Inside: Fairmount Martini and Wine Bar

A popular spot among young professionals and graduate students from Universty Circle and the Heights, the Fairmount Martini and Wine Bar is a casual and affordable spot to hang out.

Drinks: The Fairmount is a great bar with nearly everything priced under $10. A fairly extensive menu is organized by drink types, the majority dedicated to cocktails, with each kind of liquor receiving its own page. There’s also a fair selection of wines by the glass, beers by the bottle and a small selection of drafts.

You really can’t go wrong with any of the cocktails. One of my favorites is the Black Thorn ($9). It's a great whiskey-based drink, featuring Tullamore Dew Irish Whiskey, Boissiere Dry Vermouth, absinthe, bitters and lemon peel. 

Food: While the Fairmount puts alcohol first, it does feature a small menu of appetizers and light snacks, which include cheese plates, quesadillas and sandwiches ($8 - $15). While you could make a meal out of the menu, most patrons rarely do. I ordered a portabella quesadilla, which was quite satisfying.

Décor: The inside of the bar is clean and inviting. It features dim light, scattered tables of various size and a comfortable couch. A short bar features approximately 10 seats, with two flat-panel televisions hanging behind it. Modern art hangs from the brick walls, adding a funky flair to the somewhat conservative space. A patio nearly doubles the space during the warm months.

While the bar isn’t huge, it does offer enough space to hide out, whether tucked in a corner or up against the front windows. Be warned though, during the weekends the place can fill up and get loud, so if you’re looking to chat with a friend, it can become difficult.

Service: This element is usually friendly and quick, and in the summer a second bar on the patio helps speed things along. But, if the patio bar isn’t open and the bar fills up (which it can on any given night), service can slow down. Be patient, most cocktails require some attention to detail and are well worth a few extra minutes to ensure they are mixed correctly.

Bottom line: The Fairmount is a great neighborhood bar that is modern, inviting, and accessible to everyone.