There’s a chic new spot to sip dirty, filthy and classic martinis in Alphabet City.
Madeline’s Martini is the newest concept from Endless Hospitality Group, an East Village institution behind popular nightlife spots The Wayland, Goodnight Sonny and Bar Lula. At 171 Avenue C (at 11th Street), Madeline’s Martini welcomes guests with an unassuming, graffiti-clad facade and windows masked in green velvet curtains. A single lamp adorned with “MM” signals the bar’s entrance.
Though it’s stand alone space, Madeline’s Martini aims to channel the vibe of a hotel lobby bar. Guests are greeted by a front room with 12 bar seats, dimly lit by vintage lighting and featuring the space’s “peacock in the city” mural by local artist Leah Tinari. The specially commissioned piece tells the story of finding your people and a sense of belonging in New York City. Corners of the front room are decked out with an antique phone booth and vintage cigarette machine, and 16 emerald green, velvet banquette seats and marble cafe tables line the walls adjacent to the dual-sided bar.
Following the elegant aviary theme, a taxidermy peacock guides guests to the resplendent back lounge. With dark green ceilings, a fireplace framed by exposed brick, a DJ booth set into an antique oven and deep green curtains, this is where guests are encouraged to get situated. The tone changes from hotel lobby bar to an after party in a hotel suite, with another art piece by Tinari.
Madeline’s Martini on a Rock for Two with a caviar sandwich
“Regulars at Endless Hospitality Group concepts turn to us for a guaranteed memorable night- one that will have infectious energy, amazing music and an unpretentious approach to unique, high-quality cocktails,” says restaurateur Robert Ceraso, who runs Endless Hospitality with Jason Mendenhall. “Mad’s will be just that, but with a more elevated cocktail experience, though that doesn’t mean the space isn’t intended to transform into something a little livelier as the night progresses.”
Medenhall, plus Madeline’s co-owner and beverage director Peter Canny created a cocktail menu with new takes on classic martinis, playful spins on cocktails popularized in the late nineties and early aughts. Drinks include the namesake Madeline’s Martini (gin, equal parts sweet and dry vermouth, maraschino, house bitters), The Dirty Peacock (vodka, dry vermouth, black olive brine, stuffed olives), Martini By The Sea (mezcal, sea lettuce brine, bianco vermouth), The Breakfast Martini (black tea gin, lemon, marmalade), and a twist on a Sour Apple Martini (jalapeño infused vodka, fresh pressed green apple, midori honey and fresh juice lemon.) Traditional high balls, rocks cocktails, wine and beer will also be served.
Inside Madeline’s Martini
To eat, small plates including a caviar sandwich with black grinnell caviar and chopped egg on brioche), Iberico ham with pecorino popcorn and hot pepper mustarda, anchovy olives with guindilla pickled peppers and vinegar peppers stuffed with tuna conserva.
Madeline’s Martini is open from 7 p.m. – 4 a.m., Wednesday through Saturday. Reservations are available via Resy.