What Is Jack of the Wood Pub in Asheville, NC?

Updated

Jack of the Wood is a pub in downtown Asheville, North Carolina, established in 1997 and described as one of the area's oldest and coziest pubs. It combines three things under one roof: a whiskey selection, 18 rotating taps of local and international craft beer, and an award-winning menu of comfort food and elevated pub fare. It also functions as a live music venue, voted Asheville's #1 Bar for Live Music, with a weekly schedule of jams, string bands, and touring acts.

Food, Drink, and Atmosphere

The menu leans on pub classics and comfort food, with specific dishes named on the site including fish & chips, authentic Philly cheesesteaks, classic and vegetarian Reubens, and burgers. The drink program centers on whiskey and 18 rotating craft taps that mix local and international brews. The overall setting is positioned as a cozy, long-running gathering spot rather than a new or trendy venue — a distinction that matters if you're looking for somewhere with history and a regular crowd.

Live Music Schedule

Music is a core part of the identity here, and the weekly lineup is unusually structured. Recurring events include:

Day Event Time
Wednesday Old-Time Jam 5:00 PM
Thursday Drew Matulich's Bluegrass Jam (open jam follows) 7:00 PM, open jam 9:30 PM
Friday & Saturday Local & touring headline bands 9:00 PM
Saturday Nobody's Darling String Band 4:00–6:00 PM
Sunday The Bluegrass Boys 12:00–2:00 PM
Sunday Traditional Irish music sessions Afternoon & evening

Some shows carry a cover charge — a listed Friday event notes "$10 Cover At Door" — while jams and sessions are typically open formats. If a specific band matters to you, check the upcoming events listing before you go, since headline acts rotate.

Who It's For

This pub suits you if you want a downtown Asheville spot that pairs a full food menu with craft beer, whiskey, and live music in the same visit — especially if you're interested in old-time, bluegrass, or Irish traditional music rather than a generic bar playlist. It's less suited to someone seeking a quiet room, since the music schedule runs most days of the week.

Practical Notes

  • Location: Downtown Asheville, NC.
  • Gift cards: Available for purchase through the site, positioned as a gift for food, craft beer, and live music fans.
  • Best way to plan: Check the menus, hours, and upcoming music & events pages before visiting, since hours and the band lineup change.

The site does not list prices for food or drinks, so budget expectations aren't available from this source.