Sydney’s reigning champions of tequila and mezcal strike again with a hyper-stylised, subterranean bar paying homage to the Margarita in the CBD’s bustling core.
It takes a certain level of confidence to call your establishment an “extra-ordinary tequila bar”, not to mention genuine talent and vision. In the case of Centro 86, however, that’s a totally justified claim. It is, after all, the fifth venue from the Mucho group – the masterminds behind some of Sydney’s most game-changing watering holes, including micro mezcal specialist Cantina OK!, home to what’s widely considered the city’s finest Margarita. Over the years, Mexico’s vast and varied drinking landscape has become a particular focal point for these folks, and that’s true of their latest effort, too, located in a hard-to-find basement off Pitt Street.
Tumble down the stairs, and you’re thrust into an art-filled, 120-capacity space modelled after the time-worn, atmospheric saloons lining the centre (or Centro) of Mexico City, all dark wood, stained glass and lots of candlelight. Sure, exceptional Margaritas might be the major crowd-puller, but the hefty back bar is also a serious drawcard for tequila diehards. As with all things Mucho, it’s an immersive experience, with drinks as precise as the service is sharp. And with no windows or clocks to speak of, there’s every chance you’ll lose track of place and time, which – let’s face it – is probably why you rocked up in the first place.
