Word on the street: Top of the Monk set to open in downtown Asheville in September

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Word on the street is that a speakeasy style bar is set to open the first weekend of September above the Thirsty Monk Belgian beer bar in downtown Asheville. The bar has been talked about for months and was originally going to be called Nuns on Top, a play off the Thirty Monk name. Backlash ensued. The new name of the bar is Top of the Monk.

If you haven’t noticed, the Thirsty Monk is kicking some ass. Earlier this week, owner Barry Bialik announced he was opening a Thirsty Monk North in Reynolds Village. He’s already got Thirsty Monk South in Gerber Village off Hendersonville Road, and he’s building a new restaurant/bar/brewery in Biltmore Park.

Now comes Top of the Monk, a warm and inviting space with a speakeasy feel. There will be cool touches. For example, the bar will feature a bank of old post office boxes. You know, the kind with brass doors that you need a key to open. Here’s the deal – you order an appetizer and receive a key and box number. You’ll go get your pre-packaged appetizer out of the PO Box.

There’s also a door that opens from the bar to a rooftop patio with a sweet view of the mountains to the south and west. Can’t wait to see this place open.

8 Comments

North Asheville August 20, 2013 - 8:21 am

I always get Lusty Monk and Thirsty Monk mixed up. Does Thirsty Monk in fact serve Lusty Monk?

Jason Sandford August 20, 2013 - 8:37 am

you know, i think so, but i’m not sure…

Shorty August 18, 2013 - 9:31 am

Per-packaged appetizers sound delicious. Will there be a microwave on the bar so we can just heat and eat?

Laura August 18, 2013 - 7:52 pm

Ugh……and this is in Asheville? All the AIR’s will die when they read that.

Tyler J. McCall (@tylerjmccall) August 17, 2013 - 2:27 pm

Thirsty Monk South is in Gerber Village, boo.

And yay Top of the Monk!

Jason Sandford August 18, 2013 - 1:24 pm

Thanks for the correction!

eemilla August 17, 2013 - 2:19 pm

Monk South is in Gerber Village and eventually Biltmore Park.

Jason Sandford August 18, 2013 - 1:25 pm

Got it. Thank you!

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