The Atlantic Lounge

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!!

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.

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 TerreCurrent Atlantic Lounge members like me and guests of the restaurants upstairs (Crawford & Son and Jolie) will have access going forwardHope 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.

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!!!

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.