The Best Martinis on the Upper East Side
There’s something so perfect about a well-made martini. How do you take yours? I’m all about gin, a splash of vermouth, and olives. A twist can be nice, too. And of course a perfectly chilled glass—even better if you get one of those cute little tumblers for the extra—like a milkshake leftover but for adults. There are lots of great places to get a martini on the Upper East Side, but here are a few of my favorites. Tell me: Who makes your favorite martini on the UES?
Bemelmans Bar: Let’s just get this out of the way: The martinis at Bemelmans are expensive. But along with your drink, you’ll often be treated to live piano music and a trio of snacks: house made crispy cheddar crackers, potato chips, and mixed nuts. And is there anything better than free snacks? According to a longtime bartender, the secret to the Bemelmans martini is one tiny drop of vermouth, just to coat the glass. Then, stir in a mixing glass for approximately a minute and a half until very cold, and pour into a chilled martini glass. What remains in the shaker is then poured into a glass carafe and served alongside the drink, almost like two small martinis in one.
Donuhue’s Steak House (no website): This is one of those old-school operations where all of the patrons seem to know each other and the staff knows everyone’s name. The place made news when a wealthy art collector left his favorite waitresses a $50,000 tip in his will, each. Can you imagine? The martinis here are more affordable than Bemelmans, but still come with the bonus shaker and taste just a good.
J.G. Melon: I’d probably not wait in the snaking lines for a Melon martini, but they made a very good one. This classic burger joint on the Upper East Side has a notoriously long wait, but if you’re willing to sit at the bar, you can often shave off some time. I like to sit there with the regulars, sip a gin martini, and play some music on the old juke box while I wait for my food.
Cafe D’Alsace: Newly located in what was once the old Elaine’s, Cafe D’Alsace has been a mainstay on the Upper East Side for years. The new bar is beautiful and the bartenders are friendly and make fantastic cocktails, especially when it comes to any version of a martini.
NR: This place may not be as well known as other offerings on this list, but the drinks here feel like more of a work of art than a drink. The cocktail menu is extensive and it’s fun to sit at the bar and watch the mixologists work their magic; they’re adept at just about any drink, including a classic martini. The oyster happy hour is also worth a stop.
The Penrose: A cocktail bar (with good food), that skews younger and hipper than the rest on this list, The Penrose makes a really nice martini. The menu offers a more well-known Dirty Pickle Martini if that’s your thing, but their classic is very good and comes in a pretty coupe.
Lusardi’s: This higher-end Italian restaurant may not seem like the place for a great martini, but they’re expertly made and make for a nice pre-dinner drink at their tiny bar.