Hay una fiesta grande en Hobart del norte y su nombre es Pancho Villa. Viva la revolucion!
When the clock strikes midnight, a taxi ride to NoHo will no longer take you to a ghost town. From now on, Cinderella’s staying out and she’s drinking at Pancho Villa.
The Two Girls have been tense with suspense waiting for the big reveal in the old ANZ bank, on the corner of Elizabeth and Pitt Streets North Hobart.
They had us with ‘tequila bar’ and ‘Mexican food’, but the boys from Capital and Burger haus have taken it to a new level.
Think less blood and dirt and armed uprising, and more sexy-chic, carved wood, velvet upholstery, candelabras de haciendas, ornate silver Moroccan lights and stained glass. The design is eclectic but cohesive and it is very sophisticated. An automatic sliding wooden door permits your entry to the bar. Another guards the entrance to the faux-outdoor area replete with greenery and laserlight. One solitary corner window can be opened to tempt the street into the party and to spill the party into the street.
It is crystal clear that this stylish bar will make a significant contribution to the night scene in NoHo. And on first blush, it looks like Pancho Villa has both the looks and the personality. There’s substance behind the aesthetic.
On opening night we tried two of the three cocktails available. The Chile de Arbol with tequila, chili liqueur, agave, chili and fresh coriander, and La Fresca with fresh strawberries, tequila, lime and basil, drinks by mixologists who know what they’re doing.
They’re still fine tuning their menu but the canapes on offer gave us a taste of things to come: pulled pork enchiladas coconut prawns, cows tongue tortilla, empanadas with rich chipotle sauce. The intention appears to be premium presentation and modern Mexican-inspired cuisine.
If the night’s music is also anything to go by expect dance beats and live ensemble fusion.
Pancho Villa is a collaboration of the unstoppable Aaron Brazendale, Fabio Ditommaso, Ken Chong and Dante Ditommaso.
NoHo will never be the same again and don’t forget a little tip I learnt a little too late, fourteen tequilas is never good for you. But up until then, enjoy!
They will be open seven days from Tuesday, 8 December 2015, 11.30 am until late.
You can find the 378 Elizabeth Street, Hobart. Call them on 6234 4161.
