Price for martinis at bars?

Question

I'm a 21 yr old (med) student who wants to look sophisticated, so I'm thinking of ordering up various martinis for myself and the ladies on nights out. As a student I'm not looking to spend too much however. How much will martinis cost me? As a reference point, say a Coors Light is 3 dollars, Scotch & Soda 6-8 dollars (Columbus, OH). I turned 21 some months ago, still learning the ropes. I don't know how drinks vary in cost, but I work on a budget.

I'm trying to ditch the Long Islands and Vodka/Diet Coke, they seem amateurish. Also Screwdriver, Sex on Beach, and other newbie drinks. Considering Manhattan and Cosmopolitan. I'm just looking for what's suave for myself and my objects of desire. Thanks guys/girls.

Answer 1

Ok, here's a little course in Martinis. : )

To look sophisticated, order a 'call' or premium alcohol. For gin, I prefer Hendrick's, Boodles, and if those aren't available, Sapphire. I don't like Tanq and consider it the equivalent of Absolut (I'll explain later).
For vodka, Ketel One, Belvedere, or even Stoli. I don't like absolute as I think that it has an inferior taste and is overpriced. They make money from name recognition and anyone who knows vodka knows that it's not very good vodka.
These martinis will probably cost anywhere from $6-$15 depending on where you are.

Next, you'll have to know how to 'call' your drink. For example, I order like this "I'd like a Sapphire Martini, straight up, a little dry, a little dirty, one olive." This means I'm getting a call or premium gin martini, served in the martini glass with no ice, with a little bit of extra vermouth, a little bit of brine (olive juice), and no snack bar in my drink.

Dry = Vermouth
Dirty = Olive Juice
Straight Up = Martini Glass
On The Rocks = With ice in a rocks or highball glass (no stem)
Sapphire = Type of Gin

I think that martinis are only to be drank with one olive. I think it's classier.

If you are a straight male, then I urge you not to get cosmos. They are pink drinks that women typically get.

Manhattans can also be ordered on the rocks or up and you should call your Whiskey (Red or Black label Johnny Walker would be perfect for you). Same price range. Manhattans are typically a man's drink but some women think they are too old fashioned.

Personally, I'm impressed by any man who can call a good martini and giggle when someone trying to look suave by drinking them has no idea what's what.

In drinks like this, I STRONGLY urge one to not settle for well alcohol. This means the bottom of the barrel alcohol that they usually use in mixed drinks. It will taste gross and make you look stupid or cheap to those who know alcohol. Call your alcohol and know what you are doing and you will be sure to turn a few heads! : )

Answer 2

Everybody's advice sounds good here and you can trust the answers I've seen, but be careful::
However; I went in to l new nearby restaurant that opened a few years ago here in Santa Monica just to check out the place by having a couple at the bar. I had to laugh (or cry!) when I got the bill for two premium gin martinis straight up. I had to pay $30 plus tax plus tip, costing me around $40.00. The place is quite nice as were the drinks.
I haven't been back for dinner yet!

Answer 3

A martini will run me between $8 and $12 at most decent bars near me. This is for top shelf (like Bombay).

Answer 4

Im a bartender at a chain restaurant and our martini's range in price from 6-8 dollars each. MOST martini's are usually all alcohol with just a splash of mixer if you are going for one of the new trendy martini's such as the Cosmopolitan or a Green Apple martini. (this is a big hit with the ladies) An original martini is a gin martini with a hint ( 1 drop) of vermouth, chilled and served straight up. I perfer the Vodka martini myself, as its a bit more palatable to me. Most martini's have 3 ounces of liuqor in them, so compared to your basic liquor and mixer ( crown & coke) ( vokda and orange juice)you are getting much more liquor for the money.

Answer 5

Depends on the bar. If it's a local dive 3 bucks. If it's some ritzy place they can run as high as 10 dollars. Don't worry about looking like an amateur for what you drink. Drink what you enjoy. The only time people will think you amateurish is when you get too drunk. Keep it in moderation and you'll be fine. Just for the record, I like single malt scotch. Glenlivet, or McCallan.

Answer 6

$7-8

Answer 7

all drinks are priced according to the alcohol in them... so a dirty martini will be the same price as your vodka tonic... just make sure you know how to order a martini, that's where your "sophistication" or lack there of will show

Answer 8

In Connecticut they the usual price for a martini is around $8.00. As far as ordering them, you can pretty much look suave ordering any kind.....the key is asking for top shelf liquor. I myself like an extra dirty vodka martini (Grey Goose). What makes a dirty martini "dirty" is extra olive juice.