Hotel Mexico

Overview

in early 2024, Grazeland Director John Forman teamed up with El Taco's Neven Hayek and Sandrow Yalda to create two huge new Mexican bars and restaurants. The first of the two venues Bar Mexico opened in Preston that June, and Yarraville's Hotel Mexico launched at the beginning of October.

The two venues are similar — as they are both Mexican-inspired — but Hotel Mexico has more of a pub vibe, plus a large sun-soaked rooftop deck and beer garden. We anticipate this will be a must-visit spot out west through summer, where you can spend a whole day sipping on margaritas while downing tacos.

But don't worry if margaritas aren't your jam, for the Hotel Mexico crew is also slinging a bunch of other Mexican-inspired sips like its yuzu paloma, Oaxaca old fashioned with tequila and mezcal, and a tequila espresso martini. As with the team's Bar Mexico, you'll also find a stacked lineup of agave-based spirits — including tequila, mezcal and raicilla.

The drinks lineup is rounded out by an extensive list of Aussie and international beers on tap, and plenty of canned and bottled Mexican brews, plus a few wines, mocktails and sodas.

For food, you can expect snacks like loaded nachos, jalapeño poppers with chipotle mayo, beef and chicken flautas, elote (Mexican street-style corn), and papas fritas. These are fab, but it's really all about the tacos here — an unsurprising fact considering El Taco's Neven Hayek and Sandrow Yalda are running the kitchen.

Seven varieties are on offer, including slow-cooked pulled pork, adobo-marinated chicken, tempura battered prawns and birria tacos — which are having a huge moment in Melbourne right now. There's even the option to grab a build-your-own taco kit to share with the table.

Not in a taco mood? Opt for some quesadillas, a healthier burrito bowl or the Mexican parmigiana. It's proper crowd-pleasing comfort food that few people will find issues with.

Beyond the food and bevs, the Hotel Mexico crew is also promising big party energy. Every Friday and Saturday, the team is hosting DJs until 2am, followed by a Sunday afternoon session. It's even got a dedicated games zone, fully equipped with air hockey tables, basketball hoops, old-school Daytona racing, and massive versions of Jenga and Connect 4.

Hotel Mexico is tailor-made for group hangs and long drinking and eating sessions out in Melbourne's inner-west.