Martinis Bistro

Built in the 1890s and once home to Longmont founder Charles Pace, the Victorian that houses Martinis Bistro has witnessed more than a century of Colorado and local history. Over the more than two decades it’s served the community as a fine-dining restaurant, however, Martinis Bistro is proud to have witnessed more personal histories, helping generation after generation of Longmonters celebrate the special occasions of their lives. 

“We’re the Longmont date night and special event spot,” says owner Sarah Morgan, “so we get the privilege to see people through all the stages of their lives: birthdays, graduations, weddings, babies, anniversaries. I hear nightly that ‘I got engaged here’ or ‘I had my homecoming here twenty years ago.’”

In fact, Sarah first dined at Martinis for her birthday and was deeply charmed by the place years before she became the front-of-house manager and eventually made the leap to ownership in 2020. It’s since been her passion to preserve and nurture that charm, which today infuses the entirety of the immaculately kept house and grounds. 

Adam Wilhite, the current front-of-house manager and long-time Martinis staff family member, agrees that the place has a magical draw, a feeling of being at home. “The guests feel it, too, the moment they walk into this beautifully renovated Victorian home,” he says. “They’re welcomed home, and we serve them with the warmth and attentive urgency one would serve beloved family.”

Beautiful is certainly the correct adjective for Martinis, inside and out. With one of the largest patios in Boulder County and bursting with colorful flowers, the exterior evokes a country estate, making dining al fresco a serious draw. While inside, Sarah highlights the architecture’s strong bones with softer fabrics and moodier colors that feel updated, intimate, and romantic. 

Similarly, the menu at Martinis Bistro strikes a balance between honoring history—specifically, the classics of steakhouse cuisine—and continuing to freshen and evolve. After all, much like it’s difficult to improve on a classic martini, mostly unchanged since 1860, an excellent crab cake is difficult to improve upon, and Martinis is indeed meaty and perfectly seasoned. Here, however, it’s served as an entrée, with seared scallops as the co-star, alongside anchovy aioli and melt-in-your-mouth parmesan potatoes. 

In general, Martinis seafood is difficult to beat. Still, executive chef Hannah Dooley has also ladled care over her rack of lamb, serving it over a risotto of local mushrooms and making it one of Martinis most popular dishes. Of course, beef options are stellar, led by a New York Strip entree and sherry-glazed short ribs, but from start to finish, the chef excels at pairing classic technique with modern and seasonal flourishes to create an upscale yet approachable fine-dining experience. 

“It comes down to staying consistent, staying relevant, and refining the experience over time,” says Adam, who, regarding chef Hannah, adds, “It’s fun to watch her experiment and push things forward. Honestly, I always remind people that they seriously need to save room for dessert. That’s where she really shines, particularly on pairing nights.”

He’s referring to a decadent dessert special served at their regular pairing dinners on the third Wednesday of every month, such as a recent dark chocolate and stout fudge swirl bar. Each of these dinners offers a multi-course meal themed around wine and other spirits, one of several regular monthly events hosted at Martinis. 

The chef’s desserts on the standard menu, however, are also standout, including a walnut bread pudding with salted caramel and chocolate sauces that, on its own, is worth a visit—perhaps shared with a companion alongside an adult beverage in the martini bar section of the restaurant. With cushioned booths, stylishly dim lighting, and the cocktail shaker as soundtrack, the bar area is the perfect place to snuggle in for a romantic evening. 

Beginning in 2025, though, Martinis Bistro also began bringing its hospitality into the light of day by adding a lunch service on weekdays. Best enjoyed on the shaded patio in summer months, the lunch menu shifts from steakhouse fare to upscale pub cuisine with offerings like steak frittes, fish and chips, and a faux-humble shepherd’s pie with a filling of high-class braised beef short rib. 

“There’s also a lot of history here,” Adam says. “In a town full of great new restaurants, we’re proud to offer something different. This beautiful house, the warm atmosphere, and the affectionate energy of the space all contribute to something you can’t easily replicate.”

Visit Martinis Bistro at 543 Terry St. in Longmont. Find  out more or reserve a table at 303-651-2772 or martinisbistro.com.

Martinis Upcoming Events

Live music, Thursdays and Sundays from May to October

Prime rib dinner, first Tuesday of the month

Wine pairing dinners, third Wednesday of the month (reservations required)

Surf and Turf dinner, last Tuesday of the month