The Imperial Life

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  I'm not even overly fond of bars and I love this place.  Well-designed - feels fancy yet comfortable and accessible.  Been there on 3 different occasions and always had great service, a great drink and a fun time.  Great addition for Asheville.

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  Posted on 05.19.13 Kd h.

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  Great spot for cocktails. One of my favorite Old Fashioneds. Pricey, but the drinks are outstanding and plenty strong. The head bartender is talented.

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  Posted on 05.12.13 Tony R.

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  After trying an app at Table during our food tour, they told us about Imperial Life upstairs. When they said they cure their own meats I knew we had to try it.
  
  We went on a Sunday before dinner and were a bit surprised how empty it was. Nevertheless we took a seat at the bar and ordered up some craft cocktails. The bartender explained what was in the drinks and showed us how she made them. For the second round she made custom drinks for us depending on the flavors we enjoy. Me like!
  
  We ordered the charcuterie with three meats and two cheeses and thoroughly enjoyed the flavors. Duck sausage, mortadella, and creamy cheeses were really tasty! And the pickled celery...Where can I get some?!?!
  
  Really cute place to sit on a late afternoon and have a cocktail with cured meats!

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  Posted on 04.10.13 Erin L.

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  loved the drinks, super-over the top (but sweetly delivered) knowledge of staff, and the style. extra kudos for the old skool hip hop

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  Posted on 03.31.13 Sj C.

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  Great service, accommodating bartenders.  Lovely space.   Reminds me of places back home in the sf bay area. I can't wait to try the nibbles (i'm pretty sure i'll give the place 5 stars once I do)

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  Posted on 02.27.13 Cha Cha M.

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  This new extension of Table is a nice chance of pace from many of the drinking establishments.  Small and intimate, I enjoy having a cocktail here from time to time...and cocktails they are in the sense all are "crafted".  What does that mean, well it means complexity without ton's of sugary syrups.
  
  The bar staff know how to make a great cocktail as well as can adlib a bit and make something you crave, but isn't on the menu.
  
  This all reminds me of bars in Chicago like "The Velvet Hour", etc......low lighting, on the ball staff, and a great space.
  
  Though I do think they need softer seating.  For a lounge this place has a few too many hard spots....even my friends who visited here recently for the first time also made that observations.  More pillows and seat cushions and perhaps a few funky winged back chairs........but forgive me.......I'm harking back to Chicago again.
  
  This is a definite for date night for sure as well as a great place for "adults" to have a drink....check them out.

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  Posted on 02.25.13 Michael E.

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  Asheville's first charcuterie is a very welcome addition to the downtown nightlife. This loft bar is perfectly designed to be just enough rustic and classy at the same time. And the service is excellent.
  
  I had the barrel aged Manhattan...my good god was it perfect. Not too sweet and not an ounce of harshness. Perfectly mixed.
  
  The cheese an cured meat selection is incredible. They hand select their cheeses and house cure their meats. I was in heaven for the hour I sipped my Manhattan and savored the meat and cheese (and the yummy pickled okra).
  
  Head to this place as soon as possible. It's the perfect way to start, spend or end an evening downtown.

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  Posted on 12.30.12 Tony L.

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