When owners Alex Howard and Paul Pearse took over the former Overlord space at 2503 Gallatin Ave. in 2023, they were inheriting a venture that had lasted only eight fraught months. The previous owner took some of the French WWII decorations with him, but he left the general classic Euro vibe behind.
Howard and Pearse pivoted across the channel and named the new venture Martha My Dear after Howard’s mom and a beloved Beatles song about Paul McCartney’s sheepdog. The name is quite appropriate, because the community-centered neighborhood hang makes everyone feel like family and is as comfortable as a fuzzy dog curled up in front of a fireplace.
Hospitality pros Pearse and Howard are dead serious about their drinks, though, and their vision of the bar is clear to anyone who pays attention. They have assembled an offering of European amari, aperitifs and liqueurs that is unrivaled in town, and they use those ingredients in thoughtful but not overcomplicated cocktail recipes. Their playful side shows through in a short list of shots and boilermakers, perfect for a toast after a competitive game of pool at Martha’s.
Beyond the excellent operation of the bar and a short menu of snacks, Martha My Dear excels as an activity hub for the neighborhood. Daily happy hours draw in the early crowd, but regulars know when to show up for collaborative pop-up events and bar takeovers by the staff members of other like-minded establishments. Martha’s food menu is frequently augmented by food trucks and a special summer two-for-one food series that introduces new culinary talent. Weekly chess nights also contribute to the comfortable pub vibe, making it officially an honored entry in my “Good Hangs” list.
To celebrate three years of cocktails and beers, Martha My Dear is inviting Pizza Lolo to pop up as a food dinner on Saturday, Feb. 21, and a local tattoo artist will be on-site offering special deals and flash tats. The bar team has put together a special menu of some of their favorite cocktails of the first three years, and they’ll be offering $3 pints from their first keg of Martha’s Deluxe Lager made in partnership with 3 Floyds Brewing from Indiana.
Who knows? Maybe you’ll have so much fun that you’ll do something worth earning a photo above the bar?
