Mezcalito Brompton

Mezcalito – Mexican bar and restaurant – has launched its second site in the capital on Newington Green Road in Islington, which opened in May to rave reviews. On a warm and balmy Friday summer’s evening, we arrived just as Mezcalito opened at 6 pm. We were greeted by smiling and friendly staff and asked to choose our table. We opted for one at the back, where we could see the entire bar and take in the colourful décor, including a wall of comical skulls, and do a little ‘people watching’. The décor was stunning, fun and very Mexican, with shades of blue and green, comfy cushions and dark wood tables and chairs. It all added to the authenticity and ambience. We kicked off with a cocktail each after perusing the ‘Visit Mexico Through Cocktails’ list. You will find tequila and mezcal-based cocktails inspired by multiple Mexican holiday destinations, all made with ingredients from each individual region. So, of course, it had to be a Margarita, which was delicious, cool and refreshing. We were also tempted to try non-alcoholic cocktails, and I was surprised to see how many were offered – it was refreshing to see such a great choice of mocktails. We opted for the ‘Puebla’, which we thought was delicious. So delicious, we decided a second was definitely in order! Puebla is a spritz-style drink combining mezcal produced using agaves grown in Puebla – the fruit flavours are popular in this region. This fabulous cocktail involved Puebla Ojo De Tigre Mezcal Ensamble, Aperol, peach purée and Merchant’s Hart hibiscus tonic. You may spot the word ‘Aperol’ in the list of ingredients, but in the non-alcoholic version, they use Crodino, which is an Italian non-alcoholic bitter. We loved it. On the food menu, you will find a mix of tacos, quesadillas, burritos and a lot of small plates, which are great to share and give you the opportunity to try a bit of everything. We began our evening with a plate of jalapeño peppers, which were filled with cream cheese, coated in crispy breadcrumbs and accompanied by a tangy chilli lime mayo. We also chose a plate of calamari, which we really enjoyed. The tacos arrived for our main course and were accompanied by a side of puréed black beans. We had one plate each of the Pollo Al Achiote and one Camaron Baja style. Each and every dish was presented beautifully on pretty and unusual dishes. It was great to have little plates that are light and tasty, and with a steady flow of cocktails and the background sound of South American music, it created a truly authentic Mexican atmosphere. Mezcalito offers a bottomless brunch every Saturday, which contains endless frozen margaritas, Prosecco, rosé and Corona for up to an hour and a half, with a live DJ. This is a fun brunch choice. It’s a fantastic venue, perfect with a group of friends, for a couple or for any kind of celebration. If you are looking for tequila, tacos and a good party vibe, it’s definitely the place to be!

mood Colourful décor including a wall of comical skulls; stunning, fun and very Mexican with shades of blue and green, comfy cushions and dark wood tables and chairs. Authentic ambience with the background sound of South American music and a good party vibe.

Fancy margaritas and Mexican tacos? This unique Mexican restaurant and cocktail bar in the heart of Chelsea serves tapas-style dishes and delicious tacos in a vibrant setting. We’d recommend booking for happy hour, where you can enjoy £10 cocktails on the heated terrace (Monday to Friday until 7pm). With over 600 tequilas and mezcals, it boasts one of the largest agave spirit collections in Europe.

mood unique Mexican restaurant and cocktail bar; vibrant setting; heated terrace

Keep your eyes peeled for this one if you like your cocktails with a touch of the high end. The up-market neighbourhood of Kensington is going to be home to a new mezcal bar. Mezcalito Brompton will be found on Old Brompton Road once it opens its doors in December. It promises to be a chic place to sip on creative cocktails. The drinks take inspiration from Mexico – the above picante is just one example of that. Palomas and no doubt bucketloads of margs as well as a tantalising watermelon martini they’re touting will also be available in the 40-cover bar that boasts a nightclub in the basement.

mood a chic place... 40-cover bar that boasts a nightclub in the basement

After visiting the new branch of Mezcalito in South Kensington’s Old Brompton Road, I am absolutely itching to go back. If it wasn’t from the friendly greeting as soon as I walked in, it was the stylish decor, and wanting to inhale everything on the menu. Tucked away South Kensington, Mezcalito is a Mexican restaurant, cocktail bar and club open Tuesday to Sunday for us party goers and night owls across the city.

mood Friendly greeting, stylish decor, suitable for party goers and night owls; includes a nightclub downstairs that can hold up to 40 or more people.

Step into Chelsea’s Mezcalito, with its sombreros swinging from the ceiling, Day of the Dead-adorned tumblers, and thrusting King’s Road clientele, and you might be forgiven for thinking that you were here for a good time, not for a delicious one. But to make that assumption would be to underestimate the fine Mexican food being served here... The cocktails – named after reggaeton chart-toppers – are, unsurprisingly, a hit, too.

mood sombreros swinging from the ceiling, Day of the Dead-adorned tumblers; Tulum-inspired terrace; looking out over the dense cactus selection in the neighbouring Chelsea Gardener plant centre