El Primo Sanchez

El Primo Sanchez is a Mexican-inspired bar from the award-winning team behind Maybe Sammy.

Splashed in a colour palette inspired by Mexico City in the 40s, there's a DJ booth and dance floor beneath a canopy of disco balls and a mini two-person karaoke booth complete with a "Press for Tequila" button to order up some liquid courage to help you belt out your fave tunes. 

The bar is a joint venture between The Maybe Group and Public Hospitality. It forms part of the experience of Oxford House, Public Hospitality's new boutique hotel, restaurant, and poolside bar.

"We wanted to develop a venue that nestled nicely into the existing framework of a 1940s pub," explains The Maybe Group co-owner Stefano Catino. "The idea of creating a Mexican bar that is a throwback to the colourful local bars that are found throughout Mexico made sense.”

As for the vibe, the drinks, and the food—the team is keeping things authentic while doing what The Maybe Group does best—excellent cocktails and great service. Think agave spirits and cocktails served in traditional clay jarrito jugs, highlighting Mexican and Latino produce.

Highballs include the "Sanchez Paloma", a mandarin-style Paloma, and the smoky mezcal "Charro Negro AKA Batanga". There's a "Primo" Margarita served in custom glassware made for margs, the "Gimlet El Maiz" made from toasted leftover tortillas, and a fancy boozy slushy made from rose and watermelon wine. 

Behind the menu is consultant chef Alejandro Huerta, whose resume includes three Michelin-star restaurants like Alinea in Chicago, Noma in Copenhagen, Quique Dacosta in Spain, and Pujol in Mexico City.

Expect a menu of top-tier bar snacks like De Pastor tacos filled with 12-hour achiote marinated pork belly cooked over coals, guacamole made with green tomatoes fermented for two days, and chorizo con papas served like patatas bravas. 

El Primo Sanchez also features a hidden bar, La Prima. To access the 10-seater, 20-standing speakeasy, you'll need to be invited by El Primo Sanchez staff. However, if you are lucky enough to stumble across it, chances are the team will welcome you in for a drink or three. 

"You can still expect the same high level of hospitality, playful energy, brilliant cocktails, and attention to detail as our other bars," said The Maybe Group co-founder Vince Lombardo. "It will just be wrapped up into a Mexican environment with more of a laidback pub vibe than a high-end cocktail bar."

Check out more of Sydney's best bars here. 

Image credit: Steven Woodburn

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