Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge

The Vault is a wonderful local Asheville spot to enjoy some good food and bar vibes. Inside, I was greeted with 80’s music and Alf playing on a tv overhead. Needless to say, my childhood self felt right at home with these choices. Seating is ample and they have an order and pay at the bar set up, so always a good idea to browse the menus beforehand. I had the staple Vault burger and was not disappointed. The burger was juicy, sauce flavorful and the arugula provided a nice contrast and bite. It’s a solid burger, and paired well with a fresh brew on tap. A fun and tasty stop if you’re ever in the Asheville area.

We took a break from walking downtown Asheville on a perfect sunny and cool March day last week. We walked into the bar, and it was like , as sunny and cool as the weather outside. Lilly, the owner, served us the award winning vault burger and some incredible tater tots. ( Not sure if the tater tots have won an award but they should.) I fancied a Bloody Mary and my wife had a glass of wine. Good vibe. Good time- happy people.

Had the famous vault burger, and it lived up to the hype. It's one of the best burgers ever, you have to try it. My girlfriend tried the espresso martini, and she loved it. If you want delicious food and want to enjoy some drinks from the super friendly bar staff, I highly recommend this place.

I love this place. I had the Vault Burger, and it was really good... cooked perfectly to the temperature I requested. Surprisingly, this doesn't happen very often. They had a great selection of beverages, and the staff was super friendly... as were the regular patrons. I plan to become one myself. Cheers on a job well done!

Local. Haven’t been here for a while. Was craving chicken caesar wrap and saw a few recs for here. Although the wrap was not outstanding the service and atmosphere was. But…when I got the bill it was more than the menu price. I was informed it was a $1 processing fee. So that’s about 7%. I understand a fee to cover credit card fees but this is not listed anywhere or even shown on the bill. That’s not right guys to hide it and make the customers have to figure it out. So I paid bill and tip in cash as I’d rather have servers get more than Visa.

Just had the slider it was incredible. I am making myself order the full burger now due to how good it was. Yes! While my edit doesn't change the 5 stars...the full on burger does not disappoint! The mac n cheese is hands down the best I've ever tasted. I'm well over 50. It was complex and creamy....unbelievable!

I was passing through Asheville for the night (from the UK). I was recommended to go to the Vault for their burgers. I had the Vault Burger - cooked medium rare. It was amazing - such a rich flavour and really juicy. I would highly recommend.

Ordered several items -- by far the best two were the Polynesian chicken sandwich and the tater-tot nachos. The hamburger was good, but quite a bit too salty for me. All in all a good experience. The servers were very friendly.

Voted as the "best burger" in Asheville - they certainly didn't disappoint. Although, I ordered the smash burger, not the "Vault Burger" I did try the Vault burger, and my smash burger was BY FAR better! They use a sauce that reminds me of what they put on Big Macs. Layered between the patties and buns are chopped onions, it gave it a nice crunch. The fingerling potatoes were really well seasoned as well. Gave me dive bar feels, cocktails are good and staff is great. If you need late night, this is the spot.

Rankin Vault is our go-to late night bites in AVL. You walk in, order from the counter, grab your drinks, and hit a table waiting for your grub to be delivered to you. We opt for one of the many games to play while passing time in this cute dive bar-ish establishment. The drinks & food are delish- give Rankin a try!

We had the Philly cheesesteak which was great. The bread was soft and the crispy potatoes had a yummy herb and salt blend on them.

Simply put, one of the best smash burgers I've ever eaten. The vibes are immaculate; a nice, dive-y, friendly spot with great service and low pressure feel. Cannnot recommend this place enough

Another hidden gem coming at you on this beautiful Friday. Rankin Vault is one of the best late night spots. Serving up sliders of all variations, loaded tots, Philly cheesesteaks, and burgers all in one power packed menu. Their Philly is creamy, cheesy, and has tons of umami all layered between soft bread. Their pork Banh mi sliders consist of pulled pork, pickled veggies, jalapeños and a spicy Mayo all sitting inside of a Hawaiian slider bun. They also have some of the best drink specials in town in terms of price and quality. Also, you can't beat the ambiance as you're sitting in an old bank vault (hence the name) and there is usually classic 90s rap playing which makes it even better.

We took our parents here for lunch. They got the burger and really loved it. We got the chicken sandwich with egg which was amazing! Martinis was some of the best we have had. Servers were cool and quick. Very laid back vibe.

My folks and I visited Asheville to check out some local places and started getting hungry after finishing up in the downtown area. We walked past this location which is across the street from a parking garage and noticed the place boasted the best burger in Asheville. After checking a couple of menus from other spots, we backtracked and decided to give this spot a try. It's near the hostel and Posies for Lulu. You can either sit outside and order from the walk-up window or go inside to order at the bar, before choosing a seat inside. (Or outside.) It was fairly busy when we went in, but the bartenders worked quickly to key in orders and handle the customers ordering drinks at the bar. We ordered 3 burgers, two with potatoes and the third with tater tots, plus one beer. Bartender seemed very efficient at multitasking and personable - she chatted with some of the bar patrons and customers ordering food who seemed to be locals. After we placed our order, we received a number to put on the table and found a spot inside. Food took about 7-10 minutes and was brought to our table by a server. Burgers are cooked the way you want. (Ex. Medium rare, well done, etc.) The way they do potatoes is unique and not like any other burger place I've been to - they're sliced almost into strips, roasted, and seasoned. Mine were good, maybe a little salty due to the cook being a bit heavy handed on seasoning that day, but very good. Burger was cooked perfectly to medium and was flavorful and juicy. Bun was not doughy or too much for the burger. It's not a cheap option, but this is more of a finer experience in terms of burgers. It's definitely a spot where you could hang with some friends or close family members for some good food and drinks in a relaxed space.

Great spot downtown off the main drag. Dive bar meets cocktail lounge vibe. Great drink options, good prices and delicious food! We had the Vault Burger and the Mac and Cheese. Burger was cooked perfectly and served a soft bun. It was perfection! Mac and Cheese was cheesy and delicious! Caesar Salad ( side with the burger) was excellent as well. Dressing was the star! For dessert with had an Espresso Martini with fresh whipped cream. It was divine. This will definitely be a regular spot in our rotation of great spots downtown!! Bartenders are attentive and give a great pour.

I've always loved The vault for a late night meal and some drinks. This food is always on point and we got to sit in the vault !

Rankin vault cocktail lounge is a decent place for a drink and some food. I wasn't impressed with the ambiance. More dive bar than lounge, but they had some decorations up for the holidays. They have plenty of space inside though I imagine it fills up, and some of their seats were on the stage on right up against it, which means if there is live music, there's less places to sit. I got the vault old fashioned which was okay minus the glass full of ice. Not the right way to make any old fashioned. I also got their vault burger slider and Polynesians fried chicken sandwich. Both were very enjoyable. Not sure if the aider was anything special, but it was good. The chicken sandwich was excellent. Slightly spicy, but not at all greasy like some fried food can be. I really enjoyed it and the fingerling potatoes were awesome. This may not sound like a 4 star review but I did really enjoy my meal and the service (counter service at the bar but they bring you your food) was friendly and quick. They also have vegetarian and vegan options, which I think is rare for this type of bar, but maybe not so rare in Asheville. I'd definitely come back.

Great cocktails, better food. It was very busy at 11PM when we came in. We ordered at the bar and then found a place to sit. The crowd is casual and fun. We will be returning on our next visit for late night eats.

Indoor and outdoor seating, and a loft seating area. Your order at the register and take a number to any table available...but they stay pretty busy and I'm sure it's a combination between the casual ambience, places to connect, bomb drink menu, and flavorful food. I've been back twice in my visit. I'll need back again.

We came for cocktails. I had an espresso martini, which was delicious and whipped cream on top. I then had a blood orange martini, which was also delicious. We then ordered the corn & bacon Chowder soup, which was delicious! Friendly staff as well. We enjoyed our experience!

I had a great time here when I visited Asheville with a friend. We stopped in on a Sunday afternoon for lunch. Normally this place is packed, but it was quiet on A Sunday afternoon. The food was delicious - I recommend the bowl of tots with spicy mayo, chips and queso, and the famous vault burger did not disappoint!! On Sundays they have a special - $3 off their delicious margaritas!!!

This place has what you need when you're visiting Asheville and you're out late: a kitchen that is open late; delicious food; hippie vibes. The avocado melt with tempeh is delicious. They have salads AND fries. Super nice people work here.

Went here twice during my time in Asheville it was such a hit! Bartenders and bouncer were very friendly and the food and drinks were delicious and well priced! We came here for quick bites and drinks one night and for New Year's Eve. Inside is very intimate, good for groups or for a date night. The food was delicious and they had one of the best espresso martinis I've ever had! All of their signature martinis are only $10 and are definitely worth way more than they are priced. They even accommodated for me being vegetarian and let me do the slider with tempeh and it was delicious!

The vault is one of my favorite bars downtown and a fabulous place to eat as well. The vault has won best burger several years in a row, they also make them in a slider size as well which is perfect for a light snack. Don't expect to get fries with your burger, they serve fingerling potato's which a very very good. I love ordering the Mac n cheese. They always have a great draft beer selection and have 20oz pours. Their liquor selection is very extension as well. This spot used to be a bank, hence the name, and theres seating set up in the vault. Food and drinks are ordered at the bar, there is no table service. The bartenders are always very quick and efficient with taking orders and the food comes out pretty fast as well. I think my favorite thing about the Vault, other than doing a great job with food and drinks, is the overall vibe. Always chill vibes at the Vault.

Over hyped for the expensive burgers. Better places in Asheville for a burger. Place does provide a local atmosphere of downtown Asheville.

The Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge was our sixth bar of the night. By the time we arrived I can't say I was entirely sober. We found a table in the dining room near the bar. It was busy, full night. There was a line to place orders at the counter and I stood it in briefly. It didn't move quickly until someone else stepped in to take orders from the line as people waited. Then the line moved quickly. They were unable to tell me the ingredients in their buns, so I opted for the Burger Salad - it was a burger patty with cheese on a bed of greens. I remember it tasting very good. The margarita was ok but served in a very large glass. That was enjoyable! It was a great way to capped the evening!

Amazing food and service. Friendly and very clean. Great atmosphere. Would highly recommend

A great late night spot in Asheville! My husband and I stopped here for some dinner and a drink on our most recent trip to Asheville. I've had a lot of veggie burgers in my day and I can honestly say this one was in my top 3. Not one of those flimsy patties that you can tell were defrosted and reheated real quick before serving, this was super hearty with good texture and a nice crispy outside. My husband had the chicken burrito which was pretty sizable as well and tater tots which I tasted and were amazing. The bar itself is pretty standard- a good amount of seating & a lengthy beer list, but what really stands out is the fantastic bar food!

Got into Asheville late and this was food recommendation cause not many choices late night. Order the vault burger and the Half hearted cocktail. Burger was ok but I didn't realize I came in when they were on the verge of closing cause my watch was still on central time from my lay over in Texas. So I would give them another chance on the burger. But what shined was the Half Hearted cocktail. One the best mezcal mixed drinks I've had. Bartenders and servers were all super nice especially considering that I came in so late.

Everybody was very friendly, and the food came out fast, everything was excellent definitely recommend the Philly cheesesteak.

My fiancé and I love a good burger! We saw that Vault was voted best burger for so many years so we finally decided to try them out. Its an order at the bar spot and then seat yourself which we typically like! We got here before the line was out the door and this was about 7 pm and it picked up around 8:30/9. We got the vault burger and the double vault burger with tots and fries. I also got a side Cesar salad. We had a Manhattan and blood orange mimosa for drinks. The service was fairly quick. Our order came out incorrect (we asked for no bacon on the burgers) but we opted to take them off and the staff bought us out more cheese because the cheese was melted on top of the bacon. Unbeknownst to us, they removed the double vault burger from the final bill as a courtesy which we truly appreciated once we realized! The burger was seasoned very well! I must repeat this again because this isn't a common thing for some reason but the meat was seasoned very very well! We ordered them medium and we would probably do medium rare next go around. The portion of fries with the double burger was pretty skimp. The Manhattan was nice and strong. The blood orange mimosa was delicious!! The ambiance is dark and dive bar-ish but honestly that's what we expected. Must was chill and the staff were all helpful! They also have a window service which i thought was pretty cool.

This place was good overall! The burgers really slap like none other. I also got extremely shit faced after drinking a pint of Guinness and an Ashevillian Love Affair. The name says it all, and trust me....you'll be feeling so lit after drinking that cocktail.

I ordered the triple smashburger. It took awhile for it to come out but it was the best burger I've had in quite some time.

The burgers are great. Nothing fancy or special. Just great food. You order at a counter and sit and they come out with food. Fast food ish. But way better. Friendly service. Could be cleaner. I would definitely try this place again.

I really liked this place. Someone suggested it after volleyball and I was tentative. I was not in cocktail clothing at all but this place is perfect hybrid of a cocktail lounge and a more familiar bar bar. I had a hamburger and tots that were excellent. I have had beer here, an espresso martini that was amazing and an old fashion that was ok. I'll definitely be back for more espresso martinis. Bartenders were all very friendly! Would recommend.

Pretty darn good burger. Is it the best in Asheville? Maybe. I still haven't tried many of the burgers in town, but I believe it's definitely in the top running. Service was great even though they're short staffed. They have a great selection of drinks and the atmosphere feels like a neighborhood bar, where everybody knows your name. The menu is great with lots of other items I'd come back for. Chips and queso was meh, but the burger was definitely a winner. My only complaint is the actual burger could be more substantial given that you are dropping $14 on it. For a double vault burger, it's $24 which is kinda crazy. Would I come back for more? Definitely, I'm a glutton for punishment and happy to overpay for a yummy burger every now and then.

This was a late night visit where we needed some food and a drink before getting to our hotel. The food was fresh and delicious. We had burgers, potatoes and salads. We enjoyed the atmosphere and the wonderful staff. Visit and see this wonderful bartender and all around attentive person you will enjoy! Thank you

Late night drinks... drinks are good but the place is sticky and dirty. Hey bro, wipe a table once and a while, in AND outside. It was just dirty and not enjoyable, and this was 10:15 Monday night????

Wowwww best veggie sandwich I've ever had! Avocado melt with tempeh may have been the best sandwich I've ever had nom nom

This is going to sound harsh, but this dull grotto/urban alley of spaces ruins its cocktails with all of the wrong glassware. If Watered-looking, marginal cocktails are fine for you - or you're a beer drinker, you might be ok with it - but there's nothing in the all-high top table environment to suggest specialness. The pub food is solid, however. The fattening selections we had (burger, classic fried chicken sandwich) were at least worth the trip even if we couldn't look forward to fries. Who cares about tots or wants mac&cheese with a burger?! I know in a quasi post-pandemic landscape it's privilege to speak of these things, but I just can't get over the feeling this place hasn't ever had anything special to regroup back into. It's another beer bar in beer city with the attendant apathy of a countercultural town. The cocktails are not taken seriously enough. And it isn't even the supply chain's fault.

This was a great cozy spot, off the Main Street, with great bar type food and a great beer selection. The Philly cheesesteak I had was great, def a popular sandwich there. If I am ever back in the area again, we will def pop in for drinks and some food.

Great selection of local beers - small but yummy menu. My friends greatly enjoyed their burgers, and I appreciated the small salad with protein option. We'd definitely go back!

Best closing music in town. They made sure we could safely get a ride. Dank drinks good people.

This was recommended to us as having the best burger in Asheville. My dad who ordered it would say that's a fair statement. It's in an unassuming location on Rankin Street and has indoor dining or a walk up window to the bar where you can place your food and drink order and wait for an outdoor street side table to open up. We lucked out with a group leaving right as we walked up. The downside was that we were sandwiches between two smoking tables, which I didn't expect. The only other frustration we had was that as we waited at the window to place our order which was a bit of a wait considering it was Saturday night and the place was busy, several bartenders and waiters walked by without paying attention. We were trying to let them know the couple behind us were waiting just to pay their bill but they continued to ignore us until about 5-10 minutes later. Once we placed our order, our food came out quite quick. I had the Vietnamese tempeh hoagie. It hit the spot. All in all, I recommend, but maybe go on a slower night if you're looking for service.

RATED #1 hamburger in Asheville? Really looked forward to a good burger but the buns fell apart after the first bite. Ordered medium rare and it was well done. For $12 a bit much. Do recommend the roasted fingerling potatoes and Hi-Wire Octoberfest lager beer.

It really is the best burger in Asheville! Full bar an several local beers to offer. Friendly and efficient service.

Drinks here were pretty good. The soft pretzel with cheese was delicious. I would visit here again

The significant other was super giddy about trying this place since he said they had the 2nd best burger in town. He said that he read a food critic's blog saying how Rankin Vault Cocktail Lounge was worthy of a try. The Vault burger was to die for. I liked how the buns were slightly toasted. That thing was such a mess to eat as the sauce dripped every which way, but it was so yummy. The meat was flavorful and thick. The spicy mayo and arugula was a nice and unique touch that gave the burger some kick butt points. The burger comes with a side, and we went for the tater tots (which were also crispy and good). Service at the bar was great as the bartender told us they had won 1st place in the annual burger cook off for 3 years in a row and was going for their 4th this past Sunday.

Food is so flavorful!! After lunch we sat in The Vault. Drank a beer. We felt special. What a great place to have a burger! Every time I'm in town I will be stopping by. Thanks guys.. great job.

Is The Vault a bar with a kitchen, or a restaurant with lots of drinks? Somehow, it happens to be both, and they really try and give good service. If you haven't heard about their burgers, stop reading this right now and get over there. No one should pass through this life without a Vault burger. Oh, and one thing: if you have less than 10 tattoos or are not acting out for your parents, you will be in the minority. But hey, we love minorities, so you should be just fine.

Great cocktails. Love the purple pill. Great burgers. Great music. Rachel is a amazing bartender

Ummm well, I was looking for a good Martini Bar and not to sure this is it. It was ranked #2 for "Bar" and decided to try it. We ordered a Shrimp Taco and Pork Belly Taco and THOSE were awesome. The Martini was "good" and the place is ok for the "college" crowd. What put my review at a 3 star was the hair I found on my plate AFTER I ate my taco... Didn't say anything to them because it was after the fact. Anyway, umm drink menus is kinda small, if u want something else u will have to ask. I may be back but will certainly try other places too.

Let me start by saying that this was the only place open in Asheville, NC on a Sunday after midnight besides those 24hr diners. So we went to The Vault because when we left the bar, hungry af, Some friends told us to try this place. Hearing a name like "the Vault" I thought it was another bar scene but it was literally a restaurant with a patio and a bar. You walk up to the counter to order and you can pick anywhere you want to sit. Since it was about midnight when we arrived, they told us that our food would take about 45mins to prepare because the kitchen was backed up. Even though that inconvenient I appreciated that they told us upfront. When the food arrived, I received the Polynesia Chicken sandwich which was AMAZING! I had never had a chicken sandwich with an egg on it and kimchi. It sounds like a really odd combination but it just works. The only sides they had at the time was tator tots and Zapps chips. I ordered the tots, which were fine. I can truly say if I come back to Asheville, I want to come back to this establishment. The chicken sandwich alone is worth the trip and the service was pretty awesome.

Ordered the signature menu item "Vault Burger". I'm not sure if I can agree with the award for Best Burger, but it's still a really good burger! Not the biggest arugula fan so it didn't do much for me. Cheese is great. The bacon is perfect though! Sorry to the non pork eaters, but it wouldn't taste as good without it! My favorite part is the garlic herb roasted potatoes! The tator tots are light and crispy which I enjoyed, but the roasted potatoes is the MVP. Perfect with ranch as the dipping sauce!

The Vault was a recommendation for the best burger in Asheville, but they also have great nachos and an amazing Cucumber Martini. I had the nachos and they were great as a meal, but could be a perfect shared appetizer. Norbert had the Vault burger and it lived up 110% to all of the reviews and recommendations. The food, drinks and location = 5 stars. The only negative for me personally was the self service style versus table service. You order at the bar and your food/drinks are then delivered to the table. If you want a second drink you have to return to the bar. Again, I love table service, but not enough to say the Vault deserves a less rating.

Hungry on a Sunday afternoon in downtown Asheville, what's a couple to do? Check out the place that boasts the best burger in Asheville! Since you have to order at the bar anyway, we sat at...you guessed it...the bar! Note they do have outdoor seating as well with a window into the bar where you, yes, order at the bar! These Bartender Gals are super busy. They keep their heads down and never stop moving. No chatting, it's all business. Can't blame them. They're getting it done! Being in a Cocktail Lounge, we had to try a cocktail, right? Especially when they are reasonably priced...Cucumber Martini for me, Fairgame Sazerac for Husband. Just eight bucks each and they were both tasty. The real star of this vault, though, has got to be the FOOD. Wanting to try the Best Burger in Asheville, but also wanting to try the Tots and a Salad, we decided to each order a Slider Version of the Best Burger, and share the Bowl O' Tots w/ Spicy Mayo, and a Small Arugula Salad w/baby arugula, red onion, carrots, cucumber, daikon, avocado, walnuts, granny smith apples & house-made vinaigrette. May I just say, BRILLIANT of us for doing this? The Tots are crispy on the outside, tender inside, kicked up with a little spicy mayo...yum! That Salad...so light and refreshing! As for the Sliders, we did indeed understand why they have been rated the best burger. Juicy with a perfect combination of toppings. Yes!

This is a cocktail place in a former bank vault. Cool setting. Went for the namesake burger, but gotta say it was just OK for the price. Definitely not the burger you see in the pictures, but they never are, are they?