Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar is one of Asheville’s most distinctive places to enjoy Champagne, combining a Champagne bar, restaurant and bookstore inside the historic Grove Arcade in downtown Asheville. The concept brings together two things that rarely share the same space – a large collection of used and rare books and an extensive Champagne and wine program. Guests can browse the shelves, settle into one of the cozy seating areas and enjoy a glass of Champagne while surrounded by thousands of books.
The story of Battery Park Book Exchange began in 2009, when owner Thomas Wright opened the bookstore in Asheville’s historic Battery Park Hotel. The business later moved to the nearby Grove Arcade, where it has continued to develop its unusual combination of books, wine and food. The Champagne element was inspired by Wright’s wife’s love of sparkling wine and eventually became one of the defining features of the business.
Today, Battery Park Book Exchange has almost 20,000 used, rare and special-edition books spread across two floors. The collection covers a wide range of subjects, including American and Civil War history, art and design, classics and award-winning fiction. Visitors can browse the shelves while having a drink or dining, and the store also features rare books, first editions and signed copies. The business buys used books by appointment, with customers able to receive either payment or store credit that can be used toward books, food or drinks.
Champagne is one of the main reasons the venue has become known beyond Asheville’s book-loving community. Battery Park offers Champagne by both the glass and bottle, as well as Champagne flights that allow guests to taste several selections and discover different styles and producers. The bar also creates literary-themed sparkling cocktails, including drinks inspired by works such as The Great Gatsby and The Secret Garden. The broader drinks menu includes an extensive selection of still wines, cocktails, beer and non-alcoholic drinks.
The food menu is designed to work naturally with the drinks program. Cheese and charcuterie boards are among the signature choices and are particularly well suited to a bottle or flight of Champagne. The current menu also features dishes such as trout dip, house-made pimento cheese, hummus and other shareable plates, alongside seasonal lunch and dinner dishes. The kitchen emphasizes seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, and the menu includes a good selection of vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options. Sunday brunch is also available.
The setting is a major part of the experience. Inside, the bookstore has a warm, literary atmosphere with dark red walls, comfortable seating, old books and intimate corners where guests can linger over a drink. There is also outdoor patio seating, giving visitors another option for enjoying Champagne, wine or food when the weather is pleasant. The venue describes its drinks as “browsing beverages” – something you can enjoy while wandering through the bookstore rather than being confined to a traditional bar table.
For larger celebrations, Battery Park offers private event spaces including the Gatsby Lounge, the Writer’s Room and the full bookstore. The spaces can accommodate everything from small gatherings to larger private events, with Champagne, wine, cocktails and in-house catering available. The venue is used for birthdays, weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate events and other celebrations.
What makes Battery Park Book Exchange & Champagne Bar particularly interesting for Champagne lovers is the combination of discovery and atmosphere. You can come specifically for a Champagne flight, stay for a cheese and charcuterie board, browse the books and listen to live music – all without leaving the same space. For anyone visiting Asheville, it is one of those places where the Champagne experience is closely tied to the character of the venue itself.
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