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    Purple Fiddle

    4.1 (168 reviews)
    InexpensiveMusic Venues, Bars, Cafes
    Closed Closed
    Updated 3 months ago

    Purple Fiddle Photos

    PURPLE FIDDLE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Very loud
    Hipster
    Casual
    Live music

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    Recommended Reviews - Purple Fiddle

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    Reviews With Photos

    Kids grilled cheese
    Dub H.

    Ah, the illustrious Purple Fiddle, the crown jewel of Thomas WV. Been here many times over the years. This place perfectly personifies the spirit of Thomas, WV, and maybe even a little bit of Davis mixed in there too. The building is historic with tons of character, located right at the end of the loop as if you can't exit town without paying homage. The inside has soooo much character and is decorated perfectly in a mad hatter style. We often stop here for ice cream during our wanderings of Wild Wonderful West Virginia but have been known to get food from time to time as well. I would say that everything is honestly priced. They aren't trying to get rich and they aren't trying to rip off the community, just serve it and make a living and keep the doors open. The food is on the cheaper side and the quality matches. I don't think they're after any Michelin stars but more interested in just feeding the people. Service is on par with the attitude of the building and blended well. Just enough at just the right time. You might have to swap a few chairs from one table to the next to find the right combination for your party as I think all of the chairs in there are different. They also serve the community by hosting music, up to 300 events per year according to their website. That's one of the only times I skipped the fiddle when I was passing through was when they had a band with a cover and we just wanted food. We wanted to sit down and eat but were told we had to pay if we stayed but could take the food to go or outside without the entrance fee. I think we just went over to Picnic instead which is also a great local spot! See you next summer fiddle!

    Purple Fiddle at entrance. Dec, 2025.
    Laura S.

    Purple Fiddle, Thomas, WV, Thurs, Dec 19. My husband and I were traveling through Davis/Thomas, WV on a Thursday afternoon in mid-December. It was rather off-season for both of these touristy towns, late for the summer's hikers in Blackwater Falls and other natural attractions and early for the winter skiers in Canaan Valley. Our daughter and SIL, who live in West Virginia, recommended Purple Fiddle. They had visited in the summer, when there was live music and a lively crowd. We went in for a late lunch, reaching around 2:15 pm. Upon entering, we found that we were the only patrons, but the hostess assured us that they were open. We asked some questions about the menu, and my husband asked about their schedule of bands in the winter months. (It's very active, especially on weekends, even in winter). Another couple came in a few minutes after us. FOOD. You order at the long counter where there is a chalkboard with the daily specials, plus traditional menus. My husband ordered one of the soups of the day, Creamy Tomato Basil Soup ($7.50) and a Homemade Chicken Salad Sandwich ($11.50). I ordered their Montreal Grilled Cheese Sandwich ($9.75). My husband characterized the soup (his rating: 4/5) as very good but not outstanding for his personal taste. It was served with a bag of oyster crackers. He would've preferred the soup to be thicker/more cream-based and to have more basil. His chicken salad sandwich (3.5/5), served on swirled marble rye bread, with tomato and lettuce, was also tasty -- but the bread overwhelmed the amount of chicken salad, and the rye bread fell apart along the swirls. It was served with ruffled potato chips and a pickle spear. My toasted Montreal Grilled Cheese (3/5) was also constructed on marble rye, and featured three cheeses (provolone, cheddar, and whipped cream cheese), tomato slices, and some onion. It was also served with ruffled potato chips and a pickle spear. My main issue with my sandwich was it was toasted 2-3 shades darker than I would've preferred, verging on being burnt. We also split a dessert, the Turtle Cheesecake ($8). (4.5/5). The cheesecake featured chocolate, caramel, and some crunchies on top. The taste and texture were excellent but the slice was small for the $8 price point. The presentation also could've been better. It looked like it came directly out of the cooling case, still wrapped with Saran Wrap and a toothpick. My husband also got a coffee ($2.25, 5/5), which was full-bodied, rich, hot, and had free refills. Overall, we rank the food as a 4/5. In all cases, it tasted fresh. It was also a good value. Our food totaled $41.58 (including $2.58 tax, but before tip). The menu is relatively small, and most of it features cold items (sandwiches, wraps, hummus plates, etc.); this is probably appropriate for a music venue. We also note that they offer a good selection of beers, which we did not want in the afternoon and while still having a lot of driving ahead of us. AMBIANCE. (4.5/5). Overall, we liked the vibe of the restaurant. There's a stage for music performers, tables for diners/patrons, a station with hard ice creams to be scooped, memorabilia to be purchased. We suspect that it will get lively and crowded when bands are performing. We'll have to come back to check it out. SERVICE. (4/5). The waitress took our order at the counter, delivered it to our table, and later cleared the table. She was efficient, but neither friendly nor unfriendly. She did talk a bit more with the other couple who seemed to be locals. We would return to this restaurant.

    Outdoor seating
    Jet H.

    Stopped by on my drive from Charleston, WV to Washington, DC. There was free live music, which was wonderful. Service was excellent. Lots of beer to choose from. The chicken salad sandwich was good. I didn't order the hummus but multiple tables did and it looked delicious.

    Music at the Purple Fiddle
    Dixie B.

    Purple Fiddle was a lot of fun! We went with family members, and enjoyed the music, as well as the food. Staff were helpful with drink refills, and the restaurant was clean. We would return.

    Fresh Roasted Turkey Wrap

    The Purple Fiddle is your stop for an amazing lunch in Thomas, West Virginia. Everything is very fresh and the Roasted Turkey is delicious. The wrap was Fresh Roasted Turkey, Homemade Cranberry Sauce with walnuts, lettuce and cream cheese. The Salsa is homemade and the ice cream comes in several flavors to choose from. You will be happy that you stopped in to visit the Purple Fiddle.

    Wilson Springs Hotel
    Singi D.

    Local bar. Great beer list, fantastic live music, dancing and relaxing environment. Service is not bad. Some bands sell out, so worth buying tickets early. Not much seating. A great time, always. Highly recommended.

    Band
    Jordan D.

    I stopped by the Purple Fiddle while visiting the town of Thomas for the first time. I had read a lot of positive things about this place so I had to check it out. I got there about 30 min before a free band was about to play so it wasn't crowded however, once the band started the line backed up and seats were getting full. The atmosphere is quite nice with indoor and outdoor seating. I ordered the chicken salad sandwich that came with chips and a pickle. It was pretty tasty but it did take about 30 minutes to come out of the kitchen. The staff were friendly. They have a nice selection of ice cream and t-shirts you can purchase. I would go back if I'm ever in the area again.

    Live music stage
    Ivy B.

    I've heard a lot about Purple Fiddle but never had the opportunity to make it out, until now. I didn't realize they do afternoon shows! Such a nice surprise. Lines can get long, so get there early. I ordered the turkey wrap, which came with chips and a pickle. Wrap was really good! Had cream cheese and a cranberry chutney, which was a nice balance or creamy and sweet. Food took a long time to come out after ordering which was my main disappointment. Looks like they might be understaffed. Otherwise a nice experience.

    Tommy Prine (son of John Prine)
    Andrew P.

    BEST LIVE MUSIC & BEER SELECTION in the area. The talent level they source is impressive for such a small town. The Purple Fiddle has been going strong for 20 years and the owner, John, has developed a deep and wide network of musicians and bands. Definitely the place to check out in the evenings if you're staying in Thomas or Davis.

    Went to the Purple Fiddle to watch singer/song writer Davey O. Great music and food.

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    The fiddle is always enjoyable. You always see a lot of friends and they share is great.

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    Purple Fiddle Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Purple Fiddle

    How many people does it hold for shows?

    It depends upon the type of show - with tables or dancing or somewhere in between. But something north of 100.

    She was ?the motorcycle is

    Vroom vroom

    View All 3 Questions

    Review Highlights - Purple Fiddle

    Loved the vibe--very charming, kinda hipster, super laid-back.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    The Billy Motel - Room 6

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    The Billy Motel - Bar area.

    Bar area.

    The Billy Motel - The bar

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    Photos
    Backbone Tavern - Metal sculpture by our table

    Metal sculpture by our table

    Backbone Tavern - Patty melt

    Patty melt

    Backbone Tavern - View from street

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    View from street

    Purple Fiddle - musicvenues - Updated September 2026

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