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There are many different kinds of drinkers, but perhaps the most mysterious are those who go to high end establishments and buy expensive cocktails just by the sheer virtue that they can.
They aren’t the only folks you’ll find at Blue Martini at 4200 Conroy Rd Suite H-246 at the Mall at Millenia – it’s also home to those who like a strong pour and putting on a fancy face for an evening. It’s an attractive spot that, unlike so many other Orlando lounges, isn’t faking its level of upscale.
Décor: Perched atop the Mall at Millenia, Blue Martini has an imposing, impressive presence. Bathed in glowing blue light, you can feel the frou-frou flowing from the front doors in the shape of the strictly enforced dress code of collared shirts and regular shoes for guys and business casual for the ladies (so don’t come unprepared). If you come after happy hour pay the cover ($5 for ladies, $10 for guys) and enter into a world of three large bars, Miami-inspired seating, and lots of snappy-dressed bartenders. There are tables in every conceivable spot, and more stools seem to appear at the bar every time you look, which is one thing this lounge has handily over other Orlando hot spots. Plus, smoking is allowed in most areas, so you can relax with a cig after fighting your way through the tenth girls-night-out party.
The Bar: Your level of drunkenness (and possibly your enjoyment) at Blue Martini will be in direct proportion with your level of personal savings. Well drinks set the precedent at $7.75 for a small glass. It’s strongly poured, and you can definitely feel the alcohol raging down your throat, but at that price you’d expect a more sophisticated feel to your drink, not that you’re a barfly getting a stiff fix. The signature martinis (of which there are over thirty) split pretty evenly between $12 and $14, and you can pretend it’s desert with options like Cookies and Cream (served in a cookie-crusted glass) and Three Chocolates (with Three Olives chocolate, Godiva liqueur, and served in a white chocolate-swirled glass). Wines are also available from $9 to $25 a glass, and bottles of champagne from $75 on up to $1100 (which you can enjoy in one of the VIP sections).
If you want to get the Blue Martini experience on a budget, then head there during happy hour, 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday, when there’s no cover and you get $3 cocktails and $6 martinis. On Mondays you also get hospitality night, with specials all night for the pros; Tuesdays have “happy hour networking” from 4-8 p.m. , plus if you bring a business card you get a free drink; Wednesdays are ladies nights with a free glass of champagne (from 4:30-7:30 p.m. ) and drink specials all night; Thursdays have a free Three Olives cocktail before 10 p.m. and Latin-themed music; Fridays get you a free drink with a business card (what is with that?); Saturdays are for live entertainment and a free Van Gogh drink before 10 p.m.; and Sundays are laid back with a patio cookout.
Service: The bartenders and waitresses are constantly roaming about, so you’ll rarely be without a drink in your hand.
Sounds: The live acts are scheduled on Blue Martini’s website, and tend to lean toward the non-threatening sounds you’d find on light FM stations.
Crowd: Networking business types, well-to-do folks, and people who really like Mall at Millenia crowd Blue Martini nightly. It gets pretty busy and elbowy, so it wouldn’t be unreasonable if you were up for some ass-kicking if one of them spills your $14 drink.
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