Bar Review - Vintije Espresso & Martini Bar

LIKE VODKA FOR CHOCOLATE: Three firemen opened Winans Chocolates & Coffees on the Marietta Square in 2006 as the lone Southeast franchisee of an Ohio chocolatier. But they had a falling-out with the franchise and in August became Vintije Espresso & Martini Bar, which will also continue to sell coffee, chocolates, sandwiches, soups and pastries.

E-NEBRATION: Vintije has lots of liquor, wine and bottled beer, and its MySpace page lists 11 specialty martinis, including the house-special double-chocolate martini. Although no printed list was available at the bar, the young bartender explained with endearing honesty that “basically, we can look up any drink you order online.”

MAKING THE BRAND: The cavernous 19th-century storefront was nearly empty on a recent Friday night, but its rebranding is less than two months old and the Winans sign still hangs outside. The owners plan to use live music and their status as the only smoke-free bar on the square to establish a niche. The space itself is comfortable, with the building’s original floors and tin ceiling intact and suede couches in back by the bar.

QUAINT MISBEHAVIN’: The Marietta Square is livelier than most suburban downtowns, but its nightlife capacity will always be dwarfed by its old-timey charm. Vintije is in a tight market against a handful of stalwarts that stay open later, but its tranquil, loungy atmosphere and diverse food and drink menus may be enough to draw drinkers away from competitors.

Vintije Espresso & Martini Bar. 160 Roswell St., Marietta. 678-594-7856. Mon.-Thurs., 6:45 a.m.-10 p.m.; Fri., 6:45 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sat., 8:30 a.m.-11 p.m. www.myspace.com/vintije.