Olive Twist: 3 of Toronto’s Best Dirty Martini Bars

There is perhaps no martini as intriguing as the dirty martini. The name itself suggests that something is just a tad…dark. A few olive naysayers have even described the classic cocktail as tasting like the inside of a fish bowl. But those who adore the salty rush of the briny yet balanced drink are in luck, because it’s enjoying quite a moment. Olives are now rivalling espresso beans on Insta and other socials, and Toronto bartenders are taking note, putting their own slant on the savoury sip.

Bar Bowie

Located beside One Stop Global Coin Laundry and Lotto on Ossington (and you’d be forgiven for missing it tucked away in the basement) you’ll find Bar Bowie, one of the city’s coziest pubs. A neon mouse will light the way for you, and downstairs, you’ll find expert bartenders mixing up martinis, Bar Bowie’s specialty. Bowie’s martini is conjured up with with two ounces of vodka or gin plus equal parts vermouth and olive brine. Tied together with an inviting pinch of salt, it produces a balanced and briny treat. $20. 180R Ossington Ave., 416-663-7867, @barbowie

Maple Leaf Tavern

The east-end institution oozes old-school hospitality and, rather surprisingly, turns out a top-notch dirty martini. Pre-batched gin and vodka martinis are always chilling behind the bar, and for their dirty martini, they drop in a olive brine as the cocktail is crated in a chilled Yarai mixing glass. Then they level up the dry vermouth ratio for a savory herbal note and add in two dashes of orange bitters. The experience is enhanced with a trio of garnishes (citrus, pickled pearl onions, olives) that arrives on a silver tray. $18. 955 Gerrard St. E., 416-465-0955, mapleleaftavern.ca

The Library Bar

Sipping a martini in the reference section would surely get one evicted from an actual library. Luckily, it’s perfectly acceptable, and even encouraged behaviour at the Library Bar, the Royal York’s recently redesigned cocktail lounge. Here, the Birdbath Martini is the thing to get. The savoury sipper is made with either Quill Vodka or Quill Gin, spirits distilled exclusively for the hotel bar. For those looking to splurge, there’s the luxe version, which replaces the orange bitters with a silky house olive oil and butter spirit. It comes with olives on the side, but they’re joined by a soft pretzel topped with—wait for it—sturgeon caviar for an extra-savoury slap (and to justify the hefty price tag). Tableside pouring ups the fancy factor a notch. $28 and $75. 100 Front St. W., 416-368-2511, librarybartoronto.com