Burger Bar

Please note, despite the name, they don't serve burgers or any restaurant food. They only have snacks. That aside, this is my favorite "dive bar". I'm an old punk rocker from the 80s and I've found a place I feel at home when I visit Asheville. The staff slings great drinks, but won't suffer fools kindly which has fostered a sold flow of regulars. So if you're a looky-loo who plans to start sh!t, move along my friend. If y'all visit in the afternoon and you're blessed to have Jax behind the bar, tip her well, bask in her warm smile and tell her Mindy sent ya.

Burger Bar is home to my favorite art installation of the season. Gritty and sweet, but never saccharine, this piece (I think it’s called “Public Restroom”??) explores themes as diverse and wide-ranging as economic insecurity and stratification of wealth, original sin, identity, and some chick named Linda. For me, it’s a Can’t Miss! The notable centerpiece of this installation is a portrait of a young woman with haunting eyes. Her spirit has unfortunately followed me home and cannot be eradicated from my apartment. I will say that she makes excellent egg salad sandwiches for a ghost, especially considering her age, which I assume is only six or seven years old. (She has declined to answer this and all other questions.) Whenever I have house guests, she throws my Siamese cat at them. This is upsetting for my Siamese cat and my house guests. I think it’s out of boredom rather than spite. Still, not ideal. In conclusion, the art installation at Burger Bar is a must see. I would urge anyone reading this to check it out, particularly because I think it’s likely this girl can only haunt one person at a time. I would like that person to stop being me. Look into her eyes and gaze upon their mysteries! Such as: Why do all her egg salad sandwiches include vinegar? And why does that taste so good? Did everyone in the 1880’s just put vinegar in their egg salad sandwiches? Why is her aim so accurate and her throwing arm so strong? Who hurt her? Was it a Siamese cat? Believe me, your time at Burger Bar will leave you with more questions than answers. And that’s a good thing - at least, it is if you like art that makes you think critically and/or being haunted by a poltergeist.

My friends and I had a fantastic time here. The bartender (Taylor I think) made mean drinks at breakneck speed with a cool demeanor matched by the ambience of the whole place. She made sure everyone had a great time. Burger Bar is everything a bar should be. Also, shout out to Compass, the best pup this side of the Mason-Dixon.