Asheville, North Carolina, is a vibrant city that boasts a thriving LGBTQ community. From historic gay bars to inclusive craft breweries, the city offers something for everyone. In this guide, we’ll explore the best LGBTQ bars and clubs in Asheville, from dance parties to drag shows and everything in between. O. Henry’s and The Underground O. Henry’s has been a staple in the Asheville LGBTQ community for over 55 years. When Smokey’s Tavern closed its doors in 2015, O. Henry’s became the oldest gay bar in the city. The bar is housed in a lodge-style stone and wood building with plenty of seating inside, a pool table, and a karaoke…

Learn why I moved to Asheville and haven’t moved out. Asheville has been great – but see my thoughts on some common questions about what it’s like being part of the LGBTQ+ community here, and pros and cons of moving to and living in Asheville. So why did I land on Asheville? I think a little background is important for context. I grew up in a medium-sized college town in North Central Florida. We had community there, but the kind of community that you get in an area with urban-sprawl, no real vibrant downtown core, and a small but growing emphasis on art, music, theater, and lack of diversity in…

Asheville has been recognized as one of the top cities for the LGBTQ+ community by national and location organizations and news outlets, including the Human Rights Campaign, Advocate.com, Huffington Post, OutTraveler, USA Today, and the Denver Post. And there’s a lot to be said for why. While we don’t have any gayborhoods like you might find in larger metros, we do have a thriving community that values diversity in virtually every sector of life. It’s not difficult to find a queer friendly bar, a queer friendly gym, or enjoy life in Asheville as a queer person. While there are a thousand reasons why Asheville is gay friendly town, I wanted…

When I moved to Asheville from Boston, I quickly realized that there aren’t that many dedicated queer spaces. However, though this is just my opinion, we do have a large number of queer-friendly safe spaces where you’re likely to find a warm welcome. The spots on this list are places I’ve personally visited and spent time at with friends and allies because I like their vibe. Here are 24 bars and breweries in and around Asheville that welcome diversity. 7 Clans Brewing (Biltmore Village) 7 Clans Brewing is a Native American-owned brewery that specializes in crafting unique beers with indigenous ingredients. Their taproom is decorated with Native American art and…