Shaken, or Stirred?

DC is deep in its martini era right now. No longer something reserved for the Rat Pack, the power lunch crowd, or your grandparents’ dinner party. Suddenly every bar and restaurant in town seems to have a chilled glass at the ready, a signature olive situation, or an entire menu dedicated to the iconic cocktail. Some spots are going luxe and spirit-forward, others are building full-on Martini Hours around the ritual of it all. Dirty, icy, shaken, stirred — the martini is absolutely having a moment. Here are a few of the newest programs shaking things up around town before we get into where to score stellar sips for under $10.

New & Need-To-Know

-Elegancia has launched a Martini Hour Tuesday through Friday featuring $10 handcrafted martinis including a Mango Martini, Espresso de Olla Martini, and classic vodka or gin martinis. Stylish happy hour energy with a tropical twist.

-At Lucy, the laid-back Italian cocktail bar and trattoria has expanded its cocktail menu with an entire lineup of martini riffs and customizable creations. Expect drinks like the Rive Gauche with Citadelle gin and St. Germain, the Highland Whisper with Tanqueray No. 10 and Kilchoman Scotch, plus bespoke martinis tailored to your taste. Pro-tip: the kitchen is spearheaded by Giulio Adriani, a five-time World Champion pizzaiolo. Order the pizza.

-Kayu, the acclaimed modern Filipino restaurant in Dupont Circle from chef Paolo Dungca, is serving one of the city’s most fun bar specials: the “Adult Jolly Meal.” A Wagyu burger, caviar-topped fries, and a mini martini for $25. Luxe and playful.

-At Minetta Tavern DC, the Union Market outpost of Keith McNally’s famed French-American steakhouse has launched Martini Hour with proper martinis and seven variations for $10 at the bar Sunday through Thursday from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Pair them with bites and linger a while.

-Your Only Friend has brought back Martini May Social Club with cold martinis, olive sidecars, Caesar salads, and fried mozzarella sticks. It’s retro cocktail hour energy.

-And then there’s Ox & Olive, chef Ryan Ratino’s new Georgetown restaurant, diving headfirst into martini culture with a cocktail program from Will Patton of Press Club. The menu explores the evolution of the martini through five cocktails, from a Martinez to a Manhattan, alongside signature dirty and classic martinis. Pro-Tip: There’s also a weekday happy hour version for $16.

Where Else To Go For Martini Deals

-All-Purpose in Shaw has $5 Martini Mondays and $6 martinis Tuesday through Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the bar.

-Ama offers $6 martinis daily from 3 to 6 p.m. at the bar.

-At Annie’s Paramount Steakhouse, discounted martinis are available upstairs Thursday through Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m.

-Aventino pours $7 dirty martinis daily from 5 to 6:30 p.m. at the bar.

-Bar Angie offers half-priced martinis during Martini Happy Hour daily from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

-At Corso Italian, you’ll find $9 martinis during daily Aperitivo Hour at the bar and $5 martinis all night on Tuesdays.

-Cucina Morini has $7 martinis all night, every night in the lounge.

-King Street Oyster Bar features location-specific martini specials across its DC, Virginia, and Maryland locations.

-At Last Call, martinis are just $3 from 5 to 6 p.m. on weekdays and 1 to 2 p.m. on weekends.

-Madhatter pours $5 martinis Fridays from 4 to 8 p.m.

-Osteria Morini offers $7 martinis Monday through Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the bar.

-At Pearl Dive Oyster Palace, $8 martinis are available Monday through Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. and Fridays from 3 to 7 p.m. at the bar.

-Pisco y Nazca Ceviche Gastrobar has $7 house martinis, including espresso martinis, during happy hour.

-Queen’s English offers $8 martinis all night Tuesday through Thursday on the patio.

-And Scarlet Oak serves $7 martinis Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.