A fresh chapter for the beloved Mexican-inspired bar.

After two and a half years of slinging tacos and tequila shots in Paddington, the party-loving El Primo Sanchez has packed up and moved to Surry Hills on Crown Street. The new venue takes over the space once home to Four Pillars Lab and Eileen’s Bar, sitting pretty above the brand-new Maybe Sammy Cocktails Studio.

The Maybe Group’s cult-favourite bar has grown up, but just a little. The cheeky, fiesta-fueled energy of the original remains, now wrapped in moodier lighting, plush textures, and a sleek new cocktail program that puts agave in the spotlight. Think fewer taco trays, more martini glasses, without losing the dance floor (or the karaoke booth).

Venue Manager and 2023 Diageo World Class Australian Bartender of the Year, Eduardo Conde, leads the charge behind the bar. Expect an evolved drinks list built for indulgence: a crisp Primo Margarita ($26), tropical riffs like the Coconut Margarita and Tropical Margarita, and signature creations such as the Gimlet al Maiz ($26), a tortilla-infused twist that’s as nostalgic as it is inventive.

Chef Diego Sotelo’s new menu trades in tacos for elevated bar bites designed to pair perfectly with your drink. There are empanadas stuffed with chicken and salsa de ají amarillo, roasted mushroom tostadas, and the now-legendary chips in a bag, crunchy, salty, and topped with beef tartare and stracciatella.

Downstairs, the Maybe Sammy Cocktails Studio makes its debut, part boutique, part classroom, and all about bringing the group’s signature cocktail experience home. Pop in for a tasting, grab a bottled cocktail for later, or book a class with the team to sharpen your shake-and-stir game.

Quick Bites

• What to Eat: Empanadas, chips in a bag, and the snack flight for the indecisive.
  What to Drink: The Gimlet al Maiz, tortilla meets tipple in the best way.
  When to Go: Friday nights for agave, disco and late-night karaoke.
  Cost: Cocktails from ~$25; snacks from ~$18.
  Where to Play After: Keep the night rolling with a mezcal at Cantina OK! or a wander down Crown Street.
  Vibe Check: Playful yet polished, the same Sanchez spirit, now with velvet booths and better lighting.
  Book It: Reserve your spot here.