SOLD: The Burger Bar on Craven Street to Asheville bartenders Adams, King

An old West Asheville dive bar is getting some new life. Two well-known Asheville bartenders – Celeste Adams and Chris King – have purchased the Burger Bar on Craven Street and are fixing it up a bit. The bar sits across the street from the new construction on New Belgium Brewing’s new $175 million East Coast brewery.

The new owners, along with family and friends, spent Saturday ripping out old equipment, painting and generally airing out the bar. Adams said she’s been talking with the former owner about buying the bar for quite awhile, with the current owner of 28 years finally decided to sell. The transaction was finalized on Friday, said Adams.

The bar is Asheville’s oldest bar, having opened in 1960, according to Adams, who said she lives nearby and has been a regular patron. The plan is to keep the Burger Bar name and keep it a simple bar. Adams said she plans to sell liquor, as well, and keep the old pool table. (Look for food trucks in the parking lot, because there is no kitchen.)

Adams said she wanted to buy the business now before developers got their hands on the property and did something else with it.

Adams is well-known on the Asheville scene, having bartended at numerous bars around town. She’s currently working at Double Crown on Haywood Road in West Asheville. King has been bartending at The Vault for the past six years.