Reopened Martini's on Main serves up steaks, signature drinks
Fewer and fewer new bars seem to be opening as of late. Finding a new drinking establishment to explore becomes more difficult with each passing week. At the same time, looking back on bars that I have once covered, only to see that they have closed, is equally upsetting.
Fortunately, some of those bars come back under new management. And Martini's on Main in Algonquin is one of them.
Martini's on Main was briefly closed, but was recently reopened under new management by Greg Geigel and Klara Cukova. The name remained the same, though. "It's an excellent name," Geigel says. "We probably should have renamed the bar, but it's really a great name."
The name may not have changed, but other things have at this martini bar in the heart of Algonquin.
Motif: Martini's on Main's interior is quite cozy, with enough seating for about 50 or so guests. The tables are beautifully decorated with candles and flowers, making this bar an excellent choice for a date. Hear that suburbanites? It appears that I am giving you dating advice. Although the general vibe at Martini's on Main is a little more upscale, a television still hangs above the bar, so do not fret about missing whatever big game might be in progress. Maybe none of this matters to you, and you'd rather enjoy a martini outdoors. No sweat: You're covered there too with Martini's on Main's porch.
Crowd: As with most establishments of this nature, the crowd can vary. Guests in their 20s and up can come to the bar to enjoy a date, a drink, a seat on the patio or just the presence of others.
Service: The service at Martini's on Main is excellent. During my trip, everyone was extremely friendly and courteous.
Liquid consumption: Martini's on Main features, as you'd expect, an extensive list of martinis. Some martini selections on their drink menu include an appletini, cosmopolitan, maitini, rum puncher and lots more. Besides martinis, the bar offers a decent wine selection. Of course, there are beers available as well such as Guinness, Heineken, Amstel Light, Pilsner Urquell, MGD and more.
Food: Martini's on Main is a more upscale bar experience, yet it does its best to still cater to a broader audience. Take, for instance, the new menu. The kitchen offers fancier fare such as steak (porterhouse, filet mignon and rib-eye), fish (salmon and tilapia), pasta and chicken. But Martini's on Main still has burgers, as well as a selection of appetizers - chicken tenders, hummus, calamari, bruschetta and other pre-meal items. The bar also has a specials menu which Geigel says they will be fleshing out in the coming weeks.
Parking: There is a parking lot in back.
Overall: Martini's on Main is doing an excellent job of filling a void in today's bar scene. You may recognize the name from its previous owners, but now may be the perfect time to revisit the bar or come in for your first visit as new owners Geigel and Cukova have done a fantastic job with the rejuvenated location.
Martini's on Main
8 South Main St., Algonquin, (847) 658-5600
Hours: Open 4 to 11 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday and 1 to 10 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday.