Where to Sip the Perfect Martini in Greater Cleveland

June 19, 2025

CLEVELAND — Today is National Martini Day and as good of an excuse as any to indulge in the chic classic cocktail that never goes out of style.

Whether you prefer gin or vodka, dirty or sweet, there’s a martini out there for everyone.

Martinis originate from the mid-19th century and were traditionally a gin-based cocktail with a touch of vermouth. As recipes and palates evolved, some people began creating riffs on the classic, like a dirty vodka martini with olive brine or a Vesper with gin, vodka and Lillet Blanc.

Nowadays, martini lovers can essentially find a version of the chilled cocktail served up that channels nearly any flavor profile. From sweet to savory, here are 20 fun martinis from Greater Cleveland bars and restaurants to try for National Martini Day. If you don’t feel like going out, we also included 5 recipes for martinis to make at home.

Gin martini from Western Reserve Distillers

14221 Madison Ave., Lakewood

Not every bar makes its martini the same, but Western Reserve Distillers is the place to go to taste a crisp and clean version of what a martini should taste like. You have the option of vodka or gin, both distilled on-site, but the gin version with a lemon twist never gets old. It’s also only $8 during happy hour.

Greek martini from Village Martini & Wine Bar

516 E. Washington St., Chagrin Falls

Savory drink lovers need to head to Chagrin Falls to try the Greek martini on the Village Martini & Wine Bar’s extensive martini menu. The drink features Tanqueray gin, Clamato juice, pepperoncini brine and Stilton bleu cheese olives for a one-of-a-kind sip.

Raspberry lemon ice martini from The Fairmount

2448 Fairmount Blvd., Cleveland Heights

The Fairmount is a cocktail bar at heart with a section on its happy hour menu dedicated to cocktails. One favorite that’s a refreshing and fruity version for summer is the raspberry lemon ice martini. Raspberry vodka, Chambord, cranberry and lemon make up this crowd-pleasing take on a martini.

Espresso martini Salata from Cent’Anni

12403 Mayfield Road, Cleveland

Cent’Anni might be the most exciting bar in Little Italy for cocktail enthusiasts, especially when it comes to the world of Amaro. As far as martinis go, Cent’Anni takes a fun approach to its espresso martini. The base features vodka, Averna, coffee liqueur and fresh espresso. Customers can choose to get it dolce, or sweet, or Salata, which is topped with shaved 7-year Parmesan Reggiano aged in Prosecco barrels. They also have a shot-sized version of an espresso martini when you don’t feel like indulging in the full drink.

Hellhound from LBM

12301 Madison Ave., Lakewood

LBM’s Hellhound isn’t a traditional martini in the slightest and it doesn’t claim to be, but the tropical take on a gin-based Aviation has the essence of a martini. Dry gin, Luxardo liqueur, guava, pineapple, line, aquafaba and Peychaud’s bitters make it a well-balanced drink that’s a little too easy to finish.

Lavender Meow-tini from Billy’s - A Cappelli Martini Bar

7338 Industrial Park on Ohio 306, Mentor

Billy’s A Cappelli Martini Bar has a martini for every flavor palate as its name suggests, and its Lavender Meow-Tini is a crowd-pleasing option to order when you can’t decide. Vodka, lavender syrup, lemon juice and lemonade add a refreshing spin to a martini inspired by a lemon drop.

Basil Martini from Bad Medicine

13334 Lorain Ave., Cleveland

Bad Medicine in Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood takes cocktails seriously with a rotating seasonal menu. For summer, the Basil Martini can’t be missed. Gin, Eau de Vie, Genepy, dry vermouth and basil make up this balanced, yet dynamic martini riff.

Dirty Money Martini from Society Lounge

2063 E. 4th St., Cleveland

Society Lounge got a rebrand this year when it was acquired from Hangry Brands, as did its drink menu. The Dirty Money Martini is as much of a visual feast as it is delicious. The bartenders serve your drink with a burning 100 “bill” made out of rice paper. The drink features Tito’s vodka, caper juice and dry vermouth for a filthy sipper.

Hungry Eyes from The Pompadour

320 High St., Fairport Harbor

Another briny spin on a dirty martini comes from The Pompadour . The bar uses feta-washed Ketal One vodka as a base alongside fennel & dill infused French dry vermouth. A little black pepper and a Castelvetrano olive are the savory cherry on top to this delicious drink.

Crème Brulee Espresso Martini from Oak + Olive

1846 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls

Oak + Oliv e inside of Mattioli’s Pizza also has a drink menu aimed at cocktail enthusiasts. The speakeasy bar offers a few martini options on its signature menu, but the dessert drink reigns supreme. It takes an espresso martini base and features brûléed sugar on top for a sweet sensory surprise.

Vaultini from The Vault

2017 E. 9th St., Cleveland

The Vault at the 9 also has a reputation for mixing up well-crafted cocktails and the Vaultini might be its most signature drink. The vodka-based drink uses Grey Goose, Chambord and pineapple for a tangy yet easy sipper similar to a French martini.

Oi Boy from Rood Food and Pie

17001 Madison Ave., Lakewood

Rood puts an Asian-inspired twist on a dirty martini with its Oi Boy cocktail. You choose between Roku Gin or Ketel One vodka with saké vermouth, Korean cucumber brine and an optional gochugaru, or chili pepper, tincture.

Dirty Martini from Never Say Dive

4497 Broadview Road, Cleveland

Never Say Dive also has deserved the buzz it has received since opening in Cleveland’s Old Brooklyn neighborhood last year, especially for its cocktail program. Its house dirty martini is made with vodka, house brine and Manzanilla, a fortified wine. For those looking to take it up a notch, Never Say Dive offers the option to add a caviar bump to the cocktail.

Frozen Espresso Martini from Hi 5

1052 Old River Road, Cleveland

Hi 5 in the Flats doesn’t keep its love for espresso martinis a secret, and its frozen version is a great option for cooling off in the summer. Plus, on Thursdays, the bar offers a $5 espresso martini special.

The G-Town Martini from Georgetown Vosh

18515 Detroit Ave., Lakewood

Georgetown Vosh makes its house martini “hot and dirty” for those who tend to order their cocktails as dirty as possible. Buckeye vodka, olive juice and Tabasco make up the drink garnished with blue cheese-stuffed hot peppers.

Dirty Bianco Martini – Verbena Free Spirited

1434 W. 29th St., Cleveland

Even those who don’t want to drink alcohol can celebrate National Martini Day thanks to Verbena Free Spirited in Cleveland’s Hingetown neighborhood. The Dirty Bianco Martini features Roots Divino Bianco, a 0.0% ABV spirit alternative, and Happy Pickler Upshots pickle brine for a dirty drink that mimics the classic. The bar also offers a dirty Chai martini variation.

Gibson from La Ville Lumiere

10427 Clifton Blvd., Cleveland

La Ville Lumiere brings a true French brasserie on Cleveland’s west side with a bar menu focused on the classics. A Gibson martini is an earthy take on a classic dirty martini, and LVL makes its recipe with high-proof gin, dry vermouth and three cocktail onions.

Left Bank Martini from Velvet Tango Room

2095 Columbus Road, Cleveland

Velvet Tango Room has long been a destination for delicious drinks in Cleveland that honors the history of craft cocktail culture. The Left Bank Martini, first created in London in 2006, features Citadelle Jardin d’Été gin, St. Germain liqueur, VYA dry vermouth and Chardonnay. It’s a boozy sip that’s unlike any other martini you’ve probably ever tried.

Espresso Martini from Bar Amazonia

1 oz. Ketel One Vodka

1 oz. Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur

1 oz. espresso or cold brew

.5 oz simple syrup (optional)

Three coffee beans or orange zest for garnish

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass. Shake with ice and fine strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with three coffee beans on top or orange zest.