The Flat Iron Hotel, a Member of Design Hotels

We found the rooftop views from the bar the best in Asheville, and the service was friendly. There are three outdoor areas, but only one gets shade in the afternoon. The tables are packed close together, so we had to listen to lots of conversations, which we found annoying. We didn't stay long. If you're not old and grumpy like me, you'll enjoy it 😁

Flat Iron rooftop bar has three sections with different looks at the city and mountains, and the views are breathtaking. The cocktails are delicious, there's a wide range of expertly made drinks, and the light food goes well with them. It's a lovely place to take in the scenery. There's also an amazing speakeasy at the location. That hidden spot adds some intrigue and charm, making the whole experience feel like a little adventure. A must-visit for great drinks and views.

The views from this rooftop bar are stunning, and there’s a good range of drinks and food. I was on my own, but the welcoming staff and relaxed, friendly atmosphere made it easy to enjoy the place. It never felt pushy or tiring, which I appreciated as an introvert. Definitely worth a visit.

The bartenders were lovely, and the setting is gorgeous, but the drinks didn’t live up to the view. My husband’s Sirens Sunset sounded great on paper, with strawberries, bourbon, saffron, and Rosso aperitif. The staff said it leaned toward bourbon, but it came across bland, with no saffron that we could taste, mostly bourbon and strawberry mix, plus lots of ice. I ordered the tequila gimlet and asked to swap in mezcal. They did, but added $5, bringing it to $19. I don’t understand the upcharge, since Vida Mezcal and some other mezcals cost less than many tequilas. It was refreshing, and the cucumber garnish was huge, but the lime, cucumber, and salt drink mostly tasted like a fancy margarita, with little of mezcal’s usual smoke. I’d have been happy to pay $19 for something special. We chatted with one bartender in the elevator and had no service complaints. The place has been made upscale since its Sky Bar days, when locals used to come, but it felt a little sterile to me. We know the view comes at a premium. Maybe these were meant to be refreshing summer cocktails. We may come back in winter, try the classics like Manhattans and Old Fashioneds, and see how they do those. For now, three stars. One other thing: I’d tried to visit with a girlfriend the day before, but the bar was closed for a private party, and the website hadn’t mentioned it. She’d just finished work and we only had an hour, so we went elsewhere. At the door, a server at the host stand said, “oh my god, it’s a human, I didn’t expect a person to be standing there.” That confused me a bit since people normally walk in to the host stand, but it made me giggle.