Crow And Quill Review : Prohibition-Style Asheville Speakeasy
Speakeasies don’t exist anymore like they used to but Crow and Quill will make you feel like they do. As someone who loves novelty when I heard about Crow and Quill I knew it’d like it but it exceeded expectations!
Everything from the vintage-y antique furniture and decorations, to the bartenders and music puts you back in time here. If you’re a whiskey fan you have to go as they have 700+ whiskey bottles, some of which are rare (I didn’t know that was a thing). For everyone else, they have over 1000 liquors and really unique / novel cocktails. I loved it here and wanted to share my experience so others who visit the area can come see it too.
I’m not being paid for this review!
Asheville is healing from the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene. Before traveling, be mindful of whether the places you visit are fully open and ready for you. The Crow and Quill is regularly posting updates at their Instagram page.
To help with the relief and restoration efforts, I recommend donating to Beloved Asheville’s relief fund here.
Quick Review : Crow and Quill Asheville
When it comes to speakeasies the Crow and Quill is one of the most immersive and unique bars out there. They take prohibition-era bar to the next level, with tons of antique decor and furniture to match. Before going I had heard rave reviews about Crow and Quill but I didn’t quite realize why, and that’s because the pictures do not do it justice! Expect themed craft cocktails made with their extensive liquor collection, plush seating and live music which matches the setting. Plus whiskey lovers can choose between over 700 whiskeys including rare bottles.
Although the bar is on the smaller side there were plenty of sitting areas for the amount of people while we were there, and we found the cozy nooks and couches to be a really cool touch. Overall this place is a must-visit in Asheville for whiskey lovers and anyone who loves a great cocktail and fun atmosphere.
Long Review of Crow and Quill Asheville
When to go?
I recommend going Thursday night for the best chance at low crowds and their awesome live music which makes the atmosphere even better. The Crow and Quill speakeasy is open each day besides Monday starting at 5:00pm until midnight, and they have live music Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Take a look at the Crow and Quill Event Calendar to confirm the times they’re open and take a look at when they have live music! There is a cover to get in when they have live music going which is reasonable, around $10.
How to Find Crow and Quill
Crow and Quill is right in the downtown area and really easy to get to. You can even bar hop around if you want to! Compared to some other small cities I’ve visited, parking in downtown Asheville is typically really easy to find – especially during the week. It’s free anytime after 6:00pm.
To find this hidden bar head to 106 N Lexington Ave and look for the door with lanterns with the number 106 above it.
Beautiful Antiques & An Immersive Atmosphere
When you step in you’ll notice right away its unique atmosphere and style. Think antiques everywhere, prohibition-era furniture and decor with a hint of mysticism and bartenders dressed up to match. It’s the type of place where everywhere you look there’s something new to look at but without feeling overly cluttered. I’ve noticed places that put so much attention into the little details have more of an energy, which I love!
When we were there I didn’t see any bartenders doing table service, but it was quick and easy to go up to the bar and then find a table/spot to hangout at. There are plenty of places to sit overall. No formal tables but you have the choice whether to sit at the bar, some high tops, a few cozy corners, couches and some other table-like spots. It was relatively crowded when we went but we had plenty of choices of where to sit which was nice! There’s something about being able to sit on a comfy couch while you’re at a bar that’s so satisfying.
Excellent Craft Cocktails & Liquor Selection
The Crow an Quill has an insanely impressive liquor collection including 1000+ bottles of liquor, some of which are rare. They specialize in whiskey, with over 800 bottles of whiskey alone!
The cocktail menu is full of unique themed cocktails. Both rounds we got were great but my favorite was the Smoke Moon, which comes with a cinnamon stick on fire and tastes so good. Make sure to pay attention while the bartender is pouring your drinks, since a few drinks we got were topped off with smoke and looked really cool. If you’re inspired by their cocktails the Crow and Quill even offers cocktail making classes!
Explore the Rest of the Asheville Speakeasy Scene
Once you’ve gone back in time at Crow and Quill, you can explore the rest of the hidden bars in the city! My guide on the Asheville speakeasy scene includes everything you need to know about the hidden bars in Asheville as well as bars that have a speakeasy feel, like Sovereign Remedies which is right nearby Crow and Quill. My other personal favorite Asheville speakeasy is Pink Moon Bar, which I also wrote a review about. Cheers!
Lauren Kessel
Lauren Kessel is the author of this blog post and the creator of the Inspired Backpacker travel blog. She is a passionate digital nomad, with the mission to make slow travel a more accessible way of life for everyone. Lauren believes travel is an important means of education and more importantly, a way for people of different cultures to come together and understand each other better. She has a BS in Tourism and has planned countless domestic and international trips for herself, her family and friends, having visited over 12 countries and 30 states so far.
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