The doors may have closed at Tequila Cocina in North Vancouver, but the Mexican restaurant is already at work at a new location.
Tequila Lounge is in its final prep stages to start a new chapter in Gastown at 136 W Cordova St in the historic Woodward's Building. The Mexican restaurant and bar replaces the sports bar concept The Cordova, which operated for a year in the space and closed in May.
Owner Francisco Sonora tells V.I.A. in a phone interview that the plan was to find a bigger location. The North Vancouver location had 79 seats, whereas the new one has almost 300.
Tequila Lounge, with an expanded food and drink menu that builds on the restaurant's existing offerings and favourites, isn't the business' only Vancouver location. There's a Tequila Cocina at 1224 Granville St.
For the brand's expansion, Sonora says the new outpost will feature some exciting new dishes and drinks, many of which will have some kind of dynamic component as they hit the table, like "a little bit of fire," he hints. Other feature drinks will be served in Insta-worthy vessels, like a small bathtub.
"It's going to be fun!" says Sonora.
For a sweet finish, Tequila Lounge's menu will include a new dessert that will find the server cracking open a chocolate shell for a fun wow factor.
The new restaurant will also introduce some seafood dishes to the menu. Sonora describes the Tequila Lounge menu as "modern Mexican," that draws from all around the vibrant country rather than just one region.
Additionally, Tequila Lounge will have an in-house tortilla-making specialist who will work an early a.m. shift to turn out all the fresh tortillas for the restaurant's tacos and more.
The lively atmosphere expected at Tequila Lounge will include live entertainment, including mariachi bands every Friday night from 7 to 9 p.m.
Once Tequila Lounge is able to open its doors, the restaurant will serve brunch, lunch, and dinner and will be open from 11 a.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends.
A big opening celebration is in the works, which will feature live music. "It's going to be a party!" says Sonora. "We want to invite everyone to see what we are about," he adds.
Currently, Tequila Lounge is finalizing some details and is awaiting a last inspection from the City before they can set an opening date, though Sonora is hopeful the restaurant can start serving tacos and fun drinks before the end of July.
Follow @tequilalounge.van on Instagram for updates and more info about Tequila Lounge.
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