"Shaken, not Stirred"

At least that's how James Bond prefers his martinis. But I bet he's never had one from an anonymous casino and bar in Sioux Falls.

Nestled into the Beakon Centre, Martini's Casino & Lounge is a destination no bigger than a few hundred square feet. The lounge and casino, conveniently separated by the bar, each appeal to different crowds. The lounge area forms an inviting atmosphere created by dim lights of hazy yellows and reds. The casino, on the other hand, is illuminated with neon lights and the glow of video screens. And last but not least, the area that ties it all together, is the bar.

The bar area is tidy yet small, but still manages enough room for countless flavors of vodka and top shelf alcohols. Overwhelmed with many delicious sounding choices, I settled on the Peppermint Patty Martini just in time for the holidays. It is sophisticatedly shaken with White Creme de Cacao, White Creme de Menth, more cream, and garnished with a pattern of chocolate syrup. Thicker than the average martini, it will coat your mouth and tummy with warmth. Another drink I sampled, which my bartender personally recommended, was the Bubblelicious Martini. Composed of Midori, bubble vodka, pineapple and cherry juices, this martini is a work of art. Beside the visual appeal, it not only smelled like bubblegum but also tasted like bubblegum.

On the other side of the room from this bar is another bar. However, is is not your average bar. Instead, it is a free-of-charge candy bar. Items include M&M's, pretzels, cheese puffs, and even an occasional Twinkie. And germaphobics don't need to worry. The restrooms are clean and the casino supplies ample hand sanitizing systems for all.


These systems work to everyone's advantage whether they are a smoker or non-smoker. Because of South Dakota's unique laws regarding public smoking compared to the rest of the states, smoking is allowed. One downside to such a great casino and bar is the poor ventilation.

On the other hand, because Martinis is a small and fairly new establishment, it is rarely busy. Therefore, if the number of bar patrons is low, chances are the number of smokers will be too. However, the fact is is a fairly empty bar can cause issues. Ladies, be warned. Because the bar is so little, making an escape from a man who is not Prince Charming is not only difficult but IMPOSSIBLE. Speaking from experience, Martini's is not the place you can get lost in a crowd because simply put, there is no crowd.

But don't let this scare you. Martini's is a place to relax with friends and have a few premium made from scratch drinks. The best part is, if you gamble and support the casino with approximately a minimum of 10 dollars, the bartender just might set you up with a free tab for the evening.

I dare James Bond to find a better martini.


Martini's Casino & Lounge
4823 S. Louise Ave.
Sioux Falls, SD
605.275.4823

Hours:
Monday-Sat: 8am-2am
Sunday: 12pm-2am

Smoking: Yes

*As I was talking to one of the head bartenders, he informed me that Martini's picks up a guest's tab on an individual basis. In other words, be polite and start with a minimum of 10 dollars on the casino floor. The max amount of free drinks is three (at the price of seven dollars apiece) so don't be stingy. Be respectful and support Martini's if it is a place you enjoy visiting from time to time.
**Also, if your tab for the evening is free, don't forget to tip!