With National Espresso Martini Day quickly approaching on Friday, March 15, it’s time to celebrate the classic caffeinated cocktail found on top tier restaurants and bars’ beverage menus worldwide. Whether enjoying this cocktail for its photo-worthy visual appeal, or as a pick-me-up during a night out, there is certainly no shortage of them around the city. To commemorate, we’ve put together a list of locales that offer this much-loved libation, as well as some unique takes on it, including Almyra, At The Table, Butcher Bar, Char & Stave, MilkBoy, Panorama Wine Bar, Puttshack, Red Owl Tavern, Stella of New Hope, and Urban Farmer.
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Almyra, Rittenhouse’s new modern Greek restaurant and bar from the acclaimed Estia Restaurant Group, does not have its Espresso Martini listed on the menu, and yet, it’s one of the most popular cocktail orders at the bustling 45-seat bar. Almyra’s off-menu Espresso Martini ($17) boasts fresh-brewed espresso, vodka, Kahlua, and simple syrup.
Reservations for the dining room are strongly encouraged and can be made on Almyra’s website. The bar and high-tops are always first come, first served.
Hours of operation: 4pm – 10pm daily; bar until 11pm Wednesday and Thursday; bar until 12am Friday and Saturday
1636 Chancellor Street | 267-876-7071 | Website Instagram Facebook
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At The Table, Wayne’s venerable and award-winning fine-dining restaurant from chefs Alex Hardy and Tara Buzan-Hardy, offers not just one, but two unique renditions of the popular cocktail that are equally photogenic as they are delicious. Their Tiramisu Espresso Martini ($16), crafted with Boardroom Spirits Vodka, espresso, cold brew coffee, and Demerara syrup, is a flawless balance of sweet and strong, and pairs wonderfully with the Chef’s Six-Course Tasting Menu or à la carte offerings. The restaurant also offers an off-menu Aphrodite Chocolate Martini ($17) made with Boardroom Spirits Vodka, rose & cardamom syrup, and chocolate liqueur.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday 5pm – 10pm
118 W Lancaster Ave, Wayne, PA | 610.964.9700 | Website Instagram Facebook Twitter
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Butcher Bar, the Rittenhouse hub for comfort food, an expansive brown spirits collection, and grilled fare that hearkens to the local butcher’s revered place in American culture, is serving a one-day espresso martini special that also acknowledges the Ides of March (March 15). The Et Tu Brute ($16), crafted with vodka, espresso, Bruto Americano and orange liqueur, will be available during opening hours on Friday, March 15.
Hours of operation: Monday through Wednesday 4pm – 9pm, Thursday 4pm – 10pm, Friday 4pm – 11pm, Saturday 11:30am – 11pm and Sunday 11:30am – 8pm, with Happy Hour served Monday through Friday 4pm – 6:30pm. Brunch is served Saturday and Sunday from 11:30am – 3pm.
2034 Chestnut St, Philadelphia PA | 215.563.MEAT | Website Instagram Facebook Twitter
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There’s no better spot to celebrate National Espresso Martini Day than Char & Stave, Bluebird Distilling’s coffee roastery and full-service café-by-day and cocktail bar-by-night with locations in Chestnut Hill and Ardmore. Whether cozied up on one of the several sofas, perched at a high-top table, or seated at the bar, imbibers can indulge in an expertly crafted Char & Stave Espresso Martini ($13), made with Bluebird Distilling Vodka, espresso, and toasted cardamom, alongside a pastry (or two!).
Hours of operation: Monday through Thursday 7am – 11pm, Friday through Saturday 8am – 12am, Sunday 8am – 11pm
21 Rittenhouse Place, Ardmore PA | 8441 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia PA | www.charandstave.com | Instagram: @charandstavecoffee
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MilkBoy, the iconic Philadelphia-born brand known for booze, bites, and music, mixes up a classic Espresso Martini ($15) at its Chestnut Street location, comprised of vanilla vodka, coffee liqueur, crème de cacao, and house-brewed espresso. MilkBoy South Street also offers a fan-favorite Brewtini ($12) made with vodka, Kahlua, and Bean2Bean espresso, as well as a Salted Caramel Brewtini ($13), their seasonal take on the sipper, crafted with caramel, vodka, Kahlua, Bean2Bean espresso, and salt.
Hours of operation at MilkBoy Philly: Monday through Friday 7am – 2am; Saturday & Sunday 11am – 2am
Hours of operation at MilkBoy South Street: Sunday through Monday 11am – 12 am; Wednesday through Saturday 11am – 2am
MilkBoy Philly | 1100 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia | Website Instagram Twitter Facebook
MilkBoy Chestnut Street | 1100 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia | Website Instagram Twitter Facebook
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Panorama Wine Bar, Philadelphia’s premier wine bar in the Penn’s View Hotel boasting a Guinness World Record custom-built wine keeper offering over 120 wines on tap, features an Espresso Martini on its dessert menu. Panorama’s decadent Espresso Martini ($16) is made with fresh-brewed espresso, vodka, Kahlua, Crème De Cacao, and Amaro Averna.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Thursday 5pm – 9pm, Friday 5pm – 10pm, Saturday 3pm – 10pm, Sunday 3pm – 9pm
14 Front St | 215.922.7800 | www.pennsviewhotel.com/panorama
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Puttshack, the world’s first and only tech-infused mini golf experience, serves a delicious Cold Brew Espresso Martini ($15) at the freshly-minted Center City location, which just opened it’s doors to the public in late February. Crafted with Wheatley Vodka, cold brew, coffee liqueur, chilled espresso, Licor 43, and chocolate bitters, this caffeine-infused sipper, which can also be paired with the establishment’s vast array of diverse fare, packs just the right kick – giving folks the energy to dominate the 9-hole game.
Hours of operation: Sunday through Wednesday 11am – 11pm, Thursday through Sunday 11am – 1am
The Shops at Liberty Place: 1625 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 | 215.907.PUTT | Website | Instagram | Facebook
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Red Owl Tavern, the contemporary kitchen and bar located across from Independence Hall in Old City, features a fun twist on the classic espresso martini, The Matterhorn ($18), curated by Lead Bartender Christopher Devern. Comprised of Haku Vodka, crème de cacao, Kahlua, espresso, and white chocolate, this drink is ideal for those who enjoy a chocolate-infused cocktail with a kick.
Hours of operation: Monday through Friday 7:30 – 10:45am, Saturday & Sunday 8 – 10am (breakfast); Monday through Friday 11:30am – 4:30pm (lunch); Monday through Friday 4:30 – 10pm, Saturday 5 – 10pm (dinner); Saturday 10am – 4pm, Sunday 10am – 2pm (brunch)
433 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 | 215.923.2267 | Website Instagram Facebook
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Stella of New Hope, Bucks County’s modern American restaurant located in the Ghost Light Inn with 180 degree views of the Delaware River, offers a twist on the classic martini with its speciality dessert cocktail. The Stella Espresso Martini ($16) is offered on the dessert menu, and consists of vodka, vanilla, white chocolate, and espresso.
50 S Main St, New Hope, PA 18938 | 267.740.2691 | stellanewhope.com
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Urban Farmer, the modern American steakhouse located in the Logan Hotel known for its locally-sourced ingredients and in-house butcher shop and mushroom program, invites guests to indulge in its dessert libation for National Espresso Martini Day. The UF Espresso Martini ($18) is composed of vodka, espresso, Kahlua, and Amaro Averna and can be enjoyed alongside one of Urban Farmer’s house-made desserts.
Hours of operation: Tuesday through Saturday, 8am – 9pm, and Sunday, 8am – 3pm
1850 Benjamin Franklin Parkway | 215.963.2788 | Website Instagram Twitter Facebook
-Alana Shapiro