Where to find the Best Dirty Martinis in NYC

I will see you there this Weekend

I love a good dirty martini. I love them so much that once I had to take a two month hiatus from them because the Mulberry in SoHo serves their martinis with a sidecar (on an adorable vintage tray) and this was too irresistible for me. As any experienced martini drinker knows, finding the balance of how many martinis will create the perfect buzz is an exact science.

I have included a list below of my favorite spots to grab a dirty martini in the city, suitable for a range of occasions. From a beautiful french bistro serving chilled drinks and oysters perfect for soothing your nerves after the first day of your internship where everyone yelled at you, to a sexy lounge where the ambiance is perfect for a date night, I’ve got you covered.

Balthazar

While I know this rec might come off as a surprise, I have to start here. Some might consider this establishment too touristy, but really that is half the appeal of the joint. Come here if you’re in the mood for some excellent people watching. They serve a delicious (and quite large) dirty martini. The best time to grab a martini here is during the day or the late afternoon. Pro tip: if you are going to go here, I recommend making a reservation ahead of time as it can get pretty busy even during the day.

The 10 Bells Brooklyn

My second recommendation holds a very special place in my heart. Ten Bells was the location of my very first dirty martini, and where the love story began. Their martinis are perfectly balanced, and their glasses are always chilled to perfection. This spot makes for a great casual date spot to enjoy after a stroll through the park. They also offer fresh oysters and charcuterie at this location, and have a pretty killer happy hour deal everyday before 7pm. Come here with your beau for the perfect martini and a few delicious bites to go with it.

The Narrows

I always like my martinis dirty, but sometimes I like them extra dirty. Sometimes I want them to taste like I’m sipping straight from a jar of olives. If I am craving said taste, I like to go to The Narrows. They never scoff when I tell them to keep adding more and more olive juice, and seem happy to make it just the way I like it. This dimly lit spot is the perfect romantic getaway for you and your date after a dinner out.

The Mulberry

The Mulberry is a gorgeous spot for a night out dancing or a romantic date (so long as you don’t mind a lively and loud environment). The lighting is just dim enough for it to be sexy, but not so dim that you can’t see the person across from you. They always have a DJ on the weekend, serve their martinis ice cold with a sidecar, and offer a fabulous caviar tower if you want to really celebrate. This spot has become one of my favorites to frequent and the surrounding area is filled with delicious restaurants if you want to grab some Rigatoni alla Vodka before your night out. If you’ve always preferred a smaller dance floor to the club, this is your spot. You really can’t beat good music, a dance floor, and caviar.

All my pictures from the Mulberry are blurry because their martinis are that good

King Cole Bar

If you want to feel like royalty go to the King Cole Bar in Manhattan. This dimly lit lounge is the perfect place to enjoy a romantic date night, and maybe even some celebrity spotting while you’re at it. You get a large (free!) container of bar snacks to munch on while you sip, and the martinis themselves are a work of art. They are also very large.

Thank you for tuning in, and I hope you think of me next time you are feeling thirsty and put this list to use! I am always looking for dirty martini recs so if you have any make sure to leave them in the comments below!