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Soooo much fun! Went here with my fiancé and his parents for some Kate night fun. DJ played such fun dancing music and the vibes were so fun. Great prices for the drinks as well! Bartenders were very friendly. Would definitely return!
My recent vacation / cocktail tour of Asheville brought me to The Imperial Life after bartenders all over the city kept staring this was one of their favorite locations. If a bartender recommends another bar it is worth checking out but if every bartender recommends a bar after several days of bar hopping it is a must! The Imperial Life is a fun second floor cocktail bar. The ambiance is this worn in look which made it felt comfortable to me. The bar was fairly busy but the wait wasn't too long. The bartenders were great - friendly, approachable, and willing to experiment and go off menu. Personally I found going off menu suited me better. Most of their menu drinks were spirit forward, which was very nice but I found when I started asking for the bartender's recommendations with the type of spirit and flavor profile I was seeking I enjoyed the results more. The drinks were more balanced when I went that route. I enjoyed my time here! It was very nice!
A pleasant spot to pop into. I t's upstairs but you won't miss it, there is a sign outside to give you a heads up. We were going to a restaurant downtown and we were a little ahead of schedule, so we stopped in this cocktail specialty bar. the downstairs was interesting but the actual bar was up a flight of stairs. we grabbed a couple spots at the bar and checked out the offerings on the menu. There was a daiquiri martini which I didn't think I had ever had so I got that. It was a great drink, with excellent presentation. It was an elegant way to start the evening. My gal didn't see a drink she liked so she asked for a couple ingredients and the bartender went to work. He made a great drink that hit the spot. I followed up with a Gallo Margarita. The presentation could have been better but most fancy bars don't have margarita glasses that I have seen. But the drink was great. I think its already known locally as a spot to hit, but I will add my 2 cents that it's a great spot to start the night.
The perfect break from the brewery scene in Asheville (there is beer available if you are looking for that). All cocktails are $13 each unless you order the special. We ordered two rounds of cocktails: Round no. 1- Lavender Fields and Banarand Round no. 2- Handsome Devil and Smoke & Fire The cocktails were good, the only one I did not care for was the Handsome Devil. If you are hungry, food is available during certain times. Cheers.
Good service with a chill vibe. We stopped in for a drink before dinner and there were only a few people there so no waiting for drinks or a table. By the time we left 30 minutes later, it was starting to fill up. E sure to check out the wallpaper in the bathroom.
Very fun cocktail bar! The perfect vibes for those looking for a city/cocktail ambiance. The DJ was incredible! Drinks were strong and delicious! Highly recommend if you're in the area looking for a vibey bar!
Mixology. Craft cocktail. Terms thrown around with such reckless abandon that they don't really mean much. The Imperial Life, an upstairs bar that is modest, yet glamorous in its own right, pretty much epitomizes what craft cocktails are supposed to be. From the enormous array of housemade syrups, garnishes, ingredients that line the front of the bar, to the aproned bartenders deftly spending 10 minutes to meticulously craft your drink - this is the bartop equivalent of a chef's table. Waiting and watching is part of the experience. The hand sawn ice, the careful application of fire to a citrus peel, the finished drinks are almost too precious to drink, but when you do, it is an "elixir" in every sense of the word, "a magical, medical potion." We came here last night for a quick drink before we headed home after our anniversary dinner. I dug everything about it. Rum old fashioned was so rich and amazing. My Odd Four seasonal cocktail with a bubbly hit of pilsner was so complex. I was in my happy place. While pricey, it's a one of kind experience.
I absolutely loved this little bar. Space was at a premium but it was very cute. Had an old fashioned and it was made just right. My bartender was super friendly and for a short vacation this was just what I needed. There were a couple of djs and was able to dance the night away. Not great to go to alone but with a friend this has the right vibe.
Handsome little bar to stop in after strolling downtown. It's upstairs (above the infamous Table) and if you can grab a window seat it's an awesome place to munch, sip, and people watch. Downside: Got one drink and a cheese/charcuterie board and our total was $50. Both items were good, but not definitely not spectacular enough to justify the price.
If you're in Asheville, for any amount of time, please go to this place, I consider myself a cocktail snob and within the 5 minutes I was in their place, I knew I was among professionals. I tasted 4 different liquors free of charge before I even made my initial cocktail decision. This Is truly a hidden gem.
Came here on a Saturday night and it got full fast after 10pm. They had a great DJ playing and the ambiance was good. I got a daiquiri from their set menu and I didn't love it - but take that with a grain of salt because I don't have a good palette for drinks. We left before it got crazy. read more
4 years ago
Best bartender ever! Knows his stuff! You want tequila come here. Place is great. Ambiance is amazing. Has plants, can't hate a place with real plants. Best experience by far this weekend read more
Soooo much fun! Went here with my fiancé and his parents for some Kate night fun. DJ played such fun dancing music and the vibes were so fun. Great prices for the drinks as well! Bartenders were very friendly. Would definitely return! read more
My recent vacation / cocktail tour of Asheville brought me to The Imperial Life after bartenders all over the city kept staring this was one of their favorite locations. If a bartender recommends another bar it is worth checking out but if every bartender recommends a bar after several days of bar hopping it is a must! The Imperial Life is a fun second floor cocktail bar. The ambiance is this worn in look which made it felt comfortable to me. The bar was fairly busy but the wait wasn't too long. The bartenders were great - friendly, approachable, and willing to experiment and go off menu. Personally I found going off menu suited me better. Most of their menu drinks were spirit forward, which was very nice but I found when I started asking for the bartender's recommendations with the type of spirit and flavor profile I was seeking I enjoyed the results more. The drinks were more balanced when I went that route. I enjoyed my time here! It was very nice! read more
1 year ago
A pleasant spot to pop into. I t's upstairs but you won't miss it, there is a sign outside to give you a heads up. We were going to a restaurant downtown and we were a little ahead of schedule, so we stopped in this cocktail specialty bar. the downstairs was interesting but the actual bar was up a flight of stairs. we grabbed a couple spots at the bar and checked out the offerings on the menu. There was a daiquiri martini which I didn't think I had ever had so I got that. It was a great drink, with excellent presentation. It was an elegant way to start the evening. My gal didn't see a drink she liked so she asked for a couple ingredients and the bartender went to work. He made a great drink that hit the spot. I followed up with a Gallo Margarita. The presentation could have been better but most fancy bars don't have margarita glasses that I have seen. But the drink was great. I think its already known locally as a spot to hit, but I will add my 2 cents that it's a great spot to start the night. read more
7 years ago
The perfect break from the brewery scene in Asheville (there is beer available if you are looking for that). All cocktails are $13 each unless you order the special. We ordered two rounds of cocktails: Round no. 1- Lavender Fields and Banarand Round no. 2- Handsome Devil and Smoke & Fire The cocktails were good, the only one I did not care for was the Handsome Devil. If you are hungry, food is available during certain times. Cheers. read more
Good service with a chill vibe. We stopped in for a drink before dinner and there were only a few people there so no waiting for drinks or a table. By the time we left 30 minutes later, it was starting to fill up. E sure to check out the wallpaper in the bathroom. read more
3 years ago
Very fun cocktail bar! The perfect vibes for those looking for a city/cocktail ambiance. The DJ was incredible! Drinks were strong and delicious! Highly recommend if you're in the area looking for a vibey bar! read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
3 years ago
8 years ago
Mixology. Craft cocktail. Terms thrown around with such reckless abandon that they don't really mean much. The Imperial Life, an upstairs bar that is modest, yet glamorous in its own right, pretty much epitomizes what craft cocktails are supposed to be. From the enormous array of housemade syrups, garnishes, ingredients that line the front of the bar, to the aproned bartenders deftly spending 10 minutes to meticulously craft your drink - this is the bartop equivalent of a chef's table. Waiting and watching is part of the experience. The hand sawn ice, the careful application of fire to a citrus peel, the finished drinks are almost too precious to drink, but when you do, it is an "elixir" in every sense of the word, "a magical, medical potion." We came here last night for a quick drink before we headed home after our anniversary dinner. I dug everything about it. Rum old fashioned was so rich and amazing. My Odd Four seasonal cocktail with a bubbly hit of pilsner was so complex. I was in my happy place. While pricey, it's a one of kind experience. read more
7 years ago
I absolutely loved this little bar. Space was at a premium but it was very cute. Had an old fashioned and it was made just right. My bartender was super friendly and for a short vacation this was just what I needed. There were a couple of djs and was able to dance the night away. Not great to go to alone but with a friend this has the right vibe. read more
3 years ago
Handsome little bar to stop in after strolling downtown. It's upstairs (above the infamous Table) and if you can grab a window seat it's an awesome place to munch, sip, and people watch. Downside: Got one drink and a cheese/charcuterie board and our total was $50. Both items were good, but not definitely not spectacular enough to justify the price. read more
5 years ago
If you're in Asheville, for any amount of time, please go to this place, I consider myself a cocktail snob and within the 5 minutes I was in their place, I knew I was among professionals. I tasted 4 different liquors free of charge before I even made my initial cocktail decision. This Is truly a hidden gem. read more
4 years ago
5 years ago
Wow! What a difference a few years has made. Imperial used to be craft cocktails in a small venue. It was classy, the cocktails were refined and a great place to have a nightcap. Now, it's loud and the $15 cocktails range from uninspired and mediocre to downright awful. There no longer is craftsman creating cocktails based on a flavor profile you like. We tried 4 of the cocktails from the menu and 1 was palatable, 1 was just ok and 2 were positively awful. Imperial used to be a must go and now it is a never again. If I'm going to spend $15 per cocktail, it needs to be drinkable. Please bring back the awesome craft cocktails and wonderful experience this bar used to be. The staff was very accommodating and made a different cocktail to replace the 1 that was completely unpalatable. read more
5 years ago
My husband and I stumbled upon this gem of a bar only because they had a sign out front advertising half price Mescal on Monday's. I love mescal so of course we had to check it out! Their mescal menu must contain close to 2 dozen different artisan mescals. The bartender who served us, Thistle, is a master of his craft and made us craft mescal cocktails that were excellent (and not on the menu). This place is a jewel read more
3 years ago
4 years ago
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7 years ago
4 years ago
Beautiful atmosphere with lovely bartenders and amazing drinks! 10/10 recommend, good vibes for an after dinner or late afternoon date :) Try the "this is what today looks like" read more
14 years ago
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! read more
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. read more
5 years ago
11 years ago
Hmm where to start... Okay so we came here on a Monday night. The bar upstairs was very, very Brooklyn. They had some great deals since it was a Monday night... First I asked the bartender to make me something refreshing and strong. He served me up a Penicillin, which classically is scotch with lemon, etc. I don't know what type of liquor he used but it tasted smokey as heck. I'm not on board with this smokey flavor trend. It honestly tasted like a band-aid. The next drink I ordered was a strawberry banana daiquiri on the special menu. It was more sour than sweet. They were serving $4 grilled cheese so I ordered that as a late night munch. It was simply not that good. Grilled cheese to me is classic cheddar or a cheese with lots of flavor, but they used some sort of mild pepperjack. The service was fine. Not very personable, but like I said everything about this place echoed Brooklyn. read more
7 years ago
It feels like it should have a quiet, cozy atmosphere but the night we went the customers didn't seem to be able to read a room. The drinks are a little pricey but so worth it! The bartenders definently know what they're doing. read more
Old school bar. Ice blocks, more than a dozen kinds of bitters, the cantineros shake drinks until they are foamy. Kinda skimpy on the liquor choices, but high quality. It's a drinkers apothecary. Try the homemade ice cream! It's a small one-room joint upstairs from a well reviewed restaurant. Uni restrooms. Honestly it deserves 5 starts, but I just can't go 5 with so few bourbons. That's right. read more
Living in Asheville, we are completely spoiled to have so many amazing cocktail bars and lounges. Imperial Life stands out from the others! It has the atmosphere of being in a larger city, but still cozy. Being placed up the stairs of a restaurant and not being store front it can easily be passed by, but don't! I went with my family a few weeks ago (we were doing sort of a bar hop around the town) and we had an absolutely awesome time! I had a few snacks, not really remembering exactly what I ordered but I'm pretty sure it had pimento cheese, YUM! And of course the drinks. I had a dirty martini (which can easily be too sea watery) but it was totally delish. If you live in town or are visiting it is a great little spot. read more
12 years ago
I came here on a Saturday night for drinks before dining at Table, right below the bar. Not only does that make an easy 1-2 punch - but depending on how the kitchen is doing, and on how fast those bartenders are making their mixtures - you are in the same space (virtually) so it seems like a no-brainer. I was part of a group of 5 people, so we sat at one of the high top tables behind the bar, near the stairwell. Our server was very personable, enthusiastic, and prompt. I didn't see a cocktail on their menu that spoke to me, but I was glad to read that you can leave it to the bartenders to make their own concoction for you. I was eager to see what they had up their sleeves, so with a basic set of instructions (gin based, savory) I set them off and running. The first drink they made had gin, smoked agave syrup, celery, and jalapeno tincture. That was very tasty - and interesting. The smoky flavor resonated through, but the bitterness of the celery also spoke volumes. I had them expand on this premise two more times (our reservation at Table was delayed by over 30 minutes!). The next was gin based with lemon, pineapple, and a spicy pepper tincture. I liked this one even better than the first. They should put that on the menu. Lastly, I had one with gin, pineapple, mezcal, jalapeno tincture and the smoked agave syrup. I think I liked this the least, but I am not a mezcal/tequila drinker so it tends to throw me for an unpleasant loop. That said, it was still quite a tasty concoction. I would definitely come back to this place, and, preferably sit at the bar. The bartenders, and servers, seem to know their mixtures and I would like to see what other interesting creations could be made. read more
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48 College St
Asheville, NC 28801
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(828) 505-8455
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https://imperial-avl.com
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