Day Trip — Restaurant in Asheville

My friends and I visited Asheville, and DayTrip was our first bar.

The atmosphere of the place is very beautiful. I felt like it was a safe place, especially for the LGBTQ+ community. I have several friends in the community, and I thought it was a great place for them to enjoy with me. Nothing was out of place, the walls had incredible designs, and let me tell you, it was the cleanest bathroom I've ever been in, and beautiful too. (Be careful, if you're someone who feels unsafe, go with someone. I did it alone without a problem because the environment allowed it. However, they are unisex bathrooms with two stalls and one urinal, so you might see something you didn't want to.) But again, my experience was extremely safe.

About the drinks and service: You have to order at the bar. There were two bartenders, a woman and a man. The woman perhaps hadn't had a good day because she didn't make drinks like the other, and she wasn't as friendly either. That made the difference. The man made us drinks that tasted fantastic. We even had repeat drinks and decided that one of us would order the woman's drink and the other the man's, and the flavor changed significantly (I think this is something that shouldn't happen). Some drinks were a bit sweet for my taste. My friends and I ordered different ones to try and we repeated some we liked. All in all, it's a good place.

The bartender told us they've only been open for two months and the truth is they don't have much room for improvement. If they keep this up, they'll be incredible.

Exterior: Be careful if you go late at night, as it's a bit crowded. Don't go alone, but definitely, you have to go! 100%...

I was a big fan of Cascade so I was a sad when it closed and a bit worried about what would fill the spot. I was worried that we would end up with a new, sterile, soulless establishment looking to make a cash grab on the trend of pricey cocktails. I’m happy to say I was very wrong. Day Trip an excellent addition to the neighborhood! Even without Boy Howdy’s delicious burgers next door, Day Trip stands on its own as a laid back and cozy spot for locals and tourists alike to relax and have a great drink. They’ve brought the back patio area back to life and added seating in the breezeway so you have plenty of options for where you’d like to anchor yourself to enjoy their fantastic cocktail menu, playful music selection, and the naturally beautiful environment of being right beside the French Broad. After trying most of their cocktails I’m having a difficult time choosing a favorite. I may have to go with the Everything In Its Right Place as it was a perfect refresher for a hot day. But I also appreciate plenty of cheap beer options as well. You can never go wrong with a Coors Banquet. Grab a drink and go relax by the stream or belly up to the bar and enjoy the intimate space bustling with conversations that made Cascade such a desirable haunt. I’m looking forward to see how this place evolves as it has already become one of my new favorite...

The new DayTrip in Asheville is seriously one of the coolest spots downtown. It’s a cocktail lounge, but it feels more like a community hangout—super warm, super inclusive, and just full of good vibes. It’s queer-owned, and you can feel that in the best way possible. Whether you’re LGBTQ+ or just looking for a place that actually welcomes everyone, this is it.

The drinks are amazing (and the mocktails are too, if you’re not drinking), the space is funky and stylish without trying too hard, and the people who work there are just genuinely kind.

If you’re in Asheville, don’t skip this place. It’s the kind of spot that makes you feel like you belong the minute...