Stirring Up The Area’s Best Martinis 

A classic martini is one of the world’s most iconic cocktails; evoking images of sophistication throughout the decades, from jazz-age speakeasies to James Bond’s drink of choice to the drink’s broad revival in the 1990s. And while the origin of this drink may seem like it’d be a prohibition-era New York creation, much of the mythmaking around the martini’s creation actually takes place right here on the West Coast. 

Depending on who you believe, the original version of the martini may have been created in San Francisco during the Gold Rush. According to legend, a miner looking to celebrate a trip to Martinez ordered a cocktail at a hotel bar (and paid with a nugget of gold). The bartender whipped up a mix of gin and vermouth plus some bitters and liqueur and dubbed it the Martinez. 

A few decades later, the first printed evidence of a “Dry Martini” recipe comes from an unnamed Los Angeles bartender in a book from 1907 called “The World’s Drinks and How to Mix Them.” Since then, the martini has travelled the world over and expanded well beyond the boundaries of its origins. Today, the word “martini” could include any cocktail that is served from a martini-style glass … though purists would insist that a true martini be limited to just gin, vermouth, and maybe a splash of olive brine.

Around the Anaheim area, there are a number of places that serve up a delicious classic martini, and others that are also happy to offer the most modern martini trend: the espresso martini. Here are a few places we’d suggest you stop in for a either option - no password or double-0 agent status needed. 

Story Bar + Kitchen

Up in the Anaheim Hills, Story Bar + Kitchen turns out an upscale but approachable menu of comfort food crafted by Chef Christy Gray, whose influences range from her Filipino background to her love of seafood and her adoration of Italian cuisine. As such, guests to Story can order up everything from smashburgers to oven-fired pizzas to miso-glazed sea bass or a classic surf and turf. 

Their creative eye extends to their extensive cocktail menu as well, where their updated interpretation of an Espresso Martini, called a Nightcap, which starts with coffee-infused reposado tequila which is then blended with Averna amaro, cinnamon, orange bitters and Aztec chocolate bitters. Have a hankering for a classic version (traditionally made with coffee or cold brew, vodka, simple syrup or Kahlua)? Story Bar will happily make one of those - or even a traditional martini as well. 

The Original Fish Company 

Restaurants that count their lifespan in decades typically have a pretty solid martini recipe awaiting drinkers at the bar. The Original Fish Company in Los Alamitos, family-owned since 1981, is no exception. 

Post up at the sprawling, 50-foot U-shaped bar and when you’re done gawking at the massively-stocked liquor selection and impressive draft lineup of craft brewing options, you’ll find yourself at the cocktail menu. Bartenders will happily make you the martini of your choice - gin, vodka, dirty, filthy, or even espresso - to your preference. Their happy hour menu also offers a number of fairly-priced martini-adjacent drinks like a Lemon Drop-tini, a Mango-tini and a Pomegranate-tini. 

Blind Rabbit

Regularly topping the lists of cocktail bar destinations in Anaheim, Blind Rabbit’s speakeasy setting lends itself perfectly to sipping a Prohibition-era cocktail like a Gimlet, Old Fashioned or a Negroni. House rules keep things in line with a true 1920s-style experience, ie: sneak in through the sake barrels, exit through the book case, and no phone calls allowed at the bar. 

Interestingly, they don’t expressly have a traditional martini on their “Classic Cocktails” menu, but they do offer a stirred espresso martini -their version pairs Bloom coffee with reposado tequila from Cascanes, Alma Fica (a Mexican orange liqueur) and Licor 43 (a Spanish liqueur that marries citrus, spice and vanilla). Ask nicely, though, and you can probably get them to wave a vermouth bottle near a glass of chilled gin for you. 

Strong Water 

Regularly honored with awards and nominations from organizations like the James Beard Foundation, Tales of the Cocktail and the LA Times, Strong Water is easily one of the OC’s best cocktail bars - and also one of the premiere tiki bars in the entire nation. Given that most tiki menus skew towards rum drinks, you won’t be surprised to find that a true gin martini doesn’t have an entry at Strong Water - but you will find something approximating an espresso martini if you’re looking to scratch that itch! Dubbed the Velvet Banana, Strong Water mixes up two types of rum with espresso, coffee liqueur, banana, walnut bitters and banana-infused whipped cream. 

Carthay Circle Restaurant

Disney-bound martini lovers have an option available to them as well, assuming a trip to Disney California Adventure® Park is on the to-do list. Inside the park, the Carthay Circle Restaurant, Disney’s ode to the Golden Era of Hollywood, serves a menu of Mediterranean-Californian alongside nearly two dozen classic cocktails, including a Hemingway Daiquiri, a Pimm’s Cup, a Pisco Sour, and naturally, a very traditional martini. 

The Carthay Martini is served with the patron’s choice of Hendrick’s Gin or Double Cross Vodka, plus Lillet Blanc dry vermouth and blue cheese-truffle olives and (per the menu) “an ice sphere made from locally sourced purified water.” All of these are also served at the exclusive 1901 Lounge for Club 33 members … assuming you know someone who can get you in. 

Whether you're a seasoned martini lover or just beginning to explore the world of finely crafted cocktails, Anaheim offers a vibrant scene full of unforgettable sips. From timeless classics to bold new spins, you'll find some of the best drinks in Anaheim served in stylish lounges and intimate hideaways alike. If you're craving a classy night out or searching for the best bars in Anaheim, make sure a perfectly shaken martini is part of your evening.

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