Battery Park Book Exchange and Champagne Bar, 1 Page Ave #101, Asheville, NC 28801
The uniquely Asheville spot. If you’re going to grab one drink in the city, make it at this classy bookstore bar. The wine list is killer and the atmosphere is beyond compare for a bibliophile.
Order a drink and peruse the selection, specializing in literature about North Carolina, the Civil War, and the American South. They have plenty of other subjects, I grabbed a few to flip through as I sipped my cabernet.
The couches are so comfortable and the tables are actually huge books. Quieter seating is available upstairs and outdoors as well for people watching in this busy downtown location.
*Good to know: the café offers coffee and pastries.
Skybar, 18 Battery Park Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
The trendy rooftop bar. The doorman brings you up the elevator and you can choose from the multiple balconies to hang out on, above it all.
Bartenders will come to you and take your order, then bring you your drink where you stand. 
Drinks are pricey, but there’s nothing like sipping wine at sunset seeing mountains in every direction.
The buildings block the actual setting, however the real show begins when the sky sets on fire.
We were even treated to an aerial show of a peregrine falcon taking a songbird down midair, landing on a nearby parking garage, and sitting to strip and eat its prey with haunches bloodied.
Lazy Diamond, 4 Woodfin St, Asheville, NC 28801
The downtown dive. We loved the dark vibe,
the chill patio, and of course, the pinball in the back room. Jeff got the top score on Austin Powers!
Funkatorium, 147 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
The sour beer taproom. Wicked Weed Brewery’s showcases their funkiest brews in a lovely setting amongst the barrels downtown.
We tried lost toys, khatta masala, oblivion, and black angel – all puckering perfection.
Small bites and tours of the barrel house are available, plus the patio is dog friendly.
*Good to know: additional pub and brewery locations.
Desoto Lounge, 504 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
The West Asheville dive. The bartender from the Lazy Diamond was nice enough to tip us off to this spot across town, after he noticed we were obsessed with pinball. The back room has foosball, ping pong, murals,
art,
and of course…pinball machines!
Monday nights are extra awesome because games are set to freeplay and PBRs are on special.
*Good to know: scratch made food is served late.