The best non-classic martinis in NYC

In 2014, the detail-oriented folks behind Raines Law Room opened this Gramercy neo-speakeasy in O. Henry’s old stomping grounds and have been honoring the great writer (and drinker) with playfully evocative decor, well-executed cafe-style bites and a seasonal menu of top-notch tipples ever since. While all of Dear Irving’s cocktails turn heads, the dessert-esque Espresso Martini, inspired by legendary London bartender Dick Bradsell, is a true must. Smooth vodka is shaken hard with nutty, crisp Irving Farm cold-brew coffee and a hint of vanilla essence, then presented in a chilled coupe topped with a luxurious crema cap fit to rival anything nearby Stumptown could offer.

A design-forward Lower East Side cocktail bar with a trendy, intimate vibe, Bar Goto boasts all the polished details, expert service and quality eats New Yorkers have come to expect out of upscale Japanese drinking dens. Here, tall piles of divinely spicy miso chicken wings and pork belly–stuffed cabbage pancakes are served alongside Pegu Club alum Kenta Goto’s mouthwatering menu of Asian-influenced cocktails. The Sakura Martini tops the list at Goto, both literally and figuratively, with its potent blend of sake, gin, a touch of maraschino liqueur and a single, sweet-smelling cherry blossom, making for a springtime sipper that looks just as lovely as it tastes.

With its mid-century furnishings, nostalgia-inducing neon marquee and menu stocked with French-American comfort favorites, the Odeon has been attracting New York night owls since its famed 1980 debut. While Basquiat and Warhol might be long gone, this Tribeca institution still offers prime late-night people-watching along with a trusted menu of classic cocktails littered with a few standout modernizations. The Ginger Martini, a crowd-pleasing mix of Ketel One Citroen vodka, freshly grated ginger, Cointreau and lemon juice, is a bright, summery option, while the elegant Cucumber Martini (Hendrick’s gin, cucumber, St. Germain elderflower liqueur) and the signature Tabini Martini (Stolichnaya Ohranj vodka, fresh mint, lime) transport drinkers back to the Odeon’s glory days of glitz, glamour and pure downtown indulgence.

A dive bar? On a martini list? Believe it or not, the East Village’s notoriously grimy Double Down Saloon is credited with inventing the extremely unique—and extremely tasty—house-infused Bacon Martini. If it’s a down and dirty drinking experience you want, skip the Ass Juice shots and get to work on this smoky, salty cocktail, served heavy metal–strong and garnished with a Slim Jim. Double Down’s punk rock–blaring jukebox, porn-plastered walls and graffitied bathrooms provide the perfect environment for enjoying something so strangely delicious.

A laid-back East Village joint with a breezy neighborhood cafe feel, Bua is best known for two things: delectably gooey grilled cheese sandwiches and the utterly original McClure’s Pickle Martini. Fans of the ever-popular pickleback shot will enjoy this slow-sipped version, where frosty vodka or gin mingles with briny pickle juice for a tart and surprisingly balanced cocktail. Add on an order of steaming hot cheese curds or a grilled cheddar on pillowy pullman bread for a perfectly playful pairing.

Upscale Lebanese fare is the name of the game over at Ilili, where gorgeous, art deco floor-to-ceiling interior windows, low seating and draped walls set the tone for this cozy yet classy Midtown restaurant. Long, sleek and lit by the warm glow of hanging Edison bulbs, Ilili’s bar area caters to the after-work crowd with overloaded mezze platters, herb-spiked Phoenician fries and, of course, plenty of inventive cocktails, include their signature Not So Bloody Martini. A take on the brunch staple, this curious mix of chilled vodka, horseradish juice, cooling tomato consommé and enticing jalapeño kick acts as the ideal companion to any of Ilili’s succulent small plates.

If live jazz, celebrity spotting and fireside imbibing are your thing, look no further than the Rose Bar, a quiet refuge within the posh Gramercy Park Hotel. Inside, impossibly high ceilings, warm lighting and pop art-strewn walls create a lively and inviting atmosphere, while upscale bar snacks and a seemingly endless list of custom martinis keep hotel guests and lucky visitors satiated until the wee hours. The Pear Martini is a special treat amongst the Rose Bar’s many choices, where juniper-forward Hendrick’s Gin is shaken with smoky Glenfiddich scotch, fresh pear puree, tart lemon juice and a hint of agave for an exquisitely balanced work of mixologist art.