Root Bar celebrates 10th anniversary, Dec. 13

From a press release:

Root Bar celebrates 10th anniversary, Dec. 13

On December 13th, The Root Bar, located in East Asheville will celebrate the simple fact that they have made it work for 10 years. With an impressive music lineup, some hot comfort food, and what will most likely be chilly December ‘Extreme!’ Root Ball conditions, the small neighborhood dive bar hopes to tempt some of their favorite customers, both old and new, out for a party.

“Our biggest objective when planning this party was to see as many familiar faces from the last 10 years as possible,” said owner Terri Fisher. “We wanted to throw a party to celebrate our work familys’ accomplishments, and see our old friends.”

If you haven’t been to the Root Bar lately or you think you may have been there once, very late at night, let me help jog your memory. It’s the bar that has a back yard full of sand, where they play a horse-shoe like game called Rootball. It sits right off the exit in what is now a bright blue brick building, at 1410 Tunnel Rd in East Asheville. Not the part of Tunnel close to the mall, but the part that touches exit 55 off of interstate 40.

“People come in all the time and say they must’ve driven by 100 times and never stopped, but they’re glad they finally did,” said manager Zach Speakes. “We know we fly a bit under the radar, and from the outside we look a little rough. But we like it that way. And we like rewarding people’s curiosity by being one of the most friendly and welcoming bars in town.”

The bar was first opened in 2004 by the mysterious Max Chain, the inventor of Rootball. The bar and game quickly gained a cult following. In 2007 Chain sold the bar to current owner, Terri Fisher, who built on Chain’s original vision; expanding the beverage menu and inviting a broad range of local and national musicians to perform. More importantly, Fisher recognized the bar’s value within the community.

“I think our little slice of Asheville gets overlooked sometimes, but we’re committed to it” said Fisher. “I truly believe bars are a place people need to have in their neighborhoods. When you share a home or workplace with other (people) you need to be able to go somewhere close by and cool off, or lighten up. I can honestly say that my favorite part about my job is knowing so much about my customers’ lives, not because I’m nosey, but because they want to share with me.”

The music lineup for the party will include the local all-girl group Sweet Claudette as well as Holy Ghost Tent Revival. Music is scheduled to begin around 6pm so that locals who still want to go downtown for the Christmas Jam can make it to both. The Asheville City Bus line runs every hour until Midnight from the Root Bar to the Coxe Avenue station, via the 170 line. Customers are welcome to leave their cars securely locked in the bar parking lot over night.

If your one of those unfortunates who moved away from East Asheville within the last decade and haven’t seen the inside of the Root Bar in years, you’re in for a few changes. Like any good dive bar there are memories and tschotskes scattered on the walls, but the old carpet has been removed, and there is at least one new coat of paint on each of the walls. The outside area, originally only used for Rootball has been opened up in a few different phases to allow for more outside lounging and Rootball spectating.

“Although we joke about it sometimes, I think Ashevilleans realize we live in a special place,” says Speakes. “The beautiful surroundings, the thriving beer and music cultures, it’s unique. And I think the bar reflects that. It doesn’t get any more unique than the Root Bar!”

If you can’t make it to the party, the Root Bar is open 7 days a week from 3pm until 2am. They offer a large selection of domestic, imported, and Local craft beer, as well as spirits. And although they don’t serve food on premises, Rosa’s Taqueria Truck is usually serving delicious Mexican specialties in the parking lot.