And speaking of the martinis, be sure to check out the lemon drop and pear martinis as they are particularly satisfying during the warm, summer months. With a subtle interior that calls to mind Toulouse-Lautrec and Montmartre, Marty’s has an attentive, but never over-solicitous staff who I find as refreshing as their cucumber martinis. Located just steps off Clark Street in Andersonville, Marty’s Martini Bar is one of the premier gay bars in Chicago quite simply because it’s not a gay bar at all, but rather a charming little tavern that just happens to attract like-minded people, no matter who they do the fandango with in the boudoir. I love that there is a video monitor so you can see who is coming into the bar as the entrance is this super-long, sort of intimidating stairway. Cocktails are cheap (cash only though, kids) and on slow nights the bartender will even order in food for you, if you want. So, it's like this hidden oasis that you kind of have to be in the know about, or you'd swan right by it.
It's located above Sayat Nova and next to a cheesy fortune teller's lair, a stone's throw away from the Gap on Michigan Ave and all the annoying hustle and bustle of shoppy-boppy tourists. Second Story Bar (Photo credit: Chicagoist/Tony Peregrin)
