Thirsty Monk Pub

The husband and I went first went here years ago back when this place first opened. Back then we were crazy impressed with the beer, service and food, so we’re naturally excited to check it out on our most recent trip to town.
Unfortunately, our high expectations were not quite meet in the areas of service and food, the beer is still quite good. We enjoyed a flight of some incredible beers, which I don’t think you would find on tap anywhere.
The service though… I really am not hard to please but the bartender would not speak! Like he went up to us, paused and stared at us so we would order, then he would fetch drinks and return to drop them off. I was quite certain he was mute, but later I heard him speaking to his co-​workers so I know that was not the case.
When we eventually wrangled down another bartender to get some snacks because I have been craving soft pretzels for about 3 weeks. The pretzels we were presented with were good, but clearly previously frozen. They also did not hold a candle to the ones we had this same night over at the Funkatorium. The beer cheese though was quite tasty.
It also seems as though when they opened, they were the coolest thing around, but have not really done anything to maintain or enhance anything over the years. This includes the actual bar which smelled kinda dank and there also seemed to be some flooding issues.
Regardless of it all, we’ll still come back next time we are in town to sample the fabulous Belgians they have on tap.

Great beer and great service. Definitely a bar you have to check out when visiting Asheville. They have pretty good appetizers and tacos but not a huge menu. It’s in a good location and walkable to many other things. I spoke to several people from Asheville and people that had visited and they all said to check the thirsty monk out and they were right.

This place is fun and welcoming. The downstairs is my favorite part. Plenty of room at the bar and tables, also a comfy couch to sit on. Many wonderful beer choices. Service is ok.

This review will be quick simply because I was only inside for 20 minutes!
My family and I decided to stop here for some quick beers while waiting on our tour bus.
Make sure you go to the bar for service, we made the mistake on waiting for service at the table but that’s not the way they roll.
Anyways we got a couple beer samples to share while we waited.
Cranberry beer was excellent.
Chocolate beer was TERRIBLE!
The atmosphere was very groovy and modern. Bartenders were nice.

I’ve been here several times and I always leave satisfied. This time was no exception. When we arrived it seemed pretty busy, but were able to find a table easily.
I’ve always been able to continuously order beers that I’ve never had previously. They typically have a great selection throughout the year. Another place that I visit whenever I’m in town.

If you are trying to find the brewery, this is not it. Good beer. Nice bartender. Kind of a dive.

I haven’t had any food here, but whenever my husband and I are in Asheville, we end up in this cool little watering hole. We go in the back door to the basement bar. They have a vast beer selection, so they always have the beer we want to drink, the atmosphere is laid back and not pretentious.

This is pretty much a must stop if you want a great selection of beers. If the upstairs is crowded I suggest you take a trip downstairs as it doesn’t seem like a lot of people make it down there. The bartender was very knowledgeable and nice. What was refreshing to see him actually care about the pour and product he gave. As in he didn’t try to just pour the drink and shove it out regardless of the fill level and head on top. Right fill right head. cant beat that. We ordered some food and that’s the weakness. It wasn’t bad food but the only reason I would order it is if I were drunk, which I am guessing is the reason they serve it so I give it a pass. All an all it has a great atmosphere and is a must visit.

Thirsty Monk Brewery is a must see in Asheville for any beer and craft cocktail enthusiast. 3 different floors of various libations makes this brewery quite unique. I promise you won’t regret it!

I love Thirsty Monk Pub.
When I visit we never spend time upstairs, we head straight downstairs which is a more chill spot in my opinion. The beer selection is always awesome, a must visit if you are in Asheville.

I don’t know what it is about Thirsty Monk Pub, but I keep going back! They’ve got an awesome selection of beer, although I usually skip the food [unless of course I’m with someone who’s never had a mug of bacon!] Asheville’s got some incredible craft brews, no one can argue that, but if you’re looking for something a little out of the box, or even the state, Thirsty is a great option. PLUS, I highly recommend checking out the downstairs «parlor» for a more intimate and higher gravity experience. They’ve got bottles and drafts [**note: you can pick up an unopened bottle here during the LaZoom Comedy tour and take it back to drink on the bus!]. But, the best part about the downstairs is their plethora of Belgian style brews. And who doesn’t love a dark atmosphere and couches when you’re sipping something special?! Thirsty Monk is definitely worth a beer stop-​in during your Asheville adventures!

Stop #2 on self guided beer crawl – eFF those tours! Baby girl and I got this! Upstairs. grab a seat. family style tables, cuz no booths here. Get comfy with folks. Tons of local art on walls.
I got a Screaming Monk IPA and wasn’t that impressed, but oh well… The company was so great that I didn’t mind the so-​so beer. She had a small 5oz porter sampler with me that was pretty tasty.
Seating was family style where we sat. nice barstools. guys nearby were having their chat about the Vols, and in my head (y’all abt to get stomped by ‘Bama) I can’t let my girl kno that her team is gonna get curb stomped if I want a lil affection later.
Oh. back to review. I liked this place. We only had one brew here. Go downstairs and experience rest of bar atmosphere. We walked out and there was a cool drum circle going on. Ms «I don’t dance» was rocking dem hips like a pro… but they had folks from 7 – 70 shaking and swaying to the music. definitely a good funky time all around

We enjoyed people watching at the front stools and my husband liked the flight he chose. We had nachos with pulled pork, which was a great afternoon pick me up after exploring Asheville.
I would only suggest that you have ice in the bar! I know you only serve beer so it seems strange, but some of us don’t drink and would care for ice water :)

The Thirsty Monk is one of my favorite spots in Asheville. Craft beer and people watching is what I love most about it! The street level has an open patio for you to watch the characters of Asheville interact with the tourist. Its pretty awesome. Don’t like people? Well your in luck, they have a basement bar, that is usually more low key. Really hate people? become a member and go upstairs to the exclusive members only bar on the top floor. It even has a rooftop patio! Also, now this is the coolest part: if you are a member, you get a key when you sign in, to an old postoffice box. With you key you can open one of the boxes for a treat! YES a treat key! When I went we tried the angel food cake and tomato and mozzarella snack with our key. With three levels you are bound to find a level to meet your social/​anti social needs.

If your visiting in town. This bar probably has all that you need. On the ground level, you have your beer on tap bar. Lower level dungeon is the belgian beer bar. Upper level of which you have to enter from the sidewalk is your cocktail bar.
I love how this place is super casual and laid back. You order at the bar and seats are first come first serve. The food looked good if you’re into the quick typical bar food menu.

The one — the original Downtown Thirsty Monk! No applause, just throw money!
Okay, so do you think there’s enough stuff on the walls and hanging from the ceiling? I know, it’s atmosphere. That aside, this is a classically great place to come for a beer. The Belgian Coco Norm and Monk in Black are outstanding! A Porter with Belgian yeast?! Now stick it in the Stout?! Greatness!
The guest taps are well curated and pint nights are held pretty much every Wednesday. They’ve spread the love all the way to Biltmore and Reynolds Village. Another project, Open Brewing, focuses on recipes submitted by home brewers.
One of the things I love best (other than the beer) is the food selection. Pub food on steroids! Done tactfully and classy with great focus on flavor. Everything I’ve tried, I’ve liked. Beirut Chicken is awesome, as are ANY of their tacos. I’m a meat-​a-​tarian and I still love Avotacos!!!

They have a good selection of beers I’ve never heard of (I’m not a beer connoisseur, but I try my fair share of rando beers.) Seems like they change a lot and the best part was you can get a flight of any of the beers (price depends on which ones you get.) I just really love flights.
The upstairs was pretty crowded but more lit. The downstairs was kind of dark and pub-​y but had a lot more room so we hung out there.
Oh! And they keep your tab between bars so you don’t have to close out when you order your first drink upstairs and then go downstairs. I appreciate this a lot, it’s always such a pain when they don’t do it this way.

If you’re in it for the beer — can’t go wrong here. They have two different levels/​bars to suit your experience. The basement/​lower level is much more European feeling, where as the upstairs is great for sitting at the bar and talking to strangers.
Still question the fire marshal here — as they get to capacity quickly and with the appearance of plenty of room left.

how can you NOT love this place?
First of all, the prices were SO good and SO justified and SO VISIBLE and the beer list was just so much FUN. We tried so many different kinds of craft beers and just had a total blast. I love the idea of another bar in the basement, the bartenders were such characters, and the décor was not too overwhelming and very cool. I LOVE this place. This place plus the french broad chocolate lounge makes me want to uproot everything in Atlanta and move the hell right in Asheville … I am STILL seriously considering this move … lol.
Now, having had flight privileges for 7 years now, I have been and seen so many places and so many pubs/​bars/​watering holes (even went to Paddy’s Pub from Its Always Sunny in Philly) and many other places, but this pub was just one experience I will never forget.
Now, I do wish that they have better music and a better arrangement for ordering drinks and such, but either way, we came here for the beer and nothing more, and we are happy happy happy. They also offer free wifi but it was slow. Oh well, it’s free. lol.
Anyways, I had a great time and I suggest for you to check it out and check out all the cool and fun and different kinds of craft beers they offer.
JUST FUN! loved it.

This place is beer heaven. No, it doesn’t have the largest menu like a Flying Saucer or Taco Mac but they do have a wonderfully curated list of some of the most unique beer options you’ll find. I can count on Thirsty Monk to completely confuse me every time I go in there thanks to their quickly evolving understanding of the art of beer and what is good/​new/​unique at the moment.
The middle floor is the American beer bar and the bottom is their Belgian bar. I really enjoy trying some of the Belgians downstairs thanks to the Old-​World feel of the place. I don’t generally chat with bartenders but I’ve found myself talking with the staff here more than any other place I can think of. Good people.
Pros:
Phenomenal beer selection, decent food options, and a true beer-lover’s treasure hunt stuffed in to a neat little package in downtown Asheville.
Cons:
It can get REALLY crowded if you go on the wrong night. No way to prevent that or really get away from it but it’s worth noting.
Overall:
Beer heaven.