Long-time traveler and new bar owner Roobik Vartanians brought a piece of Europe back with him to Hanover Square.
Stepping into the World Lounge and Martini Bar reminded me of my experiences at hip Parisian nightclubs, minus the mohawks and techno music. A small crowd of people chatted quietly at the bar with Jack Johnson tunes playing in the background to set a mellow mood.
Visitors wishing to uphold an exotic European theme might wish to try a taste of absinthe for $9.00, while traditional drinkers will choose from a variety of beers and champagnes. With that said, trying a martini's a must.
Vartanians and his 8 bartenders take the cocktail above and beyond the average olive and splash of gin. Each customer gets special treatment as they watch their drink prepared a la James Bond, "shaken, not stirred". Once mixed, the martini along with fruity garnishes is poured into a large fancy glass well-worth the $8.00. Happy Hour from 4-7:00p.m. offers a special $6.00 price on 3 select martinis.
Although this writer sampled a Creamsicle and a Double Espresso, other selections include Appletinis, Pineapple Upside Down, Keylime Pie, and Russians on Alert. Different martini drinks appear on the menu each month. Have one in mind you don't see? Ask and you shall receive; the staff's no stranger to the hundreds of martini recipes from around the world.
Mixed drinks in hand, friends move to the back for a true lounge atmosphere. Decked in paper lanterns, small tables with votive candles, and velvety benches, ottomans, and cushions, this serves as the perfect place to sip your cocktail and relax over small talk. The space is available for private parties complete with food catered by surrounding eateries including Anthony's Pasta Bar.
Impressed with the success of his bar's September reopening after closing for a couple years under previous management, Vartanians plans to finish the kitchen and offer a gourmet menu with international cuisine in the near future.
The World Lounge and Martini Bar is open from 4:00p.m.-2:00a.m. Monday through Saturday and 7:00p.m.-2:00a.m. on Sundays. Next weekend, skip your usual longnecks and dancing and head to the Square for a soothing alternative to Syracuse nightlife.