Elgin's Martini Room celebrates 10 years with new creative cocktails
When Elgin's Martini Room celebrated its 10th anniversary in August, the owner decided it was time for a change. The bar shut down for renovations, staging a grand reopening in September. With more redecorating to come, the refreshed Chicago Street spot is still going strong.
Motif: Owner Ursula Borodzinska was tired of the bar's black walls, so she repainted them with royal purple and gold, and did the ladies bathroom to match. There are still touches of the original red and black color scheme with the red ceiling, though she plans to refresh that and change the carpet come spring. She also added extra track lights around the space to highlight the martini-themed art on the walls and is looking for local artists to display and sell their works there.
A disco ball and glass lamp hang over the sparkling black bar. A TV is tuned to sports and a chalkboard shows the day's specials. The long, narrow space also features tall tables, couches strewed with pillows, little leather stools and oversized martini glasses filled with glass beads and candles. Giant bottles of spirits are displayed near the bathroom.
Food: Martini Room doesn't serve any food, but the bar is stocked with delivery menus if you want to order in. You're also welcome to bring in anything you want.
Liquid consumption: The massive cocktail list is divided into categories such as “dry and savory” and “fruity and sweet.” Sippers are pretty and complex like the gingerbread, made with ginger beer, ginger liqueur and butterscotch syrup. The combination tastes sweet, creamy and fizzy.
Martini Room changes its cocktail menu for its anniversary every year, but this year they also added a new “hot and sexy” section that uses house-infused vodkas made with ginger, cilantro and other spices. One of the highlights is the picante — a mix of cilantro-infused vodka with St. Germain, lime juice, white cranberry juice and jalapeño slices that's smooth and slightly spicy.
First timers looking to try a few things should come on Wednesday for the $14 martini flights, a sampler of five seasonal mini-cocktails that includes both drinks on the menu and entirely new options. For January, the bar is serving a cosmopolitan flight and February brings Valentine's Day-themed martinis. With such a dizzying selection, you can also download an app that will match you with a cocktail. If you're not a martini fan, there's also a menu of Manhattans and an extensive whiskey selection.
Crowd: The bar is a popular party spot, so the crowd can shift depending on what's going on that night. When we visited, the place was packed with a 40th birthday party.
Service: The bar was crowded, but we were still quickly given menus, informed of the specials and offered water.
Music: DJs spin every Friday and Saturday night, and the bar is considering adding a DJ for Thursday, too. They're also looking to change things up by bringing in new talent, particularly female DJs. One Wednesday every other month, the bar hosts belly dancing instructor Christina King, an event that brings in big crowds from around the area.
Parking: It's easy to find free street parking nearby.
Overall: Martini Room seems poised for another 10 years of success.
Martini Room
161 E. Chicago St., Elgin, (847) 741-0349, <a href="http://martiniroomelgin.com">martiniroomelgin.com</a>
<b>Hours:</b> 4:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Thursday, 4:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday, 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday, 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday