Bendistillery Sampling Room, aka The Martini Bar

Published 4:00 am Friday, December 15, 2006

On a brisk winter evening, the tables inside the Bendistillery Sampling Room are filled with people sipping martinis, leaning close and engaged in intimate conversation.

While these patrons may not be discussing the virtue of a good, dry gin, you can bet they thought about it at least once.

Bartenders tend to stay away from using vermouth in their martinis to allow customers to enjoy the natural taste of the spirits. Vermouth, said owner Jim Bendis, masks the taste of a good gin, even though it has been a traditional martini additive for more than 100 years.

Patrons of the sampling room sometimes take their vermouth-less martinis with a doubtful look, but a few sips and they’re converted, Bendis said.

And that’s just what he wants. Bendis opened his sampling room in 2002 to showcase his handcrafted spirits – Crater Lake Vodka, Cascade Mountain Gin and others – made since 1996 in an industrial space in Bend.

Juniper berries are what give gin its characteristic sharp, woodsy aroma and flavor. Bendis harvests berries from public lands around Bend and infuses their flavor into natural grain spirits. The distillery also makes natural vodka and vodkas infused with the flavors of hazelnut espresso or hot peppers.

The Martini Bar, as locals call it, oozes with cool touches, like theater seats, a bathtub coffee table and moody lighting. The establishment offers industry night on Monday nights for those in the service industry, a fashion show Tuesday nights, occasional live music on Wednesday nights, and a psychic on Thursdays. The bar also showcases a rotating gallery of local artists on a first-come, first-serve basis.

The bar doesn’t limit itself to martinis. One of the most popular drinks is the lemon drop, a sweet and sour martini concoction made of vodka infused with fresh lemon juice. Bendis notes that the specialty cocktail drinks are also a customer favorite.

The Martini Bar has an updated menu with special recipes from their bartenders. Bendis says staff members travel the country seeking the highest quality cocktails and martinis and then return to give them a Central Oregon natural twist. Check the drink menu for new creations. But watch out – these drinks pack a punch.

Customers are also invited to purchase bottles of the vodkas and gins to take home.

– Julie Johnson

Bendistillery Sampling Room, aka The Martini Bar

Location: 850 N.W. Brooks St., Bend

Hours: 4 p.m. to close, Monday through Saturday

Price Range: $5.25 to $7 for drinks, $5.95 to $10.95 for dinner

Alcoholic Beverages: Gin and vodka cocktails, beer and wine

Minors: Not allowed

Reservations: No

Credit Cards: Visa, MasterCard

Contact: 388-6868