5 Best Bars in The North Carolina Mountains, North Carolina

Part music venue, part burger joint, part nano-brewery, this Lumberyard Arts District destination serves as a hub of local culture. Bluegrass, blues, and soul bands play the intimate stage most nights. The pilsners, lagers, and barleywines at in-house Noblebräu Brewing are among the state's best.

Mountain Layers has a cozy bar on the first floor and a larger space on the second floor, plus a rooftop deck with nice views of the mountains. It serves its own ales, porters, and stouts, and there's often a food truck parked out back.

Six-packs of Boojum are ubiquitous in beer aisles across the region for good reason—they brew some of the state's most creative and flavorful ales. Their downtown taproom serves next-level pub grub, including vegetarian options like Korean BBQ maple-soy tempeh tacos. Downstairs, The Gem bar has pool tables and foosball, plus a weekly schedule of karaoke, trivia, and live music.

The large comfortable tasting room at Waynesville's original brewery shows off with exposed brick and natural wood accents. In warm weather, the outdoor seating by the creek draws a crowd. There's a busy schedule of live music and yoga classes.

Name your brewery Innovation and you'd better hold yourself to high standards. This Jackson County staple exceeds expectations with seasonal delights like a beet and basil saison. There are three locations—Innovation Station in Dillsboro, the original brewery in Sylva, and an outpost in Cullowhee. In Dillsboro, the Tuckasegee River runs directly under the porch, so sipping comes with a view. There's usually a food truck in the parking lot.