No matter where you travel, live music has a way of bringing people together...it creates a shared experience through instruments, harmonies, and even the musicians' stage presence. The Asheville area is known for its excellent bluegrass, folk, and general Appalachian musicians, but our venues also draw rock, rap, classical, and musicians from every other genre.
Asheville Music Venues
The Orange Peel venue in downtown Asheville.
The Orange Peel
Recognized as one of the best live music venues in the nation in the first three years of its existence by publications like USA Today, Travel and Leisure, GQ, and Rolling Stone Magazine, this award-winning music venue is known for drawing popular names in music, including past performances by Bob Dylan, Flaming Lips, Jack White, Sonic Youth, Arcade Fire, The Killers, Skrillex, Modest Mouse, the Beastie Boys, Ice Cube, Smashing Pumpkins, Avett Brothers and much more!
Hellbender by The Orange Peel
Opening in July 2026, this 3-acre outdoor live music venue is located at 151 Thompson Street in Asheville, on the former site of the Cursus Keme Brewery, yards from the Swannanoa River. While still in its infancy, it's already hosted incredible performances by Band of Horses, Dinosaur Jr., and Watchhouse.
The Grey Eagle
This intimate music venue has great acoustics, a relaxing environment, and a great line-up of performances. It's received artist praise from bands and musicians like Mason Jennings, Explosions in the Sky, and the War on Drugs.
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in Harrah's Cherokee Center
If you peruse the event list at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, you can expect to see performances by the Asheville Symphony and musicians who draw large crowds.
Asheville Music Hall
Located in the heart of downtown Asheville, the music hall opened in 2011 at the location of the former Stella Blue. Asheville Music Hall is a premier, mid-sized venue in Asheville that offers quality production for artists, events, and fans. With a capacity of 360, Asheville Music Hall has hosted musical legends such as Ghostface Killah, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, and Disclosure as well as up-and-coming artists such as Papadosio, Everyone Orchestra, and Dopapod. They're an all-genre venue that provides an intimate, live music experience for all music fans.
Grey Eagle venue in the River Arts District.
Asheville Yards
Formerly known as Rabbit, Rabbit, this incredible outdoor venue in the heart of downtown Asheville launched during a global pandemic and has thrived since it opened its doors. Offering everything you could possibly want in the way of entertainment, you'll find amazing live music, movies, art markets, seasonal events, as well as delicious tacos and local beer & beverages to enjoy.
Highland Brewing Company
Boasting the title of the largest independent, family-owned brewery native to the Southeast, Highland Brewing Company offers multiple venues for live music and entertainment. The Meadow is an outdoor seasonal venue with a large stage and scenic mountain backdrop. This is their primary spot for summer concerts and community festivals like AVLFest. The Taproom is the heart of the brewery and hosts a free, indoor music series event weekly. This brewery also has an Event Center with a permanent stage and state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment for larger ticketed shows, along with their Barrel Room for smaller performances and private events.
Revival
This premier live music venue, listening room, and event space is located in the heart of the South Slope Brewery District. A fairly new addition to downtown, this intimate venue has previously hosted Souls of Mischief, Ska City, and Harsh Realm. It's slated to welcome indie and rock favorites Haute & Freddy, Squirrel Flower, and Briscoe in the coming months. It's also one of 15+ venues part of AVL Sounds Fest—a citywide music festival in August with over 100 performances.
Eulogy
Operated by Burial Beer Co. and tucked along the South Slope on Buxton Ave, this mid-sized concert hall and "portal of sound" hosts live music and community events and offers a full on-site bar. While there is no dedicated restaurant inside the venue, it's within walking distance of favorites like Good Hot Fish, PIE.ZAA, and Chai Pani. In between sets, check out the VISUALS Rooftop Bar above Eulogy, which offers natural wine and cocktails in an open-air setting overlooking downtown.
Fitz and the Wolfe
Located in the heart of downtown Asheville, this bold cocktail and music venue is shaped "by the spirit of improvisation, storytelling, and the kind of nights that feel too good to end." Musical styles vary from swanky Jazz to barn-burning honky-tonk and everything in between. It's like 3 venues in one, with its energetic Showroom with neon lights and dance parties, its Palm Room with tropical, speakeasy vibes and live jazz, and its dark academia Den where introverts will feel right at home among books, games, and meaningful conversations. The Instagram lovers in your group will be in heaven here!
Fleetwood's
This eclectic West Asheville joint functions as a rock-and-roll wedding chapel, dive bar, live music venue, and vintage thrift shop all in one. Located in a former 1940s garage, it hosts local and touring rock, punk, metal, and underground acts, as well as weekly karaoke and comedy nights. For the flea market lovers, be sure to check out their Junk-O-Rama outdoor vintage and antique markets. While they have a full bar and host the occasional food truck, patrons are encouraged to grab their grub from neighboring restaurants. We recommend W.A.L.K, Hail Mary, or Haywood Common.
Black Mountain Music Venues
White Horse Black Mountain
This relaxed music venue is located in downtown Black Mountain and features a wide variety of musical talent, with everything from classically trained musicians to folk, bluegrass, and Irish jam sessions.
Pisgah Brewing
This Black Mountain brewery is a favorite of locals and features regular live music on both its indoor taproom stage and its renowned outdoor amphitheater. With genres spanning Reggae, Funk Fusion, Bluegrass, and more, it's got a little something for everyone.
Town Pump Tavern
Located in the heart of downtown Black Mountain, this local favorite dive bar also doubles as a music venue and features a wide variety of musical genres and artists. Fun and full of energy, this is the perfect place to grab a cold beer and listen to live music with the locals.