Take me down to Whiskey town
Ash
4 Comments
When the Whiskey Tavern opened in Asheville in April 2006, the place was jumping. Every seat was filled with eager young bar-hoppers looking the latest, coolest hangout.
People raved about the menu (fresh soups and salads, fish entrees and ribs) and lauded the island with seating for about 100. Old exposed brick and big windows preserved the industrial feel of the days when the place was the MiniCo Dry Cleaners.
When Whiskey Tavern opened, it brought back to life a spot at 81 Broadway that housed the Bar Code and then the Asheville Music Zone. Both those places couldn't survive.
Now the Whiskey Tavern faces similar tough times. On a recent Thursday night, the place was practically empty. The new bar manager said he'd just started a couple of days ago, and was determined to make the place work. The bar plans to focus on making customers welcome, remake its menu, launch an advertising campaign and plans to be the home of a newly formed club for Carolina basketball fans. The bar also has an agreement now with a nearby bank to allow people to park there and walk over, because there's only on-street parking outside the tavern.
So if you haven't been by lately, give the Whiskey Tavern another try. It's a beautiful bar. It would be a shame to see the place go under.
Email Article to Friend
Reader Comments (4)
Asheville may just have too many bars downtown to support it's off season population.
There's Barley's, Jack, Flannigans, Jolly Rouge, College street, charlotte street, Stella Blue, that stupid techno place by College street, Yacht Club, Scully's, Cox st. briew and view, Broadways, Emerald lounge, Flying Frog etc.
I think the Bar boom just hit the same wall that the Restaurant boom did two or so years back. Since downtown parking is completely broken, and our mayor and city council would rather pay for a hundred studies than do anything about it, the service industry is getting hammered.
The poster above is right on regarding the number of bars downtown can support and not only that - we have a new onslaught of bars on Haywood in West Asheville. There IS a limit people. I know its everyones dream to own their own bar but if you're so inspired I suggest you do something REALLY different, above and beyond whats already out there or find yourself another town to sling beer in.