This hotel bar is of course beautiful, and its martini is all theatre and drama. It is classy, sophisticated, elegant; it is an absolute treat. If it were a novel it would be classed as a modern classic, with the traditional martini (Tanqueray 10 gin or Ketel One vodka, with a twist and/or olive) and then three drops of the bar’s own bitters, from which the martini drinker can choose tonka; cardamom; lavender; ginseng and bergamot; or coriander.

Theatre bars are not often given their due respect, seen as mere mad rush moments where staff serve gin and tonics and bubbles with thoughtless speed, making them inhospitable places to hang out in. Not so at the Omnibus, off Clapham Common. A bastion of community arts, this cafe-bar is a cozy spot that serves a generous and delicious espresso martini, the perfect post-show dessert! It’s also open late on the weekends, and worthy of popping down to hang out when there’s nothing on the stage upstairs.

London’s history of the martini is inextricably linked to Dukes Bar — this where Ian Fleming came to drink martinis. Legendary bartender Alessandro Palazzi believes that the character of James Bond was about breaking rules — shaken not stirred, being a prime example — during a time when there were strict rules, including that martinis could only be an aperitif, and he encourages drinkers to follow suit. Therefore, as well as the experience of an excellent classic martini served table side, Palazzi also plays around with his drinks, serving a clever take on a Gibson made with caviar-infused vodka and sake.

The new bar by cocktail legend Salvatore Calabrese is pure luxury. Sink into the velvet sofas and listen to live music, whilst sipping on a martini … It could not be a more perfect cocktail spot. It helps that an entire portion of the menu is devoted to martinis, described as the bar’s “interpretation of the ‘King of the Cocktails’”. The classic is made using a method Calabrese “developed in the 80s,” sans explanation, just adding to the mystique of the place. It cannot be expressed enough just how beautiful this bar is — if the Corinthia Hotel wanted to conjure up a 1920s bar of dreams, this is what it would look like. A job well done.

The lure and lore of Rules’ cocktail bar is intimately connected to bartender Brian Silva, who established its credos, moved on for a few years, and then returned in 2018 to continue mixing bone dry, elegant, unfussily brilliant martinis for those who knew of his craft. It remains one of the most sophisticated in town.

A martini is a classic, and so is the British pub; therefore this should be a perfect combination, but is very rarely done. Owner Nick Gibson is a purist, so expect ice-cold glasses, excellent gin or vodka and a choice of dirty or a twist. This is a pub with food at its focus, hospitality as its core and a favourite amongst the restaurant industry. Drinking a martini before a roast lunch is pretty much the perfect Sunday.

There is something rebellious about having a hard liquor in a restaurant famed — nay, named — for wine. But truly, how is a diner supposed to whet one’s appetite and peruse a menu without a martini? Go classic: It’s served in a stubby, iced, wine glass — efficient, cute — and snack on green olives while pretending to decide what part of the menu to skip (before eating it all.) This restaurant in Highbury has big windows that always get steamed up, with a bustling, warm atmosphere that’s perfect for a cold, cold, stiff drink.

This new outpost of the Swift family is a cosier version of Soho, but still with all the elegance. Upstairs is the aperitivo bar, with seasonal drinks — the Pirouette on the main list has martini vibes. But the downstairs bar is the real treat, small and intimate with the best seat in the house at bar, where one should order a Golden Hide. This is actually a fairly low in alcohol, with tequila, brown butter and mead — so martini purists will have strong feelings — but it hits all the right notes: clear presentation of the spirit, a soft mouthfeel (that vermouth gives) and a crisp, although slightly sweet finish. Swift’s Soho outpost does an excellent take on another martini in the Perfect Manhattan (don’t @ me, it’s a martini!), and all its bars make exceptional dry gin martinis with a twist.

Is Seed Library a hotel bar? It skirts this definition by having a separate entrance, although it is part of One Hundred Shoreditch hotel. But for the purpose of martini drinking, it hits all the right notes — a beautiful bar to sit at, hospitable bartenders to chat to, and a great selection of gins and vodkas to order from. Hotel bars are where martinis should be drunk. This is a Ryan Chetiyawardana bar, so all the drinks are creative, but there is classic simplicity to this menu too. (For a truly wild martini, pop across the river to his Lyaness bar to try the Elephant martini, which has hyraceum in it.) At Seed Library, the sansho leaf martini is a vodka martini with a savoury, peppery, citrus twist; for gin lovers there’s the Ki No Bi Kyoto dry gin on the menu, that works perfectly for twist and dirty martinis.

All the drinks at this newish Dalston bar are exceptional, so it’s understandable that it makes a damn good martini. But the reason A Bar with Shapes for a Name gets a particular mention is because it has a dedicated single spot at the bar, with a seat ready to be swung out for the solo martini drinker. If carrying a book, someone will bring over a little light. There is no better way to drink a martini than at a bar, with a good book; this is what a martini was invented for. A perfect 6:30 p.m. Friday pause, before dinner.

This small, atmospheric neighbourhood bar clocked in at #29 on the 2019 50 Best Bars’ list. This is also the best place in London to get a dry gin martini, with a twist. It is pure, glorious nectar — tip: don’t go with a friend who is prone to being late, as it’s too easy to down two, fast, and be pissed before they arrive. On their official list is an excellent earth martini, earthy flavours of beetroot, but a clean finish; the French martini is joyful, served pre-made from a wine bottle!