ByWater is one of my favorite places in Asheville.We go there several time a week.BUT........my God,the staff has a sorry attitude.
If you're on the mailing list,you could assume it would be one of the chummiest beer bars in the world.If you were to drive by and see the place for the first time,you might think"French Broad River,great beer,coolest location,bring your own burgers,corn hole ,$5 lifetime membership......"
And then you step up to the bar and ask for a beer....you'd think you were asking a Tea Partier to vote for Obama.Sour,sour,sour dispositions  by most of the staff.(except Kate,at the door).
Yesterday,I saw one of the staff tell a mother to keep her kids under control.The mom was sitting 50 feet from her brood,watching them from the porch.I was watching them.They weren't doing anything.I've seen that behavior before there.Reminds me of the Catholic school I went to.
Lighten up,folks.Smile.We know you are monster hipsters.You don't have to prove that you're cool.Relax.We're your friends.Your customers...Make us feel welcome.
A year ago I wrote the above and over the last year I continue to hit the ByWater at least once a week.Has the staff's attitude changed? Not really.
Example.Last evening was the Summer Solstice,a spectacular early summer night.I stop by on my motorbike for a quick beer at about 10:00 pm.Paid my $5 for the band(ugh.Not the $5 ,but the band...) ordered by Green Man and wandered outside to enjoy the beautiful full moon lit evening.As I often do,I ended up walking toward the river-- remember it's called the ByWater .All the seats by the river are filled,so I'm standing on the tracks,uncharacteristically looking up at the clouds and moon,soaking in the calmness and beauty of the evening,about hallway down my first beer of the evening.And then......
An outside server abruptly walks up and says"It's against the law to stand on the tracks.You have to move!" Huh?
I look around.There are 50 people sitting on ByWater provided  chairs 10 feet away,across the tracks by the river.There are 8 other people sitting or standing on the tracks about 20 feet from me downriver.what the heck is this selective harassment about???
Yes,I assume there is a law or railroad regulation about standing on the tracks.I assume that the ByWater's insurance company requires them to require customers refrain from sitting/standing on the tracks,BUT the tracks are there! You have to cross them to get to or from the river.Hundreds of people do it every day!. Telling the beleaguered staff to harass customers to not stand on the tracks is like telling a two year old to not be pull ornaments off the Christmas tree.
Worried about liability? Put up a sign saying "It's illegal to stand ,sit or be within____feet of the railroad tracks" .Really worried? Put up a fence,closing off the river from the ByWater. That's what the Wedge did.Or their insurance company made them do....But don't harass customers.It's a shame the track is there.But it is.Put up a sign to fulfill your legal obligation,but selective enforcement of your policy is undermining the intent of the locale .It's the ByWater.You have to cross the track to get to the water,unfortunately.
First, it's important for visitors to know that they do not serve food, but do serve liquor, so they are licensed as a club. Someone in your party must pay $5 for a lifetime membership. Others can be guests of that person. Â Now, quickly get over that (and relax and enjoy! For anyone that loves the outdoors, this place is amazing. Huge backyard area with games, etc., tons of seating outside and on the patio, and best of all...seating by the river. Grab a drink at the bar and head down there. A bartender will head over periodically to get your next order.
Mixed drinks were ok. I've had better "craft cocktails," but they were fine. Â Small list. Beer list was pretty good. Included quite a few locals. Service was decent. The only complaint I have is some annoying patrons yammering at the bar, but that was solved by heading outside!
Go here. Now.
The name pretty much says it all.
Great little bar on the side of a random road in the middle of nowhere. Â Nothing special about the inside, but the back area is like an adult playground. Â Hammocks by the water, train tracks to play on, disc golf, corn hole, etc...... Â Even the gypsy queen food truck if you're lucky.
Good beer selection, diverse but yet still a couple choices for the hop fiends like me out there.
I'd love to make it out here for a concert sometime, but don't need live music to make me go. Â What a great crowd on a usual basis.
FYI: Â Parking may be an issue, get in where you fit in.
I came into Asheville on a whim of a road trip, but did a fair amount of research on bars, resturaunts and events before hand. I went to many while visiting. The Bywater is the best place i have almost ever been. The magic that is the Bywater is not to be missed. Quaint outer bar front, cars, motorcycles, and even a couple bicycles parked casually against a fence. The front door brings you in to a gorgeous inner sanctum of polished wood floors,dark wood bar, granit wall with taps sporting local brews, and shalacked wooden bowls filled to the brim with buttery popcorn, yes pup grub is a must at a bar and they have it. Then a georgeouse open room filled with tables and chairs surrounded by windows to look out into what makes the Bywater heaven; the water! They have a LARGE outdoor area, Horseshoe pits, Corn Hole, BBQ pits, Fire pits, Picnic tables, personal grills for any and all patrons, A local food truck parked outback with hungry clambering bar goers, and lights surrounding the grassy picnic area. Then a quick waltz across some old rusted out rail road tracks and you are on the water, over looking a sunset while seated on hand carved benches, tables and rocks you can sit on while drinking a fresh Ale, and yes, a bar tender comes right on outside down to the river to take your order. Come on. Is this a bar or a lifestyle? friendly people, beautiful scenery, delicious beer, and outdoor activities, not to mention the river. So, if your in Asheville, besides the BBQ joints and local brew pubs, the Bywater is a must.
Review Source:Best bar I've found so far! Close enough to downtown to be conveniently located, but without all of the uppity-ness and drama that I've noticed in the downtown bar scene. From reading the other reviews, it seems that a common complaint is service. But anyone who's been to this place knows that it's always packed! It's important to remember that these are very busy bartenders and waiters who are understaffed and sometimes up against crowds of hundreds. I think they do the best they can for the situation. When I've been there on slower days I've had very pleasant service, lots of one on one attention, and I've even seen the bartender playing board games with customers. From the outside it looks like a shack, but the inside is beautiful with groovy art on the walls and a bunch of taps with a good variety of draught beer, from PBR to obscure microbrews (also mention unique cocktails). All of it's pretty cheap, too. Outside there's a deck, huge yard, grills, fire pit, horseshoe pits, corn hole boards, live music and events, and the river is right there. There is a ramp from the river so you can kayak right up to the bar when its warm out. It has a family friendly vibe (they allow kids and dogs) You can bring your own food or there is usually a food truck or food being served for tips by Teaufood (mmm bacon wrapped jalepenos!). The only cons are the lack of parking, a $5 membership fee (but you can bring as many guests as you want), sometimes a wait to get in when its busy, and there are not enough bathrooms. But really, it's worth it, so stop bitching.
Review Source:If I lived in Asheville I'd be a regular at this place. The space is super cozy with all the rustic charm you'd imagine in a hometown mountain bar. To start, our bartender, (Bette?) made a great first impression for the place for my friends and I. She was so welcoming and friendly, speakers are spread strategically over the property including outdoors at the fire pit which overlooks the French Broad River. Love the Monday night bluegrass jam and the variety of board game offerings :) ! I will be back... over and over. Its an appealing place to hang out during any season in Asheville.
Review Source:It was love at first sight. The Bywater is by far my favorite place.
From the moment you walk in the front door and see the great art on the walls, the game cupboard, and the beautiful bar filling the back wall, you know you have found your place. Then you order your beer or drink from their full menu and step outside and know for sure this will be your home away from home. You can choose to sit at one of the tables close to the fire pit or chill out by the river. Hungry? No problem, you can bring your own picnic - even food to grill on one of their many grills (bring your own charcoal) - or fill up from the food trunk that is on site that day. If your lucky to be there on a  Wednesday, Friday, or Sunday you can enjoy free (yep free) food from Teau Foods great bayou inspired dishes - but please fill the tip jar for them. Feeling restless - then play a game of corn hole or bocce before heading home.
What an awesome spot! why go downtown and deal with cover charges and parking and sit inside a loud room, when you can go to the bywater and spread out along the river? you can bring a picnic and grill out or have some of Teau's cajun food. bywater is by far the best bar in town and the wait staff is great, and always remembers what I want to drink. Fall is my favorite time to go there, when it quiets down a bit and they bring back the hot cider drinks...yuuuuum.
Review Source:I used to love coming here, it's a great atmosphere and a fun place to hang out. Â Unfortunately, I have never really had good service. Â The bartenders look miserable, never smiling or using basic manners. Â I have encountered the same with the folks at the door. Â I have also had three separate occasions where my beer tasted like soap and dirty water. Â You can watch them wash the beer cups and all I can figure is that the water is dirty and they don't rinse them well enough. Â The last time I went was the last straw, my membership was lost, the poor customer service is not worth the awesome atmosphere. Â I will certainly be spending less time here!
Review Source:I can't believe I haven't written about The Bywater, its my favorite bar in town. Â It's the closest thing to Jimbo's in Miami that you'll find anywhere. Â
The Bywater sports a great selection of beers, house aged moonshine, and you can bring charcoal and food and grill out on their numerous "park-style" grills. Â On Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays you can also get free food (tips appreciated) from Teau Food, a mom and son operation that makes great bayou inspired dishes. Â
You can sit by the river, you can sit by the horseshoes pits, or sit on the amazing deck and meet some new friends. Â You could even drink a few pitchers at the Wedge and then float down to the Bywater with your friends as there is ample room to load out your raft/canoe when you get there. Â
There is also a rotating food truck on the days when Teau Food isn't there, I like the LowDown but all are really good. Â
Tuesdays is an open mic night with Taylor Martin, and there is usually a band of Fridays and Saturdays. Â
Go and have some fun at the Bywater, you'll be hooked!
The Bywater isn't a bar, it's a state of mind. Â A place where cold drinks flow like the adjoining French Broad River, the people are friendly and the atmosphere is inviting and relaxing. Â
Situated on a busy road near UNC Asheville, The Bywater is an institution. Â Parking is scarce at peak times, but finding a place to park is just a small price to pay to enjoy The Bywater on a nice day. Â We visited on a Sunday afternoon, and were put on a waiting list because they were at capacity. Â Meanwhile I gladly paid a $5 membership fee and only had to wait a couple of minutes before being let in. Â The bar is a small building with a couple of bathrooms. Â Not much going on here, Â except for the extensive collection of National Geographics and a busy bar with 3 bartenders mixing and pouring as fast as they can. Â The real star of this place is outside. Â You can't see it from the road (thanks to a high fence), but there's a large area of land beside the bar and over the railroad tracks where guests can plop down their own chair, grill up food on one of the many communal grills or partake in a yard game. Â We opted for a chair swing with a pristine view of the French Broad river. Â Sipping down craft beers and perfectly mixed drinks like rootbeer and sailor jack (spiced rum) and cheerwine and tito's (vodka), all my cares floated down the river. Â When the smells of brats and hamburgers whetted our appetite, we went to buy some when we were surprised to hear that they were free and they were just asking for donations. Â After munching on a brat with onion relish and chutney and a BBQ burger, and listening to live music and other patrons strumming guitars and singing tunes, I questioned why I hadn't visited Bywater sooner and how I could ever leave.
This place is perfect for a lazy afternoon or a gathering place for a large group. Â You can bring in your own food, chairs, games and the best part is that you can even kayak/canoe to the bywater. Â There is a sign indicating the landing point and many people take the river to the bywater, what a great way to get there! Â Personally I think the afternoon is a great time to enjoy the bywater, since at nightfall the uneven ground and railroad tracks might be a bit too hard to tackle after a couple of drinks. Â Either way, if you bike, paddle or drive there, go to Bywater, it's the best kept secret in Asheville.
Having been voted Asheville's favorite bar in The Mountain XPress this year, this place doesn't need a glowing review from me to help it out, but I'm bored so deal with it.
I love this place. Â It reminds me of some of my favorite bars in Colorado, Montana, etc. Â Its right on the river, so in the summer you can actually raft or tube (or really impress your date by swimming) from The Wedge Brewery to here.
Just went here for the first time yesterday--so simple, but so cool. Â Imagine a crappy building from the outside with a good (but not amazing) draft selection. Â Put it on the French Broad River, insert some picnic tables, some ridiculous lawn games, some grills available for use, kids playing, and adults drinking and you've got the Bywater. Â Just make sure that you don't cross the railroad tracks after too many beers and you should enjoy your time.
It is a "membership club" so you've got to pay a $5 one-time fee the first time you go, but it's well worth it. Â The Bywater figured out a way to carve out a cool niche in the very crowded Asheville bar scene. Â I'm looking forward to going back.
I am going  to do what I said  I  wouldn't...and review this place.  It is a  predominantly local hang out, on the French Broad, in an industrial area of town.  VERY near UNCA.  All the other reviews say it right on the atmosphere.  It is an outdoor  haven where you can drink great craft beer and outstanding mixed drinks.  Try the Berry Picker with in season blackberries.  They even have moonshine....blueberry. Â
Extremely family friendly.  So much so that my  son left his radio controlled car,  another  kid  picked it up, and they tracked  it down for him.
it is a private club.  A $5 membership gets you a card...no really...and  unlimited "guests". Â
Great selection of craft and  local beers.  Great pandora picked music inside,  Live  music outside.  Extremely community friendly.  Even political types show.
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,318 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,915 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,987 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
