Where to Find the 5 Best Martinis in D.C.
In the world of drinking, there are different categories of imbibers. Casual drinkers, who will wordlessly accept whatever’s in the well; curious experimenters, who readily acquiesce to what is offered by the bartender; and cocktail aficionados, who can expound upon complicated blends of spirit and flavors. And then there are perfectionists... also known as martini drinkers. This is a drink so simple that it requires just two ingredients, yet is complex enough to have hundreds of different iterations.
Yes, the martini is simple – just gin and vermouth – but it can be difficult to create a perfect one. Plus, personal taste comes into play. The proper ratio of the two ingredients. The methods for mixing them. And the garnishes. Almost anything is possible. And while no one can truly say which method is best, one can point to certain bars in this city that can provide the best martini experience, spots that have the atmosphere to match the elegance of the drink and also bartenders who can tell you exactly how they think it should be done (but will gladly acquiesce if you already have your favorite method in mind).
If martinis bring to mind an air of exclusivity, and you want to sipping them with people who feel the same way, the only place to go is the Gibson. Just a door north of U Street on Fourteenth, the Gibson is this city’s gold standard when it comes to delicious drinks and debonair decor. The speakeasy maintains its allure by being one of the area’s few reservations-only bars, so a seat at the bar requires advance planning. Either call and expect to be offered a time a few weeks from now, or head to the door and be told to come back in a few hours. That is, if you can find the door, as the Gibson forgoes all types of signage.
Once inside, you’ll see the appeal. The scene is reminiscent of the Prohibition-era, dim and cozy, with the only lighting the small flickering candles on table and bars. Bartenders will graciously listen to your order and then, make it with the freshest ingredients, peeling a lemon twist straight of the fruit, if you prefer a splash of citrus with your dry martini. The drink will run about $12, which is not at all unreasonable for a crisp martini at the city’s most exclusive cocktail bar.
If you prefer to sip your spirits with a little less ostentation, in a room where suits are optional, then head for The Passenger. When it opened, it was easily one of the coolest bars in the city, and its three years have only increased its appeal. On Seventh Street, north of Chinatown and across from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the bar has the combined feel of being right in the heart of the city, yet at the same time, a bit off the beaten path. Large bay windows showcase merry drinkers, but much like the Gibson, there’s no sign marking the entrance. You just need to know.
Once inside, the bar feels cozy, with its long, narrow shape, and hip, with exposed brick. Find the nightly specials announced casually on a chalkboard, but know that nothing can pique the bartender’s interest like ordering a dry martini. That specific cocktail is owner Derek Brown’s lifelong passion.
His current iteration, which tastes about as perfect as possible, is equal parts gin and dry vermouth, with a splash of citrus, either a dash of orange bitters or a twist of lemon. And at The Passenger, this amazing blend will run you just $10.
Order a martini at most bars and you are likely receive a gin-based one, as is traditional. But at Russia House, you’ll find just the opposite. Martinis at this Dupont spot are a vodka-only affairs. Forget Pinnacle and Absolut, clear spirits here are from the motherland. The bar, which has been a staple on the Washington, D.C. scene since 1995, has seen a resurgence in popularity in the past five years. It sits just north of Dupont Circle, right on the corner of Connecticut and Florida Avenues, across from the Hilton Hotel. Unlike the other bars on this list, it announces its presence with a large red, neon sign.
Even if you’ve never set foot in Russia, the bar will look familiar to you, like a scene out of a 1980s spy movie. The walls are adorned with red silk, which pairs nicely with dark, majestic wood, while faint chandeliers dot the ceiling. With three stories and ample space, Russia House can please visitors who want a quiet nook to sip or are in a boisterous mood. The bar carries nearly 100 different types of vodka, an amount that can be daunting even to the most travelled drinkers. But the bartenders will quietly listen while you tell them just what you want. Since you’ll assuredly be drinking vodka, make it a dirty martini, with plenty of olive juice to add flavor depth, and enjoy it chilled as cold as Siberia itself. And though the drink isn’t priced in rubles, it’s still easy on the wallet at just $11.50
Martinis have recently enjoyed a reemergence as a popular bar order, a trend that coincides with a certain 60s-based TV show, and the drink may conjure up images of expense account dining and massive cuts of meat. If you’re in the mood to revive the long-dead three martini lunch (or evening), there’s no other place to do it in this city like BLT Steak. This steakhouse, which came to the area in the late 2000s, is one of the most prime power dining spots in a city rife with them.
On I Street, between Sixteenth and Seventeenth, and just a few blocks from the White House, BLT Steak epitomizes masculine culture. The dark wood floor pairs nicely with a stark white ceiling, and the restaurant’s menu is announced on felt board that runs the length of the entire dining room, with items listed in big, white block letters. The bar itself, though out in the open, feels tucked away, with a small dividing wall, allowing for a bit of privacy while imbibing. While they may not specialize in martinis, every steakhouse knows how to make a proper one. The ‘tenders here are as attentive to your needs as any cocktail spot in the city. While $14 a pop might mean you’ll be running a high tab, the taste is well worth it.
The last spot on our martini tour of Washington, D.C. falls just outside the city limits, but should not be discounted or ignored, for it as alluring any of the others on this list. Even though we’ve seen several speakeasy-style taverns open in recent years, PX remains the standard. The entrance sits just off the intersection of King and Columbus Streets in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. In that townhome-dominated stretch, the entrance could easily be mistaken for the door to a single family home. The only element that sets it slightly apart is the flickering blue lantern just to the right, above the door.
Reservations are required, and when you knock, a doorman opens a small slit in the door to ask your name, just like a speakeasy of old. Once let in, an impeccably dressed host leads you up to a tiny bar, not much larger than the size of the average dining room. The bar seats just eight people, and while there are tables for others, the spot to be is right up next to the cocktail maker. They play the part to a tee, with beige aprons, ruffled elastic armbands and full Windsor knots.
After obtaining your perch up, tell the bartender what you are looking for. Be it a dry gin martini or a dirty vodka martini, the attentive and knowledgeable bartenders will listen and walk you through anything you want to know. The merits of shaking versus stirring, the proper ratio of vermouth to hard liquor, why certain garnishes pair better with certain liquors. And the attention to detail is unparalleled, from in-house pickled pearl onions, to homemade sweet vermouth. If you are looking to learn the most you can about while you drink, and want to taste some of the most spot-on martinis in town – for just $12 a glass, then head to PX’s in Old Town.
Top photo via Flickr user alickel; other phots from the bars' respective Facebook pages
