From the family that brought the flavors of Spain to Asheville comes a new nightclub – Nightbell – in the city’s historic downtown. Located at 32 South Lexington Avenue in a 1920 brick-walled warehouse, Nightbell features new twists on familiar American bar food, craft cocktails, and Indie-tronic music.
Photo Credit: Evan Sung
“The name Nightbell is a look back to Prohibition days when customers rang the nightbell for service at their local speakeasy,” Chef Katie Button said. “Our nightbell is more of a mischievous, fun-loving muse who inspires us to create a place where guests can relax, eat delicious food, sip creative cocktails, and dance into the early hours of the morning.”
The nightclub’s menu blends Chef Button’s talents with those of her husband Felix Meana – both alumni of Spain’s legendary elBulli restaurant – with impressive results. Grilled cheese, chicken wings, deviled eggs, and hush puppies take on savory nuances at the hands of Chef Button and her team while Meana’s list of cocktails, fine European wines, liquors and beers complements the food and encourages guests to expand their beverage horizons.
Photo Credit: Evan Sung
“We gave a lot of thought to beverages and that’s reflected in the selections we offer at the main bar and three bar stations,” Meana said. “I’m particularly proud of the “strictly ours” cocktails, like Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, South Lexington Swizzle, and Cold Roses that are exclusive to Nightbell.”
Evidence of the Nightbell muse can also be seen in the nightclub’s whimsical décor. Button credits her mother, Elizabeth, with designing a 2,500 square foot floor plan that compliments the vintage storefront entrance, original brick walls and hard wood floors with peacock colors, comfortable furniture in cozy groupings, a blue banquette and glistening turquoise chandeliers over a 24-foot long bar to create a contemporary ambiance.
Nightbell and Curate are part of the Heirloom Hospitality Group, a family-owned restaurant team founded in 2008 that is nationally recognized for providing exceptional hospitality and award-winning cuisine. Under the culinary management of Chef Katie Button and her husband Felix Meana, creative director for beverage programs and service excellence, the company’s restaurants have received coverage in The New York Times, Garden & Gun, Food & Wine Magazine, Food Arts, GQ and the Robb Report, where Button was the Culinary Master competition winner. Joining Button and Meana are her mother, Elizabeth Button, general operations director; and her father Ted Button, financial director.
Heirloom Hospitality Group holds a three-star Green Restaurant certification and is a Living Wage employer. In addition to working closely with area farmers and the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project (ASAP) to promote the use of locally-grown meat and produce, Heirloom Hospitality Group is a leader in Chefs at Welcome Table, a program that brings restaurant-quality food to a local church providing nutritious meals to families and individuals in need.
To learn more about Nightbell, its menu and the people behind it, visit www.thenightbell.com.