To be perfectly honest, there is no drink more perfect than a martini. No matter the combination of liquors, a martini glass brimming with booze is without a doubt the pinnacle of sophistication (olives are optional).

 Martinis, a 24-hour spot located near a bustling intersection in Summerlin, is one of several bars in Las Vegas with James Bond’s favorite drink in its name, yet Martinis is definitely the cream of the crop. Located away from the Strip in a locals neighborhood, the bar is a mix of upscale seriousness and sports bar friendliness, with a diverse beverage menu that includes high-end libations as well as a solid beer selection.

The entrance to Martinis leads to a dimly lit lounge with leather chairs clustered around small tables in front of the fireplaces that separate the bar from the dining area. Above the tables are flat-screen TVs with plenty of sports action (if you’re into that), and the bar-top is lined with embedded gaming machines, just in case you forget you live in Las Vegas.

 The drink menu at Martinis is serious business—with a thick, black embossed cover and pages filled with print, the task of selecting a drink takes some time. The list of traditional martinis ranges from Casino Royale’s Vesper (six parts gin, two parts vodka and one part blond lillet, shaken with a twist), the original Martinez (two parts gin, one part vermouth and a dash of orange bitters shaken with an olive) and the Oscar Goodman martini (Bombay Sapphire with anchovy and bleu cheese-stuffed olives). Martinis serves gourmet stuffed olives with its signature selections, with flavors including almond, garlic, jalapeno and onion.

 If gin, vodka and vermouth don’t do the trick, Martinis also offers more contemporary flavored martinis, some served with fresh fruit as a garnish. The classic Blueberry More martini combines Bluberi Stoli with sugar and lime over a base of blueberries, while the Lychee Martini blends vodka with Soho Liqueur, lychee puree and sweet and sour. If you’re feeling adventurous, the Afterburner (Plymouth gin, cucumber, garlic Tabasco, sugar and lime) is a cocktail for the brave of heart, or you could try the Martini of the Month—July’s lemon blackberry sorbetini, which has been added to the regular menu, was to die for.

Martinis’ cocktails hover in the $10 range, unless you take advantage of the bar’s happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m, or the late-night happy hour beginning at 11 p.m. for service industry folks partying after-hours.
    Martinis is a versatile neighborhood spot, simultaneously the perfect place for a quiet night with a glass of wine accompanied by a gourmet nut and cheese platter or for a raucous dinner party. And the martinis themselves? Sensational.

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Martinis

Location: 1205 S. Fort Apache Rd.

Hours: 24 hours a day

Phone: 702-242-8464

By Caitlin McGarry