Finding a goodMartiniisn’t a hard task — most mid - range barroom and eating place bed how to make a halfway adequate one . But bump a great Martini — now that take digging . There is an prowess to absolutely chilling and debase such a strong , John Barleycorn - forward-moving cocktail , and dress it just so .
Here , the honorable bars and eating house in America known for their impeccable Martinis .
Aub Zam Zam, San Francisco, CA
This Haight - Ashbury mainstay has been serving stiff martini since 1941 , and some of its X - prospicient regular can tell you about the bar ’s recent owner , Bruno Mooshei . The gruff barman was know for kicking out customers leave and ripe , maybe because he just did n’t care their looks , or possibly because they dared sit at a table rather than at the legal profession . But the ultra - cool Martinis were deserving take chances his hot biliousness . Bruno ’s “ pounded ” Martinis remain fabled to this solar day . To get the cocktail additional - inhuman , he would addginand a flyspeck number ofvermouthto a mix deoxyephedrine and muddle it vigorously with ice until the liquid reached the staring temperature and dilution . Though Bruno passed off in 2000 , Aub Zam Zam is still known for its plush Persian decor and expertly - made Martinis .
Charlie Palmer at The Knick, New York, NY
The account of the Martini is widely disputed , but our favorite tale William Tell of its creation at New York’sKnickerbocker Hotel . Legend has it that Martini di Arma di Taggia — who take place to be John D. Rockefeller ’s favorite barkeeper — invented the cocktailthere in 1912 . Though the hotel closed in 1921 , it recently reopen in February of 2015 , and its signature restaurant , Charlie Palmer at The Knick , pays court to its history in the best room potential — a Martini go-cart stocked with Tanqueray 10 Gin , Noilly Prat Vermouths , bittersand garnishes — that rolls right to you for a tableside show .
Cherry Circle Room, Chicago, IL
Speaking of Martini carts , the Cherry Circle Room is another fan of the previous - shoal cocktail service . cuddle on the second story of the historicChicago Athletic Hotel , the bar is lead by drink director Paul McGee — also known for his stripe programme atThree Dots & A Dash — who believes that you never have more personalized attention than when the cake come to you . Though the cart offers a rotate selection ofManhattansandOld Fashionedsas well , we ’re here for the Martini . Edgar Guest pick out from three gins , three vermouths and three garnishes to create their ideal version of the authoritative cocktail .
The Peabody Lobby Bar, Memphis, TN
You may be familiar with Memphis ’ historic Peabody Hotel because of their iconic daily duck’s egg march . Oh , you have n’t get wind of the daily duck borderland ? Allow us to explain : Every twenty-four hours at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. , the Peabody ’s duckmaster marches the hotel ’s favorite ducks from their home on the cap to the Lobby Bar outflow . It ’s an lovely custom that draws tourer and locals likewise in to take in the show . Of course , the duck are n’t the only reason to visit . The Peabody Lobby Bar has won legion awards for their house Martini , so we meanly intimate grab a prat with a moth-eaten one in hand and taking in the 5 p.m. march for an unforgettable cocktail hour .
Musso & Frank Grill, Los Angeles, CA
Remember that episode ofMad Menin which Don Draper gets Roger Sterling slosh during a marathon Martini luncheon to get back at him for take a crap a drunken pass at Betty ? That setting was shot at the iconic Hollywood restaurant , Musso & Frank Grill , which has been serve up expertly crafted Martinis since it open in 1919 . Everyone from Charlie Chaplin to Keith Richards has eaten and soak up here , and many were served by their legendary bartender Manny Aguierre , who has been mixing Martinis at Musso & Frank for 25 years . The eating place ’s version of the classic always hail with a sidecar of supernumerary cocktail so you could refill your deoxyephedrine as it come hazardously airless to empty .
Oliver’s Lounge, Seattle, WA
You could take our Scripture that Oliver ’s Lounge has one of the best Martinis in the country . Or you could bet to their many awards : The bar has won the International Martini Classic Challenge eight times . They ’ve been slinging the classic cocktail to the dulcet tones of live idle words for 40 years . Do n’t escape their Monday through Saturdayaperitivo hourduring which you could enjoy a Martini — trim with their famous “ drunken olives”—with a excerpt of costless appetizers .
The Bombay Club, New Orleans, LA
If a trip to the Big Easy has you feel someVieux CarreandSazeracfatigue , switch up your cocktail order at the recently revamped Bombay Club . Set inside the Gallic Quarter’sPrince Conti Hotel , The Bombay Club boasts one of the metropolis ’s best bar program . Developed by beverage director Blake Kaiser , the menu features more than 50 cocktails admit a selection of Martinis — there ’s everything from a classic juiceless version to their theme song take , which gets a sweet , racy kicking from maraschino liqueur .
Courtesy of Charlie Palmer at The Knick
Courtesy of Charlie Palmer at The Knick
Heath Cajandig / Flickr