10 Best Rooftop Bars In Asheville, NC
Catch brilliant sunsets over craft cocktails at the best rooftop bars in Asheville, NC. See which Asheville rooftop bars have delicious restaurants with stellar bites too.
We fell in love with Asheville over those stunning Blue Ridge Mountains. Flying into Western North Carolina on a clear day, you cannot miss their blue and green smoky magnificence.
These mountains spark romance and are infamous for inspiring young writers and artists. They also make for vibrant sunsets, especially as fall and winter approach.
If you are looking for a Downtown Asheville rooftop bar, Capella on 9 and W XYZ Lounge are both equally worthy for different reasons.
One overlooks the city proper along with the Grove Park Inn and Asheville’s iconic and historic buildings. The other is perfect for Downtown people-watching.
Plus, you have Antidote, which is attached to a famous Asheville distillery, Chemist. The Montford Rooftop Bar is also a must for delicious bites, warm heaters, and all of those yummy drinks.
And, let’s not forget that along with the strong handcrafted cocktails, residents as well as visitors can dine at some of the most delicious rooftop restaurants in Asheville.
Not all serve full meals – think small plates and tapas too – but you cannot miss The Great Hall Bar, Social Lounge, Pillar Rooftop Bar, and Hemingway’s Cuba.
So, if you are hoping to catch a mountain sunset over cocktails, what are the best rooftop bars in Asheville, NC?
As locals, we are divulging the details of each great rooftop bar in Asheville. We’ll tell you what to expect, where to park, and where to go before or afterward.
Find a few family-friendly spots too – children’s food menus included.
P.S. Don’t forget there are Asheville rooftop bar tours. Let’s get started!
Read more about all of Asheville’s best bars – sports, dive, luxury, and more.
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See our Top Places To Stay in Asheville.
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What You'll Find In This Guide
10 Best Rooftop Bars In Asheville, NC
1. Capella On 9
Feel as if you are a modern-day Vanderbilt at Capella On 9 – and question if you just landed in Miami instead of Asheville.
As Capella On 9 best says, find “Small plates. Big Views.”
Located in the gorgeous AC Hotel by Marriott, take the elevator to the top (9th floor) and sit inside or out at the sexiest rooftop bar in Asheville.
Of course, outside is preferable where visitors can enjoy gas fireplaces and the swankiest lounge chairs on Capella On 9’s sprawling and classy rooftop restaurant.
For food, order fresh salads, marinated olives, beets, and charcuterie. Their ever-changing menu also features tapas like mussels, crab cakes, and lobster rolls.
For larger entrees, find short ribs, burgers, and seafood dishes like scallops and salmon. Capella On 9 also serves breakfast – breakfast tacos and avocado toast included.
To drink, along with classic cocktails, choose from ports, sherry, the bubbly, red and white wine, and craft beer.
Notably, Maker’s Mark distills a special barrel-finished bourbon for Capella On 9.
You will pay for those views, but their craft cocktails are top-notch. And, even though this is a major hotel chain, as locals, we cannot resist its sleek appeal.
Indoor and outdoor seating is first-come, first-serve only, and they can accommodate larger groups. However, if you are a group of 20+, you will have to contact Capella On 9 beforehand.
Capella On 9 is the perfect Asheville rooftop bar if you have Downtown AVL dinner reservations at Strada, Posana, Limones, or Cúrate – and is one of the most romantic things to do in Asheville.
You’ll also catch quite a few Asheville rooftop bar tours coming here – and it is easy to see why.
For parking, your closest garages are the AC Marriot/Broadway Street Garage and Pack Square Parking. The Biltmore Garage behind the Aloft is further away but usually has more spots.
Capella On 9 | AC Hotel by Marriott Asheville Downtown | 10 Broadway St f9, Asheville, NC 28801
2. Pillar Rooftop Bar
One of the most chill Asheville rooftop bars, Pillar Rooftop Bar sits in the Hilton Garden Inn just past Pack Square – one of Asheville’s great parks for walking, hanging out, and hosting large events and festivals.
Head into the lobby and to the 6th floor to arrive at their somewhat tropical yet casual rooftop bar. The ambiance is relaxed but not tacky or in-your-face, which we appreciate.
There’s plenty of indoor seating as well as a smaller outdoor patio. The restrooms are quite chic too.
While the views aren’t quite as sprawling as some of the other rooftop restaurants in Asheville, you’ll usually catch fewer crowds – which is a huge bonus.
Plus, the prices are a bit more fair compared to Pillar’s counterparts. They don’t accept reservations, which hasn’t been an issue for us to get seated right away.
Not to mention that Pillar is a family-friendly rooftop bar in Asheville, especially with its food selections and larger dining areas.
For beverages, Pillar Rooftop Bar stirs up handcrafted and classic cocktails along with the bubbly and local brews.
Their cocktails tend to emphasize tropical flavors, including coconut, banana, pineapple, lemon, lime, peach, and blood orange. However, Pillar’s drinks aren’t too sweet or full of sugar, which we love.
Pillar Kitchen emphasizes small Southern and seasonal bites. Start with spinach and artichoke dip or a pretzel with beer cheese.
Devour flatbreads, salads, and entrees, including fried wings, fried shrimp, or shrimp and grits. Of course, Pillar Kitchen also serves up burgers and chicken sandwiches.
For the littles, there are usually grilled cheese, pizza, and chicken tender options.
Just keep in mind that in the summer, Pillar Rooftop Bar grows a tad steamy, and you may want to sit near the open but covered air-conditioned areas.
Park on the streets around Pack Square or the Pack Square Garage. Pillar’s Free Shuttle will also pick you up and take you back anywhere downtown if you call (828)989-3043.
Read more about Asheville’s family-friendly places to eat.
Pillar Rooftop Bar Asheville | Hilton Garden Inn Asheville Downtown | 309 College St 6th Floor, Asheville, NC 28801
3. Social Lounge
Asheville’s original cocktail bar, Social Lounge is close to Capella on 9. Along with Sunday rooftop brunch, Social Lounge is popular for its late-night menu.
As locals, Social Lounge is one of our favorite rooftop restaurants in Asheville along with Edison at the Omni Grove Park Inn. It’s an unforgettable dining experience.
Social Lounge’s brunch showcases seasonal and regular items such as vegan lox, salads, and muffins alongside pancakes, french toast, omelets, egg bowls, and shrimp and grits.
Did someone say, “Monte Cristo?”
Occasionally, catch live music while annihilating brunch dessert.
Social Lounge’s dinner and late-night menus are all about that Italian cuisine, including pizzas and pasta. Depending on the season, catch apps like Tuscan stuffed figs, mussels, and calamari.
They also serve up meat and seafood entrees, including classic dishes like Chicken Marsala and Chicken Picatta.
A Celiac and lactose-intolerant household, we appreciate their food-intolerance-friendly and well-labeled menus. This is surprisingly one of the great gluten-free and vegan rooftop bars in Asheville.
Like the food, Social Lounge’s cocktails tend to flow with the seasons – and their fresh ingredients reflect this. The drinks are utterly decadent and delicious – and some of our favorite cocktails in town.
Along with classic drinks, find a large list of spirits including Whiskey, Tequila, Rum, Brandy, Gin, Bourbon, and Scotch – to name a few.
Social Lounge is part of Strada – its jumping downtown Italian (sister) restaurant – and a spectacular romantic dining option. There is also indoor bar seating.
Rooftop reservations are currently required but always double-check their website for the most up-to-date information.
Nearby, be sure to check out Asheville dessert bars like French Broad Chocolate Lounge, Asheville Chocolate, Crave, and Old Europe.
You’ll also find two terrific art museums, the Asheville Art Museum and Black Mountain College Museum.
We tend to make brunch reservations at Social Lounge before a Pack Square festival; we beat the crowds and grab a convenient and open parking spot.
Although Broadway Street has a parking garage, we usually park over by the Rankin and Civic Center garages and walk a few blocks to Social Lounge.
Discover more dairy-free and lactose-free spots in AVL.
Social Lounge Asheville | 29 Broadway St, Asheville, NC 28801
4. The Montford Rooftop Bar
One of the best Asheville rooftop bars for rainbows and views, The Montford offers spectacular vistas of Asheville’s Historic Montford neighborhood.
The Montford is another one of the rooftop bars we frequent most as locals; their Christmas decorations are ridiculously fun and festive.
Sit inside or out as you peer over northern AVL with fried Brussels sprouts, eggplant, and tater tots. The Montford also serves flatbreads, sandwiches, and desserts.
Find sharable cheese boards and reasonably priced cocktails along with local beer and wine.
Just keep in mind that they cannot accommodate parties larger than six people. Reservations are highly recommended as The Montford Rooftop Bar can accept limited walk-ins.
Complimentary valet parking is provided for all guests, which we’ve used. Also, consider parking at the Wall Street Garage or find nearby street parking around the Grove Arcade.
Nearby, head to the Grove Arcade and Battery Park Book Exchange – a used bookstore with cocktails.
The Asheville Pinball Museum, Asheville Proper (steak), pleb urban winery’s newer taproom The Aventine, and Cultivated Cocktails are also out this way around Page Ave.
The Montford Rooftop Bar | DoubleTree by Hilton Asheville Downtown | 199 Haywood St, Asheville, NC 28801
5. Hemingway’s Cuba
One of the best rooftop restaurants in Asheville, Hemingway’s Cuba won’t disappoint. Find them at the Cambria Downtown on the 4th floor.
Hemingway’s promises traditional Cuban cuisine and “a delightful slice of Habana.”
For food, we cannot resist starters like yucca fries and fried plantains – smashed into tostones or on a traditional rice and chicken dish.
Select from classics like a Cuban sandwich, burgers, and sliders. Or, try their spicer stews and meat dishes.
Another kid-friendly rooftop bar in Asheville, find children’s menu items like chicken fingers, butter noodles, grilled cheese, hamburgers, and mac & cheese.
Hemingway’s Cuba makes a signature cocktail, the Cuban Daquiri, but all of their drinks are equally delicious.
The rooftop restaurant and bar overlook the Blue Ridge Mountains as well as Downtown Asheville’s Grove Arcade.
Sit inside on a chilly day and stare out the gorgeous windows. If the weather is in your favor, enjoy the rooftop terrace and people-watch Downtown Asheville’s visitors.
Hemingway’s serves breakfast, weekend brunch, and dinner. We recommend making advanced reservations for dining – but in the off-season, you will most likely find a spot.
For parking, the Cambria Downtown Asheville Hotel has a valet service for Hemingway’s Cuba diners. There is a $5.00+ fee for the valet parking for the duration of your meal.
Or, park along Page Ave. or in the Wall Street Garage.
Hemingway’s Cuba | Cambria Hotel Downtown Asheville | 15 Page Ave 4th Floor, Asheville, NC 28801
6. Antidote
Did you know that Asheville has a happening distillery scene? Think Cultivated Cocktails, Rye Knot, and Dalton, just to name a few.
Located in South Slope – home to famous Downtown breweries like Green Man, Hi-Wire, Catawba, and Twin Leaf – Antidote is part of Chemist Spirits.
In fact, you may wish to start your day at Chemist tasting their delicious gin and whiskey. It’s free and delicious.
You’ll also find many Chemist’s spirits in the area’s restaurants. They even partner with Biltmore Estate for delicious libations and are the official gin of the 2022 Daytime Emmy Awards.
Antidote is Chemist Spirits’ intimate Asheville rooftop bar. This bar is 21+, and they cannot accommodate parties of more than 8 people unless you’ve reserved the space for a private event.
Here, enjoy turn-of-the-century, apothecary-style fixtures including 1900s decor as you find “the cure for the common cocktail.”
Antidote serves beer and wine from around the world along with cocktail classics like Bees Knees and Old Fashioneds.
Their rooftop lounge is only open on Fridays and Saturdays – but always double-check their site.
However, Antidote also has a main bar and lounge area open throughout the weeknight and on weekends. Find bar snacks, drinks, and a Chemist Flight Board.
Like many of the rooftop bars in Asheville, Antidote does not take reservations. Find first-come, first-serve seating.
For parking, there are pay lots around South Slope as well as street parking. Coxe Ave. also has a parking garage, if you don’t mind walking.
Antidote | Chemist Spirits | 151 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
7. W XYZ Bar
Back in 2020, we hard-hat toured the Aloft renovations as the W XYZ Bar and Ledge received a gorgeous and modern makeover.
The Aloft Asheville not only makes for one trendy AF rooftop bar in Asheville, but it’s also a top recommendation of places to stay. The rooms are beautifully designed.
Along with a DJ and live music at W XYZ Bar, you can head to the rooftop for drinks and the pool overlooking the mountains. In the summer, they sell seasonal and day pool passes.
The Ledge and W XYZ Bar also peer down upon Asheville’s downtown coffee shops like Double D’s as well as the LaZoom Bus, which is one of the most fun things to do in Asheville.
There’s also a bar hiding in LaZoom – guarded by creepy fun cat pillows.
While at the Aloft, play pool, take a selfie in the actual “selfie mirrors,” and peruse Aloft’s modern art galleries. We love that they help dogs get adopted too!
W XYZ Bar | Aloft Asheville Downtown | 51 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
8. Top Of The Monk
Only one of the Downtown Asheville rooftop bars hands you a key with your cocktail… We aren’t sure if we should spoil the surprise. Let’s just say that the key opens a sweet treat.
Top of the Monk sits above the Thirsty Monk’s Downtown taproom and Delirium Bar and prides itself on its whiskey collection.
Most notably – and what we appreciate the most – is that Top Of The Monk uses the correct ice cubes in their cocktails. Not all of the bars do this.
Top of the Monk also makes its own bitters and juices. No artificial stuff here.
For drinks, choose from rotating and regular cocktails like a Negroni, Sexy Old Fashioned, Bloody Mary, and Brown Derby.
With speakeasy-like indoor seating and a small outdoor rooftop area, feel like it’s Prohibition-era once again.
Close to Top Of The Monk, be sure to check out Asheville’s newer food hall, S&W Market, and classy cocktails and mocktails at The Times Bar & Coffee Shop.
You’ll also find our favorite downtown lunch spots like Red Ginger, Jerusalem Garden Cafe, and more touristy Tupelo Honey, a great all-day breakfast option.
We suggest parking in the pay lots or garages around Coxe Ave.
Top Of The Monk | 92 Patton Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
9. The Great Hall Bar
It’s no secret that we don’t always play by the rules here at Uncorked Asheville: Maybe The Great Hall Bar doesn’t sit on a rooftop but it certainly has rooftop views… We don’t think you’ll mind this suggestion.
The Omni Grove Park Inn is a must for stellar Asheville sunsets, sitting in the gorgeous North Asheville neighborhood.
We consider this one of the best rooftop restaurants in Asheville, NC – The Great Hall Bar, Edison, and Sunset Terrace, if we are being even more technical.
It’s a luxury hotel, but as locals, we still head here monthly.
Sunset Terrace exceeds its reputation and namesake. Enjoy a fine dining experience with incredible sunset views. Think pricier meat and seafood dishes. Make reservations, though.
The Great Hall Bar has a terrace below Sunset Terrace Restaurant that opens mid-afternoon – it’s first-come, first-serve.
Order the best Asheville charcuterie and bites with our favorite cocktails in town. There is also indoor service at the physical bar and around those massive floor-to-ceiling fireplaces.
Or, dine at Edison – our top pick at Grove – and sip on seasonal cocktails with lighter and more budget-friendly fare. Be sure to make your dinner reservations around sunset – and far in advance.
All three Grove Park Inn restaurants and bars overlook Downtown Asheville and Mount Pisgah. North Asheville restaurants don’t get any better than this.
P.S. During an Asheville Christmas, the Grove Park Inn hosts its famous Gingerbread House Competition. Tour the gingerbread houses while sipping on hot chocolate – boozy or straight up.
The Omni Grove Park Inn has valet parking, but you can also self-park in their designated lots and parking garage. Sometimes the first 3 hours are free, but this depends on the season.
Across the street, head to Grovewood Village. ELDR is a delicious new restaurant, and the free antique car museum is pretty cool.
The Great Hall Bar | The Omni Grove Park Inn | 290 Macon Ave, Asheville, NC 28804
10. Shine (Hendersonville)
We are sneaking in one extra rooftop bar near Asheville. Head to nearby Hendersonville – as an Asheville day trip – for some of the best breweries, bars, and restaurants.
Hendersonville is about a 40-minute drive from Asheville and is one of the best WNC cities for even more terrific museums, wineries, coffee shops, and seasonal apple orchards – some serving hard cider.
Shine is a cozy pub with a seasonal rooftop bar located on Hendersonville’s Main Street. They have a great local beer selection and simple and clean food.
Grab a late lunch or heavier dinner served in Shine’s restaurant, including sandwiches, steaks, duck, and even frog legs. They also offer Sunday brunch.
Then, head up to Shine’s rooftop bar for those handcrafted cocktails. Be sure to try Hendersonville’s breweries too.
Shine | 202 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792
Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours:
If you want to see many of the rooftop bars in Asheville all at once with a designated driver, check out these Asheville Rooftop Bar Tours.
Save The Best Asheville Rooftop Bars For Later:
Where To Stay In Asheville
Explore the best places to stay in Asheville. A few of our top suggestions:
- Aloft – Downtown Asheville – Centrally located and recently renovated, enjoy a rooftop pool, a gorgeous bar, and trendy rooms.
- The Omni Grove Park Inn – Treat yourself to a luxury resort in North Asheville, complete with breathtaking sunsets, terrace bars and dining, and loads of Asheville history.
- Hampton Inn And Suites Asheville Biltmore Area – A budget-friendly but renovated hotel on busier Brevard Road that’s perfect if you wish to stay between Biltmore Estate, Downtown Asheville, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Asheville Cottages – Gorgeous 1 to 3-bedroom cottages with a private deck, housing a grill and hot tub. Find luxurious heated-floor bathrooms with rain showers, a well-stocked kitchen, and the cleanest rooms in town.
- Foundry Hotel – An oasis in Downtown Asheville, Foundry Hotel is a nod to AVL’s industrial history. Find famous restaurant Benne on Eagle while sleeping ensconced in charm and elegance.
- Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Asheville Westgate, NC – Located off of the highway as you enter AVL, find a sleek and clean hotel at a great price.
- Black Walnut B&B Inn – Designed by Biltmore’s supervising architect, Richard Sharp-Smith, this 1899 inn is close to Downtown AVL and serves afternoon tea. Two rooms are pet-friendly.
Don’t miss out on these Asheville properties on Booking.com, too.
Which rooftop bar in Asheville is your favorite?
What Asheville rooftop bar is your go-to? What are your favorite rooftop restaurants in Asheville? Let us know in the comments.
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Christine Frascarelli
Christine (pronouns: she/her) is the owner of Uncorked Asheville. After falling in love with those gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, Christine and her husband Tom decided to call Asheville, North Carolina home. When her pointy Italian nose isn’t stuck in a book, Christine is adopting all of the kitties, getting lost in the forest, and drinking an ESB. She has a BA in English and History from Smith College, her MLIS from USF-Tampa, and is a former U.S. Fulbright Scholar - Indonesia. Christine also owns The Uncorked Librarian LLC with books and movies to inspire travel.