Discover the Bliss of Asheville's Meeting Places and Event Spaces!

One of the challenges that often confronts any group is finding a suitable place to meet or hold a particular public or private event.

We have searched the many event venues throughout Asheville and the Western North Carolina area and assembled an interesting group of venues... some free, some paid... to help your group or event meet that challenge.

See also:
Catering
Weddings

Directory of Event Venues

Eventective
This is a SEARCHABLE database of event venues, BY CATEGORY, in Asheville and surrounding towns. Currently there are over 120 venues listed.

Outdoor Event Facilities with Spacious Grounds and On-site Accommodations, Suitable for Weddings, Family Reunions, Corporate Events, Seminars and Retreats

Bright Leaf Junction
(located in Hot Springs, 40 mins from Asheville) "... weddings, receptions, fund raisers, rehearsal dinners, executive retreats, business meetings, weekend seminars, sales promotions, grand openings and formal balls with dinner, dancing with live entertainment. We can serve from 2 to 200... your place or ours. Private paries at Bright Leaf Junction have the whole hotel for your use for the night or entire weekend or just a romantic table for two for dinner. We can cater your function on-site here at Bright Leaf Junction... off-site catering the possibilities are endless. We are completely flexible... from a delivered luncheon for 4 at your place of business to an outdoor formal ball for 200 on your property...."

Camp Pinnacle
Can be rented off season for a wedding, conference, reunion,school group, church group,company picnic,team building,paintball tournament. 35 acre lake surrounded by 150 acres of wilderness, lakefront campfire circle surrounded by stadium style bleacher seating 250, 21 cabins sleep 250, full service commercial kitchen, dining hall seats 200, centrally-located modern bathrooms, indoor/outdoor basketball, soccer, softball, putt-putt, fishing, tennis, walking trails, volleyball, horseshoes included. Canoeing, paddleboats, swimming and 'the Blob' available with supervision. Sport climbing tower, ropes course, initiative challenge, mountain biking, rafting, rock climbing guide service are optional activities. Located 15 minutes from Hendersonville, 20 minutes from Asheville Airport, See Event Fact Sheet for details.

Camp Rockmont
"... Located on the site of the former Black Mountain College, Rockmont has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a beautiful rustic setting - 550 acres of mountainous woodlands including a private lake - that keeps groups coming back year after year.... Rockmont's buildings and grounds .... routinely accommodate up to 5000 people ... for an annual 3-day music festival [L.E.A.F.], yet our buildings, fields, and other facilities are close enough to one another to be convenient for small groups.... picturesque Eden Hall serves as both our dining and banquet /dance hall. A full service commercial kitchen is available ... sleeping accommodations are found in Arrowhead and Thunderbird Lodges, which sleep 65 each (camp style, with 8-12 per room in bunkbeds), and have semi-private bathrooms. Up to 30 additional cabins, with access to showerhouses, are located on the property (water is turned off mid-November and back on mid-April). Brookside Gymnasium Brookside Gymnasium is particularly convenient during wet weather when large groups need sheltered, recreational space. We can provide meeting rooms if you need them, and our facilities include 3 soccer fields, 2 softball fields, a football field, and 5 tennis courts. Activities can range from basketball and swimming to canoeing, fishing, volleyball, horseshoes, Frisbee golf, and hiking on miles of marked trails. Special arrangements can be made to use our 50-foot climb and rappel tower, stables, and the zip-line...."

Compassionate Expressions
"...we welcome special event rentals:  weddings, commitment ceremonies, workshops, outdoor festivals, and other tributes of the heart... to rent our 40-acre mountain retreat and facilities to support your gatherings for Self Development and Deepening of Spirit. With great reverence for Mother Earth... We also offer lodging accommodations: two Inn Rooms, two Cabin Guest Houses and two RV Sites - to help house your participants for extended or overnight events. Because lodging is one of our primary offerings, depending on the event date/s or size of the gathering, there may be a required lodging rental in addition to the Workshop Space Rental...."

Grey Eagle Lodge
"... was designed with small youth groups in mind and is rented separately from the main camp facility. It consists of a great room with fireplace, kitchen, laundry, 2 bunk rooms with baths (sleeping 15 each), a master bedroom suite, and 2 gamerooms (ping pong, foosball, etc.). Grey Eagle is available all year...."

The Crest Center and Pavilion
"....Western North Carolina’s most impressive meeting and banquet complex, is located on Crest Mountain, only 4 miles from downtown Asheville and offers expansive mountain views in an elegant, natural setting. In all, the facilities offer a range of options that include two enormous banquet halls, three meeting rooms, an impressive “overlook” deck with breathtaking views, and large stone patio with fireplace and grill. Managed by M7 Event Solutions, the Crest Center offers full catering, two beverage bars, and so much more. There is a cottage and cabin available for special guests to stay overnight through Crest Mountain Communities. Whether your next gathering is for 10 or 1,000, Crest Center and Pavilion is the ideal mountain conference and special event destination..."

Deerfields
".... is located 20 minutes south of Asheville in the Mills River Community. The retreat is a 940-acre family-owned tract of unspoiled wilderness offering camping, swimming, and hiking. Surrounding the ponds and two authentic cabins, apple orchards and rhododendrons cascade throughout the Queens Creek Mountains. Let Deerfields host your wedding or special event. Big or small, our 940 acres can accommodate your needs...Camping is available. Private parties, company events, public events, group campouts, and family reunions.... Deerfields proudly offers on site catering for all private events! From small elegant dinner parties, to large wedding receptions, to company picnics, to apple smoked BBQ feasts, to Christmas parties, Deerfields can do it all.... Retreat Cabin... e Main room has a large stone fireplace. Dovetailed hand-hewn walls of Oak support the vaulted ceiling of American Chestnut cut from Deerfields in the Thirties. The Dining area, which can hold up to ten, is under the loft in the main room. A Living area faces the fireplace with mounts of Black bear, Caribou, and White tail, which reveal some of the history of Deerfields....
The Cabin sleeps four to six. A King bed is in the loft overlooking the fireplace, and a Full bed is in the bedroom...."

Highland Lake Inn
"... Delight Each & Every Guest ...Every time! Not just to satisfy, but rather to delight you with the magic that is inherent in our beautiful, lakeside country setting, the uniqueness of our historic and spacious lodging and meeting facilities, our gracious and friendly service, and our superb, garden-centered cuisine!... "
Highland Lake Inn offers Complete Facilities for Corporate Meetings:
"... On the Lodge Porch, groups can conduct their business with free high-speed wireless internet connection, have all day coffee, hot tea, soft drinks, juice and bottled water; take morning and afternoon break snacks, all within a few steps away from their overnight accommodations.
CLICK HERE to view the REST of the 'magical' corporate meeting facilities.
"I can already assure you that everyone absolutely loved the Inn and loved the food. All employees at the Inn were like sunshine on a grey day. The grounds were beautifully kept and provided us with everything we needed. Thank you for a wonderful stay and for helping me make this the best company trip we've had yet."
    Phyllis Arce, Meeting Street

Lake Eden Events
"....We are located in one of the most scenic spots in the Blue Ridge Area. Only minutes from historical downtown Asheville, we offer a variety of beautiful locations that can be customized for your wedding, party, conference or workshop. View more photos here! We offer several picturesque locations to hold weddings, corporate picnics, or any outdoor event. We can provide custom wedding tents with all the trimmings and can make arrangements for any size gathering, from 2 to 2,000 at our beautiful lakeside location. You may also choose to hold your event on the “Overlook.” This favorite spot of our guests includes a custom designed stage that overlooks scenic Lake Eden and the Blue Ridge’s Mt. Mitchell. The view combined with our arched bridge over the stream provides for a beautiful bridal path leading to the overlook. This location is the perfect spot for parties, receptions, or any type event...." Numerous Options for Lodging during your event

Outdoor Meeting and Event Spaces

Claxton Farm
"... is a unique and rustic setting for your next company picnic, country wedding, wedding rehearsal party, birthday party, anniversary party, or any special gathering of friends....360° unobstructed mountain views! Private setting with all the amenities!...Tired of the "same old same old" when it comes to your annual company or Church picnic? Popular attractions at Claxton Farm are Live Carolina Bluegrass Bands, Visit to the Animals Farm Tours, Pond Fishing, Lawn Games, Mountain Walks, Farm Animals, Mihara, our resident CAMEL! We also feature "Smokin' Joe's" BBQ cookouts... from whole hogs to burgers and dogs, we do it all..." View the trailer of a 2005 wedding held at Claxton Farm "The Wedding" Courtesy of Four Seasons Films

Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre.
This is the performance site for The Montford Players productions. "The Montford Park Players encourages the use of the Hazel Robinson Amphitheatre as much as possible by other groups during the summer months. We work closely with Asheville City Parks and Recreation department to help make this resource available to as many community oriented performance groups as possible, however our heavy use of the theater during the summer does limit it's availability..."

Rockhouse Vineyards
"...Rockhouse is unique, and we are happy to host your special event at our vineyard. Our small family winery is nestled amid rolling hills on a 200-acre farm in Polk County, approximately six miles from Tryon, North Carolina. Our tasting room is open Thursday through Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.; the facility, however, can be reserved for special events by prior arrangement. We host small dinner parties, weddings, company parties, and large gatherings of up to 250 people. Our secluded location at the end of a winding road affords privacy and spectacular mountain views. ... Rockhouse will assist you with tent, table, and chair rentals, and will provide a list of local caterers if so requested. For parties with out-of-town guests, we will also recommend local lodging...."

Mount Mitchell State Park
"...In the crest of the timeworn Black Mountains lies the summit of Mount Mitchell, the highest point east of the Mississippi. For those who ascend this mighty peak, what looms in the horizon is a feast for the eyes—breathtaking views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, rolling ridges and fertile valleys. Forested and forever misty, 1,946-acre Mount Mitchell State Park will provide you with some of the most tranquil moments you'll ever experience...."

Unique Spaces Suitable for Large Gatherings with Music or Stage Capability

The Orange Peel
".... is the nation's premiere Live Music Hall and Concert Venue featuring the very best in live music and cultural arts. It is located in historic downtown Asheville, near shops, elegant dining, theatres, art galleries and hotels. It can accommodate 941 standing... 200 for dining or 250 for meeting-style seating. There is an additional room for smaller meetings. It offers a stage, state of the art sound and lIghting, a wonderful dance floor, a 40 ft stainless bar with taps.

Click on each of the dozens of categories to the left to uncover what makes the Asheville area so vital, so intriguing and so, well, UTTERLY BLISSFUL!

From Rolf Potts' Vagabonding blog:

I've never been one of those uptight literary types who thinks that you have to have actually read a book in order to recommend it to others. So I feel no trepidation in suggesting Eric Weiner's new travelogue-slash-memoir The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World The premise of the book is simple but intriguing-- here is Amazon's description:

Part foreign affairs discourse, part humor, and part twisted self-help guide, The Geography of Bliss takes the reader from America to Iceland to India in search of happiness, or, in the crabby author's case, moments of "un-unhappiness." The book uses a beguiling mixture of travel, psychology, science and humor to investigate not what happiness is, but where it is. Are people in Switzerland happier because it is the most democratic country in the world? Do citizens of Singapore benefit psychologically by having their options limited by the government? Is the King of Bhutan a visionary for his initiative to calculate Gross National Happiness? Why is Asheville, North Carolina so damn happy? With engaging wit and surprising insights, Eric Weiner answers those questions and many others, offering travelers of all moods some interesting new ideas for sunnier destinations and dispositions.

In the imaginary Netflix queue of books-that-I'm-planning-to-read, this one has just jumped to the top. By the way, why has no one started a Netflix for books? This question, and many more, I'll leave for another day.

Large, Elegant Indoor Meeting Spaces

Blue Spiral 1 Gallery
"... elegant and spacious surroundings. The 15,500-square-foot gallery spans three floors connected by an open stairway... see a virtual tour.... Gallery rental information. In addition to renting the entire gallery, a small conference room can be rented by the hour or day, and the adjacent Fine Arts Theatre can also be rented. Located on Biltmore Avenue in the heart of downtown Asheville.

Coleman Place
"..With 5000 square feet of space, the contemporary open floor design lends itself to boundless event layouts. The space can accommodate groups large and small, from modest gatherings to sizeable private parties, intimate ceremonies to lavish weddings, and business meetings and seminars of all sizes. Coleman Place is easily accessible from I-26, 1-240 and 19/23, and is in walking distance to Downtown Asheville, yet has abundant parking. The event space rents by the hour; the hourly rate varies according to the date. Rental items such as tables, chairs, linens, china, silverware and glassware are priced individually and separately from the building rate. Coleman Place is comfortable seating up to 250 guests for dinner, or up to 350 with cocktail seating...."

Gamekeeper Restaurant and Bar
"... specializes in modern mountain comfort food. featuring fresh meats, fish, game and locally grown seasonal produce. Many dishes are grilled over a hickory wood fire and we always have vegetarian selections. The Gamekeeper has all ABC permits and an eclectic wine list. The restaurant is located in a rustic stone building with beautiful views, cozy fireplace and outdoor dining in season. We have a private party room perfect for rehearsal dinners and the whole restaurant is available for wedding receptions...."

"I've been fortunate enough to dine at The Gamekeeper. Trust me, it's worth maneuvering a few curves to get here." Katherine Touchstone Dickson, All About Women Magazine

"Over the past seven years, the restaurant has come to be known not only for it's game dishes - ostrich, buffalo, pheasant, venison - but also for an eclectic mix of traditional Southern and funky nouveau, with hints of Asian and a focus on locally and organically grown produce." Our State Magazine

"On Broadway"
"This 6000 square foot event space built in the 1920’s has beautiful hardwood floors, oriental rugs, tin ceilings, antique furnishings, banquet tables, and wooden chairs for up to 225 guests. The building is available to rent for wedding ceremonies and receptions, parties, holiday gatherings, business seminars, and other special event occasions.

• Beer and wine permits on premise
• Special event liquor permits can be arranged
• Secured parking for up to 100 vehicles
• Full kitchen facility on site (This is the in-house facility for Celine & Company, caterers )

Located at 49 Broadway Avenue in the heart of downtown Asheville.

Pack Place Education, Arts & Science Center
".... is the place for special events. From black tie to blue jeans, an event is as memorable as the place where it is held. When your event begins at Pack Place, it's special from the moment your guests receive their invitations...."

Windows on the Park Special Event and Meeting Space.
"... We can help you create unique, custom designed group activities. For example: Wine Dinners, Comedy Shows, Cooking Classes, Bridge Parties, and Themed Dance Nights.... Great for out-of-town groups or local organizations looking for a little something different to do on their regular meeting night... whether it's a dinner party or a corporate lunch meeting, a southern brunch or a themed cocktail party, a fun rehearsal dinner or a formal wedding and reception, our dedication to the highest level of service, quality and professionalism will make your special event a success...." Located at the I. M. Pei-designed Biltmore Building at 1 North Pack Square in downtown Asheville.

Indoor Meeting and Banquet Facilities with Accommodations

Pisgah Inn - The Peak of the Parkway
"From our 5,000 foot elevation at Mt. Pisgah, marvel at the forest-clad mountain peaks, the mist filled coves, and the slopes of fragrant balsams, rhododendrons, mountain laurel and flame azalea. Hike the many trails through a virgin land where deer, bear and other forest creatures play. The vista from your private porch or our dining room affords today's modern man a feeling of quiet peace and reawakening to the delicate beauty that is our unspoiled land.... has a room available for reunions, retreats, banquets and meetings. It will accommodate up to 70 people for a "sit down" type dinner..." Once the site of George Vanderbilt's hunting lodge, his is a wonderful location right on the Blue Ridge Parkway at 5,000 feet and an easy drive from Asheville. Open April thru October.

Intimate Private Events Meeting Venues and Banquet Facilities

The Gallery at Cafe on the Square
" ... can accomodate up to 49 guests and is ideal for business luncheons and dinners, birthday parties, wedding rehearsal dinners, and other social gatherings. Special group rates for tour groups. Rental of the entire restaurant for exclusive events is available for groups larger than 125 during the 'high season' and for 90+ during the 'low season'."

Grove Arcade
"... A private conference room is available with reduced rates for not-for-profits..."

Old Europe's Z Lounge
"...With a full bar, fabulous menu selection, and music or entertainment to fulfill your needs. Be the first to book your party at the hottest new nightclub in town.. for Holiday Celebrations, Birthday, Anniversaries, Office and Corporate events, Bachelor/ Bachelorette parties...and more..."

Tressa's Downtown Jazz and Blues
"... Throughout the year, Tressa's hosts many special events, benefits, art openings and holiday celebrations. In addition to providing more fun and entertainment for our community, several of these events raise money for community-based charities and services....Both bars are available for private & semi-private parties and special events!...."

Zambra
"... As Asheville's first and only Spanish Tapas Bar and Restaurant, guests will enjoy our casual, lively atmosphere.... Plan your next party at Zambra. Our semi-private dining spaces offer a variety of options for any social or corporate event. Our semi-private rooms offer space for groups from 8 to 20 people and are ideal location for showers, corporate dinners, and meetings. The entire restaurant or portions of it can be used for larger private events, allowing groups of up to 125 to be accommodated. Closed to the public for lunch, Zambra is also the perfect alternative to host your next corporate or social daytime event. The private dining areas reflect the warmth and energy of the restaurant ...CUISINE: Traditional Spanish and North African cuisine, with a creative twist, together with our wonderful selection of Spanish and Portuguese wines and sherries. Zambra is the perfect selection for your gathering. Custom designed menus are a specialty at Zambra for every client. There are two menus to choose from and arrangements for a hosted bar can also be made in advance...."

Free and Reasonable Meeting Rooms and Spaces in Asheville

Back Room at the Flat Rock Wine Shop
"... can be rented for private parties, corportate gatherings, or any special occasion...." Located in Flat Rock, NC.

Black Mountain Center for the Arts
Located in the renovated Old City Hall at 225 West State Street in historic downtown Black Mountain.
SPACE IS AVAILABLE FOR RENT: The Black Mountain Center for the Arts provides a unique and beautiful backdrop for meetings, dinners, workshops and events. The warmth of the wonderfully restored old City Hall, combined with the fine arts environment, creates a truly aesthetic and comfortable setting. All floors open to balconies and are accessible by elevator. The Main Floor and Upper Floor rooms are available to rent on a sliding fee scale based on community, private, and corporate group usage as well as number of hours needed.

Crystal Visions Event Spaces
"...Our event spaces at Crystal Visions are held sacred.  Classes, presentations, and gatherings are in alignment with the upliftment of humankind, the planet and the Universe.Event space is available in The Sanctuary, The Green Room, and The Garden, Pavilion, Fire Circle and Medicine Wheel and rental rates are very reasonable.  We are discerning about use of our sacred spaces -- “like-minded” programs and services are welcome.  This space is smoke-free and alcohol-free...."

Charlotte Street Grill and Pub
Has a free of charge meeting room that accommodates up to 36 with party packages starting at $16 a head.

ClimbMax Climbing Center
"... We provide a variety of services for our group activities. Birthday parties, youth groups, cororate groups and scout activities are very popular for us. Group visits generally last for 2 hours ... We have a great PARTY ROOM where a host can celebrate. Climbers can work up quite an appetite, so we offer PIZZA at a discounted rate from a local pizza company and we have plenty of refreshing beverages to choose from...." Located on Wall Street in Downtown Asheville

Enota Mountain Retreat Center
"We host full retreat packages that include meals, indoor meeting room space, outdoor covered pavilion meeting space and a variety of accommodations for conferences, corporate events, workshops, seminars and retreats of all kinds..."

Handmade In America
Conference Rooms South Lexington Avenue in Downtown Asheville

Lomo Grill
"... We can accommodate large & small parties, packaged catering and good old fashioned boxed lunches to go...."

Lotus Lodge
"... a beautiful space for your classes, meetings, ceremonies and other special events. ... a small retreat/learning center... "

Namaste Yoga & Healing Center
".... in beautiful downtown Asheville, North Carolina surrounded by the ancient Blue Ridge Mountains. Namaste (Na-ma-stay) is a Sanskrit word meaning The Divine Within Me Honors and Respects the Divine Within You. This center was created for those who seek the true essence of themselves and wish to surround themselves in a like minded community. From the moment you walk into the door all your stresses are gently washed away by the sound of water, soft music, fresh flowers, subtle incense and warm candle light.  The Zen and spa like environment helps bring you back to balance and harmony.,,," Several spaces are available for rent, from large 850 square foot rooms to small consulting office space and healing space.
As added value for space rental Namaste provides targeted marketing which includes the following:
•  Cutting edge E-Newsletter which we promote events, workshops, and special guests to our 3,000+ email list of opt in subscribers that have attended classes, workshops and events at Namaste in the past. Promotion includes jpeg image, bio, description and hotlink to your website
• Inclusion on our highly visible website until the day of your event
• Inclusion on our monthly schedule of classes and events which we print over 500 per month
• We will post flyers that you provide throughout our high traffic center
• For out of town workshop leaders we can flyer around town for a nominal fee.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville
".... has always valued the opportunity to make its facilities available to non-members and community groups when our busy Church calendar allows, and according to our church policies...." This use includes weddings. At One Edwin Place (just off of Charlotte Street) Directions

Tressa's Downtown Jazz and Blues
Has two great party venues... downstairs and up. "... we want to be your favorite place to relax! Now in our 7th year, we continue to offer the city's best selection of fine spirits such as single malt scotches, small batch bourbons, estate rums, and sipping Tequilas; as well as their famous martinis, light fare menu, and fine cigars."

West End Bakery and Cafe
Meeting Room holds 20 people and is free if you purchase food or beverages.