About Water Street Bar & Lounge - Downtown Asheville, NC
Why “Water Street”?
Did you know that North Lexington Avenue was called Water Street until the late 1890’s? We chose to honor the spring that brought life giving water to the land and people of Asheville by naming the restaurant Water Street. Water is life after all.
— Rosetta, Founder, Water St, Rosetta’s Kitchen
Rosetta, Founder - Day one of work after signing the lease at Water Street
The Space
Rosetta Buan opened Rosetta's Kitchen at 116 North Lexington in 2002 — and for twenty years, it was the heart of the block. When the opportunity came to move Rosetta's into a larger, more functional space just down the street, 116 opened up for something new.
That's where Water Street was born. With multiple bars and an upstairs loft, the building turned out to be a natural fit for a more flexible concept — one built around nightlife, live events, private gatherings, and community. Less a single restaurant, more a living room for Lexington Avenue.
The Former Rosetta’s Location becomes Water Street Lounge
Meet the People Behind Water Street: Coming Soon
Water Street is women-owned and community-driven. We'll be sharing more about the team behind the bar soon, but if you want to get a feel for who we are, come in on a Thursday night. You'll get the idea.