Pillar Rooftop Bar — Restaurant in Asheville

Wonderful, festive drink selection. Also beautifully made. There were two bartenders, and they were both attentive. They wiped off a table for us so we could be more comfortable and delivered the drinks to the table even though we ordered them at the bar.

We are locals, and we have our favorite places that we frequent, but one of them was so packed, that we pivoted and decided to come here instead. We pass by it all the time. We’ve also had some friends send us invitations for times when they are performing here, and so we thought we would give it a try. Normally, we’re not much for hotel bars, but for some of the hotel rooftop bars we will make an exception. That said, I understand that the real draw for this bar is the sunsets and the fact it’s a rooftop bar. We came at night in the winter time, so we weren’t able to experience what is probably their number one asset.

However, they had it decorated pretty festively for Christmas, and again, the cocktail specials were on point! I had a hot buttered rum, and it was beautifully presented. Our server was pleasant. My husband had a Belvedere martini dirty with olives. I also had an “elves with attitude” which was tequila based, and really well balanced! It was served with enough rosemary that the drink almost fell over! Super festive. Almost a baby Christmas tree in my drink.

The reason this is four stars instead of five is that it was so brightly lit! I know that this bar is also a restaurant and people need to see the menus, but it is mostly a bar, and I would really prefer if it had dimmer lighting. They had so many Christmas lights up and other lights that they easily could’ve dimmed a lot of the overhead lights and still had plenty of brightness in the room. We asked one of the bartenders to dim the lights a bit, and to his credit he did…just a bit. So thank you! But we still felt it was way too bright. Brightly lit bars and restaurants are really offputting to me. Especially, again, when they had so many Christmas lights and around the room that they could eat easily have turned off the overhead lights, and it would still be fine. Or course we didn’t ask them to turn them off completely, but gosh, they could’ve dimmed them by 2/3, and it would’ve been a lot nicer. It’s just not inviting to stay when the lights are so bright. It almost feels like that time of night when the bar turns the lights up because it’s last call!

We will come back one day when the sunset is beautiful and enjoy that element of it. Again, the drinks were excellent and well crafted. Servers...

So we visited Asheville coming Greenville, SC on Monday the 16th and we were looking for a place that had a nice ambiance so we settled on Pillar Rooftop and Bar to grab some drinks and food. The entrance was set up rather nicely so we decided to sit out on the terrace overlooking the city and we weren't disappointed... We sat overselves down and continued chatting until we were noticed by a staffer who came and wiped the table down, we ordered two drinks one of which was frozen watermelon drink with salted seeds that was well worth price, however my drink was ok but it was dominated by an extremely large piece of ice that when taken out you were only left with a small portion of the drink plus it watered the drink down tremendously. We decided to order an appetizer of fried green tomatoes while we decided what we wanted off of the main menu, so after five minutes we decided to order the wings and the Pillar Smash burger and fries. After a few minutes the waiter returned and said they were out of the burger and the wings so we ordered the fish, some onion rings and the chicken sandwich and after another 5 minutes the waiter returned and said that they we weren't able to order anything fried, now mind you remember that we ordered the fried green tomatoes and we received those and now you're saying that you can't fry any other types of food??? The crazy part is that we got there at 9pm and they didn't close until 11pm so I'm not quite understanding why they would shut the kitchen down so soon. We ended up getting two very expensive salads that really didn't live up to the hype. We didn't complain but it did put a damper on the overall experience considering this was a last my minute birthday surprise for my lady. Would I recommend it to others??? Yes and no. If you do visit, go for the experience and the view but not for the service because the service is not on par with the price and the menu doesn't offer enough selections to truly satisfy...

Review: Pillar Rooftop Bar - A Harmonious Blend of Music and Dining

Nestled in the heart of Asheville, Pillar Rooftop Bar stands tall as a beacon of both culinary delight and musical enchantment. As a musician who has had the pleasure of gracing its stage and indulging in its culinary offerings, I can attest to the magic that permeates every corner of this charming establishment.

The ambiance atop Pillar Rooftop Bar is simply unparalleled. Surrounded by breathtaking views of the Asheville skyline, the rooftop setting provides the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable musical experience. Whether I'm strumming my guitar or serenading the audience with soulful melodies, the atmosphere never fails to inspire both myself and the patrons alike.

Beyond its musical allure, Pillar Rooftop Bar also boasts a menu that tantalizes the taste buds. From delectable small plates to artisanal cocktails crafted with precision, every dish and drink is a testament to the culinary expertise of the chefs and mixologists. And as a musician who appreciates the finer things in life, indulging in a sumptuous meal after a performance is truly the cherry on top of an already delightful experience.

Moreover, the staff at Pillar Rooftop Bar exude warmth and hospitality, making every visit feel like a homecoming. Whether I'm welcomed with a friendly smile upon arrival or provided with attentive service throughout the evening, the dedication of the staff to ensuring a memorable experience is palpable.

In essence, Pillar Rooftop Bar is more than just a venue or a dining establishment—it's a haven where music and culinary artistry converge to create moments of pure bliss. Whether you're a music enthusiast, a food connoisseur, or simply someone seeking a slice of Asheville's vibrant culture, Pillar Rooftop Bar is sure to leave an indelible impression that resonates long after the final note has faded...