Barrio Cellar

Welcome mats be damned; a red neon sign declaring "Everything with tequila" is the best way to be ushered into a venue. It beckons you off the street and downstairs into a dark basement space with hanging wire lamps, potted succulents, booth seating and a cluster of chandeliers above one long table. There are underplayed touches of the Mexican influence throughout, but it's more a stylish hang-out for suits than a dive bar to swill Tecate.

A spinoff of the once popular Kings Cross restaurant/bar Barrio Chino, it features a cocktail list that makes good on the promise of that neon sign, with seven variations of the classic margarita and a huge selection of signature cocktails — championing tequila and mezcal.

Barrio Cellar used to have a secret menu that featured a bowl of fries with guacamole, salsa and chunks of steak, but everything is written out these days. Try some loaded fries and tuna poke nachos, or get around some of the nine different tacos. Come Tuesday, these bad boys are all $5 each — an absolute steal.

Burgers, quesadillas and churros round out the rest of the menu, with a $50 set menu available to those who want to feast without the fuss of choosing what to order.

Barrio Cellar works equally well for those just wanting tequila and snacks, and groups of diners looking for a big night out of eating and drinking in the city.

Appears in:
Sydney's Best Underground Bars for 2023