It’s always national martini day at the City Paper cuisine editor’s house, but apparently, there is a globally celebrated martini day, held every year on either June 19, or the third Saturday of June, depending on whom you ask.
Local martini bar, The Den, is making a week of it, so City Paper’s martini-expert-in-residence has decided to expand on the fun as well. Read on for details on how to celebrate with The Den’s teeny flights and where else you should be sipping martinis around town this week (or, all year round).
And yes, espresso martinis are super popular, and you’ll probably find iterations of those at these spots, too. We focus on more traditional martinis in this list, so don’t go looking for something buzzy and boozy unless you check the menu ahead of time.
The Den
Martini week, June 18-22
hotelemeline.com
You can always sip martinis at Frannie & The Fox’s martini bar, The Den, and this week, the spot is taking things up a notch with teeny ‘tini flights. Bar manager Amanda Phelps has put a southern twist, if you will, on these limited edition cocktails, utilizing locally sourced produce from GrowFood Carolina to create savory selections. A portion of proceeds from the flight will be donated to a local, family-owned farm in the Lowcountry.
The Dewberry’s Living Room
thedewberrycharleston.com
Sipping a martini in the mid century modern glory of the Dewberry is the perfect way to while away an afternoon. Head to the lobby bar, i.e., The Living Room for the spot’s signature martini, made with St. George Terroir gin, Dolin Dry vermouth, Castelvetrano olive brine, orange bitters and a Roquefort stuffed Castelvetrano olive. In a 2016 interview with City Paper, The Dewberry’s beverage director Ryan Casey said: “The original martini is small, very cold, very fast.”
Doar Bros.
doarbros.com
If you prefer your martinis with a lemon twist in the style of James Bond, you’ll want to try the Vesper at Doar Bros. Made with Monkey 47 gin, Belvedere Smogory Forest vodka, Cocchi Americano and lemon expression, this is a classic done right.
Brasserie La Banque
brasserielabanque.com
Brasserie serves up a French take on a martini with the aptly titled, French Martini. Made with Tito’s vodka, Chambord, pineapple and lime, this iteration leans more sweet than savory.
The Gin Joint
theginjoint.com
While it’s always fun to choose your own adventure at Gin Joint — tell the bartender any two words, like “refreshing,” “tart,” or “unusual” and see what they come up with — sometimes it’s nice to stick with the classics. The Gin Joint’s martini service features a house blend of gins, dry vermouth and “all the garnish.”
The Ordinary
eattheordinary.com
The Ordinary’s house martini pairs exceptionally well with a dozen oysters (or more!) and you can sip on one knowing that a portion of proceeds from the sale of each drink is donated to SCORE, an organization that helps revitalize and enhance the South Carolina coastline. Made with Ketel One or Ford’s, ocean vermouth, sea salt and pickled turtleweed, this savory drink is reminiscent of, well, the sea.
King BBQ
eatkingbbq.com
A tongue-in-cheek take on a dirty martini, the Shimmy Shimmy Ya at King BBQ hits all the “dirty,” “briny,” and “icy” notes it promises. Served over crushed ice and made with vodka, nori brine, dry vermouth and pickled hot pepper, this drink is as spicy as it is refreshing.
Coterie
coteriechs.com
You can currently sip on a dirty myrtle martini at Coterie as part of their seasonal selections. Made with Citadelle gin, Dolin dry vermouth, Malibu and an olive, it’s as good as taking a trip north on Route 17.
Halls Chophouse
hallschophouse.com
Halls Chophouse serves up a martini worthy of many devoted fans — the drink won “best martini” in this year’s Best of Charleston competition. The restaurant’s signature hot pepper martini is made with house-made, habañero-infused Wheatly vodka, passion fruit purée and served with a sugar-coated rim.
MOMO, located at Riverfront Park in North Charleston, takes the whole drink-as-a-snack thing seriously with its version of the martini. The Caprese Martini is made with burrata-washed Tito’s, tomato-white balsamic shrub, basil, olive oil and sea salt.
Babas on Cannon
babasoncannon.com
Martinis are best served really cold and babas nails the temperature with its aptly named “martini from the freezer.” The refreshing bev is made with Citadelle gin, Dolin’s dry vermouth and orange bitters. Pro tip: head to babas from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday for a tiny gin martini for only $5.
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