Here's your guide to the best historic bars in Asheville, and how to perfectly complement them with a visit to Off The Wagon Dueling Piano Bar for an unforgettable evening of entertainment.
1. The Grove Park Inn's Legendary Watering Holes
No discussion of historic bars in Asheville would be complete without examining the Grove Park Inn, which opened in 1913 and continues to operate today as the Omni Grove Park Inn. Edwin Wiley Grove's vision of a "big home where every modern convenience could be had" included some of the most impressive drinking establishments in the Southeast.
The Grove Park Inn's Great Hall, with its massive 24-foot ceilings and twin 36-foot-wide fireplaces, became the heart of the hotel's social scene. The Great Hall Bar, located between these fireplaces, created an atmosphere of rustic elegance that attracted celebrities, politicians, and business leaders.
The inn's bars have witnessed history in the making. F. Scott Fitzgerald spent about a year living at the inn in 1935-1936, undoubtedly spending time in its bars while struggling with tuberculosis and alcoholism as his wife Zelda received treatment in Asheville. The Great Hall witnessed William Howard Taft's resignation from the Supreme Court in 1930, and countless other political and business deals were struck over drinks in the inn's various watering holes.
During World War II, the federal government took over the Grove Park Inn for internment purposes, but the bars and social areas were eventually restored to their original grandeur. Today, visitors can still experience the historic atmosphere in venues like Elaine's Dueling Piano Bar and the President's Lounge, which continue the tradition of elegant mountain hospitality.
2. Pack's Tavern: From Prohibition Secrets to Modern Craft
The Hayes and Hopson Building at Pack Square has one of the most fascinating bar histories in downtown Asheville. Built in 1907 as a lumber supply company, this structure gained a much more secretive purpose during the Prohibition era that would make it legendary in Asheville bar history.
During the 1920s and early 1930s, the building's basement served as a major moonshine distribution hub. The lumber business provided the perfect front for illegal liquor operations, with spirits moved discreetly through a side loading dock and an underground tunnel that crossed Eagle Street. For twelve years, this covert operation kept Asheville's thirsty residents well-supplied during the dry years.
When Prohibition ended in 1933, the building eventually transitioned to legitimate hospitality uses. Today, Pack's Tavern operates in this historic space, celebrating its speakeasy past with a 1932 theme that commemorates the end of Prohibition. The restaurant and bar showcases over 35 local draft beers, paying homage to both its rebellious past and Asheville's modern craft brewing heritage.
3. The Cultural Heart: S&W Cafeteria Building
While not originally designed as a bar, the S&W Cafeteria Building tells a crucial story in Asheville's hospitality evolution. Designed by renowned architect Douglas Ellington in 1928, this Art Deco masterpiece opened in 1929 as part of the S&W Cafeteria chain, serving between 3,000 and 5,000 people daily during its heyday.
The building's significance lies not just in its stunning architecture, but in its role as a community gathering place. During its time as the S&W Cafeteria from 1929 to 1974, it served as a social hub where business deals were made, political discussions flourished, and the community came together over meals.
S&W Building historical significance:
- Architectural masterpiece representing 1920s Art Deco style
- Community gathering place for decades
- Site of numerous business and political meetings
- Symbol of Asheville's prosperity during the jazz age
After the cafeteria closed in 1974, the building underwent various transformations. In recent years, it has housed establishments like The Times Bar, which serves classic craft cocktails in the building's elegant Art Deco interior. The building's recent renovation as the S&W Market has brought it full circle, once again serving as a community gathering place with Highland Brewing's taproom and various food vendors creating a modern interpretation of its original mission.
4. McCormick Field: Where Baseball Met Social Culture
While primarily known as a baseball stadium, McCormick Field has played an important role in Asheville's social and drinking culture since it opened in 1924. Named after Dr. Lewis McCormick, the city's only bacteriologist, this historic venue has been serving beer to fans for nearly a century.
McCormick Field holds the distinction of being the original home of "Thirsty Thursday," a promotion that former owner Ron McKee created in 1983 and trademarked in 1995. This innovation spread throughout Minor League Baseball, making Asheville the birthplace of one of America's most popular baseball drinking promotions.
McCormick Field's drinking culture legacy:
- Birthplace of "Thirsty Thursday" baseball promotions
- Nearly 100 years of beer service to baseball fans
- Featured in the movie "Bull Durham" (1988)
- Historic concession stands serving the community since 1924
The stadium's intimate 4,000-seat capacity created a unique social atmosphere where fans gathered not just to watch baseball, but to socialize over drinks. The venue's location in downtown Asheville, surrounded by the city's craft brewing district, has made it an integral part of the city's beer culture evolution.
Today, McCormick Field continues this tradition by featuring an extensive selection of local craft beers, maintaining its connection to Asheville's rich brewing heritage while honoring its role as one of America's oldest continuously operating minor league baseball stadiums.
5. The Prohibition Underground
Asheville's bar history cannot be complete without acknowledging the extensive underground network that flourished during Prohibition. Beyond Pack's Tavern, numerous downtown buildings concealed speakeasies, hidden bars, and illegal drinking establishments that kept the city's social life alive during the dry years.
Elements of Asheville's Prohibition-era drinking scene:
- Hidden speakeasies in downtown basements
- Moonshine production in the surrounding mountains
- Underground tunnel networks for discrete transport
- Legitimate businesses serving as fronts for illegal operations
The mountainous terrain around Asheville proved ideal for moonshine production, while the city's tourism-dependent economy created strong incentives to maintain some form of nightlife entertainment. This combination resulted in a thriving underground drinking culture that influenced the city's social development for generations.
Many of today's downtown buildings likely housed secret drinking establishments during this era, though documentation remains limited due to the illegal nature of these operations. The legacy of this period can be seen in Asheville's continuing embrace of craft beverages and its reputation as a destination for those seeking unique drinking experiences.
The Speakeasy-style continues in in modern times with interesting bars such as:
- The Crow & Quill — Whiskey lounge with a hidden-door feel.
- Strange Magic — Hidden cocktail bar + DJ venue behind The Lazy Diamond.
- Little Jumbo — Cozy neighborhood bar with a vintage, speakeasy vibe.
- Red Ribbon Society — Underground speakeasy in the Flat Iron building.
Frequently Asked Questions about Historic Asheville Bars
What was the most famous historic bar in Asheville?
The Great Hall Bar at the Grove Park Inn (now Omni Grove Park Inn) was arguably the most famous, hosting celebrities, presidents, and business leaders since 1913. F. Scott Fitzgerald was a regular patron during his year-long stay in 1935-1936.
Did Asheville have speakeasies during Prohibition?
Yes, Asheville had an extensive underground drinking culture during Prohibition. The most documented example is the basement of the Hayes and Hopson Building (now Pack's Tavern), which served as a major moonshine distribution hub with underground tunnels for discrete transport.
Which historic bar venue is still operating today?
The Omni Grove Park Inn continues to operate with several bars including the Great Hall Bar, maintaining its tradition of hospitality since 1913. Pack's Tavern also operates in a historic Prohibition-era building, celebrating its speakeasy heritage.
What role did historic bars play in Asheville's development?
Historic bars served as community gathering places where business deals were made, political discussions occurred, and social connections were formed. They were essential to Asheville's development as a tourism destination and cultural center.
Are any of the original Battery Park Hotel bars still standing?
No, the original Battery Park Hotel was demolished in the early 1920s. The current Battery Park building, constructed in 1924, now serves as senior housing. However, the Grove Park Inn, built by the same developer, maintains similar historic bar traditions.
How did Prohibition affect Asheville's bar scene?
Prohibition drove Asheville's drinking culture underground, creating an extensive network of speakeasies and illegal operations. The city's tourism economy and mountain location made it ideal for maintaining covert drinking establishments throughout the dry years.
The Evolution Continues
Asheville's historic bar scene laid the foundation for what would become one of America's most celebrated craft brewing destinations. The community gathering spaces created by the Battery Park Hotel, Grove Park Inn, and other historic establishments established patterns of hospitality and social interaction that continue today. Read our blog about the best nightlife spots in Asheville.
The transformation of historic buildings like the S&W Cafeteria and the Hayes and Hopson Building demonstrates how Asheville honors its past while embracing innovation. Modern establishments like Off The Wagon Dueling Piano Bar carry forward the tradition of live entertainment and community gathering that characterized the city's historic hotel bars and social clubs.
From prohibition-era speakeasies to presidential retreats, Asheville's bars have always been more than just places to drink – they've been the spaces where the city's culture, politics, and community spirit have flourished for over a century.
Visit Off The Wagon to experience Asheville's continuing tradition of live entertainment and community gathering in downtown's historic district.
