Little Jumbo, a craft cocktail bar housed in a former 1920s grocery store, stands out in Asheville's historic Montford and Five Points neighborhoods. Its original structure and accent details, like tin ceiling panels and entryway floor tiles spelling "Jenkins," pay homage to the grocer and the mountain city's history. Since 2017, Little Jumbo has become the quirky home of jazz nights, deejayed dance parties and literary soirees in a cozy space reminiscent of a Victorian parlor. In the winter, it transforms into the "Tropilachia Club" tiki-style pop-up bar. Little Jumbo's bartenders impress with their cocktail- and mocktail-making skills, ingenuity and in-depth training of a custom cocktail database, which stores nearly a thousand signature and classic recipes.

“This Five Points neighborhood bar takes cocktail history seriously—it’s named after a New York bar once run by illustrious nineteenth-century barman Harry Johnson. The drinks menu recently was revamped after a pandemic-long season of sampling and testing. (Yes, that beats however you spend your pandemic.) There’s no better excuse to pull up a seat and see what’s new and delicious.”

“Little Jumbo was everything we could have wished for in a cocktail bar, and then some. Every cocktail has 5 ingredients or less to expedite the process, but don’t worry, the flavor is not compromised. We were totally impressed by the Manhattan service for Two, which was presented on a silver platter with necessary accompaniments- including a bowl of cherries!?”

“Simply put, Little Jumbo should be at the top of your list of places for cocktails in Asheville. The drinks and service are both top-notch, and the atmosphere is reminiscent of a relaxed speakeasy, without a trace of the pretention that can sometimes be found in such places.”

“This warmly welcoming cocktail bar has a classic vibe and a focus on good, unpretentious service. Isn't that the way all bars should be?”

“Little Jumbo has a comfortable yet modern feel, lacks affectation and focuses on the drink and the experience.”

“As you sip your drink, you feel a cozy intimateness, yet there’s a buzz to the atmosphere that makes you feel like you’re a part of something bigger… a community, a neighborhood.”