Sly Grog Lounge

This place does so much for artists, and the social community. The attention to detail, comfort and safety at Sly Grog goes above and beyond. If I could give them 10 stars I would. Best venue in downtown Asheville, no contest!

Such a unique venue. Retro-tech assemble meets modern music. If you want an intimate entertainment experience with great staff and an amazing atmosphere stop through. One of Asheville's best spots in my opinion!!

Had two shots of vodka between 9:30 p and 1:30 a. Staff friendly and polite. All DJs masters of their kraft, especially headliner Vampa. Obvious they enjoy what they did. Stayed a little after end waiting for my ride while crew packed up gear - noone said a rude word to me or anyone else. Crew was polite and respectful to each other despite it had been a l9ng night. Acoustics awesome, I could feel the beat through my ribcage fron both speakers - I stood by each one during different parrs of the night Bathrooms clean and easy to spit Vendors polite. Staff and security actively vigilant when two people got a little too close and emotional when forgetting that there were others to not get romantic with someone else's partner. Security asked politely but firmly the right person to go home and cool down. Other staff made certain people were enjoying their time. Other dancers hyped up in music respectful of each other bur jovial when some, including me, decided to do a circle dance around permiter of stage. Prices goid for shot of vodka and bar staff polite even when spilled drink by accident on counter of bar when picking up. Recycling bins in close proximity and most people put their empty cans in the trash. 4 Electrical receptacles at side of danceflloor so I could charge my phone. outside seating about area 150% of dance floor near enough to enjoy music.

It legitimately pains me to write a bad review for a company which has so many good people working for it but my conscience won’t let me not warn people about this place in an accurate fashion. The orange juice I ordered at the bar was spoiled. The bartender was super cool about this and immediately fixed me a water instead. The security staff was clearly overwhelmed and not present when a minor disagreement took place in the main stage area and kicked out the wrong woman despite several witnesses trying to tell them what actually happened. The actual disagreement consisted of “hey can we talk?” And “no I do not want to talk to you right now.” They even went so far as to say they knew the other woman was probably lying, but she worked at the venue so they couldn’t do anything but expel the customer. We requested to speak with management to help clear up the situation, but there were none present according to the helpless security staff. I used to work club security and I know it’s not easy, especially when you’re trying to make a tough call on something you didn’t actually witness, so we were very patient and left without a protest. The doorman began issuing entry fee refunds to the ejected customer’s party until the same supposedly powerless bouncer came over and told him to stop because “they were choosing to leave and only their friend had been forced to leave.” When asked if this meant the person being kicked out would be getting a refund, the bouncer mumbled something incoherently and began pouting like a petulant toddler. It would have been a hilarious scene, if it weren’t so sad. So we left for another bar with no karaoke. It’s a shame because it really looks like a cool venue and the DJ was fantastic, it just needs someone to take charge and a slightly more capable security staff.

Friendly and inviting. Best staff in town atmosphere and a true taste of Asheville with a growing artist space who keeps Asheville weird and safe. this is the place you're looking for.

The level of chill is undeniable, the drinks are spot on, and the eclectic music will sooth the soul. Never has there been a more perfect spot to chill, or let loose. 10/10 would go time and time again.

Sly Grog is not just a bar or a music venue. It is a welcoming community of beautiful weirdos, united under the banner of art and self-expression. It’s one of the last vestiges of Asheville’s creative spirit still standing amidst the last decade of overfunded tourism and gentrification - which have all but transformed this town into a glittering, hollow shell of its former self. The people leaving bad reviews are mostly folks whose presence here directly contributes to that downfall. Those people who are keeping them up, screaming at all hours of the night, are actually just the population of struggling houseless folks who congregate nearby for resources - many of whom were directly displaced by those complaining about them. May their cries continue disrupt the sleep of those entitled enough to ignore them. Living in downtown Asheville was still relatively accessible, not that long ago. However it was known that if you chose to do so, you should expect it to be noisy, and your lifestyle should reflect a consideration for that. I myself lived downtown for years. I shared a small house with a partner and two housemates. Our rent was $750/mo. for the whole house. We were all musicians and often made tons of noise until the wee hours of the morning, and we never had a single noise complaint. Now that house is an Airbnb, like many houses in the area. Nowadays most people who live downtown pay 3x that amount for a one bedroom apartment, and most of them only moved here within the last 4-5 years, during which time the average rent prices more than doubled. It’s not their fault for wanting to live in Asheville. I don’t blame them. But this town wasn’t always suited for folks like that, and by terraforming it to suit their needs, with strict noise ordinances and convenient new developments, they have inadvertently gutted this town if so much of its magic. If anyone is to blame, it’s most certainly the Asheville Tourism Development Authority, who spend tens of millions every year on targeted advertising to dangle the dream of living in a beautiful mountain town before the eyes of ignorant tourists who can afford the exorbitant prices - which were not so exorbitant before the TDA blew up our spot by attracting big developers and real estate investors, who bought up properties like crazy, crippling the housing market and displacing the wonderful people who once made this town what it was. Sly Grog represents what little remains of that community. Long live Sly Grog. Long live Asheville. Abolish the TDA.

DO support this business. Sly Grog is back at it! GIVING FOMO to everyone within a one mile radius by playing EXTREMELY GOOD MUSIC OUTDOORS until til 2am- how am I supposed to sleep when I know there is so much good music to see and hear and experience ?! ! Some people have to work early and might miss out on the great music. They should quit their jobs. How do you follow the noise ordinances and stay under the decibel limits with such good sounds going on and not being tempted with turning it up more ? Just to be respectful to the city and people nearby ??? There are so many good places to go hear music in Asheville - Including Sly Grog!!! Do not support RUDE ones - who DONT HAVE CONSIDERATION for their neighbors. DO SUPPORT SLY GROG and venues who provide opportunities for local and touring music to thrive.