07-03-2025
Hidden cocktail lounge by the Colliers opens inside 3rd & Fernwood
A hidden bar recently opened inside 3rd & Fernwood at The Metropolitan.
Why it matters: The Cocktail Lounge at 3rd is the latest project by husband-and-wife duo and local restaurateurs Subrina Collier and James Beard-nominated chef Greg Collier.
The vibe: Tucked away in the back of 3rd & Fernwood at 1100 Metropolitan Ave, The Cocktail Lounge at 3rd offers an intimate setting with moody green lighting and seating for just 17 guests.
How it works: Similar to the Supperland Speakeasy, you must purchase a ticket to secure a reservation at The Cocktail Lounge at 3rd.
Tickets are $40 per person and include two cocktails of your choice and three light bites from a rotating menu.
The drink menu has seven cocktails with house-made infusions, syrups and bitters.
For an additional $20 you can have a 2oz pour of any one of the 11 house infused liquors, like apple tequila or mushroom mezcal.
Dig in: Chefs Greg Collier and Courtney Evans, formerly of the Colliers' now-closed Leah & Louise, have crafted a selection of small plates designed to complement the cocktails.
Highlights include black garlic ciabatta with sweet potato oil and truffle salt, shito-grilled shrimp with peanut-okra puffed rice, and pommes paillasson with carrot gin aioli and ribeye.
My thought bubble: The food portions are snack sized and not intended to be a meal, so this is an experience you'd opt for if you're searching for a place to have pre-dinner drinks or a night cap.
The big picture: Hidden bars and speakeasies are popping up all over Charlotte.
Go deeper: 14 best hidden bars and speakeasies in Charlotte
Zoom out: 3rd & Fernwood opened last year at the Metropolitan offering chef Greg's familiar Southern seasonal fare. Its menu features sandwiches, salads and plenty of sides.
Between the lines: Last year, the Colliers moved their James Beard-nominated restaurant Leah & Louise out of Camp North End with promises to reopen in west Charlotte.
We asked Greg what the progress is on that search and he told us "we have a space or two we really love, but nothing finalized."
