After two and a half years of tacos, tequila and late-night karaoke in Paddington, El Primo Sanchez has found a new home i Surry Hills.
The bar now occupies the Crown Street space that once housed Four Pillars Lab and Eileen’s Bar, with the Maybe Sammy Cocktails Studio open on the ground level below.
The move marks a new chapter for the Maybe Group venue, with the taqueria energy traded for something more refined — a 100-capacity cocktail bar that still knows how to have fun, just with a little more polish.
“This is still Sanchez at heart — bold, colourful, and full of life — but we’ve evolved it,” said Eduardo Conde, Venue Manager and 2023 Diageo World Class Australian Bartender of the Year.
“The drinks are more focused, the room feels sexier, and it’s made for people who love a good time, but a more grown-up kind of good time.”
Behind the bar, Conde leads a new cocktail menu that puts tequila and mezcal at the centre of the action. Margaritas range from the classic Primo Margarita ($26) to a lush Coconut Margarita ($26) and bright Tropical Margarita ($26) with mango and passionfruit. Highballs bring the refreshment — like the Sanchez Paloma ($25) with mandarin and agave, and the Cuatro Spritz ($25), a zesty mix of gin, kiwi and prosecco.
House favourites return with a twist: the Horchata Colada ($25), a creamy nod to the classic colada made with macadamia horchata mix, and the Gimlet al Maiz ($26), a tortilla-infused riff on the classic gimlet, are equal parts nostalgic and inventive.
In the kitchen, Head Chef Diego Sotelo has traded the taqueria-style menu for something more snack-oriented and bar-focused, designed for grazing between cocktails.
The space itself feels instantly familiar — the colour and footprint of Eileen’s Bar remain, now layered with the soul of Sanchez. There’s vibrant artwork, softened lighting, and splashes of playful energy. A custom DJ booth and disco dance floor with illuminated tiles have been installed, and set the tone for late nights, while a scattering of low tables, bar seats and intimate two-person nooks keep it cosy. A karaoke room has also been added — a signature from the Paddington venue — now upgraded to fit four friends instead of two.
Downstairs, the Maybe Sammy Cocktails Studio makes its debut — the first-ever retail space for the group’s award-winning bottled cocktails.
“Surry Hills feels like the right next step for Sanchez — it gives the bar a new kind of energy,” said co-owner Stefano Catino. “The Maybe Sammy Cocktails Studio below adds another layer to the story — it’s a place where people can connect with our team and take a little of that experience home.”