Sawstone River Room — Restaurant in Ashland

One of my absolute favorite spots in Ashland is the Sawstone River Room. If you haven’t been, you’re seriously missing out. It’s right beside the Delta hotel—super easy to walk to—and the space itself is just beautiful. Cozy, welcoming, and it’s the kind of place that makes you want to sit and stay awhile.

The beer? Legit some of the best in the area. Sawstone does true-to-style beers, and they do them really well. It’s not your typical trendy haze bombs or dessert stouts (though I love those too, in the right mood). What you get here are clean, classic styles—things like a Kentucky Common, which you almost never see on tap anywhere else. And it’s actually one of my favorite beers to get when I go out. Seriously, it’s that good.

On top of that, Aaron is one of the best bartenders around. He knows his stuff and always makes you feel welcome. I love just grabbing a seat at the bar and chatting with him or whoever else happens to be in there. If you’re not a beer drinker, they usually have a seltzer on tap, some basic cocktails, and I think they have wine too, but I never really paid attention—I’m always there for the beer. Either way, if you don’t know what you want, just tell Aaron what you like, and he’ll make you something you’ll enjoy. And if you don’t? He’ll try something else. He’s that kind of bartender.

Only complaint? I wish they were open...

Best place to get a beer or cocktail in Ashland, hands down. I was able to check it out for the first time a few months ago when I played some music there - they converted me to a regular with very little effort. Aaron and Rachel are fantastic bartenders, the beer is brewed locally and there is plenty of variety across the tap lineup, and, if you aren’t feeling a beer, the liquor, citrus and bitters selection is great for a cocktail. Really can’t recommend it enough - I think it was what Ashland was missing for a long time and, as someone who lives 15 minutes away from Ashland OR Huntington, it has changed my evening plans once or...

This was a very small place in the middle of downtown ashland. It was very tasty! The atmosphere was very nice and the bar tender was extremely friendly! The drinks were good and had a pretty good selection. Not a lot of people but still more than I thought in this...