Scott Crawford to open cocktail bar below French bistro

Award-winning chef Scott Crawford will be opening a cocktail bar under his French bistro, Jolie, in Raleigh in early 2024, the chef announced Friday.

Sous Terre, which is French for "underground," is the fourth concept for Crawford Hospitality. It will be located in the current Atlantic Lounge location at 620 North Person St.

“We’re excited this opportunity presented itself; it’s a beautiful way for us to continue to share our hospitality with the Oakwood neighborhood, Raleigh community, and our restaurant guests,” Crawford said.

Sous Terre will honor Atlantic Lounge's original key membership program, where members paid $40 and were given keys so they could enter the lounge.

Crawford was named the North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association 2023 Restaurateur of the Year. The five-time James Beard semi-finalist opened Crawford and Son in downtown Raleigh in 2016. Next door, he opened French bistro, Jolie, followed in 2019. Two years later, Crawford Cookshop opened in Clayton.

Though Crawford Hospitality takes over the lease for the Atlantic Lounge space on Jan. 1., the space will not reopen to the public until after a redesign of the space.

Crawford Hospitality’s Beverage Director, Jordan Joseph, will be developing the menu, which will have elevated, classic craft cocktails. In addition to leading the cocktail program, Joseph will also oversee beverage programs for Crawford & Son, Jolie, Crawford Cookshop and new restaurants including Brodeto (set to open in early 2024), Crawford’s Genuine opening in RDU Airport in the spring, and Crawford Brother’s Steakhouse set to open in 2024 as well.

The less than 1,000 square-foot space will offer bar seating for 35 people.

“We love the intimacy of this space and look forward to creating an inviting and welcoming setting for cocktails,” Crawford said. “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.”

Jason Howard opened Atlantic Lounge on New Year's Eve in 2019.

“As we focus on expanding Lil Hombre to Wake Forest and Raleigh, Scott is the perfect person to take over this lease and continue to serve the neighborhood," Howard said.