Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!
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GUIDE imbibe shaken and stirred NOTHING HITS THE SPOT LIKE A THOUGHTFULLY CRAFTED COCKTAIL—ESPECIALLY AT ONE OF THESE WATERING HOLES. BY ALLISON PIWOWARSKI Sable Kitchen & Bar A uthenticity is key at Sable, where master mixologists stir the finest spirits to create a classic martini with a rich, no-nonsense texture that expresses essential oils and stimulates every sense. 505 N. State St., 312-755-9704; sablechicago.com The Matchbox A t just 460 square feet, this intimate lounge packs a punch with a myriad of quirky martinis and the ever-popular margarita, which fuses tequila, Cointreau, fresh lime juice, and egg white for a classic kick. 770 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-666-9292; thesilverpalmrestaurant.com NoMI Lounge N estled seven floors above the Magnificent Mile, NoMI is the ideal spot for a sundown soirée. Be sure to try the Lakeside, which marries Junipero Gin and Carpano Antica sweet vermouth with Luxardo maraschino and hyatt.com/gallery/nomi Marty's Martini Bar P atrons can pick their poison with Marty's renowned martinis, including the tried and true Dirty Bird made with chilled vodka, olive juice, and blue cheese-stuffed olives, or the multitude of dessert drink options such as the Mint Patty and 130 MICHIGANAVEMAG.COM Pineapple Upside Down martinis. 1511 W. Balmoral Ave., 773-454-0161 The Bar at The Peninsula S Rebar's Flor Blanco punch bowl. 1028 N. Rush St., 312-266-8999; gibsonssteakhouse.com Kit Kat Lounge & Supper Club W it back and relax on a comfy leather sofa and take in the crackling fireplace while sipping a Jet Li signature cocktail, a combination of Patrón Silver, peach purée, cranberry juice, and ginger ale—perfect for washing down bar bites like mini Kobe burgers. 108 E. Superior St., 312-573-6766; peninsula.com The Signature Lounge at the 96th K ith more than 200 cocktails available, Kit Kat's martini list reads more like a dessert menu than a cocktail list; flavors such as Snickerdoodle, Key Lime Pie, and Banana Split appear on the menu. The cherry on top? Performances by the lounge's resident "divas," who shake things up every 20 minutes. 3700 N. Halsted St., 773-525-1111; kitkatchicago.com Ada Street A nown for its panoramic views of the city skyline, this majestic space is also home to one of Chicago's best sidecars. The famous recipe is sought out by many cocktail connoisseurs and features a trifecta of Hennessy, Cointreau, and fresh lime juice. 875 N. Michigan Ave., 312-787-9596; signatureroom.com/ signature-lounge 800 N. Michigan Ave., 312-239-4030; Gibsons Bar & soothing lavender. Steakhouse G ibsons doesn't mess around when it comes to bold flavors and jaw-dropping portions. When this sleek establishment opened in 1989, traditional two-ounce martini glasses were few and far between, so dessert glasses became de rigueur—and Gibsons has been serving up its classic 10-ounce martinis ever since. da Street's well-edited cocktail menu features classics such as the G&T and Limoncello, but it's no wonder that the King Bee reigns supreme courtesy of Edinburgh Gin, Bären-jäger, Green Chartreuse, and lime. 1664 N. Ada St., 773-697-7069; adastreetchicago.com Rebar T he Trump's ultrachic lounge pairs stunning river views and equally impressive cocktail combinations. Don't miss the cilantro martini, which blends spicy jalapeño with sweet Godiva white chocolate. Or try the grapefruit margarita, made with jalapeño-infused Don Julio and a rosemary sea-salt rim. 401 N. Wabash Ave., 877-458-7867; trumphotelcollection.com/ chicago MA DO THE TWIST John Damas, general manager of Luxbar/ Gibsons Restaurant Group, on the perfect martini. Gin or vodka? I like my martinis made with Hendrick's Gin—it's more approachable and has less juniper—and a lemon twist. The key to a great martini is: Value. We keep our glasses ice cold and fill them to the top with nothing but the best ingredients. Where is the best spot in Luxbar to have a martini? Table 78, way in the back. It's a little more quiet—well, as quiet as Luxbar gets! Luxbar serves up cocktails with the highest-quality ingredients.