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1. SpeakLoud
   Member Profile

   I just paid $10.50 for a dirty martini in WHITE CENTER....is that just a little outrageous??? (and stupid on my part)
   What do you pay and where(and is it any good?)

   Posted 1 year ago #         

2. redblack
   Member Profile

   

   well, did you get your money's worth in taste and inebriation? :)

   it's a free market thing, right? i'm not trying to be snide; i go where the quality bartenders mix and where i most enjoy the finished product, and not necessarily where the prices are lowest.

   and while i'm not a martini drinker, i often order upper-shelf booze for cocktails instead of cheaper happy hour-priced well drinks.

   i guess i'm saying that i think that cost and value are two different things.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

3. maplesyrup
   Member Profile

   

   When I used to drink them, I'd make them at home because they're too expensive when you order them out. I think you end up paying a premium just because the bartender has to put it in a shaker. The ingredients themselves aren't any more expensive than any other cocktail mixed drink.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

4. MaryP
   Member Profile

   Well or premium liquor?

   Remember that it's not just the cost of ingredients. It's also labor, insurance, rent, etc. etc. that go into the shaker along with the alcohol. I would usually just make them at home as well. ;-)

   Posted 1 year ago #         

5. KBear
   Member Profile

   Well, I guess White Center's hit the big time. Hipsters discovered the taco trucks, and now this! (Please tell me your $10.50 martini didn't come from a taco truck!)

   $10.50 will buy you 3 well martinis at Von's. Are they any good? Under certain circumstances, yes!

   Posted 1 year ago #         

6. austin
   Member Profile

   

   Martinis cost your moms house. Buy low sell high.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

7. westseattledood
   Member Profile

   

   Not that I drink them often, but if it is the very nice, welcoming and comfortable place I think you are referring to, they are definitely about the premium booze. As a matter of fact, the bartender is getting a reputation around the city for those martinis of hers.

   And the food is terrific and well-above average as well.

   You gets what you pay for there, fortunately. Great food. Premium booze. Very nice environment and good, interesting Company. ;)

   Posted 1 year ago #         

8. HunterG
   Member Profile

   

   If it is top shelf booze I could see it costing that much regardless of location.

   Posted 1 year ago #         

9. 2 Much Whine
   Member Profile

   

   While White Center and Tokyo are worlds apart I recall paying $44 for a double Grey Goose dirty martini there about 5 years ago. That was before the tip. I did get some little crackers with it, though. I think it's a lot cheaper to get to White Center so overall, you saved several thousand dollars! You did great!

   Posted 1 year ago #         

10. HelperMonkey
    Member Profile

    

    if you don't want to pay $10 for a martini, drink a PBR and stop whining. A decent martini with top shelf liquor costs what it costs. Or I am sure you could pop down the street to Marv's Broiler and get a nice $3 well drink..it won't be good, but by god it'll be cheap!

    Posted 1 year ago #         

11. amalia
    Member Profile

    Jeez, I'm with you on this one, SpeakLoud. That's airport/5-star-hotel price, and worth it at the right time (like in an airport or 5-star hotel). But in White Center, that better be a top-shelf, 6-oz pour. A good martini (I don't drink well liquor!) can be had for $8, probably not less.
    .
    White Center is my favorite part of Seattle, but not where I'd go for a martini. Got to West 5 for a fun drink!

    Posted 1 year ago #         

12. HelperMonkey
    Member Profile

    

    Company Bar in White Center is I think where SpeakLoud is talking about, amalia. It's a great new place just a few doors north of Proletariat, and I have had more than a few martinis there. :) I usually get mine everywhere with Hendricks, so I am used to paying more because it's a top shelf liquor. (Also, I hope that martini was $11.50 once you tipped your bartender!)

    Posted 1 year ago #         

13. casaboba
    Member Profile

    Most Martinis served are doubles. They need to be to fill-up the glass. Based on the shot size & cost you can expect to pay about double the price of a "regular" drink. Additionaly, after the second or third martini, you won't really care about the price. Bottoms-up!

    Posted 1 year ago #         

14. Lindsey
    Member Profile

    

    The last martini I had was $9.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

15. JoB
    Member Profile

    amalia..

    Why would you feel better about paying premium prices for a top shelf martini served at West 5 in the junction?

    A premium product is a premium product no matter where it is served...

    Posted 1 year ago #         

16. amalia
    Member Profile

    Because one of the reasons I like to go to WC is for cheap, authentic, wonderful cuisine from countries I've visited and loved. Matter of preference. My favorite places in WC don't have liquor licenses. When I want to play grown-up with a martini, I choose a different sort of spot. Never said I "felt better" about it. I feel great about patronizing restaurants in WC. And if you read my post, you may see that I was plugging West 5 as an aside because I think they have fun drinks. Never had a martini there.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

17. Jiggers
    Member Profile

    

    My favorite martini is the Quintenssential Gin. Not too many places carry that brand around except West 5 I think.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

18. dawsonct
    Member Profile

    What warms my heart, and gullet, is that MOST on this thread, when they speak of martinis, are talking about gin.
    Vodka has it's place, but not where it is the primary ingredient/flavor.

    I'm lazy and cheap. I just keep a bottle of Cascade Mountain gin in the freezer. Swirl a bit of vermouth around a martini glass, pour the ice-cold gin, add a couple of olives. Perfect, and I didn't get my shaker and swizzle stick damp.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

19. Genesee Hill
    Member Profile

    

    Gibsons are also cool.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

20. JoB
    Member Profile

    Amalia...

    I too go to White Center for kick-ass .. and cheap.. ethnic food

    but there is room for more than one kind of dining/drinking experience in White Center.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

21. westseattledood
    Member Profile

    

    Paid $7.50 tonight for gin martini, dry w/olives. $2/kebab w/rice Tuesday happy hour special. Tax + tip. $11.50

    That included pleasant interesting people who I now say hi to and pleasant interesting tunes in the background. That's why ya' should go. Oh, and the art installation...can't forget the art.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

22. redblack
    Member Profile

    

    quoth maplesyrup:

    I think you end up paying a premium just because the bartender has to put it in a shaker.

    i think you end up paying a premium because there are four or five middle men standing between you and that booze. but the seemingly-exorbitant overhead on liquor is probably one of a very few places where a bartender/bar owner can look for consistent profit.

    Posted 1 year ago #         

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