Acclaimed Raleigh chef Scott Crawford set to debut new basement bar next year
A top Raleigh chef is taking over the subterranean space of a popular cocktail bar.
Scott Crawford will open the new cocktail spot Sous Terre next year under his elegant French bistro, Jolie, on North Person Street. The new bar, which means underground in French, will replace the 5-year-old Atlantic Lounge, which will close at the end of the year.
The cozy cocktail space will undergo a renovation after the new year and reopen later in 2024. At less than 1,000 square feet, Sous Terre will have seating for around 35 people.
Jordan Joseph, the beverage director of Crawford Hospitality, will lead the bar. He has been at Crawford’s flagship restaurant, Crawford & Son, for four years.
“We love the intimacy of this space and look forward to creating an inviting and welcoming setting for cocktails,” said Crawford in a news release. “We hope Sous Terre will be a thoughtful addition to the neighborhood, to our hospitality brand, and serve as a showcase for Jordan Joseph’s cocktails and the area’s most exciting bar talent.”
Atlantic Lounge is best known as a private underground bar where members gain access to the space with their own personal key. Owner Jason Howard announced Friday that the bar would close at the end of the year.
“After much consideration, we are happy to announce that we are handing the keys over to none other than Scott Crawford and his team,” Howard said in an Instagram post. “We have had such a great time serving y’all and making memories down here on Person Street, and we appreciate all of the support over the years. This was a difficult decision, but we know Scott will do the space justice while we focus on expanding Lil Hombre to Wake Forest and Raleigh.”
Crawford is set to have a busy 2024 with four new concepts opening next year, doubling the restaurant group’s collection of bars and restaurants. He already owns Crawford & Son, Jolie and Crawford Cookshop in Clayton.
Sous Terre will join the nearly completed Brodeto in Raleigh Iron Works, Crawford Brothers’ Steakhouse in Fenton and Crawford Genuine at Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
“We’re excited this opportunity presented itself,” Crawford said in a news release. “It’s a beautiful way for us to continue to share our hospitality with the Oakwood neighborhood, Raleigh community, and our restaurant guests.”
