HOME DELIVERY
DONATE
Current Issue

Is The Bywater the ‘World’s Greatest Bar’?

Located along the banks of the French Broad River in Asheville, The Bywater is a popular destination for boaters during the summer months. Photo by Jake Frankel.

A recent story in Paste Magazine declared that The Bywater in Asheville is the “World’s Greatest Bar.”

An excerpt from the Georgia-based national media outlet’s story:

But the best thing about the World’s Greatest Bar is that it’s next to a river—a big, slightly dirty, Southern river—with canoe access right there at the bar, so you can put in upstream and paddle a few miles down, then take out and get a beer in your bathing suit. In my mind, this is the best of what America has to offer. And it’s truly glorious.

Naturally, a lot of people tube the river during the summer, so there are women walking around the huge outdoor park-like bar in bikinis, drinking beer and playing lawn games. Did I mention that this is the World’s Greatest Bar?

What do you think Asheville – do you agree that The Bywater is the World’s Greatest Bar? Share your thoughts in the comments field below.

35 Views

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we’ve never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Jake Frankel

Twitter

View all posts by Jake Frankel

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

10 thoughts on “Is The Bywater the ‘World’s Greatest Bar’?”

  3. When my dad came to visit, I took him to The Wedge. He hated it. I took him to Sunny Point. He called it “weird hippie food” and poked around at it with his fork. I took him walking around downtown. Too many people; hated it; didn’t want to go in anywhere. I made him try a local IPA. Not Budweiser; made a face; hated it. Took him to Biscuit Head. He said, “Pulled pork on a biscuit? This is weird.”

    When I took him to the Bywater, he sat by the river with a whiskey ginger cocktail and said, “This is nice. I like this.”

    I think that says something.

  5. what??…they failed to mention all the little kids screaming and running around unsupervised whose parents use the place as a “suds n sitter”?? …used to be a great place…like so many other “pre-invasion” places around town…

Leave a Comment

this is a test alt text from Mark 2/28/25

You may also like

More Xpress

Follow Xpress

Contact
Advertise
Terms & Privacy
Mountain Xpress © 1995-2024
logo-round-purple

User Login