Blue Martinis   

Upscale and lounge-y with a very small dance floor, this downtown Birmingham drink spot opened April 1, 2003. Lots of cool cocktail options here, with martinis served up strong and in over-sized glasses. Cosmos, apple martinis and the Ultimate Manhattan (made with Jack Daniels' single-barrel bourbon) seem to get a lot of requests. Busy and popular, it's pretty common to see lines extending from the door on Wednesday and Thursday nights. A lot of after-work patrons, many of them in their mid- to late-30s, crowd this bar that is located right next to the Palladium Theater. Designed after the Blue Martini in Palm Beach, the inside is often busy and crowded, but it's packed with people doing nothing but relaxing. A live band plays Wednesday through Sunday nights, with a DJ taking over before midnight, spinning some lounge and transitional R&B until closing. The Tangotini -- Grey Goose orangine with tangerine liqueur -- will most assuredly take any edge off. Cigars are also available onsite.