Upscale martini bar to open in Titusville

Jessica Saggio
Florida Today
The Grand Martini, a new upscale martini lounge, will open in Titusville this week.

A new martini bar will open this week in Titusville, bringing a splash of glitz and glam to the downtown area.

The Grand Martini opens at 3 p.m.Thursday .

It was time for something different in Titusville, said Kezia Brickner, who co-owns the lounge with her husband and two friends.

“You have to go a long, long way for something like this,” said Brickner, noting many people travel to Orlando for a night out. “We wanted a nice place to go that was a different feel from what we already have in Titusville.”

The Grand Martini took over a space along the main downtown corridor that faces South Washington Avenue. The location was previously Dave’s Downtown Lounge.

But a peek inside shows some grand changes . Inside, the lounge is dimly lit with a purple hue sprinkled throughout. Leather couches, velour chairs, and marble-print tables are clustered to encourage casual conversations.

“It’s a different kind of place to have a relaxing conversation, it’s not your average bar,” said manager Eddie Martins.

Guests are greeted by crystal chandeliers that hang over seating areas and a sprawling bar that extends along the eastern side of the building. A baby grand piano rounds out the room, where live, laid-back entertainment will take place regularly, said Martins.

A baby grand piano is consistent with the theme of The Grand Martini and will be a focal point for live entertainment.

The bar is advertised as an upscale lounge, the website states.

“It’s very grown up,” said Brickner.

The Grand Martini’s menu features a host of signature martinis that range in price from $8 to $11. The bar also offers mixed drinks and draft beers. There are 10 taps at the bar, including craft beer from the lounge’s neighboring Playalinda Brewing Company.

Martinis such as “The Dutchess” will set the lounge apart, said Martins. That drink is made of Van Gogh Dutch Chocolate Vodka, Baileys, Frangelico and Godiva Liqueur. There are 15 custom martinis on the menu, such as a key lime “Key to the City” martini, a “Coffee House” espresso-infused martini and the “The Main Squeeze,” which is made from blueberry vodka, lemon vodka, lemonade and muddled blueberries.  

A number of appetizers are also on the menu, including charcuterie, hummus and smoked salmon.

The Grand Martini has not yet set a grand opening date to celebrate, but the lounge will be open regularly Tuesday through Sunday and for this week’s block party in downtown. On Saturdays and Sundays, the bar will open at noon. Owners have not yet specified a closing time.

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The Grand Martini has been in the works for about 8 months, Brickner said. The team just about gutted the space, adding new drywall, plumbing, electric and bathrooms. The interior was completely redesigned.

“It looked like we were building a new house,” she said.

The Grand Martini is owned by Brickner, her husband Mike Brickner, Jaime Coop and Mike Coop. The Brickners also own the Expressions Hair Salon across the street.  

“This is a mom and pop place no matter how you slice it,” she said.

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A number of changes have come to downtown Titusville since the group began its endeavor, including the closing of Bar IX and Quam’s Schoolhouse Burgers. However, Brickner said she looks forward to the growth as more entrepreneurs take interest in downtown; a software company will take over the top floors of a building adjacent to the lounge.

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If you go:

The Grand Martini

345 S. Washington Ave., Titusville

Hours:

Tuesday-Friday: Opening at 3 p.m.

Saturday/Sunday: Opening at noon.

Closed Mondays.

Price range: $8 to $11 for martinis

Appetizers: $7.95 to $17.99

Contact Reporter Jessica Saggio at Jsaggio@floridatoday.com, 321-242-3664 or follow her on Twitter @JessicaJSaggio.