ith the addition of numerous developments and, no doubt, pet spas to the area, the King West Strip will see an even greater surge of sophisticated-professional-types thirsty for a particular cosmopolitan poison, the martini. Accordingly, in an effort to lure those stiffly suited ad-types like fish to water, Libra Lounge serves up many takes on the classic cocktail.

Housed between Venice Risto Bar and Asakusa Japanese restaurant, Libra Lounge (formerly Spoon) is a collaboration between front man and former Wild Indigo proprietor George Keroglidis and former Spoon owner Alan Paraie. A noted fan of the whole retro theme, Keroglidis’ Capricorn sign was originally slated for the bar’s moniker, but he instead opted for a shortened version to imply a balance between food and drink (as well as for alliteration purposes). “Capricorn Lounge’ just didn’t have the same feel,’ he says.

Scanning the martini menu, it’s no accident that the Libralove entry meets your gaze at the top of the list; a sure sign of star-crossed love, especially for the horoscope-inclined. A strong blend, this house specialty lays its foundation with vodka, mixed with chambord, litchi liquer, cranberry and mint garnish (although when I went there, melon slices had replaced the mint). A much easier-sipping bevvie was the Lipstick and although I was a little apprehensive about the combination of cassis and amaretto, the deliciously sweet blend soon won me over, transporting me to sweet, sweet martini heaven that I’m sure not even Carrie and the girls have experienced.

Encompassing the same retro vibe as Wild Indigo, Libra is a far less flashy destination than Keroglidis’ past endeavors which he describes as ‘kitschy,’ a word that hardly applies here. As for retro, the space is more modern, save for some brilliant black chandeliers hung throughout the long and narrow room. While he may have been more liberal in his use of animal prints and splashes of color in the past (Austin Powers was in vogue then, remember?), his dominant color palette with Libra is much more subdued, with mostly black and grey fitting the bill; an obvious nod to Toronto’s current sleek modernist design aesthetic. Soft black leather couches are sandwiched between shiny black tables and floors create dark and intimate seating areas. On this particular night, the music consisted predominantly of French lounge music. This presents another aspect working against the retro vibe but in this case, it’s a good thing.