ON THE ROCKS The Herradura margarita crawl we’d actually bother doing this month
BY: Kartya Vucetic
Tequila has spent the last few years quietly escaping its old reputation as something you knock back at 1am and immediately regret. Australians are drinking more of it, bars are taking it more seriously, and the gap between the good stuff and the aggressively average stuff is becoming increasingly obvious.
This feels like the perfect place to introduce Herradura.
Margarita Month is officially here | Image: Supplied, Dylan Kindermann
The tequila has been made from 100% blue agave at Hacienda San José del Refugio in Jalisco since 1870. It was also the first distillery in Mexico to commercially age tequila in oak barrels. Now? Herradura is taking over bars across Sydney for Margarita Month, with participating venues putting their own spin on the classic.
Naturally, we’ve mapped out the crawl we’d actually do.
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Start at…Cantina OK!
Pictured: Cantina OK! | Image: Mucho Hospitality Group
If you’re starting anywhere, it may as well be somewhere that already takes agave very seriously.
Cantina OK! is tiny, loud and built entirely around excellent drinks. It’s also been a regular fixture on the World’s 50 Best Bars rankings over the years. And while it may appear quaint from the outside (after all, it’s standing-room only), this will never not be one of our favourite Sydney bars. A Herradura margarita here feels like a fairly sensible life choice.
Walk to…Old Mate’s Place
This at sunset is a dream | Image: Old Mate’s Sydney
Just a hop and skip down the road you’ll find Sydney institution Old Mate’s Place.
The Clarence Street establishment is also pouring Herradura through November, giving you a slightly more elevated setting that also offers seating (if you can snag it). Plus, with the start of daylight saving, this is one of the best places to sip a marg upstairs on the rooftop for sunset.
Then…Centro 86
Underground at Centro 86 | Image: Mucho Hospitality Group
A short walk to the other side of the CBD you’ll find Centro 86 underground. The drinks are polished and the room is dark enough to make almost any decision feel sophisticated.
Its Herradura serve gives you the chance to try the tequila in a bar that actually knows what to do with it. Dare to try the Grande Spicy Margarita for two people if you’re feeling brave.
Finish at…Tio’s
Tio’s has been flying the tequila flag in Surry Hills for years. Leaving it off this list would feel administratively wrong.
It’s also the perfect spot to finish the crawl, with its colourful chaos and central location making it an easy place to settle in for the rest of the night.
