The popular Barbary Coast has long been known as a multi-concept venue housing the rustic drinking hole Deadfall, and the bar’s finer and more opulent counterpart, Ballroom. After a recent revamp, the two concepts now exist as standalone venues with independent menus – Barbary Coast upstairs, and Deadfall Cantina downstairs. The fully refreshed Deadfall Cantina is now an homage to all things Mexico, with its own independent menu. But don’t expect kitschy Mexican paraphernalia to be plastered all over. Instead, the bar is reminiscent of a typical walking street in Oaxaca during the festive Day of the Dead season.
Agave is the star spirit here, and Deadfall has the city’s largest collection, split evenly between mezcal and tequila, with a few raicilla in the mix. The cocktail menu sees a list of playful margaritas in flavours like frozen watermelon ($23) or the Horchata-rita ($23) – a spin on the traditional Mexican horchata drink made of rice, cinnamon, and almond milk. Other tipples on the menu are the Pasilla Mole Negroni ($25) with a touch of spice thanks to pasilla chile, or an interesting buttery paloma ($24) which incorporates beurre noisette or browned butter for a creamier mouthfeel.
