What a great bar to just hang out and people watch or say hi and strike up a conversation. The bartenders here are all super sweet and friendly. We are so glad we were told about this spot from another bar in town. Known as the oldest Gay bar in town, this place still serves up a great drink and plays some good music. We stopped by the back bar on a Saturday, they had a theme party with a $10 cover charge, the old sourpuss collecting the money sure needed some sugar. He sure wasn't getting any sugar for quite some time it seems, but he managed to still be there and like a good old watch dog,and kept an eye out for anyone trying get in without paying. We got to dance and meet a few fabulous drag performers too. The crowd is a good mix and we enjoyed seeing everyone having a good time. Thank you for making us feel welcomed. Hugs from Phoenix. read more

O.Henry's - Friendly folks - Gay Bars Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

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Me and my partner were looking for a queer friendly bar to hang out at, for more context we are from out of town, I got my drivers license at 18 years old, I turned 21 November of 2025 so I still have a vertical license. It does not expire until 2031. When I handed my license to the bartender he stares at it for a while and says that it is no good. And then my partner shines his light on it and explains that it shows my birthday, it's one of the ID's that have the star on it to confirm it as a "Real ID" in North Carolina. And that I am exactly 21 years of age. But even though we explained it the bartender said "I don't know, I don't know if we can accept vertical IDs". After that me and my partner went to our car to look up the validity of that statement and we found that as long as the ID isn't 1. Expired, 2. Illegitimate or 3. Underaged persons. That they can still accept it. After all of that we went to the bar across the street and they accepted my id. read more

What a nice place! Cap made us feel so welcome. Great service, good time! Trivia was fun, such a friendly crowd read more

O.Henry's - Fashionistas at O.Henrys - Gay Bars Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

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I came here this weekend but literally didn't make it past the door. I know it's "NORTH CAROLINA LAW" to have a "membership" to bars, which is fine. I'd been here a couple of days before and they put me down as a guest, but didn't on my second (and last) visit. Which is, again, fine. It was the attitude of the door person that really put me off. I asked if I could be a "guest" again as I am just passing through town. He said no. I pulled out my card to pay and he immediately said "CASH" and pointed to an ATM. I didn't want to pay a $5 fee from the ATM and my bank to pay for a $5 membership I'd never use again just to have a couple of drinks. I asked if I could purchase the membership along with a drink at the bar and he said NO and stared me down. Realizing he wasn't going to let me in, I said, "I'll just leave." So I left as the door person pretended to ignore me. One - it's nearly 2022. Accept credit cards. Not everyone has cash, uses cash, and wants to pay your ATM fees. You also accept cards to pay for drinks, but not the "membership"? Is this always the case? Two - this is the only gay bar in town, and it's just really disappointing to be excluded, especially within your own community and to people who are obviously visiting (the door person scanned my Texas drivers license). I really was just passing through and will likely never return to this place. I won't forget the attitude, though. Based on my limited experience, this place was terrible. Anyway, I'm posting so others know to have $5 IN CASH with them to avoid a similar negative interaction to pay for their "membership." I hope someone else opens up a better, more welcoming gay bar in Asheville. Y'all need it. read more

O.Henry's - Entrance - Gay Bars Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

It was our first time visiting the establishment and it was very clean, friendly bartenders and well served cocktails.

Redcat900. Been back to Asheville again with friends, and back to O'henrys. I Just love the low key dive, and the Bartenders are awesome. I had a great weekend, 4/22/23. I was a bit sad that they didn't have leather night but it was great anyway. Cool atmosphere and everyone was super friendly, that's why I keep coming back to Asheville and to O'henrys. Thank you for making me feel welcomed. NOTE: I would like to request that you guys have a Leather/Fetish night around once a month, don't matter which night, Fridays or Saturdays. read more

Evidently North Carolina's oldest gay bar and possibly the worst. Extremely unfriendly door attendant took our IDs to enter as guests. Once inside struck by the overwhelming sadness of this place. Surly bartenders. Not sure why these folks are so unhappy, but my advice is to avoid this place. read more

Stopped by to check out Asheville's oldest gay bar. Unfortunately COVID only allows the patio to be open. The bartender was extremely nice and they had a Sunday drink special which was great. I would definitely stop back in the future when the inside is open read more

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I walked-in to O.Henry's for the first time one afternoon in late August around 4-5 PM. It was early and the crowd was still small, but oh my goodness, the bartender came up for it, big time! Unfortunately, I do not recall his name but he was a very handsome and fit guy wearing very revealing, short shorts and no shirt! If he had been on a stage near a pole, he would have been collecting plenty of singles! Plus, he was very welcoming, engaging and friendly. If I lived closer I'd be there whenever I knew he was working, and I'll certainly be back when I return to Asheville. Finally, the bar was nice, and other patrons were friendly. Two thumbs-up for O.Henry's! read more

Tommy D was absolutely wonderful!! very high energy and the intros we're all that and a bag of chips (like the cool ranch Doritos) amazing, splendid, sexy and oh-so-fun. Also Cappuccino is beauty and grace and is absolutely amazing and very accommodating and knows the exact drinks to make for my friends and I. AND I CANNOT FORGET JEFF!! always amazing and makes me drinks based off of the look on my face when I walk in. 10/10 would recommend A++ review from a regular who comes SPECIFICALLY FOR TOMMY D, CAPPUCCINO AND JEFF!!! read more

This is my first time here and I found it to be amazing. Very friendly staff. Great drinks and friendly customers. We are all watching Jimmy Fallon in Puerto Rico. God Bless that men. Anywho...they have a game room and pool tables. Ask for Jack! read more

O.Henry's - Gay Bars Near Me - Asheville, North Carolina

As a patron of this establishment, I follow them on Facebook. Got a post on my timeline in regards to the up-coming events for Asheville Pride...Lube wrestling, underwear parties, and "drag shows all weekend". I posted a comment to the event feed, (as did one other patron) voicing my disapproval of such events, as a representation of the Gay Community. My comment was one of four, and received one like. It was subsequently scrubbed from the timeline, as was the other post, echoing my sentiments. I won't be returning to this establishment, as it promotes a warped and negative caricature of the gay community, is openly hostile to a diverse clientele, and seeks to suppress that diversity when it voices an opinion. Otherwise, at its best, it's a run-of-the-mill gay bar. read more

My girlfriend and I tried to go here on a Saturday night. We are both feminine lipsticks. We were stopped at the door for IDs. We are both in our 40s. My girlfriend was denied entry because she didn't have her driver's license. She presented her Passport and her TSA Global Entry photo ID. They wouldn't except it. Seriously. This was ridiculous and obviously they just didn't want women in the club. It was actually good that we didn't get in judging from the dark dingy dirty bar and the twinks and tweakers leaning on the bar. We went to Scandals and had a great time. We tipped all the drag queens, DJ and bartenders A LOT. I'd skip O Henry's unless you like going to a non-inclusive place where your shoes stick to the floor. read more

I hate to say this because I don't want to be THAT person but...this place isn't straight guy friendly. I've been there a few nights. Once to see my friend's drag performance, and twice with some friends. Two of those times, I brought my boyfriend along. He had always liked to go to gay bars with me. He never wants to go back here again and it's a little upsetting. Every time I sent him to get us drinks he would get ignored by the bartender. Then I would go up and almost immediately be served. This happened at least twice both times he went. We thought it was just a fluke thing at first and gave the bartender the benefit of the doubt. But it was obvious when he was ignored for 20 minutes while people around him who had just walked up were getting served and then he was told he missed last call. That night we were there celebrating the supreme court ruling for marriage equality. I had just gotten a rainbow tattoo and I had been on cloud nine all day walking around Asheville, sharing in the excitement going on. You could feel the love in the air! It was obvious to us that we go to O'Henry's to end the night of celebration. Until, the bartender made it obvious that my boyfriend was not welcome. I'm not trying to start something. I get it that he's not gay so maybe he shouldn't be hanging out at gay bars. I just thought it should be known that they're not straight male friendly. It's not a good feeling to be treated like that and we just didn't expect it from the community who knows all too well what that's like. Other than that, the drag show was excellent and the dance party that continued afterward was so much fun. I will probably return especially since I've got some friends visiting and it's one of the only gay bars in town. Just wish the staff was a bit friendlier. read more

I'm a SF so I am not the ultimate authority to be reviewing this place. However, the staff was nice to me and made me feel comfortable as did the patrons. It was like a sports bar in the front with TVs, and pool tables and a dance club in the back. Seemed like an "older" crowd but that's cool, no one to get drunk or obnoxious. I was surprised that the later it got the less busy it seemed? GREAT music! I'd say go for it if you are a GM. I would go back as well. read more

Was here for vaca. Stopped in. Everyone was super nice and I had my drink in seconds.

Loved the drag show! I went with some old friends and we had a great time. :)

O'Henry's is the most incredible bar I've been to in Asheville, NC! I love this place! My girlfriend and I felt so at home. Tommy D. The Bear was AMAZING!!!!! I cannot wait to see him and hug him again!!! read more

AWESOME twice in a row....!!! under new management for some time.now, they have definitely settled into that neighborhood comfy bar where everyone knows everyone. ..local regulars give it a homey feel but guests are.welcome and treated right...diversity surrounds but.there's something for everyone... bartender Alicia makes AMAZING drinks...any thing you can think of to order--she can sling it...drag queen Monica is hilarious and is always entertaining whether onstage or mingling with the crowd and owner/ manager Derick is right beside the patrons taking selfies or tipping queens making sure every one is.having a killer time...you would never know he's staff!! DEFINITELY marketed to the LGBT crowd and proud of.it, this little bar was voted best LGBT club in Asheville...but this straight female had a great time. read more

I am so upset with this place. The bartenders are unfriendly. I sat for twenty minutes while the bartender ignored me and then when a new bartender came in I ordered the absolute Bloody Mary special and he passed off house rotgut as absolut. This is absolutely one of the worst bar experiences that I have ever had. read more

Horrible! We paid to get in and no one served us and we waited at the bar for 15 minutes! This place is horrible. Please don't go!

Came all the way from Portland, OR from visiting family. I felt very welcomed the whole time and everyone was super nice since it was my first drag night. read more

Not that great, I went there during a Thursday night interacted with homeless people and people who are a mess and I'm asked to leave.... after a 50% tip....... yeah..ok I'll be back........... read more

O'Henry's is a gay dive bar on the outskirts of downtown. My only visit involved a couple of good ole boys gathered around a piano playing gospel songs and taking shots of whiskey. There is a room in the back with a collection of whips on the wall. Just go and check it out, trust me. read more

Came to Asheville to visit with my boyfriend and found to be at home at this bar. Very friendly guys and had an amazing time. Will definitely be returning to this bar soon. read more

Meh. Its an alright place nothing special really, sadly you won't experience the friendly Asheville vibe here

Not straight friendly, gay friendly, or any kind of friendly. Such a BS farce about "accepting and welcoming everybody". The staff, like so many others have noted, is haughty. Who needs an attitude with their drink? Not me or my friends. We left and won't be back, and definitely won't recommend. Yeah, I'm gay. read more

LOVE THIS BARa It's got a fierce crowd ranging from elegant to WILD AS HELL. The Open mic on the 4th Thursday of every month should not be missed. An Asheville classic,. read more

O' Henry's was a huge turn off to me. If you are someone, as I am ,who enjoys intelligent conversation in a classy but relaxed environment, then this bar would not suit you. This bar is a proud working class bar, which is fine, but the degree of immaturity and lack of cultivation amongst some of the staff and patrons, sometimes was filled with attitude. Very offensive to a newcomer. Trailer park decor may please some, for me, I feel O' Henry's needs new decor and a more sedate and tailored image, yett welcoming. I am not planing on going back!!! read more

The staff is always friendly and knowledgable in their liquor! They helped me find the right whiskey for me and I didn't mind the price. The atmosphere is always light and playful in the front. I can't really handle the back room where the Underground is. But I won't let it reflect this review cause that's a different section you have to pay for and I don't. The bathroom could be cleaner but for a bar it is pretty damn clean! If your a lady using the toilet wipe the seat cause the guys splash a bit. overall I have a great time here! read more

Had a tab open on a friend's card, and where going to pay with cash later. They end up taking the cash and charging my friends card, which was money she needed to pay rent with. When I tried to get in contact the owner about getting the transaction reversed, I never heard anything. Will definitely be contacting the BBB and the bank to reverse this fraudulent transaction. read more

While I did have fun with my friends it was not a great experience. I have to agree with otber reviews the bartenders are not very friendly or quick.When ordering my first roundof drinks i asked for a long island ice tea top shelf with 3 other drinks and 4 shots. His reply was that will be pricey. Ok isnt it your job to make drinks????give me a check and let me pay. Upselling is what you SHOULD be doing. When I told manager his response and attitude were not very pleasent. He was the shoe host. He was vulgar and not friendly. The round of drinks was 70 dollars. My bar tab was 290 plus tipping of DJ drag queens and bartenders. Another 100.00. My friends also bought rounds. Altogether we sent over 600 in 3 hours without a thanks for coming out a drink or anything. I found the attitude and service below average. The DJ was great but the rest....lacluster at best. It will be a long time before i spend my money in there again read more

This is the only gay bar I will go to in Asheville. The bartenders are All nice and actually talk and want to get to know you. They have fun nights like bear and kink and leather nights. It's a very local and neighborhoody clientele. Overall a lot of fun. read more

I've been to this bar several times and always had fun. We made the mistake of accidentally coming on Pride and it was awful. I waited at the bar for at least 45 minutes before I was finally served. The female bartender was rude to several customers and ignored many. If you're going to have an "after Pride event" you should probably staff more than 2 bartenders. Also, charging a cover/membership to an establishment should guarantee quick bar service. Not sure that I will ever come back here or recommend it to anyone else. read more

In today's episode of Why Are Straight Men™ I was catcalled in downtown Asheville, didn't respond (because who does?), and the guy completely lost his mind. He followed me two blocks yelling non-repeatable-without-a-trigger-warning threats at me until I ducked into O'Henry's and was saved by the gays once again. I was even driven the rest of the way to my car (thanks Justin.) So this is basically a five star Yelp for O'Henry's for being kind to me in a time of need. read more

I'm hear now, and the bar tender took my order and walked away. I reminded her of my order and she was rude. Bartender was female with dyed red hair. Would not come back because of her. I have never been treated rude in a gay bar before. read more

bar tender alicia , tried to take me on a 10 dollar bill, gave her a hundred on two budweisers, she gave me back 80, very not professional, especially for locals read more

I used to be a big fan of this place. I went at least once a month for nearly a year for various shows and events. I am 19, and they have seen my ID several times and I had a membership card. One day I went for a show, and at the door I was told I wasn't allowed to come in, even though I had a membership card, which I paid for, and they had never had a problem with my age. I had called and asked a manager/owner about this, and they said they had always been a 21+ place. That would be okay, if they had actually followed this consistently, but for a year myself and other friends under 21 had been allowed to come. I don't know if this is poor management or if just every door person (it was almost always a different person) did not follow the rules. I had recently messaged them on their Facebook page to see if they still have this rule and if I could come see a show, and I have yet to hear anything back. Oh, and I couldn't get my money back for my membership I had just renewed. read more

Horrible service and extremely weak drinks. No Saturday happy hour, even though the website says happy hour every day. Bartender was inattentive. I stood there with my empty glass, he just looked at me and got on his phone. read more

Very nice bar crew and atmosphere. Welcoming and exactly what appeals to me in any bar, cold beer, outdoor seating and chill, thank you, o Henry. read more