NOW EXPERIENCING:El Grotto
Wednesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
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elgrotto.com
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@el_grotto

Read time 4 Mins

Posted 03 May 2022

By
Max Veenhuyzen


Don’t let the seaside address and sunny disposition fool you: a seriously excellent tequila and Mexican food experience awaits.

Bartender making a cocktail at El Gratto bar
Why you goA tequila bar on the esplanade at one of Perth’s most popular beaches? On paper, it’s a concept that reads like the ultimate tourist trap, but the reality is that any neighbourhood – beachside or otherwise – would gladly call El Grotto its own. Opened by a group of friends and newcomers to hospitality after a surf trip to Mexico, El Grotto is a rousing endorsement for self-belief and doing things your way, perhaps with a little help from world-renowned tequila experts. This Mexican cantina is also proof that great bars can (and should) be accessible to all but also have the ability to capture the attention of aficionados. And did we mention that you’re right by one of the west’s favourite stretches of coast?
Why you stayTequila bars and beach bars, by definition, tend to be loud and fun. And so it is at El Grotto, where groups converge and take turns ordering Margaritas a half-dozen at a time. On warm days, El Grotto fills up fast, with the al fresco seats the first to go. But even if you’re indoors, the room’s open layout means everyone gets to enjoy the sea breeze. Pops of colour – the backlit shelves of the bar; bright pieces of art dotted around the room – contrast against a mostly black and worn-timber interior. The dedicated stage area underscores a long-standing commitment to music, live and DJ-made.
Cocktail at the El Grotto bar. Perth
El Grotto's cocktail
What drink to orderTequila, naturally. But you knew we’d say that. What you probably didn’t know is that despite El Grotto’s good-times vibe, the team accords serious respect to tequila and the other regional Mexican spirits, mezcal, raicilla and sotol. A sign invites drinkers to “respect the nectar” while the menu decrees no worms, no lemon and no salt. Tequila is served with house-made sangrita or verdita – traditional tequila accompaniments made with tomato and pineapple juice respectively. The team behind the bar shake and stir cocktails with care. Beyond the Margaritas, the Bloody Maria swaps out vodka for tequila, while the Mexican Standoff combines mezcal, Aperol and passionfruit juice into a picture of summer refreshment. As far as beer goes, Tecate and Pacifico are on hand for reliving that (distant) Mexican holiday memory, but the taps and beer fridges are largely given over to smaller craft brewers. A concise edit of snappy wines rounds things off.
What to pair it withAlthough food has been part of El Grotto’s offering from day one, the recent homecoming of executive chef Paul Bentley – a Perth-boy-done-good who owns restaurants throughout Mexico – has paid off bigtime for eaters. Keeping in the bar’s easy-going nature, everything on the menu is eaten with your hands, from the burritos and tacos (the crisp Baja fish taco is excellent) to meals for one, including a great version of the chacarero, Chile’s famous steak sandwich, enriched with beans and avocado. Bottled hot sauces allow guests to choose their own spice adventure.
Appetizers at El Grotto
Fancy cocktails at El Grotto, Perth
Make it fancyAs good as those bottles of tequila look on the back bar, they’re really best in your glass. As owners of one of the foremost tequila stockpiles in the country, El Grotto is a fine place to explore the wide world of agave spirits. Among the hard-to-find bottlings staff will tell you about are small-batch mezcals from El Jolgorio, a collective that represents tiny family distillers from around the Mexican state of Oaxaca, as well as vintages of fine aged Ocho tequila.
Who to takeThe appeal of Mexican eating and drinking (and partying) seems almost universal. Although El Grotto knows how to get down on weekends, it’s not all party-party-party. During the day, children are welcome – the kitchen offers a kids’ menu – and prove that great bars can be family-friendly. The volume goes up a couple of notches on Friday and Saturday nights: great news for those that want to dance, but perhaps a little too hectic for meaningful date conversation.
Bartender at El Grotto, Perth