The Orange Peel

101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, USA

Address:	101 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, USA
Phone:	+1 828-398-1837
Site:	theorangepeel.net
Rating:	4.4

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 5

Stephanie Ryan

I hate to say this because I used to love the orange peel. I would drive up from where I live about 3 hours away just to attend shows there. But recently, the place has gone WAY downhill. The staff there is AWFUL. The woman in the box office with the purple hair treats people like a nuisance (tried waving me away multiple times like a fly) and the guy who checks IDs (long hair, ponytail, and gauges) is literally the RUDEST person I have ever met. He stared me down for a few minutes before he finally became convinced my ID was not fake. Then he refused to let us in because he claims he saw my boyfriend "drink" my beer. (And may I add in that not only did he never take a single sip from my beer, but he only held it for a split second as a favor for me DIRECTLY in front of the guy so I could pull my ID out.) My boyfriend is 19 and I am 21. There wasnt a problem with him holding it for the literal one second period until AFTER the guy decided to check my ID (at which point the beer was back in my hands and obviously mine). Multiple witnesses around us (who did not know us and were also just standing in line) all stated that the guys claim was false and argued with us against this claim. But the guy grabbed our tickets and pushed us away. I WILL NEVER GO BACK. Luckily though, a member of the bands tech crew saw us outside the venue and struck up a conversation about what happened. Soon followed a few members of the band. Not only did THEY apologize for something that wasnt their fault, but the band themselves also disputed the issue with the venue and then gave us tickets to their next show in Charlotte. After talking with workers in shops around the venue, my boyfriend and I realized that what had happened to us was not entirely uncommon and agreed that the employees there were some of the worst in the area. Not only have they lost my business, but they have also lost some other faithful customers as well. Multiple people in the line have decided not to go back. Stay away. The band was completely worth the price we paid (and did not get back) for those tickets even though we did not get to see them play. But that venue? I wouldnt even pay a penny to set foot near there again.

Chad Theodore

My Girlfriend and I went to see RJD2 and where happy to find parking at the nearby Hardware store,(which was within 20 of the entrance). We where quickly let in and wished a great evening by the Staff. Once she and I where in the building,we where pleased to see posters of alot of the other bands that have showcased here along with their autographs. The bar was very generous with the beer,the bartender always filled the cup to the very top. I couldnt however,get over the smell of the countertop which smelled like it had been wiped down with a sour rag time and time again. This smell stuck with me the rest of the evening. On a positive note though,the show was great and the sound was loud and clear but not to the point that it sounded distorted and made you wish you where never born. I really liked the fact that at the end of the bar beside the stage,there is an elevated area that is roped off with some tables and chairs that you can opt to pay $5 a head and get away from the crowds and the "bound to happen" beer spill. I shelled out the $10 for the both of us and then enjoyed the rest of the show at a better vantage point and in an area that offered much better views of the show at hand. In addition, the previous artists would frequent this area and be within arms reach of you, so it lends for a great Photo/autograph opp. Needless to say, I will be coming back to this venue again and I recommend it to anyone who is interested in get alot more "up close and personal" with there favorite artist(s). 4 out of 5 stars due to the fact the bar stunk badly. ***The fact the place is Non-Smoking is a ginourmous plus!!!***

Critikal Beats/Beatz

Great venue. They book great artists of all genre, such as B.O.B, Mac Miller, We Came As Romans, and Ice Cube, to name a few. I would give a higher rating but the staff is terrible. They have no control and dont really try to control the drunk fans. Also if you go see an artist or band that openly sings/raps about marijuana they will do their best to not allow fans to smoke on the property, not saying that is bad, but if your are not one of those people they will still bully and harass you about them knowing that they saw you smoke. I was there with my fiance enjoying some B.O.B and we had decent standing view and some short guy comes to us and pulls us away to the entrance and searches me saying he saw me smoke weed, and I told him I dont smoke because, for one I was in high school and played sports and JROTC, and after protest he demanded a search, so I emptied my pockets and to his surprise all I had was my truck keys, wallet, and cell phone. For the reason of the horrible staff I will not go back, unless Its an artist that I cant go see in Charlotte or Atlanta. So unless you really love the band or artist DO NOT waste your time or money at the venue.

A Private User

Asheville is quite fortunate to have the Orange Peel; they are able to book big groups like Smashing Pumpkins and Bob Dylan, but they also bring in great local and regional acts like Laura Reed and Deep Pocket and Toubab Krewe. There is no indoor smoking which is great, but it also means that intermission the front area is a madhouse with bouncers stopping people from taking their beer on the street and people in a hurry to get some nicotine in before the band returns. They have a bar the length of the dancing area, and it is always a task to get to it. The prices are high, and the cups arent that tall. Due to the great shows, it is almost always crowded. Combine dense crowds of buzzed people with full plastic beer cups, and you are guaranteed to have beer spilled on you or to spill on someone else (most likely both); all that spilled beer contributes to a very gross and sticky floor. However, the bathrooms are usually in good shape. There is no way to purchase tickets for an Orange Peel show without paying a service charge (unless you can purchase from the band possibly).

Carlie Krag

Ive been to plenty of shows at the Orange Peel and I always have a great time. This review is for the staff more than the venue itself. I went to see Arcs play last night and per the norm it was a full house. With so many people and little air movement inside (paired with dehydration), I became very light headed, on the verge of passing out. Once I made it to the bar, one of the bar tenders, Justin, realized immediately I was about to pass out. He stopped what he was doing, grabbed me a cold bottle of water and helped walk me to the stairwell to get some air and sit down. He proceeded to get me a wet cold cloth to put on my neck and did not make it seem like any trouble. For my duration in the stairwell several members of the staff checked on me to make sure I was okay and got me another cold wet cloth. WOW. I am so impressed and thankful for the Orange Peel staff for going out of their way to make sure I was okay. Thank you, Justin, for quickly realizing I was not well and taking action. Not only is Orange Peel a great venue but their staff is awesome!!