The Hill has one of Baltimore's best martini deals
The Hill has more than 15 specialty martinis. And every day the Federal Hill restaurant/bar is open, they're all $5.
Let me type that again, in case you missed it the first time: Martinis are $5 all the time at The Hill.
Do any other Baltimore bars have a deal like that? I can't think of any off hand. Their martini list is fairly long, too -- more than 15 martinis in all.
I have only tried one: The Afternoon Delight, which, presumably, is named after the song, which is named after the ... well, you know. My wife Amie introduced me to the Afternoon Delight. It's delightful in the evening, too ...
Made with Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka, raspberry and lemonade, the Afternoon Delight tastes just like raspberry iced tea. To borrow a phrase from a local pie maker, it's dangerously delicious.
I called The Hill and asked chef/owner Antoine Petteway how he makes any money from charging folks only $5 for a martini. He laughed for a few seconds before answering.
"It's just our marketing to get people in the door," he said.
(Photo courtesy of The Hill's website)
Erik Maza is a features reporter at the Baltimore Sun. He writes for several sections of the Sun paper and contributes weekly columns on music and nightlife. He also writes and edits the Midnight Sun blog. He often covers entertainment, business, and the business of entertainment. Occasionally, he writes about Four Loko, The Block, the liquor board, and those who practice "
Comments
There should still be a good profit margin if you're getting $5 for a shot of firefly and a dash of raspberry schnapps.
Unless these are the fishbowl martinis you posted about.
Posted by: The Baltimore Chop | April 19, 2010 2:49 PM
Red Star in Fells Point has $5 martinis Wednesday nights.
Posted by: Roswell Encina | April 19, 2010 3:51 PM
Sam,
The song title "Afternoon Delight" is the same as the name of an appetizer at Clyde's restaurant in Georgetown in the early 70s.
Posted by: jjk | April 19, 2010 4:04 PM
the martinis are normal size, and you can get straight gin or vodka if you don't want a flavored one. I'm not a big martini drinker but I tried my wife's chocolate cherry martini and it was great. dessert is also $5, I believe.
Posted by: dave | April 19, 2010 4:25 PM
Mixing a cocktail and putting it in a martini glass does not a martini make. As Bmore Chop pointed out, it's not like a shot of vodka and some mixers cost a whole lot, especially at wholesale. The volume of business you bring in will make up for the slightly lower prices. Honestly unless I'm on vacation someplace, there is no way I'd buy a $5 vodka cocktail. I'd feel like Vincent Vega hearing about his first $5 shake.
Posted by: duder | April 19, 2010 4:25 PM
What's wrong with a $5 vodka cocktail, duder? That's cheap -- even by Baltimore standards.
Posted by: Sam Sessa | April 20, 2010 7:55 AM
"How do you make any money?"
They're probably using about $2.00 worth of ingredients.
I'm trying to figure out why they call a drink made with sweet tea vodka, rasberry & lemonade, a "martini"
It sounds pretty refreshing, but it ain't a martini!
Posted by: Skinsfan | April 20, 2010 10:30 AM
"How do you make any money?"
Served in a thimble
Posted by: Skittles | April 20, 2010 2:04 PM