ASHEVILLE – A new cocktail lounge on Biltmore Avenue has brought good vibrations and craft libations to downtown Asheville.
Here’s what to know about Färməsē and its new sister food and beverage concept, Brü, which will open this year.
How to say Färməsē Cocktail Lounge
The name begins the tale of the new cocktail lounge.
Färməsē is pronounced “pharmacy” and refers to owners Justin and Layla Neuroth’s philosophy on nurturing the palate and soul.
A foamy cocktail welcomes patrons along the bar inside Färməsē Cocktail Lounge in downtown Asheville Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025.
The Greek and Latin terminology and translations of pharmacy led to the name “Färməsē.” Layla Neuroth told the Citizen Times that she felt inspired by its meanings of “to charm and enchant” and “magic, cure, potion, medicine.”
“We wanted to capture good medicine for the soul, and that’s more than just a drink,” she said.
Asheville’s underground speakeasy
Prohibition-era-style speakeasies have seen a resurgence in Asheville, and Färməsē is the latest to revive the spirit of the 1920s in below-ground hideaways.
Follow the stairs down to Färməsē, at 5 Biltmore Ave., and be transported to a place where classic meets contemporary. The exposed brick walls, natural wood bar and fixtures and warm Edison lights help set the clandestine atmosphere.
Drop in and join the dance party with beats by a local deejay on Fridays and Saturdays.
Follow Färməsē Asheville on social media for upcoming events. The calendar will evolve with more entertainment and guest experiences, like live music performances, social mixers, and chef-tasting events with beverage pairings.
What to order on the cocktail menu
Seasoned mixologist Layla Neuroth’s farm-to-table approaches, culinary experience and specialty cocktail-making techniques add a special splash to Färməsē’s cocktail and mocktail menu.
Her collection of freshly made syrups and shrubs and local ingredients elevate classic recipes like the Manhattan and Old Fashioned.
Classic cocktails cost $14, specialty cocktails cost $16, and mocktails cost $12.
Cocktails welcome patrons along the bar inside Färməsē Cocktail Lounge in downtown Asheville Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025.
The “citrusy” mocktail features yuzu juice, lavender simple syrup, lemon and honey soda. The “sultry” mocktail is made with prickly pear puree, thyme simple syrup and Amari zero-proof cocktail.
The smoked specialty cocktail features rum, pineapple-nutmeg shrub, and demerara syrup, and it is smoked with organic, dried Madagascar vanilla bean.
Craft beer, wine and snacks are available.
How to visit
Färməsē is open daily from 4-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
The cocktail lounge is for adults ages 21 and up.
Färməsē Cocktail Lounge in downtown Asheville Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025.
New restaurant: Brü
Färməsē’s owners have acquired the suite upstairs from Färməsē, formerly Dilbar, and will open a new food and beverage concept this spring.
Brü, a coffee and tap house, will also offer a menu of American classics with a twist, using a farm-to-table, locally sourced, and adaptogenic ingredient approach.
Brü will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner in a fast-casual, light, bright and vibrant environment. It will offer “exotic” coffees, handheld meals, and food-to-go.
Its hours of operation will be from 8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.
Färməsē Cocktail Lounge
Where: 5 Biltmore Ave., Asheville.
Hours: 4-11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday.
4 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
Info: For more, follow Färməsē Asheville on Facebook and @farmese_avl on Instagram.
Tiana Kennell is the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA Today Network. Tips, comments, questions? Email tkennell@citizentimes.com or follow @PrincessOfPage on Instagram/Bluesky.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Färməsē, Brü shaking up Biltmore Avenue cocktail, restaurant scene
