New Bars in Downtown Raleigh: The Atlantic Lounge, The Davie, PLUS Dueling Piano Bar

The Davie

Raleigh Weekend reader Donny Balsamo reached out to us on Facebook to let us know that The Davie, located at 444 Blount Street, is now open. Based on the address, it seems that this is the old Calavera/Calavela spot that has sat empty for some time. We’ll be grabbing after-work drinks there soon and will be sure to share cocktail pics on Instagram when we do.

The Atlantic Lounge

Atlantic is a new project from Raleigh bar industry longtimer Jason Howard (think Cardinal, Parliament) but this is his first venture over to the Historic Oakwood/Mordecai communities, at least as far as we know. This below-ground-level requires a $40 membership and key to enter. When we stopped by to purchase ours on Sunday, the last three had just been handed out and more have been ordered with an expected delivery of Thursday, January 3, 2018, or so…

To say neighbors are pumped about this spot would be an understatement with the bar going through 300 of the coveted keys since announcing availability beginning December 28, 2018. It’s a small spot with capacity for about 40 or so imbibers, although even that may be a little tight.

PLUS Dueling Piano Bar

PLUS has been open for a few weeks now in the old lower-level 510 Glenwood spot that has been home to Hi 5, Draft, and Raleigh Roadhouse in recent years. (Test your Glenwood South memory!) I personally am thrilled to have a “proper piano bar” back in DTR since the closure of Rum Runners but want to set the expectation correctly here, folks. This is more than a dueling piano bar, you’ll get a downright rock concert here thanks to the lady drummer (owner Tony Basford’s fiance) and other talents on stage (guitar, vocals, and more).

While I didn’t try any of the pizzas ordered by my table (full menu prepared onsite and served until 1:45 a.m.) they looked pretty damn good for bar food. Arrive before 9 p.m. to skip the $5 cover charge and bring some cash for tips to bribe the performers to play your favorite singalongs.

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Lisa Jeffries Nobling

Founder + Principal at Raleighwood Media Group + Raleighwood Event Group

Lisa Jeffries, a 2007 graduate of N.C. State University’s Wilson College of Textiles and Poole College of Management, has been working in marketing since 2005. Her professional work experience ranges from independent, family-owned businesses to high-growth tech startups. Lisa’s specific areas of expertise include new media and experiential marketing for service-based businesses. Passionate about her clients, cheering on the Wolfpack, live music, and rescuing animals, she is also the founder of Raleigh Food & Wine and Raleighwood Wifi. Lisa completed the NC State + SKEMA Business School MSc dual master’s degree program in Global Luxury Management in 2016, publishing a thesis, Location-Based Opportunities for Brand Marketing With Emphasis on Application Within Luxury Industries.

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