Peek inside West Asheville’s new Isis Restaurant and Music Hall

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Isis owner Scott Woody

Since owner Scott Woody is a banjo player and bluegrass musician (his band Blue Wheel Drive plays Westville Pub on August 16), rumors abound that the venue will feature bluegrass exclusively. But according to Woody that’s just not the case.

Woody and son Harris say the renovated Isis will feature a “pretty eclectic” selection of music shaped by the owners’ musical tastes.

Harris offers jam, rock, reggae and bluegrass–as well as comedy and theatre–as what might turn up at the family-owned venue.

The Isis creeps closer to opening, slowly renovated by Woody, his family and a handful of hired help, though the family won’t yet say when the doors will open.

The new West Asheville venue will begin its food offerings with dinner only and “maybe brunch on weekends,” according to Harris. And with high-dollar work going into a major renovation with all the trimmings, owners are taking the time to create good acoustics.

Isis bar and dining area

Harris said the family hopes to build a listening room meant to focus on sound and provide an alternative to the chatty din of other local venues.

Isis listening area

Here’s what to expect while we’re expecting:

  • heavy investment in good acoustics
  • a casual, farm-to-table menu
  • a wide variety of music and entertainment, from reggae to rock to bluegrass
  • 30 taps
  • two bars (one upstairs, one downstairs)
  • a downstairs dining area that can seat 48-52
  • food service starting with dinner, maybe brunch
  • outdoor seating on a raised patio
  • a downstairs listening room that can seat 150+
  • an intimate upstairs lounge area with wine, spirits, wi-fi and a piano

Isis patio area

Come on, Isis. Get that patio open while the weather’s still good.

Isis Restaurant and Music Hall on Facebook

743 Haywood Road in the former Pastabilities location

14 Comments

2012 music news in review: Moogfest vs. Mountain Oasis, 3 local Grammys, MMJ's Jim James loves Floating Action, more December 13, 2012 - 1:47 pm

[…] Isis Restaurant and Music Hall opens: West Asheville listening room creates big buzz […]

New music venue, The Mothlight, coming to Haywood Road in West Asheville November 28, 2012 - 12:00 pm

[…] The Mothlight would be the second new music venue for Haywood Road, following on the heels of The Isis, which is having a dance party tonight and will host its first music act next week.  Here’s the 411 on The Isis. […]

Claire Lynch to play The Isis on Dec. 7 November 12, 2012 - 12:58 pm

[…] More background on The Isis. […]

Unaffiliated August 12, 2012 - 5:52 am

‘farm to table’ … ok, of course – it’s westville, is there any other method of food delivery? let’s pick a new phrase people.

avltourista August 10, 2012 - 5:40 pm

if you ask for directions in asheville, someone will tell you, “it’s where **** used to be.” i moved here 4 years ago, and it still grinds my gears when i am told a former business. how about currently operating businesses the new place is across from, or next to…wouldn’t they be more helpful points of reference? “743 Haywood Road in the former Pastabilities location” awesome, that’s so asheville.

HA! August 10, 2012 - 12:59 am

Hey Jabob, ya got AVL pizza & brewing on Merrimon that shows cheap theater. You’ve got the Fine Arts theater, Cinebarre, Carolina, Regal, etc. Mini golf? Who the F plays mini golf anymore? That went out in the 80s.

Orbit DVD August 10, 2012 - 1:33 pm

Who plays mini golf? EVERYBODY!!!

Girly August 11, 2012 - 9:15 am

Oh, Pizza & Brewing has second run movies? I didn’t realize there could only be one in each city. Someone should tell all the breweries and frozen yogurt shops that they need to shut down – only one per city. A second run theater in WAvl would be awesome!

Jabob August 9, 2012 - 10:35 pm

its jaBob…i will be staying home…hoping that someone brings a cheap theatre and a mini golf that serves beer to wavl

Stig August 9, 2012 - 10:16 am

Looking forward to this place…great acoustics, hopefully great food…Hey Jacob, take off your girlfriend’s jeans and stay the hell at home, sorry the owners didn’t consult you first….

Orbit DVD August 9, 2012 - 8:48 am

Looks great. Hope they get that porch going soon.

bert August 9, 2012 - 8:32 am

yeah, i heard they were going to stick to the roots of what it used to be- but, i am still welcoming to a good venue in west asheville

Jabob August 9, 2012 - 6:52 am

it should have been a second run/ independent movie theatre…great another bar and music venue..asheville doesnt have any of those

Craig November 24, 2012 - 10:30 pm

Are you kidding me? West Asheville can absolutely use a nice music venue. This place is going to change Haywood.

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