Quick Summary

• Daytime is the best window for all ages outings like scenic drives, downtown walks, and local history.
• Off The Wagon is a 21+ venue, so the evening show is for family members of legal drinking age.
• The all-request sing-along format covers decades of radio hits, giving every generation songs to sing.
• There is no kitchen on site, but outside food is welcome (outside beverages are not).
• Seating is first come, first served, so arrive early with a big group.
• Check our FAQ and social media for holiday weekend hours.

Planning Thanksgiving Week With Visiting Family

Hosting family for the holiday means balancing different energy levels, interests, and ages. A good plan gives everyone something to look forward to without packing every minute of the day.

One approach works especially well for multigenerational groups. Keep daytime activities open to everyone, then give the adults a night out after the meal. Splitting the day this way lets younger relatives wind down while older family members enjoy live entertainment downtown.

Daytime Family Entertainment for All Ages

Get Outside Before the Big Meal

A morning outdoors is a great way to get everyone moving before (or after) a long day at the table. Our guide to leaf peeping explains how elevation, weather, and timing affect fall color, so check it before you plan a scenic drive late in the season.

Walk Off Dinner Downtown

Downtown is a comfortable place to stroll after a holiday meal. Off The Wagon sits on North Market Street, the last brick-paved road in the city, inside a historic building that once housed the Asheville Chamber of Commerce.

Nearby landmarks include the Thomas Wolfe Memorial, Asheville Community Theatre, and The Venue. A slow loop through the area makes an easy afternoon for relatives of every age and pace.

Plan Dinner Around Your Group

Big families rarely agree on one restaurant, and that is fine. Because Off The Wagon does not have a kitchen, guests are welcome to bring in food from nearby restaurants or have something delivered. That flexibility makes it easy to grab takeout and head straight to the show with the adults in your group.

Evening Entertainment for the Adults in Your Group

Off The Wagon is a dueling piano bar for guests 21 and older. According to the FAQ, there are no exceptions unless it is a private event and the bar is closed to the public. That makes the evening show a natural fit for grandparents, parents, aunts, uncles, and grown children, while younger relatives enjoy a quieter night in.

The show itself is live, high-energy, and all-request with no set list. Our entertainers play pianos, drums, guitars, and keytars, and they work comedy bits into the night, so you never know exactly what will happen next.

Thursday through Saturday brings the full dueling piano show. Sunday through Wednesday is a single-piano show, a more intimate night with extra personal interaction between the entertainer and the audience.

A Note on the Humor

The entertainers poke fun at everyone and everything, including themselves, the songs, and the audience. They do try to steer away from politics and religion. For families who would rather keep those topics off the Thanksgiving table, that is a welcome bonus.

Why a Sing-Along Show Works Across Generations

The repertoire focuses on upbeat, popular radio hits from the last 60+ years. These are songs the entire audience can sing along to, which is exactly what you want when three generations share a table.

The entertainers skip jazz standards, classical pieces, Broadway songs, and most sad ballads to keep the mood fun. Here are the kinds of requests that bring each generation into the chorus:

• Grandparents often reach for the classics, like The Beatles.
• Parents tend to request 80s and 90s anthems from artists such as Journey and Bon Jovi.
• Younger adults bring current hits from artists like Taylor Swift and Bruno Mars.

The best moments happen when one person's request turns into a whole-room singalong, like a crowd belting Taylor Swift's "Love Story."

How to Request a Song

Song requests drive every show, and there are two ways to make them:

1. Scan the QR code at your table. It opens a website where you can request a song, see where it sits in the queue, and send your tip right from your phone. The system runs on the rqstly app, developed by one of our own entertainers.
2. Fill out a request slip. Ask for a request pack and pen when you arrive, or check your table. Extra slips are at the whiskey barrel near the host stand. Bring your slip to the stage with a tip.

Request slips also let you put shoutouts on the big screens, write messages on the mirrors, or get someone called up on stage. Songs are played in order of tip generosity, so a crowded night may mean a wait. If the entertainers do not know your song, they will announce it so you can get your money back or swap it for another request.

Making It a Group-Friendly Night Out

Off The Wagon uses community tables arranged in long rows to encourage interaction with the show, the entertainers, and other guests. For a big family, that layout makes it easy to sit together and meet a few new friends along the way.

Before the night wraps up, gather everyone at our selfie station for a family photo you will actually want to frame.

Keep these practical tips in mind before you go:

• Bring ID. Every guest must be 21 or older.
• Arrive early. Seating is first come, first served, and paying the weekend cover guarantees entry, not a seat.
• Ask about large groups. The bar defines a large group as around 20 or more and will do its best to accommodate you.
• Check the drinks. Browse the drink list ahead of time. Non-alcoholic selections are available for designated drivers.
• Look for perks. Military members and first responders with ID get in free on weekends, college students with ID get a discount on Friday nights, and Haunted Asheville tour guests get free admission with their email confirmation.
• Plan parking. Nearby lots are available to guests in the evening; grab a parking pass on weekends to avoid being towed.

History fans should check out the Heritage Wall, which honors local citizens and their contributions to the Armed Forces at this veteran-owned business. Ask staff about Frank, the friendly resident ghost.

What's Open Thanksgiving Weekend

Off The Wagon has a reputation for staying open through nearly anything, from snowstorms to Tropical Storm Helene. Holiday weekend schedules can still shift, so check the FAQ and our Facebook, Instagram, or X accounts for current hours before you head downtown.

For other attractions, confirm hours directly with each venue, since many adjust their schedules during the holiday. Adults who want to explore more nightlife after the show can browse our roundup of the best bars of downtown Asheville or visit our nightlife page.

Sample Thanksgiving Weekend Itinerary

Here is one way to combine everything into a single day with visiting family:

1. Morning: Head outdoors for a scenic drive or walk using our leaf peeping tips.
2. Afternoon: Stroll downtown near Market Street and take in the historic architecture.
3. Dinner: Pick a restaurant or grab takeout, since outside food is welcome at the show.
4. Evening: Family members 21 and older head to Off The Wagon while younger relatives settle in.
5. Before You Leave: Snap a group photo at the selfie station and sign up for our newsletter for exclusive deals on your next visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can kids or teens come to Off The Wagon during Thanksgiving week?

No. Off The Wagon is open only to guests 21 and older, with no exceptions unless it is a private event and the bar is closed to the public.

Is Off The Wagon open Thanksgiving weekend?

Holiday schedules can change, so check the FAQ and our social media accounts for current hours before planning your night.

Does Off The Wagon serve food?

There is no kitchen on site, but you are welcome to bring food from nearby restaurants or have it delivered. Outside beverages are not allowed.

What kind of music will our family hear?

Expect upbeat, popular radio hits from the last 60+ years, all chosen by audience requests. The entertainers do not perform jazz standards, classical pieces, or Broadway songs.

Can we reserve seats for a large family group?

Seating is first come, first served, so arriving early is the best way to sit together. For groups of around 20 or more, reach out ahead of time and the bar will do its best to accommodate you.

Make Room for One More Tradition

Thanksgiving week is about time together, and the best plans give every generation something to enjoy. Spend the daylight hours outdoors and downtown with everyone, then let the adults close out the night singing their favorite songs side by side.

When you are ready to plan your visit, find directions to Off The Wagon and learn more about our story. We look forward to singing with your whole crew.