Marcus' Martini Heaven

Had a great time here the other night. Staff was friendly, drinks were reasonably priced. What really sold me on this place though was the atmosphere. It has the feel of the Seattle Underground, in a good way though. Plenty of booths to hide and talk to friends. A refreshing change from other Martini joints. I would for sure come back here.
-FreeRangeBeefcake

Pros: Great atmosphere, fun place to hang and chat, good prices.

Cons: Stairs hard to navigate after a dozen martinis.

Posted 12/03/08

I'm always up for going to new places. I found this place on someone's myspace actually. I invited a bunch of people so I was a little nervous that it wouldn't turn out to be fun. Boy was I wrong! We got there and it started out really quiet. By the time 10 rolled around there was a bunch of people there and the bar was hoppin! The DJ was great and best of all, the martinis were awesome! The next thing I know I was on my fourth one and needless to say I was feeling good. The bartenders were extremely nice and even stepped out from behind the bar and took pictures with us! I definitely recommend this place to anyone who wants a good martini and a great time!

Posted 04/14/08

My Best friend and I were on a "girls trip" to Seattle and noticed the bar while we were on the Underground Tour. The tour almost lost us because we are BIG martini fans. When we walked down the stairs into the bar and noticed that one of the best road trip movies (Planes, Trains and Automobiles) was playing on their flat screen. We were just going to stay long enough to get to the ?pillows? scene. Which we did, but after seeing the movie credits while imbibing and chatting with the locals we finally left for a toy shopping tour, we had spoiling to do!

We were greeted by one of the owners who severed us some of best martinis ever!!! He was very personable, we were glad to have found a bar that served excellent drinks w/ a great atmosphere. FYI?Try the Louisiana Lady, it was a great blend of sweet and sour?.mmm!!! We ended the night with them, yes that means we left and came back 3 hours later!

Posted 03/29/08

Marcus' is a great underground (literally) bar in the less annoying part of Pioneer Square. It's dark, fun, has strong drink, and great DJ's. One reviewer said it was a snowbarder bar. I don't know where he was but that is not and never has been Marcus'. I booked the bar for my 30th and had a great time. I live in LA these days and wanted to do something special for my birthday. Working with the bars party booker Grace I managed to get a sweet spot and great service. I had about 30-40 people come through over the course of the evening and there was much merriment. Everything about the place was top notch all the way down to the DJ. All of my friends from both near and far loved the place and had nothing but good things to say. Thanks Marcus' for making my 30th a special one.

Pros: Great staff, drink, and music

Cons: You'll drink way too much and have too much fun.

Posted 11/18/07

i've never been let down at marcus'. good music, good martini, good art, good people, good service.

hmmm...i've never had food here before, so not sure about that.

i remember one evening my friend was so drunk he left his debit card and the bouncer ran (briefly) after us to give it back - which saved us an hour round trip drive back the next day if he even realized where he left it!! I thought that was pretty awesome, actually...

my highest recommendation...but shhhhh! don't tell anyone about it! it's our little secret!

Posted 09/16/07

Snowboards on the walls, snowboarder dude bartenders, guys in beanie caps and fat chicks. Drinks were bad and expensive, AC/DC, the Doors, The Who positively blasting through the sound system in the empty bar. Ugh. Avoid.

Posted 01/12/07

Not sure who has been stuffing the ballot box for Marcus' Martini Heaven but it is certainly not what it is hyped-up to be. The martinis were weak-sauce and average tasting at-best. The food was akin to razor thin (but delicious...asssuming you can taste single molecules) Salumi sausage surrounded by Ritz crackers. Marcus' is definitely worth skipping. Try the Zig-Zag cafe or Tini Bigs.

Pros: Uncrowded, Salumi Suasage-kind of

Cons: Overpriced, Drinks Weak

Posted 12/15/06

Had never been there but always heard about it. Great bartendars and drinks. Good music in the background and a great place to have drinks after a date or hang with some friends.

Pros: Loved it, it was all good even the guy at the door was cool

Posted 10/04/06

Have been coming here on and off for the last 6 months, but they have a new Vodka called Gomi and they are making an awesom Martini with that. Not sure how it compares with the others, but they whip up some really, really good Martinis.

Posted 12/13/05

I've been going here for 5 years! It only keeps getting better, a place to lounge or a place to mingle what ever mood you are in. Missing "my" Blow Fish, remembering him! We will have to get to know the new little guy in the tank! :0)

Posted 11/10/05

This place sets the romantic moods in romantic moods. I love the atmospere of this heaven abode. Try all the martini you can handle and every now and then, a man selling lillies will come in buy some, they smell great next to a sour apple martini.

Posted 08/22/05

This place is truly divine. It is nice and quiet, dark and the music is ambient and a bit gothic. It is teeny tiny so I wouldn't recommend going on the weekend but for a weekday happy hour it's great. Take your loved one and cozy up in a small nook either at a table or one of the comfy leather or velvet sofas. The food is delicious for being so cheap and the drinks are killer. The bartender is nice and friendly, no pretention like a lot of the other local happy hour haunts. There isn't a huge selection of vodka which is a bit surprising considering it is a martini bar...but the atmosphere is definitely worth the short list.

I just hope this place doesn't become trendy!

Pros: great atmosphere, great drinks, great food

Posted 08/17/05

Romantically lit, great vibe, huge martini menu. Usually a friendly and good looking staff and crowd. I consider this to be a nice escape from the mainstay of Pioneer Square. As a personal bonus, cell phone phone reception is bad because the bar is in the basement, so not to many people are yabbering away on their phones while I'm enjoying my drink.

Pros: cozy

Cons: small

Posted 04/16/05

Martinis were superb, all their colors and subtle special tastes. Service is excellent over the weekend and very good during the week. It seems the bar is made of two contradictory worlds - one of a lounge with acquaria and the other with goth-like brick walls with romantic candles placed on top... Don't fear the darker part - it will surprise you with its warmth and intimate feel.
The artists behind the bar know exactly what suits you. I always stick with L's recommendation. You can find her there on the weekends.

Pros: Superb coctails, Great service, Great athmosphere

Posted 02/24/05

Love the space / ambiance, feels more like an NYC or SF bar. Music is superb! The bartenders were very unfriendly and the martinis were the WORST I've ever had!

Pros: Ambiance, Music, Cheap Drinks

Cons: Unskilled Bartenders, Bad Customer Service, Bad Martinis!

Posted 02/14/05

This is an interesting bar that you need to go to just to say you've been. Interesting art work and atmosphere along with a long list of Martini's makes this a nice place to stop by for a drink before heading to dinner.
My cautions: The last two times I've been there the bartender was less than friendly and I wouldn't reccommend the food.

Pros: Good drinks, Atmosphere

Posted 02/23/04

The location is hard to visualize as a HOT SPOT. However, once you go downunder and within the dark you can find your groove. The bartenders Mandy and Leah and awesome and very hot. The drinks are hefty and made to give you that relaxing feeling of alcohol very quickly.

Nice place to mingle and meet a friend. The food is ok. Definetely, do not go during the weekend expecting to find seating space. During the week there is plenty of space.

Posted 07/16/03

This cool club is underground with an almost "have to know about it" feel. Big drinks with a menu board for those who don't quite know what they want (inexperienced drinkers). Last time I was here I don't remember leaving.... Be careful.

Pros: ambience, product, location

Cons: crowded, smoky, stuffy

Posted 10/02/02

Been to Marcus' manys times, some good some bad, but the atmosphere and selection of good "call" martinis kept me coming back. However, don't waste your time on Fridays or Saturdays, go during the week. The service is better and the drinks are made to impress. This summer was very good, meaning the college frat crowd was diminished, but from experience this last month, college is back in session obviously, Save Marcus' for weekday nights!!! Rates based on weekdays...

Pros: Weekday nights, martini selection, decor

Cons: Weekend frat crowd

Posted 09/25/02

I can't say enough great things about this place. The atmosphere is friendly, upbeat and welcoming. Leah(one of the bartenders) is by far the greatest bartender in town, and that's saying a lot since all the bartenders are great at Marcus'. Aside from learning every regular's name, she's quick with a smile and a hello every time I see her. And to top it off, she's beautiful. Incredible selection of drinks and the original artwork changes frequently. Avoid Fri. and Sat. nights. It's toooooo busy.

Pros: Great bartenders, Unpretentious, live dj

Cons: too busy on weekends, near Pioneer Square

Posted 08/04/02

My favorite bartender serves my favorite martini. This place is very Seattle: a little dark, good drinks and soft couches. Love the service, the drinks are always strong and fairly priced.

Posted 06/14/02