The Martini Black Book

An updated list with 208 of my personal favorites from around the world

Sep 12, 2025

∙ Paid

The last time I did a Martini Black Book was 2022. Yolanda asked me to update it to coincide with her 100th Bric-a-Brac (which is coming out tomorrow, so lucky you—you get this 2 days earlier than usual!), as she wanted to include my 100 favorite spots for martinis, so I got down to business. It’s very serious this research–the methodology goes something like this: Go into Photos on my phone. Type “martini” into the search icon, and see what pops up. I’ll tell you what, we have done a lot of research on this fine drink, as it turns out we have 208 spots in this list. Listen, if you’re not a martini drinker, fear not. All of these places make great drinks, and usually, the people who work here are great resources to ask about whatever place you’re in.

I’m often asked for lists like this—while it is a simple drink—minimal ingredients of the best quality, made with the most thoughtful of preparations–it can go terribly wrong; the gin can be too warm (I only drink gin martinis), the balance of the vermouth can be off (I like mine dry), the garnish too fussy (no lemon twists curled like fusilli), or the olives old and mushy. But when it is done right, it is a heavenly drink—one with complexity and power. It truly is perfection in a glass, as the title of my book suggests. It’s an adult drink, one that gets you out of the gate FAST with panache, elegance and flair. I’m a sprinter, not an endurance runner, and the martini suits me for its speedy, intoxicating quality.

You shouldn’t need many, so enjoying the best you can possibly get your hands on is a must. Below is my list of favorites—I’ve personally tried one at every single one of these bars, everywhere from Bangkok to Upstate New York, with a heavy emphasis on Europe and the UK where I spend a lot of time. I’m sure I’ve missed a lot of your favorites (I do have a liver to keep healthy!) but I’d love to hear them, so please tell me in the comments!

In case you’re wondering, here’s how I order my martini: Always a London Dry gin like Tanqueray 10 for example, very dry (which means with minimal white vermouth. I will sometimes use the term a wash of vermouth or in & out both meaning the vermouth is swirled in the glass and thrown out otherwise just a very little splash goes into the mixing glass) up, with a twist.