rooftop bars? Or do you think they're -highly - overrated (See what I did there?)


Linking up with: Women Around the World at Communal Global,The Weekend Wanderlust Travel Blog Party and The Weekly Postcard at Travel Notes and Beyond!