Hola, El Primo
After a false start in 2022, the new incarnation of the Rose, Shamrock & Thistle Hotel has launched, with El Primo Sanchez moving into the renovated Art Deco pub on Oxford St.
The Mexican-themed bar is a collaboration between hot bartending outfit, the Maybe Group — whose venues include Maybe Sammy, and Dean & Nancy on 22 — and Public Hospitality Group, which owns both the pub and Oxford House hotel next door.
The bar is a nod to the tequila-focused establishments of Mexico City and comes with a cocktail-heavy list and a menu of street-food inspired snacks.
“Authenticity is paramount for us,” says Maybe Group co-owner Stefano Catino. “We didn’t want the concept to be a nod towards Mexican culture, spirits or food, it had to be a respectful homage.
“At the same time, we wanted to develop a venue that nestled nicely into the existing framework of a 1940s pub. The idea of creating a Mexican bar that is a throwback to the colourful local bars that are found throughout Mexico made sense.”
The bar’s muse is a character called P. Sanchez, described as 'a slightly mysterious, sometimes loose, always dapper fictional cousin'.
The design, by Tom de Plater, Public Hospitality Group’s principal architect, is fashioned to reflect a 'lively local Mexican bar from the1940s'.
“We feel this is a great evolution for the hotel,” he says. “Much of its past has been retained in the footprint of El Primo Sanchez but we’ve brought in a hospitality offering that has a broader appeal. We needed to understand what the community was missing and what they wanted from a new hospitality venue. There was no point developing what we thought was a brilliant concept when it really has no place in that community or neighbourhood.”
De Plater says the colour palette was inspired by the backstreets of old Mexico City, with bold orange and royal blue floor tiles and LED lights that change colour based on the time of day. The venue will seat up to 100, and there’s a secret karaoke room tucked behind a DJ booth and disco ball-adorned dance floor.
“When you are in the booth, hit the ‘Press for Tequila’ button and a light will flash above the bar alerting staff to your tequila needs,” de Plater says.
The drinks list, a collaboration between Maybe Group creative director Martin Hudak, co-owner Catino and Mexico City-born bar manager Eduardo Conde, includes a Sanchez paloma, Charro Negro AKA batanga and T’NT (cocktails are $22). There are also Mexican beers on tap and a Spanish-leaning wine list.
Mexican born consultant chef Alejandro Huerta’s menu includes the de pastor taco ($12) made with achiote marinated pork belly cooked over coals. Find, too, dishes such as snapper ceviche ($23) chorizo con papas ($18) and dry-aged steak with mole de olla ($45).
El Primo Sanchez
27-33 Oxford St