The 5 Best Places For Martinis Around Vail Valley

Few cocktails carry the same sense of sophistication as a martini, a drink whose simple combination of spirits and carefully chosen ingredients leaves plenty of room for creativity. From traditional gin and vodka preparations to espresso martinis and inventive variations featuring fruit, herbs and specialty liqueurs, the Vail Valley offers cocktail enthusiasts a range of experiences. The Best of Vail Valley recognizes establishments and bartending professionals who mix a mean martini with thoughtful preparation and distinctive flavors.

Glitter Shaker By Sara

Glitter Shaker By Sara brings professional mobile bartending to weddings, private parties and other celebrations, combining elevated cocktails with a lively, glamorous atmosphere. Sara's service allows hosts to incorporate martinis into a personalized beverage experience without relying on a traditional bar or restaurant. The mobile format lends itself to everything from a classic martini reception to a celebration featuring creative cocktail selections. With an emphasis on presentation and hospitality, Glitter Shaker By Sara adds a festive touch to private gatherings throughout the area.

Social Oak Wine Bar

Social Oak Wine Bar in Eagle combines a curated wine program with craft cocktails and a scratch kitchen, offering guests an intimate setting for an evening out. Its beverage-focused approach makes the bar a natural destination for guests interested in martinis and other carefully prepared cocktails. The kitchen emphasizes local, seasonal ingredients and works with suppliers such as Tender Belly and Local Hive, complementing the drinks with thoughtfully sourced food. Social Oak also hosts events and music, giving patrons opportunities to enjoy cocktails in a neighborhood gathering place.

Westside Cafe

Westside Cafe has served American comfort food and cocktails in West Vail since December 2002, building a beverage menu that extends beyond its signature Bloody Marys. Martini enthusiasts who enjoy vodka-based variations can explore the restaurant's Cosmopolitan, which combines Absolut Citron, Cointreau, cranberry and lime for a citrus-forward cocktail traditionally served in a martini glass. Other mixed drinks include the B.A.M., made with Exotico tequila, sweet-and-sour mix and Grand Marnier, along with a classic Old Fashioned. The restaurant's breakfast, lunch and dinner service gives guests opportunities to enjoy cocktails alongside burgers, Southwestern-inspired dishes and other familiar favorites.

Chasing Rabbits

Chasing Rabbits in Vail Village offers one of the area's most distinctive martini experiences through its Mediterranean Martini Bar and immersive cocktail lounges. Guests can explore variations such as the Greek-Dirty Martini with Kalamata olives, the Sicilian with Italicus and Sicilian olives or the Spaniard with Manzanilla sherry and a blue cheese-stuffed olive. The Moon Rabbit lounge also features the Oligarch Martini, combining premium Russian vodka, sake vermouth, truffle oil and caviar, while the Mezcal Espresso Martini introduces smoky agave flavors to the familiar coffee cocktail. With a restaurant, library-inspired lounge, arcade bar and speakeasy-style setting, Chasing Rabbits pairs its creative drinks with an entertainment-focused atmosphere.

Ed'z

Ed'z in Edwards combines rotisserie comfort food with a distinctive dining room centered around an 8-foot fireplace and a black marble bar. Guests can settle in at the bar near the restaurant's vertical rotisseries, which serve as a focal point of its approach to hearty, home-style meals. The fireside atmosphere provides a comfortable setting for a martini or another pre-dinner cocktail, although the restaurant does not publish a detailed martini selection on its website. Its combination of casual hospitality, open cooking and fireside seating creates an inviting place to gather for drinks and dinner.

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