In the historic Continental Gin Building in Deep Ellum, Tina’s Continental serves ice-cold martinis and stiff cocktails in just 800 square feet of space.
The bar has an adjoining lobby with Japanese restaurant Tatsu Dallas. Tina’s was inspired by the Lincoln Continental Mark V, a 1970s car that, at the time, could be customized by the customer or by luxury designers. The bar’s interior decor took inspiration from the 1977 Lincoln Continental Bill Blass Edition: the booths and chairs are pale yellow, and the walls are dark denim blue with photos of the designer-branded cars.
Co-owner Elias Pope says Tina’s customers can order a martini the same way a Lincoln customer would purchase a Continental Mark V. Guests can customize and choose a gin or vodka of their choice, how dirty or dry they want the martini, shaken or stirred, and add garnishes. Or they can choose a drink from “The Designer Series” section, which features six martinis curated by team members of Tina’s staff.
Designer cocktails include a Cosmo, with citrus-infused vodka, Cointreau, cranberry, and lime, and an espresso martini, made with espresso-infused vodka, Mr Black cold brew liqueur, Frangelico, cream, and cinnamon.
The Moody Bleu, a funky, cheesy cocktail, has vodka washed with blue cheese, dry vermouth, and olive brine. The blue cheese masks the vodka, which can be overwhelming for martini beginners, but this drink will please drink lovers of all kinds. It’s a salty and strong cocktail that surprised me as a martini novice, and I enjoyed it all the way down to the blue cheese-stuffed olive.
“It goes hard,” Pope says.
The menu also includes signature cocktails (try the Guavatina, a gin-based cocktail with Campari, grapefruit, guava, pineapple, and lime), ice-cold batch cocktails like Manhattans and old fashioneds, beer, and wine by the glass or bottle.
There’s no food on the menu, Pope says, because later this year Tina’s will accompany Let’s Ask Keith, an “approachable and affordable” steakhouse that will also take refuge in the Continental Gin Building. Both concepts will be operated by the hospitality group UNCO Management.
Tina of Tina’s Continental is named after UNCO partner Sameer Patel’s sister. Leela’s Wine and Pizza and Milli, two other UNCO concepts, are named after Patel’s grandmother and nieces. Let’s Ask Keith is named after Pope’s father, who seems to know the answers to all questions, Pope says.
Hours for Tina’s Continental will be Tuesday through Saturday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., which is also by design, Pope says. It’s likely won’t join the late-night bar scene despite being on the edge of Deep Ellum.
“We want to be a seated space that you enjoy before dinner or maybe after an early dinner,” he says. “But our goal is to, at the latest, stay open till 12 and have the same hours as Let’s Ask Keith.”
3309 Elm St., Ste. 115.
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