Atlantic Lounge

Low-key and understated, The Atlantic Lounge is a speakeasy-adjacent bar that takes its own advice, "Don't serious yourself to death." Open to key-carrying members, the lounge specializes in quality cocktails and company. I enjoyed a #4 (Smoked Rosemary Old Fashioned) and a Sazerac, prepared expertly by Jacob. The mood is very chill, dedicated to the locals who make it a point to join the membership. If this interests you, message them on Instagram @theatlanticlounge and inquire about joining.

After 3 years before COVID I finally just got my key! My wife and I have been going downtown visiting restaurant and places like this that are just Raliegh cool.. Always great cocktails and great people to talk to at the bar!

The key to a good drink is ordering from Atlantic Lounge. Cool staff. Cool atmosphere. Great drinks!

This is a super cool speakeasy. Couldn't even find the entrance without help. But, once we were in they had a really cool cocktail menu and the music was on point.

No food served here but great reasonably priced cocktails. Great service and quiet bar!

Fantastic as always. Classic cocktails, beer, wine, and you always have a seat. This requires a membership and each member can only take 1 guest. You can't get a membership same day so plan accordingly. If you want a quiet place to have a drink, I suggest getting on the list for a membership.

Sadly, their cocktails have become mundane, without the flavor in the description. Their wine has probably sat for 3 days, too. Very disappointing and different than when they opened.

Wonderful small atmosphere. It does require a membership, but if you live in Raleigh it's definitely worth it! I went as a guest, and it's one of my favorite bars.

I love the Atlantic lounge. It's a cozy speakeasy that is tucked away near the Oakwood neighborhood In Raleigh. The cocktails are always amazing and unique. The menu keeps changing so you can always try a new craft cocktail. It's a member only speakeasy that requires a key to enter.

So if you have seen any of my reviews, you know that I will definitely hunt speakeasy and hidden bars. This one in Raleigh hit the spot. They have certain times where you can go as general public but after a certain window it will be members only. They give you a special key and all of that to come in. Which is kind of a cool when you think about it. You go to a door... Go downstairs... Go into a warp tube, climb a ladder... Well maybe not all that lol but you do have to go through a door and go into a cellar type of deal. Just follow the lights because it's worth it. Once you get down there you see the full bar, and a few tables .. it that much space but it is for a small party. It's a little exclusive so it won't be everyone and they mama in there. The bar staff there has a menu and they can make drinks off of the menu but I always like it when they ask things about what you normally like or what do you normally drinks when I can make something custom for you. That's more than just being regular bartender, that's you actually excelling in your craft. I love that! I've stuck with an old-fashioned because again, if you see my reviews you already know. But the two people that I was with that custom drinks and they always seem to hit the spot. I think it's between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. when the general public can go so if you're in the Raleigh area I would suggest you giving it a shot.

Love love love love this spot!!!!! You need to be vip to be invited and I think that is the most important part of this. It's so exclusive!!

The last review perhaps? Went there the other night and found the upstairs door locked Uh oh! Sure enough the Atlantic as we know it is transitioning Here are the Details that I could find online Scott Crawford is taking over and turning it into a new concept called Sous Terre. Sous terre is French for underground which is fitting as the Atlantic is located in the basement of Crawford's French restaurant Jolie. So old Atlantic = Sous Terre Current Atlantic Lounge members like me and guests of the restaurants upstairs (Crawford & Son and Jolie) will have access going forward Hope this helps

This low key speakeasy is one of the most chill bars I've been to. I suggest you follow their Instagram to learn how to gain membership. If you go into the hallway that leads down to it, and it says Vacancy, you can enter. If No Vacancy, it's at capacity. We went on a Friday night and, surprisingly, it was empty. It was also very cold and began snowing when we arrived, so that probably had a lot to do with it. The spot is clean and has a decent amount of seating. Our bartender was friendly, mellow, and easy to talk to. I ordered a Gold Rush and it was perfectly blended. Loved it so much. We asked about food, and they don't sell anything. She did said that we're allowed to bring in outside food as long as it isn't too much of it. Also, to be mindful of smells. It's a small space, so it can flooded with the scents of alcohol and other patrons. I plan on returning pretty much anytime I'm in Raleigh. I really enjoyed it here.

Bottom line: The Atlantic Lounge is a great intimate bar experience. It is a membership speakeasy that makes sure that that their small cocktail bar area does not get overcrowded or uncomfortably full as well as offering wonderful cocktails/beer/wine beverages. Great staff and awesome music selections played overhead...enjoying a drink here is a pleasure! The Deets: In reading about The Atlantic Lounge on Yelp, it intrigued me and I decided to drop in recently and get a key to see what it is all about. There is a membership to buy and you get a key to use from that membership that allows you entry (when the sign outside says "Vacancy" ... when it says "No vacancy" in which your key does not allow entry as the club is at capacity). The key actually just allows the owner of the key and 1 guest...just ONE guest as they point out. When you go down the steps, unlock the door with your key and step in, you see a small but nice speakeasy type of bar atmosphere. It's definitely created for an intimate experience and not made for a huge group or crowded bar experience and that is its charm. The menu includes an "old school" side and a "new school" side for custom cocktails then a separate menu for "bottles and cans" selections for beer/cider/etc. and a wine list. When you fill out the membership application, you are asked what your favorite beverage choices are and I like that they try to get that type of information from their customers so they can have an idea what they favor. What nailed their 5 star status for me was my second visit, after my initial trial of Atlantic Lounge. My second visit was started with a very enthusiastic greeting from bartender Mary that remembered me from my initial visit. She made a perfect Gold Rush cocktail for me (one of my all time faves) and I enjoyed it a lot, perfect. Service was great and attentive (thanks Mary!), and I enjoyed a good cocktail in a non-crowded speakeasy/intimate bar atmosphere that was playing very good music selections overhead. If you want to avoid the maddening masses when going out for a good drink, consider a membership at The Atlantic Lounge...I am glad I did and I am looking forward to more visits!

My friend has a key so I was finally able to check this spot out. I thought about buying one but I was not about to spend $40 for a key on top of buying cocktails. You can order one of the selections under old school or new school. I tried a #4 and #34 and my friend tried the #34 and #46. It was perfect since it wasn't busy when we entered but it really picked up before we got round 2 so the service slowed down. In the end, I would not buy a key but I would visit again with someone that has one.

There's something special about being in the know...having access to things other want...and being the first to experience something. I've been following the Atlantic Lounge since last year when we noticed the revitalization of Person Street has claimed a new space. Eating at the Pharmacy Cafe next door we noticed people drudging up debris into a large dumpster outside. The investigation began. Could THIS BE the location of the new Oakwood Pizza box place we had heard so much about? Weeks dragged on and articles started appearing about a speakeasy. We searched them out on insta and started following their progress. The interior was going to be intriguing. A teal wall long booth, vintage speaker cabinets, a large photo of Johnny Cash shooting the bird. We got the emails to the Listserv, emailed questions, and spoke with the man behind the venture. He was friendly but illusive. The day finally came to buy our key to get inside...the key came with a set of cheeky rules about behavior and music. We brought a friend and visited the first week they opened. We unlocked the door and stepped inside. Everyone was happy to be there and the drinks are specialty crafted cocktails. Music is unique and always changing due to the ability to play your own records. Can't ruin the illusion for those outside. The No Vacancy tells you if you cannot come in with a key because it's full. And only people with a key can open the door for you. I suggest seeking out a friend with a key and checking it out yourself.

This is, in my opinion, the best executed speakeasy I've ever been to. Great gimmic for access and great drinks!

If you don't like the "pretentious" gimmic for this speakeasy, maybe it's not your thing (referring to the 1 star review). We love AL and always take our guests here when they're in town. Keep it up guys!!!

This bar, or speakeasy, is an intimate place to get a delicious drink. Part of the charm is that it is a hidden underground bar that requires a key to enter. We went with people that have a key. It's the nostalgia of feeling like you are getting a drink during the Prohibition Era of the 1920's. The drinks are around $13. Our "bar maid" was friendly and knowledgeable about the drinks. It is on the edge of the historic Oakwood neighborhood that was around during Prohibition and is enjoying its own resurgence. I'll return.

I love this place! I am at the age where the hoards of college kids on Glenwood south is no longer appealing. The Atlantic is small, relatively quiet, and has a unique laid back vibe that I appreciate. The cocktails are delish, and not crazy expensive. The beer selection is small, but they usually have some really good local beers on tap. If you like a bar where you can actually hear people talk, that has clean bathrooms, and a cool atmosphere, this is the place!

If pretention is your thing, this is your place. That's all I have to say. Yelp is making me write more so this can be posted at a review vs. tip do better I am rambling.

This is one of my favorite bars in Raleigh! I love the #4 cocktail - the rosemary smoke is so comforting. You need a key to get in - shoot them an email and they will get to you eventually. You can also find someone with a key and ask for an invite card.

Service is so so slow. Apparently it's hip to wait 20 mins for your check. Oh well, I don't want to get in the way of the bartender's flirt with the young women at the bar.

I love The Atlantic Lounge. The atmosphere is chill, the drinks are tasty and inventive, and the bartenders are friendly. The only reason I'm giving a 4 star review is because, as other reviews have mentioned, for a members only spot the drinks are a little pricey. Parking is relatively easy in the neighborhood and it's tucked away just enough to feel hidden, but still know it's there. They don't serve food, but there are plenty of great spots on the block. The carrot margarita cocktail this summer was incredible and I hope it pops back up on the menu occasionally... if you see it (and you like a touch of spice) it's a must try!

I would love to dig into several of the great aspects of The Atlantic Lounge such as the great cocktails (The Big Lebowski would've been proud of me for the amount of white russians I drank one Friday night), the music (you're allowed to choose the music, What's New Pussycat by Tom Jones gets quite a few weird looks), the artwork (Mister Rogers and Johnny Cash are flippin you the bird as you rip down your drink), or even the lack there of a sign (only way you know you get get in is the Vacancy sign down a set of stairs that you must find the door to), or the fact that not everyone can get in (must be lucky enough to have friends or persistent enough to manage to snag a key). I really want to get into the story behind the Mister Fred Rogers middle finger. The clip that the aforementioned photo was pulled from was actually filmed in the very place that The Atlantic Lounge now resides. For many years, rumors have gone around that Fred flipped kids off on his TV show (which at that time was filmed in Latrobe, Pennsylvania). The truth is, he did flip kids off......not in Latrobe, PA but in Raleigh, NC. Fred Rogers was visiting his buddy Arnie Palmer at Wake Forest University (at this time actually located in Wake Forest) and they decided to head on dahn to good ol' Raleigh for an evening. They got to talking and Arnie told Fred that he should shoot one of his shows at a fellow golfer's restaurant (to help improve publicity). Freddie said of course but not after the two had made a bet that if Fred flipped the bird during the show then Arnie would pay him $100 (a lot of money for this time) and if he didn't then Fred would owe Arnie Palmer the same. The following day they made their way to the agreed location (now the actual location of The Atlantic Lounge) to film the show. The issue was that the customers refused to leave the restaurant to set up, so both being the smart Western Pennsylvania guys that they were decided to set up in the large basement below. Once setup was complete the shooting had commenced, toward the middle of the show Freddie Rogers came up with the song "Where is Thumbkin" on the spot. Once he got to the Tall-man, he proudly displayed his middle fingers (because that's how the song played out). Arnie and the crew were stunned. So now this infamous moment in children's television history was now captured forever. So next time you're lucky enough to step into The Atlantic Lounge, you now know that the photo of Mister Rogers flippin the bird may have actually been taken where you are now standing (or may not have been).

I was not impressed with The Atlantic Lounge. Not much of a lounge at all. I'm guessing the exposed 2x4's that make up the ceiling are supposed to add ambiance, but it just doesn't work. I will give them props for their drinks. The thing that bothered me the most was how loud some of the patrons were talking...and the bartender joining right in. I couldn't hear the person sitting right next to me. I expected something more relaxing and inviting. Bars usually draw a particular crowd of people, beit the vibe, the drinks, or the other patrons. The Atlantic Lounge seems to be all over the place, and the few people that were in the bar and the level of noise they made didn't make me want to "lounge around" with a drink and quiet conversation.

Great place to grab a drink ( or two) before dinner. Staff is amazing, drinks are always excellent and the interior is fun. Always enjoy going to The Atlantic Lounge