Venue Name: Asheville Music Hall
City: Asheville
State/Province: NC
Street Address: 31 Patton Avenue
Neighborhood: Downtown

Website: https://www.ashevillemusichall.com/
Phone Number: (828) 255-7777

Box Office Hours/Location: Tickets available at the One Stop, the bar/restaurant/small stage located below the music hall (55 College Avenue) during operational hours: Tues-Sat 5pm-2am

Public Transit Nearby: ART (Bus) – N, N1, N2, E1, E2 to Broadway and Patton/College

Ticketing: Eventbrite

Year Opened: 2011

Brief History: Originally called Stella Blue, this downtown Asheville venue received local, national, global acclaim as one of the most exciting and well-loved venues in the world after its renovation in 2011 – adding a bar/restaurant, pool tables and a performance space on the previously vacant bottom floor.  It has seen the likes of The Crystal Method, Del the Funkee Homosapien, Ghostface Killa and Disclosure, but is best known as THE spot to see local, up and coming acts.

Genre(s)/Musical Niche: Eclectic – Rock, Electronic, Hip Hop, Punk

# of Stages/Performance Spaces: 2 – main hall and small space in the One Stop downstairs

Capacity: 360

# of Levels: 2

Seating: Some lounge seating near the bar and in the rear of the venue, bar stools at the bar

Standing Room/GA:  All shows are General Admission standing only.

Floorplan: Stage shares wall with venue entrance, main music hall stretches back to restrooms in the rear, bar along east wall takes up about half the wall and faces the stairs going down the opposite wall.

Accessibility/ADA: Main floor is accessible.

Onsite Medical: No

Indoor/Outdoor?: Indoor

Open Season: Open Year-Round

Age Restriction: Most shows are 21+.

Average Ticket Price: $10-30

Frequency of Shows: Every few days

Sound System/Acoustic Quality: Great sound quality, 10kW Powered QSC System

Notable View Obstruction(s): None

Aesthetic/Style (Architecture, Atmosphere, Décor): Down-home, divey

Average Temperature: A little warm

Average Hours Open (Doors to Curfew): 8pm – 2am

Usual Time Headliners Go On (on average): Anywhere between 8 and midnight, depending on the show

# of Bars: 2 (including the One Stop)

     Avg. Drink Price: $4 for beer, $7 for cocktail

     Last Call: 1:30am

Food For Sale: Yes downstairs at the One Stop (Mojo Kitchen)

     Avg. Food Price: $7-15

Water Fountains/Coolers/Refill Stations: Yes (cooler)

Dress Code: Casual

Coat Check: Not really a coat “check”, just some hooks in the back near the bathrooms

Smoking Area: Smoking patio directly outside entrance

Restrooms - Quantity & Quality: One each of M/W on each floor small but clean

Credit Cards Accepted: Yes

Phone Payments: No

Wi-Fi: No

ATM Onsite: Yes

Merchandise: Artist merchandise is usually available.

VIP/Upgrades Available: N/A

Lounge Area: A few couches/chairs on main floor, more seating downstairs

Available For Private Events? Yes

Parking: Street parking, garages nearby

Security Check (1-10, 1 being lowest, 10 being extreme): 2

Metal Detectors?: No

Bags Allowed?: Yes (no large backpacks)

Restricted Items:  Weapons, outside beverages, markers, paint, knives, pepper spray, illegal substances, and “anything else deemed unsafe or unacceptable.”

Other Amenities/Activities: Often there are local artists, crafters, makers selling their creations and wares in the rear of the venue.  Also, the downstairs lounge has pool tables and more music.  They also host several weekly/monthly events, which are as follows:

• Turntable Tuesdays at the One Stop featuring DJs like DJ Kutzu, Chubby Knuckles, Vietnam Jerry, and Alex Heisey
• Tuesday Night Funk Jam at AMH
• Disclaimer Stand-Up Lounge Comedy Open Mic at the One Stop
• Mitch’s Totally Rad Trivia Thursdays at AMH
• Free Dead Fridays Grateful Dead Acoustic cover sets at AMH
• Uncle Kurtist and Tan Universe Psychedelic Funk band first Saturdays at AMH

Favorite Nearby Spots (food, drinks, shopping, lodging, etc.):

• Red Ginger – Asheville is a city that has warmly embraced the trend of small plates, but this place, Red Ginger, has upped the ante.  By including the Chinese tradition of family style small plates, dim sum, they at Red Ginger have opened a gateway to a whole new world, where east meets west, the Iberian peninsula meets the Shandong peninsula.  82 Patton Avenue. Open for lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am-3pm; dinner Mon-Thurs 5pm-9:30pm, Fri 5pm-10:30pm; open all day Saturday 11:30am-10:30pm and Sunday 11;30am-9:30pm
• The Times – Located in the historic S&W Building in downtown Asheville, just a block or so from the Asheville Music Hall, this 20s themed bar strives to bring back the gilded age through old-fashioned cocktails and decadent bites—and they succeed brilliantly.  Sip on gin fizzes or an Arsenic and Old Lace while munching on inventive tasty creations like Crab Rangoon Nachos and Falafel Bites.  Great for pre-show snacks and cocktails or for a nightcap after the concert lets out. 56 Patton Avenue.  Open Tues-Sat 4pm-12am, Sun 11am-11pm.  Closed Mondays.
• Chestnut – If you want to continue your night of ‘20s-themed fun, head on down to restaurant Chestnut, located a few blocks down Biltmore Avenue from Patton.  This farm-to-table creation from the owners of Corner Kitchen boasts seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients, handcrafted cocktails, and impeccable customer service and attention to detail.  Their policy is to never include the word “NO” anywhere on their menu – which is extensive, and changes as the seasons do – and the result is a glorious dining experience that puts you on center stage.  Highly, highly recommended.  48 Biltmore Avenue.  Open for dinner every night at 5pm, for lunch Mon-Fri 11:30am-3pm, brunch Sat & Sun 10am-3pm.

Notes/Insights/Opinions/Tips:

            It’s well known for its intimacy and warmth --  by artists and patrons alike – and has served (and will continue to serve) as one of the southeast;s beacons for rising talent and old favorites.  Do try to arrive early and purchase tickets in advance, as most events do sell out thus limiting tickets available at the door.  $3/$4 PBRs make the evening affordable, and the Mojo Kitchen is open for delicious bar-themed treats if you get hungry.