Once again, your Best Martini can be found at the Bitter End, which stays a swizzle stick ahead of the Fireside. Owner Mike Leigh is working on the new summer martini menu now, in keeping with the Bitter End’s ever changing offerings. “Soho liqueur is hot right now, so we’ll be playing with that,” he says, “and flavoured vodkas as well.” Leigh says the standards—like the Cosmo—are still popular, but people are more willing to experiment. What keeps sippers coming back? “A dedication to the art,” he says. “Staff that know what they’re doing and love doing it.”
2nd: The Fireside, 1500 Brunswick, 423-5995
3rd: Seven Wine Bar, 1579 Grafton, 444-4777