Smokey's After Dark, Asheville, North Carolina

Beyond Asheville's two larger gay clubs - Hairspray and Scandals - the city support a couple of fun gay neighborhood bars. One of these, Smokey's After Dark (18 Broadway, 828-253-2155), is just a hole-in-the-wall on Broadway, right downtown and within walking distance of many restaurants and shops. Small and simple though it is, Smokey's has a truly welcoming staff, inexpensive drinks, and a mostly male but all-welcoming vibe. This is a great little spot to have a drink after work, or mingle with locals when you're not in the mood for a big club scene. There's are a couple of pool tables in back and a juke box with some fun retro stuff on it.