9 Best Theme Bars in North Carolina

Take your night out to the next level. When the weekend comes, skip the regular old bar your friends always go to. From Asheville pubs with London vibes to rustic log cabins in Boone, there’s many a unique bar experience to be had in North Carolina. Here are our favorites.  

Amazing Pubcycle, Asheville, NC

Amazing Pubcycle is a pedal powered vehicle where the drinks are served while the patrons make it go all around the streets of Asheville. How fun is that? 

Boxcar Bar & Arcade, Raleigh, NC

Enjoy drinks and pub food while playing arcade games at Boxcar Bar & Arcade. Named one of the best bars in Raleigh, the nostalgic décor and themed drinks make this a unique and exciting place to visit.

Jack of the Wood, Asheville, NC

You’ll feel like you’re in a pub in London instead of one in Asheville when you visit Jack of the Wood. It’s the kind of place the Beatles might have enjoyed had they come to Asheville in their 20s or 30s. The live music is always good. Sometimes it’s classic rock and other times it might be acoustic fiddlers. Every Monday night is open mic. The Irish cuisine is excellent and the beer selections rotate daily. Pickups and drop-offs are at the Aloft Hotel and the Renaissance Hotel. Call to make reservations.

Arcana, Durham, NC

Dubbed “Durham’s Underground Bar and Lounge,” Arcana Durham is a great place to eat and drink, but also to check out art, enjoy a tarot card reading, dance and more. There’s always something unique going on here, including musician’s residencies. Enjoy tunes from country to jazz and everything in between.

Coyote Joe’s, Charlotte, NC

You’ll feel like Nashville has come to North Carolina when you visit Coyote Joe’s. Live music from up and coming country artists is on tap Friday and Saturday nights. On Ladies’ Night, you can learn to line dance. Get tickets if you like the upcoming performers and ask about VIP seats. It’s not unusual for them to sell out, and that means you don’t get in to the bar.

The Cut, Sylva, NC

When the Cut opened in the 1920s, it was a barber shop. These days it’s a bar, but the glass cases and practically everything else that once adorned the barber shop is still in place. Sadly, you can no longer get a cut at the Cut. But you can get some tasty cocktails and plenty of beer.

Asheville Guitar Bar, Asheville, NC

Think of a hometown version of a Hard Rock Café, and you’ve imagined what it’s like inside Asheville Guitar Bar. The walls are covered in guitars, many of which were played by celebrities from near and far. The bar also has an impressive list of live musicians. The atmosphere is relaxed and fun, with the patron list comprised of locals and visitors alike.

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The Gamekeeper Restaurant and Bar, Boone, NC

The bar at the Gamekeeper is decorated with what was once live game. Lots of taxidermy is on displayed and the bar menu caters to carnivores. Dine on elk, bore, venison and more. Situated in a log cabin, the theme is rustic and there’s lots of testosterone inside.

Casablanca Cigar Bar, Asheville, NC

Even the ladies partake of Scotch and fine cigars at Casablanca Cigar Bar. In fact, it’s not unusual at all to find a bachelorette party having a grand time. And lest you expect to see the bar themed like the movie, you won’t. Casablanca, Morocco is where the bar’s owner was born and raised. The cigar selection is huge, and open to anyone who is old enough and can afford to buy one.

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