With its unusual setting and exciting menu of cocktails and share plates inspired by Mexico, seasonal patio bar/restaurant Chupito has become a warm-weather staple in Vancouver since its 2021 debut.
The outdoor food and cocktail bar is situated behind La Taqueria's original Hastings Street location and is accessed via the alley.
The venue was born out of the pandemic era's push to create outdoor spaces and out of the gate became a popular draw, even attracting the attention of the Michelin Guide, which ranked it among its Vancouver "Bib Gourmand" (value-driven) selections in 2022 and 2023.
What's on the menu for summer 2024 at Chupito?
Cocktails on the Chupito menu spotlight Mexican flavours, local ingredients, and sustainability. To pair with the sophisticated sips are share plates that centre on regional dishes from Mexico, including a roster of fresh seafood items as well as tacos, chips and guac, and more.
Every year, Chupito adds new dishes to the menu. For 2024, you can enjoy a beautiful aguachile with their house-made salsa macha, with the option of having chapulines (crickets) on the dish. If you are a fan of chili oil, you will want to try the salsa macha, whether it's dashed onto your tortilla chips or part of a dish.
Salsa macha, which hails from Veracruz, is a blend of dried chiles, nuts, and seeds in oil. You'll find the salsa macha as an option for saucing Chupito's new Torre De Mariscos, which features layers of sliced ahi tuna, Hokkaido scallops, Blue Pacific Shrimp, and avocado and the dish is a stunner.
Speaking of Veracruz, that's the name of one of Chupitos cocktails, made with Cynar, Palo Santo, green cardamom, soda, and spiced and fermented pineapple. For something really fun, the Acapulco is a frozen pina colada with strawberry and maraschino layers, a delightfully sophisticated spin on the sugary sweet poolside "Miami Vice" drinks you might know from Mexican resort stays.
There are fresh oysters on the menu, with dill and jalapeno, as well as tostadas, prawn cocktail, and elote. Not to miss is the Puplo Zarandeado, which features fork-tender octopus tentatcles in Zarandeado sauce, which features a multitude of components and condiments; think of it like an "all dressed" for grilled seafood.
For those who wish to cap the snacks and drinks with dessert, Chupito's not too sweet take on a tres leches cake is lovely, with fresh basil and infused milks, with lovely fragrant, mellow notes.
Chupito (322 W Hastings St) opened for the season in mid-May, and is open daily from 5 to 10 p.m. (weather permitting). Tables are available for walk-ins only.
Later this year, Chupito will be on the move to the indoors, as La Taqueria is vacating its restaurant space for a move to 601 W Hastings St. Chupito will remain there until the building is slated for demolition to make way for redevelopment.
Video: A visit to Chupito, Vancouver's unique outdoor bar and restaurant
@forkingawesomevia 🌟 Experience #Chupito, Vancouver's seasonal #MichelinGuide Bib Gourmand spot! ☀️Enter through an alley to find this charming outdoor patio restaurant with a shipping container bar, serving up regional Mexican food (spotlight on the seafood 🍤). Enjoy eco-friendly dishes with their low- and no-waste approach. Start your evening with a complimentary drink called a chupito, then sip on amazing cocktails. 🌮🍹#forkingawesome #vancouverbc ♬ Sunset Funk - Coastal
Find more delicious Vancouver food and drink video stories by following V.I.A's Forking Awesome TikTok account, @forkingawesomevancouver on Instagram, and signing up for our Forking Awesome newsletter delivered fresh to your inbox every Thursday.
