Salty, briny, unapologetically bold. The Dirty Martini isn't exactly the polite cocktail choice and that's precisely why I love it. Built on a simple trio of spirit, vermouth, and olive brine, the drink leans into flavours most cocktails avoid. When it's done right, it's cold, sharp, and just a little dramatic. The perfect way to start a night.
Montreal seems to be fully embracing the Dirty Martini lately. Bartenders across the city are leaning into its briny edge, pairing quality spirits with carefully balanced olive brine to create martinis that are crisp, bold, and deeply satisfying.
Because in a Dirty Martini, the brine is everything. It's what gives the drink its signature punch and unmistakable olive character. While many bars traditionally rely on the liquid from a jar of olives, dedicated cocktail brines are becoming increasingly popular among bartenders who want greater control over flavour and consistency.
One of those products is OLV007, a premium olive brine made from Kalamata olives sourced and imported from Greece. Unlike many bottled brines available on the market, which often come from the United States, mainly California, or from Mexico, OLV007 leans heavily into the natural character of Greek olives. The result is a brine that is distinctly olive-forward with a clean salty finish, rather than the salt-forward and slightly vinegary profile that tends to dominate many other bottled options.
The brand was founded by Montreal entrepreneur Peter Gianopoulos, who created OLV007 after noticing how inconsistent traditional olive jar brine could be behind the bar. His goal was simple: give bartenders a cleaner, more reliable brine that enhances the depth of a martini without overpowering the drink.
Today, OLV007 has quietly become a favourite behind many bars across the city, with more than 100 clients in Montreal alone using the product when preparing Dirty Martinis. It also stands out as the only Canadian company currently producing a dedicated premium olive brine specifically designed for cocktails.
Read also:
Sip & Savor: The Ultimate Guide to Montreal's Cocktail Scene
After ordering more Dirty Martinis than I care to publicly admit, these are some of the spots in Montreal where I'm always happy to order one.
PALMA
100 Rue Peel, Montreal, H3C 0L8
With its chic Mediterranean atmosphere and lively dining room, Palma feels made for martini hour. The space strikes a balance between elegant and energetic, making it the kind of place where a Dirty Martini naturally finds its way to the table before dinner even begins. Their version is crisp and balanced, with just enough olive brine to bring out the drink's savoury edge without overwhelming the spirit. It's an excellent way to start the evening while sharing starters or waiting for a table full of New American cuisine with Asian influences inspired plates to arrive.
Yoko Luna
1234 Rue de la Montagne, Montreal, H3G 1Z1
Yokoluna is dramatic in the best possible way. The dining room is glamorous and theatrical, with a vibrant energy that immediately sets the tone for a night out. In a setting like this, a martini feels almost mandatory, especially on girls night. Their Dirty Martini is served ice-cold with quality olives, delivering that clean, briny character that martini lovers look for. It's the kind of cocktail that feels perfectly at home in a room designed for spectacle and celebration.
40 Westt Steakhouse
2305 Route Transcanadienne, Pointe-Claire, H9R 5Z5
Out in the West Island, 40 Westt has long been a destination for classic steakhouse dining and expertly crafted cocktails. The restaurant's Dirty Martini stays true to tradition: strong, properly chilled, and satisfyingly savoury. It's the kind of drink that pairs effortlessly with the restaurant's seafood towers, oysters, or beautifully cooked prime steaks. For those who appreciate classic cocktail culture, this is exactly the type of martini experience you hope to find.
Rib'N Reef Steakhouse & Cigar Lounge
8105 Boulevard Décarie, Montreal, H4P 2H5
Few places deliver old-school Montreal steakhouse elegance quite like Rib N Reef. From the polished dining room to the impeccable service, everything about the experience feels timeless. Their Dirty Martini follows the same philosophy. It's simple, classic, and served exactly the way it should be: ice-cold, well-balanced, and garnished with generous olives. It's the perfect cocktail to enjoy while settling into one of the city's most iconic dining rooms.
Estelle
630 Rue de Courcelles, Montreal, H4C 3C5
Although Estelle is currently closed following a recent fire, it remains a favourite among Montreal diners. Known for its refined cuisine and thoughtful cocktail program, the restaurant's Dirty Martini had earned a loyal following. The balance between spirit and brine was always carefully executed, making it a standout choice for martini lovers. Once the restaurant reopens, it will undoubtedly return to the conversation as one of the city's go-to spots for a beautifully crafted martini and one of those nights that creates unforgettable memories.
Estiatorio Milos - Montreal
5357 Avenue du Parc, Montreal, H2V 4G9
Few restaurants celebrate Mediterranean ingredients quite like Milos and it is most certainly one of the reasons why it is considerate as an institution in the city.. With pristine seafood displays, elegant dining rooms, and a reputation for quality, the entire experience revolves around exceptional ingredients. A Dirty Martini feels perfectly at home here, especially before a meal centered around fresh fish or shellfish. The cocktail's clean, savoury profile complements the restaurant's refined atmosphere and seafood-driven menu beautifully.
Maison Boulud
1228 Rue Sherbrooke O, Montreal, H3G 1H6
Inside the Ritz-Carlton, Maison Boulud offers one of Montreal's most refined dining experiences. The bar program mirrors the kitchen's meticulous approach, with cocktails that feel every bit as polished as the dining room itself. Their Dirty Martini arrives ice-cold, perfectly balanced, and undeniably elegant. It's the kind of drink made for lingering at the bar before dinner, soaking in the room's quiet glamour and the effortless luxury that defines the Ritz-Carlton experience.
Ferreira Café
1446 Rue Peel, Montreal, H3A 1S8
A staple of Montreal's Portuguese dining scene, Ferreira Café has long been known for its warm hospitality and seafood-focused menu. While the restaurant is currently closed for renovations, its bar program has historically included an excellent Dirty Martini built around quality ingredients and precise technique. Once it reopens, it will likely remain a favourite destination for diners looking to enjoy a martini alongside beautifully prepared seafood.
Siamo Noi
5060 Chemin de la Côte-de-Liesse, Montreal, H4P 0E1
Siamo Noi combines Italian hospitality with a lively bar culture that naturally lends itself to cocktails. Located inside Royalmount, the restaurant is part of the district's growing luxury dining offering, bringing a vibrant Italian energy to the space. Their Dirty Martini leans confidently into the briny character of the drink, delivering the salty edge that fans of the cocktail appreciate. It's an ideal place to begin the evening with a martini at the bar before moving on to shared antipasti, pasta, and the restaurant's generous Italian plates.
Stellina
410 Rue Saint-Jacques, Montreal, H2Y 1S1
Stellina brings neighbourhood charm to the martini scene. The atmosphere is warm and convivial, creating a relaxed setting where cocktails feel approachable but still thoughtfully made. Their Dirty Martini is crisp and balanced, offering that signature briny note that pairs beautifully with the restaurant's Italian-inspired dishes. It's the kind of place where one martini can easily turn into two.
Le Violon
4720 Rue Marquette, Montreal, H2J 3Y6
Le Violon's intimate atmosphere and carefully curated cocktail program make it a standout for classic drinks. The restaurant's approach to cocktails emphasizes precision and balance, and their Dirty Martini reflects that philosophy. Clean flavours and well-measured brine allow the drink's savoury complexity to shine. It's a martini that invites slow sipping while enjoying the restaurant's refined dining experience.
Da Emma
777 Rue de la Commune O, Montreal, H3C 1Y1
Hidden inside a historic stone cellar in Old Montreal, Da Emma offers one of the city's most atmospheric dining rooms. The setting alone makes the experience memorable, and the bar program stays rooted in timeless classics. Their Dirty Martini fits perfectly within that tradition. Served properly chilled and garnished with olives, it's the ideal way to begin a long Italian meal in one of Montreal's most unique spaces.
Bernie's Pizza Martini Bar
3627 Boulevard Sources, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, H9B 2K4
Bernie's wears its martini obsession proudly. As the name suggests, the bar takes its cocktails seriously, and their Dirty Martini is bold, briny, and unapologetically punchy. The spot has also become something of a TikTok favourite, with videos of its martinis and lively atmosphere regularly circulating online. It's the kind of drink that feels right at home alongside slices of pizza or shared plates with friends, in a room where the energy is high and the martinis keep flowing.
Romies
465 Rue McGill, Montreal, H2Y 2H1
Romies has quickly become one of Montreal's buzziest dining rooms. The space is stylish, the energy vibrant, and the cocktail menu leans heavily on well-executed classics. Their Dirty Martini arrives perfectly chilled, but with a bold twist: the olive garnish is swapped for a peperoncino, adding a punchy, slightly spicy edge that sets it apart from the traditional version. It's an ideal cocktail to sip at the bar while soaking in the room's lively atmosphere.
Celeste
2121 Rue Drummond, Montreal, H3A 1H6
Although its sister restaurant Beatrice is currently closed, Celeste continues to impress with its polished dining room and strong cocktail program. The Dirty Martini here is elegant and well-balanced, highlighting the savoury character of the olive brine while maintaining the cocktail's smooth profile. Paired with the restaurant's refined Italian-inspired dishes, it makes for a sophisticated start to the meal.
OLV007
If you're feeling inspired to recreate that briny magic at home, the same olive-forward brine used by many of the city's bartenders is also available to consumers. OLV007 can currently be purchased on Amazon Canada, with plans to expand into the U.S. market starting in April through a partnership with RNDC, bringing this Montreal-born cocktail staple to bars and home bartenders beyond the city. The product will also be available on Sysco Canada within the next few weeks throughout Quebec followed by Nation wide availability in next few months. Be sure to tell your favorite restaurants about this premium olive brine so they can serve delicious Dirty Martinis as well.
To contact OLV007:
Peter Gianopoulos
514-240-3225
peter@olv007.com
