Barley's was my final stop in Asheville. I never made it upstairs, so I didn't see the full scope of the selection. Downstairs is a large dining room with a long bar along one side closer to the back.

The big thing here is local. Local North Carolina beer on more than half of the taps. When I walked in, the place was packed, but it emptied quickly for a show down the road.

Service seemed kind of indifferent. I got my first pint in short order, but then, the bartender vanished with the patrons. If I'm in a packed pub and I have to flag down a drink, I understand, but when there are only two people at the bar it's a different story. (I'd definitely give them another shot though)

reviewed on: 2010-02-19 20:00:44

Stopped in here twice this past week. The first time was with wife and kids to order just appitezers since we had lunch a few hrs before. We ordered the nachos, garlic knots and fiddle sticks. The fiddle sticks were great and loved by all and I would go back for them. Garlic knots were good as well, nachos were well just plain nachos nothing special.
Beer list was extensive and all drafts were local and that what I wanted to see, so I tried a few locals and was disappointed with one but happy with the others.
When I went back it was again just for beer and by myself again tried more local beers. I would certainly head back when in Asheville especially since my wife and kids were okay with it and it has good selection of local craft beers.

reviewed on: 2009-08-09 18:48:48

Barley's is a fixture in Asheville. The food is always good, but rarely excellent. On this visit the pizza was very good. The best thing about Barley's is the beer. The draft listing is extensive and if you go don't forget to venture upstairs for even more drafts. The upstairs allows smoking so be prepared for the odor when you go.

The staff is always attentive, but I've been run out when you purchase at the bar and then try to grab a seat, so be sure to order with the waitstaff if you plan to sit in the dining room.

I'll keep coming back, why not?

reviewed on: 2008-02-19 09:32:56

If I were a tap room, I'd be Barley's. I'd be in a characterful town like Asheville. I'd have over 40 taps. And I'd have a heavy emphasis on local beer.

Barley's is all that. Multiple taps for each of the several Asheville and North Carolina breweries. That's commitment tough to come by when there are so many great beers available. There's around 20 taps at both the upstairs and downstairs bars. The upstairs houses pool tables and dart boards. The staff seems well informed, though I've never tried to pick their brains too hard. They've always treated me well. I'll admit to having never eaten here, so I can't comment on the food.

I apologize for not being able to comment on the optional attributes, as I'm not a local and just can't remember those details. I just remember a good place to enjoy a great beer.