Latest news with #DirtyMartini
Scotsman
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Bitter Baby - student by day/sex worker by night - Fringe show tells true story
What does it take to juggle academic study by day and sex work by night? What does it take to forget your past? These are questions that Brazillian academic and autistic woman Elis Pear is grappling with. They are questions she is forced to ask herself as she comes to terms with the lengths she went to make ends meet whilst studying for her PHD in London in the early part of this decade. Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... This August, Elis brings her solo play to the Edinburgh Fringe. In Bitter Baby, which plays at Dirty Martini at Le Monde Hotel at 14.00hrs throughout August, she charts her personal experience of leading two lives in her attempt to navigate the pressure to succeed in a system not built for her. Exploring what happens when academia, sex work, autism and identity collide, Bitter Baby takes the audience on an unfiltered, darkly funny and deeply human journey to expose the quiet truths behind shame and self-definition. Elis's debut playis a darkly funny, emotionally raw work that speaks to anyone who's ever had to split themselves into parts just in order to survive Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Elis Pear says: 'Bitter Baby is the show I never thought I'd write—but somehow always knew I needed to. It's about shame, guilt, survival—and what happens when you finally dare to speak. I'm nervous, excited, and deeply proud to bring it to Edinburgh—because stories like this are so often lived, but rarely told out loud.' Elis Pear Elis Pear is a Brazilian-born academic and emerging writer, now based in the UK. With a background in anthropology and neuroscience, her work blends scientific insight with the raw edges of her lived experience to explore themes of power, survival, and identity through spoken word and dark comedy.
The Star
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
10 martinis in Kuala Lumpur you should try for World Martini Day
Happy World Martini Day! In case you didn't know already, I do love a good martini. It doesn't matter whether it's dirty or dry, a twist or a classic, a good Martini is a good martini. And happily, many bars in Klang Valley tend to make some really good ones. Held on every third Saturday of June, World Martini Day started out as 'National Martini Day' in the United States, and used to be held annually on June 19. In 2021, it was changed to World Martini Day, and switched to the third Saturday of June. Now, what makes a martini a martini? Well, the 'official' recipe designated by the International Bartender's Association (UBA) calls for a 6:1 gin to dry vermouth ratio. Personally, I tend to be a bit more 'cin cai' (carefree) when it comes to my Martinis, so I'm going to go with the one on the official World Martini Day website, which reckons that the IBA recipe is too restrictive, and instead classifies a 'Real Martini' martini as 'a predominantly white spirit-forward cocktail mixed with aromatised wine'. Under this definition, '51% or more of a cocktail must be made of white spirit and vermouth', with the only allowed aged spirit being aged gin. Other ingredients like liqueurs and small amounts of other spirits can also be added to a 'Real Martini'. Apparently, this definition is 'loose enough to give bartenders enough creative freedom', but 'tight enough that it precludes any cocktail that's often just called a 'Martini' because it was served in a V-Shaped glass', such as espresso martinis, breakfast martinis, and pornstar martinis. With that in mind, I've chosen 10 Martinis around Kuala Lumpur that are worth checking out. Cacao Gibson Jao Tim in Chinatown is best known for its live music shows, but the new '20th Century Limited' menu is another good reason to visit the outlet, with the Cacao Gibson is a classy addition to KL's increasingly varied and unique selections of locally inspired Martini riffs. Genever is the star, giving extra oomph to this drink, with Fords Gin, Cocchi Extra Dry Vermouth, Cocchi Americano, Cacao Husk Tea and garnished with a Fermented Pickled Cacao. Dirty Martini (Ba by Kinugawa) This is a bit of a sentimental choice for me. Years ago, the best dirty martini I ever had was made by bartender Sam Kinugawa, or Sam-san, at The Bar Kinugawa in Empire Damansara. Dirty Martini Sam is now part owner of Ba by Kinugawa at The Five, and although the bar has some great cocktails (the Mangosteen Saketini especially), Sam-san still makes the best Dirty Martini in town. Head bartender Amanda Wan makes a mean classic martini, but this one on the bar's Indi V Duality menu is quite the stunner. Quiet Quinn A stunning twist on a dirty martini with Tanqueray No.10 gin, Chrysanthemum Infusion, Yzaguirre Dry Reserva, Orange Bitters, and Grapefruit Zest, the balance between sweet, dry, fruity, floral and the general 'martini-ness' of it all is just perfect, with gentle chrysanthemum undertones giving it a subtle, queenly background. Sip it quietly, sip it quaintly. Sip it like the queen, rock it like Queen. There's a reason why this is the only drink on Penrose's menu that bears the name 'Penrose'. Made with gin, sake vinegar, leek, shio kombu, this is a simple yet mind-blowing twist on a Gibson with leek taking the place of onions. Penrose Gibson A fascinating blend of umami, vegetal savouriness, and acidity that could easily go wrong if the balance was just slightly off, but somehow it's been on point every time I've had it at the bar, no matter who makes it. If you're looking for more Martinis by the Penrose team, do check out their new bar Lavantha, which is set to have an entire section of Martini variations on their upcoming full menu. The Elysian (Bar Trigona) RM288 for a Vodka Martini? Well, The Elysian is not just ANY vodka martini - it's made with a base of Belvedere 10, the 'world's first luxury vodka', as well as Chablis Premier Cru, Wormwood, Lemon Bitters. The Elysian The drink is served in a carafe like a sake, to keep the drink cold and tasty and so you can take your time with it. For an extra RM300, you can even up the opulence by pairing it with Trigona Oscietra Caviar. The Elysian is part of the Rare & Remarkable luxury section of Trigona's Colour Me Curious 2.0 menu, with drinks designed around rare and prized ingredients around the world (with prices to match). Melon Con Vino (The Humboldt) 'Be careful, this is a proper Martini,' said Humboldt co-founder Joshua Ivanovic as he served this to me. Melon Con Vino The Humboldt may be better known for its South American influenced flavours and food, as well as its classic Pisco Sour, but the vodka-based Melon Con Vino is one of the best drinks on its signature menu. Made with Belvedere vodka, Midori, China China, Lillet Blanc, melon, it is a delicious vodka martini with melon undertones with perfectly balanced sweet, bitter and fruity notes. Magic Martini (Bar Mizukami) Bar Mizukami's Shawn Chong is best known for his 'omakase' style of making drinks, but his small 10-seater bar does have a regular menu of signature drinks and the Magic Martini is one of them. Magic Martini This reimagination of the Vesper, is made with Gin, sake, bianco vermouth, asam boi, blue Curaçao liqueur, and rose cordial. The rose cordial sits at the base of the martini glass, and the rest of the drink is poured over it, resulting in a striking change in colour. Instagrammability aside, this is a delicious drink that has layers and layers of distinct flavours, from the sweetness of the rose cordial to the slight sourness of the asam boi, which just dance together in perfect synchronicity. Briny Martini (Frank's Bar) Frank's Bar is launching a new menu soon, and one of the drinks on it is the Briny Martini, an innovative dirty twist that uses Ichiiko Saiten Shochu as its base, infuses it with Olive Oil, Tomato Basil, Vanilla and Sea Salt, and complements it with a blend of Vermouth. The Briny Martini at Frank's Bar. It doesn't matter whether it's dirty or dry, a twist or a classic, a good Martini is a good martini. — It is a supremely briny yet balanced Dirty Martini with savoury and salty flavours, enhanced and elevated further by the quail eggs 'garnish' that gives it a further burst of savoury umami goodness that goes brilliantly with the drink. Pu Er Martini (Cabinet 8 KL) Cabinet 8's Signature drinks are a great showcase of Malaysian produce and flavours, but its Tea To Classics section is arguably the most unique aspect of its menu, allowing guests to customise their drink according to their tea and cocktail style. Pu Er Martini My personal favourite was the Pu Er Martini. The earthy notes of the tea distillate go really well with the juniper in the gin, and it's a drink that somehow seems to get better with each sip, as the tea notes come up more as the martini warms up. Martini… Still Not Stirred (Reka:Bar) Mezcal is known for its smoky flavours, and Reka:Bar uses it to great effect with its signature Martini... Still Not Stirred, which is part of its long-running Domino Effect V2 menu. Martini... Still Not Shaken Made with Bombay Sapphire London Dry Gin, Los Siete Misterios Doba-Yej mezcal, figs, and dill, the mezcal adds a wonderful smoky background to the herbal sweetness of the figs and dill, and complements the juniper notes of the gin perfectly.
Forbes
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
The Dirty Martini Has Entered The Breakfast Game
Dirty Martinis have been trendier than ever in recent years, as this classic cocktail has found its way into everything from dips to pasta dishes and taken over social media each and every time. But the latest incarnation of the trend has taken the Dirty Martini into a place that's rather unexpected – breakfast. PopUp Bagels, itself often the topic of conversation in food circles, is known for seasonal schmears inspired by holidays or pop culture moments, and their latest limited-edition flavor just may be their most exciting one yet. Launching on May 29 and available through June 4 shall be, of all things, the Dirty Martini Schmear. Creamy and briny, it's everything we would expect in a chilled cocktail class, but instead primed to be spread on a bagel….where it seems to make so much sense, it is almost like it was always meant to be. After generations of pairing savory and briny tastes like scallion cream cheese with smoked salmon, why not bring olives into the mix? Some may say they've belonged there all along. The Dirty Martini flavor is the result of a collaboration that evolved over some time and made a lot of sense. 'Mezzetta actually reached out to us about a potential collaboration, and once Dirty Martini was on the table, we knew it was the move. ALB Vodka jumped in too, and the rest came together pretty naturally - it just made sense!' said Adam Goldberg, founder of Popup Bagels, in an email. 'We packed it with everything that makes a Dirty Martini, a Dirty Martini. Mezzetta's briny olives, a splash of ALB Vodka, and just the right balance of salt and tang," said Goldberg. But this is a flavor that's been on the brand's radar for years. "Loyal fans have been asking for a Dirty Martini schmear forever - and with martinis having such a moment right now, it finally felt like the perfect time," said Goldberg. It's also a way to start building excitement for National Martini Day, but don't expect it to be around that long. "We always bring back schmears by popular demand, but this one won't return in time for National Martini Day. That said, we've got even more exciting partnerships lined up for June - stay tuned!' said Goldberg. The Dirty Martini flavor will be available at all PopUp bagel locations through June 4 and is now available for preorder.
Daily Record
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Chris Brown's UK Breezy Bowl XX tour 'thrown into doubt' after arrest
The US rapper is set to tour the UK next month. Chris Brown was reportedly arrested in Manchester yesterday which has thrown doubt on his upcoming UK tour, Breezy Bowl XX. The rapper was arrested at a five-star hotel in Manchester in the early hours of this morning over an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub in 2023. The Met Police are believed to have arrested the 36 year old just after 2am at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester. Now, the reported incident could be threatening to derail his upcoming tour dates. According to reports, if Brown is convicted of grievous bodily harm then he will "have to cancel his show". The Sun's Brand and Culture expert, Nick Ede, said it could be "a huge blow to his career and his personal brand PR". He added: "This would be a massive blow for his fans and also to Brown himself. The gigs he is playing are some of his biggest ever including the Tottenham Hotspur stadium for two nights to over 62,000 people each night." Ede said Brown's team will be weighing up their next move, but believes they will be "fighting to make the tour continue." Brown was not named in the statement regarding the arrest, the Great Manchester Police said: "This morning (Thursday 15 May) we arrested a 36-year-old man at a hotel in Manchester on suspicion of grievous bodily harm on behalf of the Metropolitan Police." A Met spokesman also said: 'A 36-year-old man was arrested at a hotel in Manchester shortly after 02:00hrs on Thursday, 15 May on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. He has been taken into custody where he remains. Brown was held on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm to music producer Abe Diaw at a nightclub in Mayfair, Central London, in February 2023. Mr Diaw alleges R&B star Brown launched an unprovoked attack on him at around 3am during the incident while the star and his entourage were at a Dirty Martini club night held at the trendy Tape nightclub. He claims the singer hit him over the head with a bottle before punching and kicking him as he lay on the floor. At the time, the alleged victim said: 'He hit me over the head two or three times. My knee collapsed as well." Mr Diaw was taken to hospital, needing crutches to walk when he was discharged. The alleged attack occurred while songwriter Brown was on a worldwide tour and playing in the UK. Brown is due to play 10 more dates in Britain next month but the tour could be thrown into chaos by the police investigation. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Chris Brown's UK tour 'thrown into doubt' after alleged attack arrest
Chris Brown's upcoming UK tour could be under threat due to his alleged arrest at a five-star hotel in Manchester in the early hours of this morning over an alleged incident in 2023 Chris Brown's upcoming UK tour is said to be in doubt following his alleged arrest. The rapper was arrested at a five-star hotel in Manchester in the early hours of this morning over an alleged bottle attack at a London nightclub in 2023. Met Police detectives are said to have arrested the 36-year-old American musician just after 2am at The Lowry Hotel in Manchester. Now, the reported incident could be threatening to derail his upcoming dates. It's thought if Brown is convicted of grievous bodily harm then he will "have to cancel his show". The Sun's Brand and Culture expert, Nick Ede, called it "a huge blow to his career and his personal brand PR". He added: "This would be a massive blow for his fans and also to Brown himself. The gigs he is playing are some of his biggest ever including the Tottenham Hotspur stadium for two nights to over 62,000 people each night." Ede said Brown's team will be weighing up their next move, but believes they will be ""fighting to make the tour continue." While police forces didn't name Brown in the statement regarding the arrest, the Great Manchester Police said: "This morning (Thursday 15 May) we arrested a 36-year-old man at a hotel in Manchester on suspicion of grievous bodily harm on behalf of the Metropolitan Police." A Met spokesman also said: 'A 36-year-old man was arrested at a hotel in Manchester shortly after 02:00hrs on Thursday, 15 May on suspicion of grievous bodily harm. He has been taken into custody where he remains. Mr Diaw alleges R&B star Brown launched an unprovoked attack on him at around 3am during the incident in 2023 while the star and his entourage were at a Dirty Martini club night held at the trendy Tape nightclub. He claims the singer hit him over the head with a bottle before punching and kicking him as he lay on the floor. At the time, the alleged victim said: 'He hit me over the head two or three times. My knee collapsed as well." Mr Diaw was taken to hospital, needing crutches to walk when he was discharged. The alleged attack occurred while songwriter Brown was on a worldwide tour and playing in the UK.
