The South Slope—A Local’s Perspective

Marshall Manche
Jul 5, 2022
4 min read

Updated: Sep 25

Asheville’s South Slope brewing district is one of the most happening places in town, with a dozen local breweries all within walking distance of each other. Through the joint efforts of these fine establishments, this part of town births about a zillion new brews every year, earning my hometown the nationally recognized designation of “Beer City.”

For travelers intent on testing that epithet, the South Slope is a must-see stop on your visit to Asheville. Here I’d like to not only highlight the best breweries on the Slope—which I’ve taken a stab at before—but a variety of merry-making destinations, with which you may formulate a true night on the town.

1: Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse

Located across the street from the Orange Peel, Ukiah serves Japanese-Southern fusion in a refined atmosphere, with plenty of outside seating.

Now personally, Japanese and Southern are two of my favorite culinary traditions, and so my mouth swelters at the mere thought of fusing them. After taking a gander at their menu, I think you will too.

Gyoza, bao buns, baby back ribs, ramen, duck-dumpling hot pot, pork belly skewers and Tokyo street corn. As to the drinks: sake, local brews, Japanese whiskey, and seasonal cocktails. If that isn’t enough for you, come for their weekend brunch to try some karaage chicken and waffles, or a breakfast ramen featuring maple shichimi bacon.

Reservations recommended.

Hours: 5pm to 9pm Monday through Thursday. 4pm to 10pm Fridays and Saturdays. 4pm to 9pm on Sundays.

2: The Funkatorium

This South Slope biergarten devotes itself to Wicked Weed Brewing’s sourest and funkiest beers. Speaking as both an Ashevillean and a connoisseur of strange drinks, I say if you want to try the local beers, you’d better be down to get sour and funky. It just goes with the territory.

Their food menu balances out all that funk with a bit of savory. Cubans, fried chicken on Italian hogies, muffulettas, and a chorizo torta on house made pan telera. As of my writing, their current pours include “golden ale” (apricot-infused sour), the “milk and cookies” (a milk stout with golden raisins, cinnamon, and vanilla), and the “aranasa morte” (with four pounds of pineapple per gallon).

It’s a great place to try Asheville’s most eccentric brews. And if they spark further curiosity, Wicked Weed offers free tours of their facilities, on the other side of the South Slope.

Hours: Noon to 10pm. Open until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

3: Asheville Yards

With great beer comes great live music. This has been the law of the land for time immemorial. On the South Slope, you can find both at Asheville Yards, an outside event venue right next to Asheville Pizza and Brewing.

As of my writing, upcoming shows include Lake Street Drive, Stronger Than the Storm, and a screening of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Hours: 10am to 4pm, Thursdays and Fridays.

4: Burial Beer Company

Although one of the lesser-known of Asheville’s local beer-brands, Burial is my top pick for atmosphere, style, and creative flavors. Each of their brews is christened with a name that any album-cover would be proud to bear, and reading their poetic descriptions provides a sort of heart-pumping entertainment unto itself.

Literary value aside, this season’s crop including “Idol for None,” flavored with maple, sea salt, and cinnamon, “Like Voices in the Air,” a raspberry-blueberry-apple cider, and the “Ninth Passing,” with French Broad chocolate, vanilla, and I quote “the largest swath of macaroon coconut to ever touch our steel.”

To keep things exciting, Burial Beer also hosts weekly events. Wednesdays see a pop-up kitchen headed by Braised + Confit, serving haute-cuisine from noon until sellout. You’ve got “Taco Thursdays,” Sunday brunch with live music, and “Monday Shifties,” with cheeseburgers and pints on sale for $14.

Hours: Noon to 11pm Sunday through Thursday. Noon to midnight, Fridays and Saturdays.

5: Well Played

This downtown board game café has long been one of my favorite hangouts in Asheville. They’ve recently re-opened on the South Slope, and to say I’m over the moon would be an understatement. With a stockpile of over seven-hundred games, Well Played is an awesome place to kick back with your friends and enjoy a few drinks. Espresso, tea, cocoa, local beer, house cocktails; it's all there, with slushies and boozy shakes coming soon.

Round out your board-game night with some of their decadent snacks (duck fat pretzels, parmesan truffle fries), an artisanal sandwich or flatbread, or my own top pick: a root beer float. Take the kids for a family outing, take your date for dinner, take your friends out for drinks. Well Played is truly a place for all occasions.

Hours: 8am to 10pm Saturday through Thursday. 10am to midnight Fridays and Saturdays.

Businesses Mentioned

Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse

(828)-470-7480

121 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

The Funkatorium

(828)-552-3203

147 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

Asheville Yards

75 Coxe Ave, Asheville, NC 28801

Burial Beer Company

(828)-475-2739