Expect laidback times, Spritzy drinks, and harbour views at Martinez

In partnership with Hendrick’s Curious Gin Trail through the north end of Sydney city. Six great bars are involved, with delicious Hendrick’s serves on offer at Apollonia, Aster, Disco Pantera, Frank Mac’s, Martinez, and The Doss House.

You’ll find Martinez in the new AMP Building in the northern end of Sydney’s CBD, a little open air oasis — with views of that iconic Sydney Harbour — in the heart of skyscraper city.

And it’s that outdoor area, up above the madness and traffic of Young Street below, that is ripe for some afternoon drinks — drinks like the two Hendrick’s Gin recipes that bar manager Alex Reynish has whipped up for us here.

Below, he talks about what makes Martinez unique, what you can expect when stop by, and why their Spritzy Hendrick’s cocktail will have you feeling as relaxed as The Dude.

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BOOTHBY: OK Alex — what’s your role here?

ALEX REYNISH: I look after the bars here at Martinez. We’ve got a lovely view of the Harbour Bridge — shame about that big boat in the way. One of the cruise liners is in. At Martinez, we aim for just a really cruisy, casual vibe. Busy happy hours, long slow lunches, a few Spritzes, a bit of food, a few drinks.

BOOTHBY: You’ve got a couple of Hendrick’s Gin drinks on right now, too. Tell us about those?

ALEX REYNISH: One is the Melon Cucumber Number — very delicious. A Hendrick’s Gin base, you’ve got the Amaro in it, which gives it that lovely herbal bitterness. Obviously you’ve got the rockmelon in it, which gives it that lovely sweetness to it and then lemon just lifts it. Love it.

BOOTHBY: And you’ve got a Spritz here?

ALEX REYNISH: We love our Spritzes here. Obviously Hendrick’s, elderflower syrup, and prosecco — simple as that. Nice and easy.

BOOTHBY: For people who’ve not been here before, can you describe the food and drinks you do?

ALEX REYNISH: Drinks-wise, I would say, very Spritzy. A lot of Spritz, a few cocktails. Approachable, easy, doing the basics well.

Food-wise, we do lunch specials from $20. Burgers, schnitzels, fish, you name it.

BOOTHBY: We’re talking movies today as well, is there a bar from the movies that you would love to see come to life? Maybe it’s fictional or maybe it’s real?

ALEX REYNISH: Great question. I’d like to go for the $10 shake, $5 shake in Pulp Fiction. It looks like a fun little place. I don’t fancy myself as a dancer but I get out there and have a go.

BOOTHBY: If this Spritz was a movie, what kind of movie would it be?

ALEX REYNISH: That’s a really good question. I associate this drink with a slow, outdoorsy kind of vibe. Or maybe even... Your man from The Big Lebowski.

BOOTHBY: Oh yeah.

ALEX REYNISH: You know, he just sits there lounging around, just taking it slowly.

BOOTHBY: The Spritz wasn’t really a thing when that movie came out, he was into White Russians — but he’s a pretty Spritzy boy.

ALEX REYNISH: I think he’d love a spritz.

BOOTHBY: In his bathrobe.

ALEX REYNISH: Yeah — enjoy it in a bathrobe. That’d be great.