Crucible

I have tried hundreds of old fashioned riffs and the Gather Your Flowers was truly THE best Old Fashioned I’ve ever had. Not one of them, THE best. Truly an incredibly well balanced cocktail. I would fly into Asheville just for this. Highly recommend this bar!

With plenty of NA options and beautifully crafted cocktails, this place is a go-to for my friends and I. The tonic with lime is such a refreshing treat! Also, I enjoy the low lighting inside and the patio outside, especially the porch swing. This is a great place to unwind after a long week.

Please note this establishment requires a vaccine card for membership. (I personally agree with this policy, but this isn't publicly available knowledge or a common requirement in Asheville. The communication of this policy seemed unclear leading to confusion). Anna our bartender was a little distant, but still cordial enough for this rather quiet experience. The crucible seemed to have mostly pictures of a disco ball and what seems like a loud experience but in reality is nice and quiet. It's a place you could just relax and have a drink. The decor reminds me more of a speakeasy but mixed with a little disco. The cocktails are decent and the selections if liquor are okay. Overall this place is a quiet little dive. I would say it's more the type of place you'll stumble into and cozily settle in rather than the place you planned to end at. I think if you're in the area you might as well crawl over and have a cocktail.

Perfect little cocktail bar with great service, great drinks, and a great atmosphere inside and out. The outdoor area is my favorite place in RAD. Grab a Paloma and sit outside to people watch.

This was such a neat spot. Very small and unassuming. Awesome outdoor space. And the cocktails. WOW. Gather Your Flowers was like a liquid hug I didn't know I needed.

The Crucible is a truly great adults only bar. Special shout out to Jill. Bartender par excellence. Cheers

Dark atmosphere, the interior was a bit worn. Cocktails and service were top notch.

This is an outstanding bar with superior craft cocktails. This is where the locals go. This is no frills, a list of exceptional house cocktails that are amazing... not too sweet...not too tart. Prices are very reasonable. This is the place to go!!

New favorite hello. Upon walking in here, It felt cool and calm and peaceful and full of history. The walls are made of stone and the lights are low. It smells of essential oil and secrets. there was one bartender, but she was awesome. Super friendly and approachable, and she could read the room well. She made drinks with ease and seemed very knowledgeable There is an outside area that looks pretty adorable and nice and inside space as well. We stayed inside and I felt it was incredibly comfortable. It was like you're rich, neighbors, cozy den. Velvet chairs, and low lights galore. My Manhattan tasted great and I was surprised to find we only paid $15 for Manhattan and a beer. Drink prices are so expensive these days so that felt very fair. A delicious and delightful neighborhood spot that I can't wait to go to again.

Dark, divey place with good drinks. Wasn't too crowded when we stopped in. I thoroughly enjoyed the music choice on the night we stopped in as well.

The best cocktails in my bar hopping in Asheville! The cocktails here are really reminiscent of my favorite cocktail rooftop bar in New York (Dear Irving) and I've had a blast just being here, as they play a lot of French funky pop and the scene here is just super grunge and groovy at the same time. I am an avid whiskey/brown liquor drinker and I recommend the Adriatic sour and the weathered axe. I'm sure all of their other drinks are good since I had a regular gin and tonic for the price of $7 and it had lavender syrup and bitters in it.

Love the vibe of this bar and the crowd it brings. Was so excited to find it after moving here a few years ago as it reminded me of some great dives up north. Service is hit or miss however, have had great interactions with staff and on other occasions have waited nearly ten minutes before being acknowledged while the bar tender chatted with another customer at an almost empty bar. Another time I came during business hours and the doors were locked, I could see and hear staff inside and they me but again was not acknowledged. There's a fine line being the attitude being edgy and coming off rude. Its a delicate point to find being hip and inclusive and polite and this place misses it more than it nails it on that point for me.

Decent bar with a cool, witchy ambiance if you're into that type of vibe. The mixology is really great and you can tell the bartender cared about her craft and the service provided to others. It felt as if the crowd is of a slight pretentious attitude and so we felt more comfortable sitting outside than inside. It was almost as if we had to whisper to each other.

Our cocktails were strangely warm and the bartenders were having a loud weird conversation about other coworkers while making our drinks. This kind of experience makes you question spending $$ on drinks out.

We were looking for someplace to grab a drink after our bike tour and found this speak-easy inspired hidden bar. The bartender Peter was fantastic. Great drinks and recommendations. If you like to avoid cookie cutter tourist traps, stop in for a drink.

Turns out, my fella knows someone who lives in Asheville. And when she saw were in town, she suggested we stop by Crucible Bar when she was working. You don't need to suggest cocktails to me twice! I was game! And we had plenty of time after Biltmore and exploring the River Arts District. So we decide to stop in before dinner that night. You will probably want to have a map up while you are walking up to this place. There wasn't a sign that we could see. Just the address and a small paper in a window on the door that indicates it is a "private club." This was also the place where we learned about North Carolina's...frustrating...liquor laws. School yourselves before you visit, if you intend to visit any non-food-serving bars! And Crucible should certainly be one you consider! The atmosphere is cool and dive-y. The day we went it was a little hot, and one of the AC units was out, so it was a bit toasty inside. But still, it was a place I would return to over and over, if I lived in town! The cocktail menu isn't terribly long, but it is focused and interesting! We started with the Corpse Thief, one of us got it without the absinthe rinse. I don't always love absinthe...but this cocktail benefits from the extra depth of flavor it adds! My second cocktail was Occam's Razor. It is VERY strong. I was intrigued by the botanical gin. My fella got the Penny Coupe, which I liked better, but you know...gotta try new things! And prices are comparable, if not slightly cheaper, that fancy cocktails tend to run. Crucible Bar is a cool place with tasty drinks. If (when, I hope) I return to Asheville, I plan to return here! And if you get a chance to visit, do yourself a favor and do so! Bartender Candice makes an amazing cocktail!! You won't be sorry.

This is a pretty sexy bar, dim lights, funky staff and small cozy spaces.

We stopped in in the late afternoon/early evening after a walk in the area because occasionally a brewery won't cut it and a cocktail is called for. I loved the disco ball in the corner as well as the divey quality, but we wanted to sit outside. My friend ordered a mojito but somehow they didn't have the ingredients, so he ordered a bourbon & ginger instead. It took only one sip to realize they create ginger ale there from syrup & soda. So the result was disastrously overpowering. As for my cocktail, it was very poorly crafted, watery, and not worth going into given the circumstances of management that not having ginger ale illuminates. We did enjoy sitting outside but this place is definitely local bar quality only, as there is definitely an air of "I don't care" happening - a least-understood tactic to seemingly repel all kinds of people. If you go - I suggest schlepping a can of your own soda or juice mixer in your bag.

Would you like to go back in time? Before the popularity of this town took off... Do you like dark, simple decor and talented staff behind the bar? Do you want a place that is almost hidden that you'll drive right by it....twice before finding it? Then the Crucible is for you...this lovely little establishment is membership only (sorry...this is still the Bible Belt so no food, then just a little ol' $1 membership is needed. A small price to pay for this little gem.) I visited this place last night and liked the whole feel of it...reminds me of bars long ago or in bigger cities. If you haven't seen this place then check them out.

It's hidden. On purpose. And they require proof of vaccination. Keeps the trash and the tourists out. What more could you want? Alcohol? Well they've got that too.

We absolutely love this place. It's not touristy and the staff is always so kind. Thank you Crucible!

I am so excited about this place! I can not believe it took me so long to check it out! I have been hearing about a little dive in the river arts district that doesn't have a sign on the door. Apparently they make fantastic, affordable, and unique cocktails with a friendly staff... Every rumor about Crucible Bar is 100% accurate! I came on a normal Wednesday night, not expecting anything special but wanting to try somewhere different. Little did I know, they would end up being one of my favorite places in town! The cocktails range in price from $6-$10, like woah. You can't find prices these good anywhere. The cocktails are inventive and named to perfection. I had a cocktail called Witches Blood which consisted of fernet, blood orange, and other things. It was delicious! I tried a few more but I don't remember the names of them. The bartender was a doll. She was a cute little brunette with tons of beverage knowledge and open to chat about the menu without judgement or an attitude. Believe it or not, that's hard to find at a cocktail bar too. 5 stars for me! I will be back!

Open late in this town gets points in my book. Plus they in the beautiful RAD. Nice sunset view from outside. Peaceful, chill and no fuss. Good music too

I'm a huge fan of this place. It is dark, it is calm, it is small. The furniture and decorations are nothing fancy. If you don't know where it is, you walk on past without noticing that it even exists. It is a hidden gem that reminds me that I live in a town full of really cool, chill locals. There are no tourists here (yet) and I appreciate that.

We came in early and got to talk with Brandon, the owner (with his wife). He's a delight and a real study of the cocktail. Brandon is a maker of furniture and his attention to detail is unprecedented. We had the margarita and a Mule. We followed thirst with a "Witch's Blood" (recommended by an earlier post). These were all of the top of the top-shelf variety. I noticed Brandon samples every drink before he serves (the mark of a great chef), so you can be assured you will get the best of drinks! Awesome, and not to be missed!

Hidden gem, amazing drinks, nice conversations, relaxed vibe, great bartender, will be back...perhaps tonight

Great dive in Asheville. Friendly. Good selection.

This place is a gem of a bar in the river arts district in Asheville. The owners are kind and the drinks were perfect. I love love the atmosphere! It's a small, calm and cozy place where you feel like you can actually get absorbed in your conversation rather than constantly distracted by noise and chaos like other bar experiences. Highly recommend.

Great local spot for craft cocktails. Brandon (the owner) is extremely friendly and talented. We enjoyed the environment and our drinks. I had the Kentucky Mule which was tasty and very refreshing. Check this place out! Prices are very reasonable.

Great spot for locals and adventurous tourists looking for an Asheville vibe. Try the Kentucky Moscow Mule!

Imagine RuPaul decorated a jail cell, now add a bar and you're there. The red lighting will make you feel like you're being arrested or have some sort of head trauma. I gave it an extra star for novelty. I know taste is subjective but this place haunts me. Someone in our party had something called a Penny Farthing or some such. It tasted like a Black Russian with a shot of Godiva in it. It was good if you're into that. The service was excellent. I'm sure these are very fine, talented people. You should visit at least once, like you would a haunted house or something. PostScript disco balls should be for dance floors PERIOD.

AMAZING cocktails. Really cute vibe here. The bartender was awesome and recommended a bunch of fun places for us to visit in Asheville. Love this place.

A friendly sort of place, rather low key. They will make your cocktail with pride and love. A perfect hole-in-the wall in the River Arts district. You might be standing at the bar with a glassblower in coveralls on one side, and a lawyer in his suit on the other. Everyone smiling, everyone having a good time. Sometimes you want to go...

This is my favorite cocktail bar in Asheville. The service is great and the drinks are made from fresh ingredients with a nice selection. The clientele is very chilled and friendly. I always feel when I leave there I have met a new friend. This is a great spot.

Cool place but the bartender was so indifferent it ruined the experience. He even was a bit snooty about what we ordered because we weren't "cocktail people".

Really enjoyed this new spot in the River Arts District. They have a great specialty cocktail menu, excellent service and overall great vibe.