bestdrinks
rankin vault best cocktails /upscale bar Favorite bar
11 Grove St., Asheville, 252-2838 This nightclub brags that it’s the state’s “hottest 1. Jack of the Wood dance club.” With drag shows and a large dance 95 Patton Ave., Asheville, 252-5445 floor, it’s famous as a local mainstay and now Longtime local favorite Jack of the Wood’s Green officially WNC’s favorite GLBT bar. Man Beer, Irish-style pub food, trivia nights and 2. Club Hairspray live performances are a combination that’s won 38 N. French Broad Ave., Asheville, 258-2027 our readers’ hearts.
2. TIE Usual Suspects
791 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 350-8181
2. TIE The Admiral
400 Haywood Road, Asheville, 252-2541
3. TIE Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge 7 Rankin Ave., Asheville, 254-4993
3. TIE Westville Pub
777 Haywood Road, Asheville, 225-9782
3. TIE Thirsty Monk
92 Patton Ave., Asheville, 254-5470 and 1836 Hendersonville Road, Gerber Village, Asheville, 505-4564
3. Smokey’s After Dark
18 Broadway, Asheville, 253-2155
Hipster bar 1. The Admiral
400 Haywood Road, Asheville, 252-2541 See description under “Best Dive Bar.”
2. Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge
7 Rankin Ave., Asheville, 254-4993
3. BoBo Gallery
22 Lexington Ave., Asheville, 254-3426
Sports bar 1. Wild Wings
Dive bar 1. The Admiral
161 Biltmore Ave., Asheville, 253-3066 The local branch of this Southeastern chain boasts endless Buffalo wings, food, beer and sports.
2. Broadway’s
3. TIE Baylee’s Steakhouse Sports Theatre
400 Haywood Road, Asheville, 252-2541 Since it opened in 2007, The Admiral has tried, 2. Bier Garden along with fine dining, for a dive-bar feel. 46 Haywood St., Asheville, 285-0002 Apparently, they’ve succeeded, as the West Asheville hotspot convincingly won this new 3. TIE Northside Grill 853 Merrimon Ave., Asheville, 254-2349 category. 113 Broadway or 120 N. Lexington Ave., Asheville, 285-0400
3. Fred’s Speakeasy
122 College St., Asheville, 281-0920
Gay bar 1. Scandals 30
OCTOBER 21 - OCTOBER 27, 2009 • BEST OF WNC • mountainx.com
1636 Hendersonville Road #21, Asheville, 2746640
Upscale bar 1. Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge
7 Rankin Ave., Asheville, 254-4993 The Vault’s 1930s speakeasy feel — right down to the old liquor prescriptions on the bathroom walls BEST OF WNC HALL OF FAME: winners who have won 4 or more years in a row