Best Martinis ever - When, Where, Why?

[kookaburra75]

While relaxing in the NSW South Coast for our wedding anniversary and enjoying a martini in the bar last night (as we are classic dry martini afficiandos) my better half and I got around to talking about the many fine experiences we have had in our travels that involved Martinis. We also enjoy G&T's, but that can be another thread.

We can certainly remember a number of places for where they were located, the time of year and the reason for us being there. Up at the top of our list are:

• Aqua The Shard, London Sep 2016

As part of our four week Grande Tour in the UK and France last year, we started off in London. MBH hadn't been to this part of the world before, so we started off in London. One of my work colleagues recommended the Aqua bar at The Shard, preferably at sunset. After a day of wandering around the tourist sites we made it to The Shard late afternoon and went through the security screening. The lady there mentioned that Aqua enforced their dress code and perhaps us, in our typical tourist gear (ie comfy walking shoes) might not pass muster. We pressed on. When we got out of the lift, there were the fine young things behind the podium at the entry to Aqua, who looked us up and down, and I sensed they were reaching for the 'reject' button under the desk. I took my usual approach to these situations - look like you own the joint. I simply said we were there for a martini and that the far table for two, against the window was ours and walked over to it. We were served, and enjoyed a very nice martini while watching the sun set over London.​

• American Bar, Hotel des Paris Monte Carlo Oct 2016

We were on a four week driving holiday including a couple of weeks in southern France. When roughing out the trip, we intended to start in Toulouse and loop up through Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, and then down to Arles and up through Avignon and up to Lyon. MBH looked at the map and pointed a bit to the right and asked, "Is that Monte Carlo?" - Yes dear. "That's not far is it?" - No dear. "We could stay there, couldn't we?" - Yes dear. So we did. As part of making it a special night, we took our finest outfits and carted them around with our luggage (besides MBH leaving hers at security screening in Dublin, another thread) and dressed up for Friday night. We probably looked like country hicks we but we enjoyed ourselves - Bono and Edge being on the next table. The Martinis were special and the bar tender enjoyed serving up something classic, and that we asked for Hendricks. There was a jazz singer, the photos from the 50's era, a memorable evening.
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• Pool Bar Bannister's Mollymook NSW, Dec 2017

Spending a few nights at Bannister's for our wedding anniversary, having stayed here several months ago. The bar tender kicked things off the right way by asking which gin and made sure the glasses were chilled, kept the martini nice and dry and just a twist of cucumber. Listening to the waves crashing against the rocks, a balmy night, right type and level of music, and of course the company of MBH
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I've found travel experiences are made up of a mix of places, time and people - and a great martini.

Cheers

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[Scash]

Agree. We were in Hong Kong in 2011. SWMBO always wanted to put on the LBD and have a martini. Can't remember the hotel but it was on the island overlooking the bay. Went down and ordered the drink but too be honest thought it was rocket fuel! However met with a family from Scotland and had a fantastc night. So if it wasn't for the Martini wouldn't have met people and missed out on one of those travel experiences.

 

[opusman]

The bar at One Aldwych. And actually surprisingly the Martini Bar at the Barbican made an excellent one.