Tiny space. Great drinks! Marty's is definitely on my "go to" list when looking for a perfectly poured drink. The intimate space might scare you off as it is always packed but if you go a little early or a little later- chances are a table will open up. I happened to be lucky the night I was there as the people I was with knew the owner and in minutes- we had the primo table right in the window and our drinks were not far behind. Martini's come in two sizes with the small one being the perfect way to sample so many of the interesting ones they have on the menu. As for me I stuck with my standard "very dirty" and it was perfection in a glass. And even a standard mixed drink will shake up your mouth as they pour an amazingly stiff drink. The staff was also great. One in our party misplaced her purse and when I went back in to see if anyone had seen it- they had already found it and put it behind the bar for safe keeping. Nice. Looking for that perfect place in Andersonville to start or end your night? Look no further. For Marty's will surely have whatever you want. read more

Marty's is a true classic yes it's small and compact and we can not pick a thousand things, keep it real the staff is ALWAYS wonderful and accommodating! The TINIS if that's your thing are next to perfection! Thanks for introducing me to the French thing ie with Champaign on top... lol keep Up the good work! read more

I am so sad about the state of affairs at Marty's. I have been coming to this bar for probably since the day that it began. If you look at my previous reviews you will see that I am very nostalgic and wish that things could return to the way they were. Tonight I returned with friends who have been going there for years. I get that it was a Sunday night. In the entire bar there was one bartender. He was amazing and the fact that he could make drinks for anybody that walked in. But the customers had to clear tables, wiping tables, and bring their drinks to their tables. He was totally alone - no other bar back or bar tender. This is a far cry from the excellent service and hometown disposition that the bar had when I opened years ago. I am disappointed in the lack of customer service let alone the lack of service. The bartender did everything he could to provide drinks for the patrons. He did it with a smile. However the quality of the experience has gone down exponentially. Please Marty's Figure something else out because this is more than a cash machine. read more

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drinks that used to be strong are now super-weak. yes another business trying to save money at the expense of the customer experience. it used to be super-busy and now it's not; i see why now read more

Truly fantastic! This intimate little martini bar is small in square footage but oozing with charm.The decor is a handsome mix of vintage euro and speakeasy. The bartenders are true master craftsmen and experts of their trade. They are polite, professional, attentive and super handsome. Although they have an open bar, their specialty is martinis and I highly recommend them. Be forewarned, however, as these are not your typical cocktails. They are made perfectly and although you'll want 2-3...or 4, they pack a punch. The later it gets the more crowded this little gem becomes so get there early as seats fill up quickly and people like to stay for awhile (they open at 4pm.) I highly recommend a visit to Marty's if you are looking for a classy yet fun way to kickoff your evening. Cheers to you Marty's! read more

Marty's Martini Bar - Happiness. - Gay Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

This is the coziest of martini bars. A perfect setting for date night, meeting a few close friends, or sitting at the bar and chatting with the bartenders. As others have said, it is quite small. I would guess their maximum capacity sits around 40, but even that would be pretty cramped. Maybe the best attribute of Marty's is their philanthropic side. Each month, they host a not-for-profit on Sunday afternoons from 2 - 5pm, before they officially open for business, and donate all profits above their cost to that NFP. Even better, they promote that NFP's event on their social media pages to their regulars. Marty's was kind enough to host a NFP last weekend that I am involved with, and I cannot tell you how many of our donors were regular customers of Marty's. Spreading our word, and opening up the bar three hours early? Win. Win. Additionally, their prices are very un-martini. Inventive and playful concoctions will set you back between $10 - 12. Not a bad price for a stiff drink! My friends tried their dessert martinis and loved. I went with the classic French 75, and it was perfect. Cozy, affordable, and elegant. It's your next date night spot. read more

A totally cool martini bar catering to a mixed crowd in Andersonville with a great Prohibition-era feel serving up some incredibly well-crafted (and potent) cocktails. We managed to snag the table right by the window, allowing us to enjoy our drinks and talk while taking in the fun vibe on a busy Saturday night. The drinks are made with top-shelf ingredients, and you can tell that the bartenders take great pride in their craft. For me, it was a negroni for starters (yeah, it's not a martini, but I guess everything becomes one at Marty's when served in a martini glass), with one of my friends then ordering me a chocolate martini. Both packed quite a whallop... let's just say that it was a late start on Sunday morning... It's a bit of a hike from the Loop or Mag Mile, but it's definitely worth the trip. A long-ish walk from the Berwyn Red Line station, but cabs are easy to find, or just grab yourself an Uber. You'll have a great night out, for sure! read more

Marty's Martini Bar - Gay Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

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Staff seemed unconcerned with the line and slowly mixed drinks. My friend and I left after waiting for 15 with no acknowledgement from anyone working. read more

This is one of my favorite martini bars. The staff is always friendly and they make a damn good martini. Be it a classic martini or dessert martini, it is always on point. Plus, their blue cheese stuffed olive are some of the best! read more

Delicious (and dangerously strong) martinis! I always have a great time at Marty's. If heading there on a Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon, do expect a somewhat large crowd. However, it is surely worth it! The ambiance is relaxing and the drinks are soothing! The dessert martinis are very delicious if you like sweet drinks, but I generally stick with their French Martini or French 75 (personal fave). read more

Great place. I love the old school feel and small space. Its not a beer drinkers place, its a fine liqour place. meaning sophisticated drinks only, martinis, scotch, etc...great place and fun. Very small, and tiny but its a great place. read more

While visiting this fine city my host brought is to have the best martini. Loved the speakeasy atmosphere and music. read more

Marty's Martini Bar - Gay Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love this little bar. Perfect place to start out the evening before grabbing dinner in Andersonville. They are known for their cocktails but also have wines by the glass and a few (3 to be exact beer options). My suggestion to them would be to offer a few more beers and upgrade the wine selection slightly. The white and sparkling is fine but the red selection could use an upgrade. Anyway onto the positive the service here is upscale and highly professional in their appearance and their demeanor. It's a small place and popular but if you get there early you should luck into a seat. In the summer it had a wonderful patio. Last summer it was under construction so I am looking forward to seeing what they have done when the patio re-opens in 2015. read more

Marty's Martini Bar - Gay Bars Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cute martini bar on W Balmoral in Andersonville. The patio is inviting and private. Sting lights at night add a cozy and festive feel to the patio. A small fireplace adds another touch of intimacy to the nice outdoor space. Service is prompt and friendly. The inside is a bit small, but again, very inviting. They have a list of signature drinks and beers to choose from, or you can ask for your favorite and they will sure make it for you. read more

Amazing martinis. Classy ambiance. Cozy. Wonderful Service. Marty's is absolutely a classic and throws in a twist on the classic martinis with some decadently tasty drinks. But, be careful, if you're having more than one you might want to really consider if that's a wise choice. I love this place, and the only reason it doesn't get a 5 in my book is because of how "cozy" it can be when it's packed. It's often shoulder to shoulder and the limited space really takes away from the feel of the bar. Often times it's standing room only and in the close quarters it often means you're still accidentally sitting in someone's lap unintentionally. read more

I went here on a Monday night a few months ago and forgot to give it a review. It is really tight in there and not many tables, but it contributes to a very quaint and warm atmosphere. I went on a double date here but I feel like due to the size and the table space, it would probably be best suited for a date or a one on one outing. I ordered my standard dirty martini and it. I also ordered something with peppermint? It was very different and very fun. My husband ordered a chocolate martini that he didn't like, so i drank it for him. :) It's a great place to end your night or to get after dinner drinks. Very friendly staff as well. read more

Martini's Martin's and cocktails are constantly good, and strong! I bring all my out of town guest here, if you can get in. People come here for a reason. It's Small but always a friendly face to be found their. Not a chocolate martini kind of guy but Marty's make a mean one that is delicious so I indulge every once in awhile. All there drinks are exceptional and fill to the very tip top of the martini glass. I have a motto for Marty's Martinis: "One is good, two is enough, but three is too many!" It's always a good time in at Marty's! read more

Marty's makes some of the best martinis in the city. Marty's doesn't cheap out and use pinnacle vodka for their flavors like some third rate lounges - their liquor quality level starts at absolute and moves up from there. You will always get an expertly made, quality cocktail. Marty's menu moves from traditional dirty, to fruit and sour, and finishes with a list of sweet and dessert cocktails. The bar's seating is limited. Cocktail tables fill up fast and, in the summer, their lovely outdoor patio is always booming. If you go in the evening, expect that you will likely have a wait for a table and, on busy nights, a wait for bar seating. read more

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Favorite place to go for a drink in Andersonville. Marty's is classy and delicious - their martinis are STRONG. It's always packed in Marty's for a reason. The employees are awesome (and easy on the eyes)... there's no better place to start a night out than at Marty's. Two martinis will have you feeling great. If you've never been, try it! Trust me. You won't be disappointed. read more

Great potent Martinis, Always a friendly crowd and a good place to start or end an evening out! I particularly love the chocolate Martinis here and I think they have about 6 different versions of it. In the summer they have an outdoor area if you can tolerate the heat that is. Check it out! read more

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I've never been here and I never heard about this place until my friends invited me yesterday for a drink. It's a gem. We are talking REAL martinis not watered down juice drinks. I started with the dirty and it was icy cold, salty, perfect olives and filled to the brim in a jumbo martini glass. Wow! My friends also started with the same. They then switched to French 75's which they kindly let me taste and it was delicious. I like gin, but even if you don't like gin the flavor of this was so good you wouldn't know it's gin. I've been craving a good lemon drop martinis even though I know they are not fashionable anymore. I'm glad I had one. Lemon sugar strong lunch of vodka made this one as good as I remembered it to be. I cannot wait to go back to this place. Such a neighborhood gem. read more

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Best martinis in the city!! If you're looking for a low key place with outstanding drinks, I highly recommend. It can be a little difficult finding a table on the weekends after 6, as this place fills up quickly-so get their early! You will not be disappointed! read more

I just got back from Marty's having gone on a Saturday night. First, Marty's is a gay bar. As a gay man who's been to dozens of gay bars; this is a gay bar. I just inadvertently took my straight friend there! Second, the martinis are wonderfully made and wonderfully large. Customer service was fantastic as well. Third, said martinis are wonderfully overpriced. My "pom" martini (pomegranate and vodka) along with my friend's Bombay Sapphire martini cost $29 + tip. Fourth, as other reviewers have noted, it IS small and crowded. I'd suggest that if you want to come, you come on a weekday night. Two stars for the price of the drinks. read more

I have had many-a-martinis here, many-a-times. If you're coming on a weekend night, you'll want to get here early as the space is small and you'll want a seat. They have a breezy little patio as well if you want to be outside on one of Chicago's beautiful summer days. The martinis here come in a large and small size and they definitely pack a punch, so beware. And I have not had one that I didn't like. The staff here are wonderful and very accommodating. Ooh and they have a nice trail/pub mix, too. :) read more

Gentlemen, this is the place to take a lady (or another gentlemen) to impress and woo with your top notch taste in bars. The place screams class. I believe the last time I was there I said, "you know, this is a bar that would look nice in daylight." Aren't too many of those around. The bartenders are extremely friendly, even when it's crowded (which is most of the time), and they wear those old fashioned bartender outfits and say "cheers" when they serve you your drink. I mean, come on! It doesn't get much better than that. The martinis come in two sizes, which is a unique option not to be found at most bars. So far, I've tasted the Park Avenue and the Chocolate Martinis, and I found both to be delicious and strong without tasting too much alcohol. I will be back to try more of their martini menu in the very near future! Prices are pretty darn decent, $8 for the smaller size (which is normal size) and $13 for the biggie (which is huge and will get you tipsy in a hurry). The vibe is great -- not pretentious, mostly just neighborhood folks having a drink with friends. It is a very tiny bar, so I'd suggest going a bit early in the evening in order to snag a seat. Take your date there for a pre-dinner cocktail and you will score points for sure! read more

Holy Marty's! It has been a long time coming waiting for this well-deserved review to be written. Why? Because I would have many more wrinkles on my body from all the daily stress without their potent, delicious, filled-to-the-rim martinis to preserve my gorgeous skin! After all, Martinis and I work hand in hand. One cannot exist without the other. One of the owners John is a hoot! You cannot miss him serving up drinks, keeping the chaos to a minimum and cracking jokes with the clients. And you really can't help yourself from noticing and flirting with the sexy waiters dressed in black and white like butlers or valets---Add a Perez Hilton "Hot!" to the end of that. Heck, for all I know they could be Monet's in real life since they keep the lights so dim (not until I looked at a Yelp picture of the interior did I know that the walls were blue), but I do know that they have great personalities. With that said, I did stalked them on Marty's Facebook page where there are pictures of each employee and I can now confirm that they are just as charming as when I'm warm and fuzzy inside. One of the biggest reasons I love Marty's is because it's not completely pretentious like a lot of other gay bars (no names will be discussed but you probably already have a few ideas...At Marty's there's the lesbians, bears, leather daddies and the whole crew) and it's very chill with a fun "End of the Century" Parisian theme. Cheers to that [without spilling your martini, of course]! A few forewarnings: -The place can get packed, most likely leading to one of the reasons for gay men to stay thin. There are only about 5 tables up front which you must obey the Reserved signs to, a counter with stools along the narrow business' wall, and the bar. -Please take your time squeezing through to reach the bathroom in the rear (oy!) without spilling everyone's drinks. -When the weathers pleasant, they also have a gorgeous outdoor side patio that's lovely to drink the night away. -Now ladies, this is one of the places you're welcome to join your gay as long as you promise to not make it a bachelorette party spot. Deal? -Oh and watch out for the carbalicious party mix bowls they supply at the tables to munch on. It's highly addictive and does NOT serve as a pre-drinking meal! -The Petite ($9) size martini won't suffice, just go all out and get a Grande ($13). One or two will do you in anyway. You can't go wrong with any martini on the menu. You have now been forewarned... read more

There are few things I love more than a good Belvedere martini. Marty's does martinis right - no fuss, no frills, just good. And BIG. I cannot tell you how many times I get a BAD martini, even after explaining how I like it. Really, it is not that mysterious: ice cold vodka, up, no vermouth, lemon twist. Easy. As. Pie. As long as Marty's stays consistent, I will be back for more big, excellent martinis. read more

Marty's may be a small space, but don't be fooled: their martinis pack a huge punch! Came by on a Friday night with a couple girlfriends and the martini maestro himself, Rob L. Marty's was packed to the gills but our smiling server swore a table would soon open up. And it did! Music to the ears for my 4-inch heel wearin' friends. Now I'm a classic dirty martini girl myself (I'll have mine with blue cheese-stuffed olives pleeeease) and Marty's take did not disappoint. Actually, it was closer to... PERFECT. In an attempt to satiate my insistent sweet tooth, I also sampled (okay, I downed it) the Pineapple Upside-Down martini. :::swoon::: Though I ordered both concoctions in the junior size, I somehow earned an adult-sized hangover the next day. But SO worth it. Next up: the Crème Brulee martini. And be careful in there-- maneuvering through the intimate space post-heady libation(s) will use every last drop of grace! read more

Hi Marty's Caramel Apple Martini? I have a huge crush on you. You, caramel apple martini, were the best thing that has touched these lips in a long time. So good in fact that I knocked you over while trying to lick the caramel off of your tiny glass side. Embarrassing- yes, but thank you Mr. Fab Bartender for immediately bringing me a fresh martini (free of charge- amazing) and wiping it up with no grief. XoXoXo -Ashley read more

Great fun. A lady friend brought us here. She was the only lady in the place - only female, too - for a while. But, this is a totally friendly, classy place that anybody should / could/ would patronize. Awesome service. Can't say great drink(s), since it was late and I had only one, but what I had was made well: a pomegranite juice martini, which actually was too big for me to finish. Every hood should be so lucky. read more

I feel like I was seriously over charged here...but of course I was a little tipsy when I signed the credit card slip and wasn't paying attention. Still, I expect a place to be careful about how they charge my card. 3 drinks listed as $8/each does not equal $39 dollars in any universe. Unless they just served me the larger size without asking? That also seems like very bad policy. I personally never drink martinis and probably couldn't eyeball how many ounces are in a glass, but they didn't look that big. UPDATE: I just saw in another review that they do just assume you want the big size. I think this is awful and I won't go back. You should ask what size I want, and if you're going to make any assumptions at all, assume small. Jerks. On the other hand, our server John was really nice. I tipped him really well, which makes me all the more irritated to see a charge way bigger than I was expecting on my card. Arg. No more cards at bars for me. read more

I was recently on a date having sushi in Uptown and the woman I was with said she wanted to pick a place to go for drinks. She picked this place as I have never heard of it and she said she saw awesome martini reviews so I was like ok lets roll. Tucked away off of Clark & Balmoral we almost missed it while driving by. As we walked up, we could tell that it was a little cozy joint as it was quite dim and we could see some old classic frames on the wall. First thing she noticed is that we were the only straight couple in the joint which was cool. We then noticed everyone seemed like they were ready to have sex as they were sipping the martinis...I started wondering if the martinis meant sex for me and my date too...probably not :( I'm not kidding when I say 2 mins after walking in the door a lesbian couple were almost stretched out on the bar about to go for a late night bone sess. The male couple right behind us near the window seemed to be in competition with the other couple...lots of heavy kissing taking place lol! Now on to the martinis! I happen to be a guy that will always start with a french martini. I forgot the awesome bartender's name that made it, but he made a good one. The next drink I got was a filthy, dirty martini in which is one of the best I've had in quite some time. This place was a helluva good time and made a damn good drank or 2! Not very big (pretty tight actually), but good to stop in for a couple if you can. read more

Marty's really deserves 4 stars, but barely misses it due to clientele. Pros: - Cute, small martini bar. We need more of these. - Martinis are well made. - The bartenders are cute, attentive, and good at what they do. Cons: - Weekends transform this place into a gay dumbfest of fools. I really can't explain it...read the other reviews. It's an odd mix of douche bromancers and bronzing former twinks. And it just smells thick of desperation. - the GDFOF (gay dumbfest of fools) wears at the staff very quickly. Bartenders, by the end of the night, can be raw nerves. Understandable, but unfortunate. read more

Marty's is the purest of martinis ! You want a well made martini(s) this is the place to be. Keep it up!

Too crowded, too loud, too snotty, too expensive...$22 +gratuity for 2 drinks in this tiny awful bar....no atmosphere, no goodies...skip it... I'll go downtown and enjoy a view, a nicer room, a nosh and bettter service for the same money.....I won't be back...ever. read more

Horrible experience... After 6 plus years of loyalty to this business- I have to say Marty needs to always have a manager on duty to make sure the customers are made to feel welcome... I would recommend the Violet Hour for true classic martinis/drinks served with proper service. Please feel free to contact me for more specifics on my experience. read more

Oh my gosh! I'm in love. I came here with 3 girlfriends for Mommy Martini Night on a cold and snowy Friday. But this place definitely warmed us up real quick! The service is great, everyone was so friendly and having a good time. I had the Lemon Drop martini which was delicious, and then had a glass of Riesling. So tasty. This place is quite small, but that makes it much more cozy. I'll definitely be back in the summer when the patio is open! read more

Proceed with caution when drinking here. Their specialty is classic cocktails, made right. You know the kind: it's a big glass of almost pure liquor, but because it's mixed the way it should be, it goes down smooth and delicious. This is not the place to order a jack and coke, instead take a hint and order a martini at a martini bar. Remember to sip, not gulp, if you want to walk, not crawl, out of Marty's. I like that its very small and intimate, but unfortunately that means I don't go here very often because it can get too crowded very quickly. If you can snag a seat, lucky you. read more

The Good: Staff was friendly. Also good is if you're an actor and get a role in a movie playing a sardine, this is an excellent place to get into character. The Bad: Smallest place of business I've ever been in. It was so crowded I started having a panic attack. It had to be way beyond whatever fire code the city has in place. It took a coon's age to get our order, and the drinks were crazy expensive. read more

Nice neighborhood bar in my neck of the woods. Hope I get a chance to go back. I went here again yesterday. I loved it. Nice friendly atmosphere and good service. Way to go Marty! read more