With Chupito’s  patio location no longer an option and Cantina 189 wrapping up, there’s a big hole in the city where good cocktails and late nights used to live. But don’t worry! Tara Davies and Erick Vazquez just got back from Mexico and, fuelled by new inspiration, the duo are already deep into conversations with Chef Maria Ponce about what is next.

In a recent conversation with Davies, she explained some of the inspiration we can expect to see channelled into this new project:

“This trip hit on a deep level. Colour, taste, texture — everything just lined up. Not just in the food, but in the whole sensory overload that is Mexico. You walk through the markets, and it’s all right there – piles of bright fruit, herbs, chiles — everything smells alive. Then you step outside, and it’s the birria, the tortillas, the smoke and spice hanging in the air. The sea, the sand, how they somehow sneak into every bite, adding that hit of salinity. The streets, full of lush greens, clashing beautifully with old buildings. The art scene, buzzing with so much energy you can’t help but want to make something. It’s a city that pulls you in — layers of flavour, colour, history. Deep, rich, and completely immersive.

Bringing that back home, this menu is about simplicity. About showcasing ingredients — Mexico’s, Vancouver’s — without overcomplicating them. Just letting them be what they are. This whole project started as a love letter to Mexico. After this trip? That love’s even deeper, which we didn’t think was possible. [We] can’t wait to pour that into this next chapter — same bold flavours, new ideas, and a space that reflects everything we just soaked up.”

The details? Locked down, for now. Timeline? Very soon. However, if their track record is anything to go by, something sexy, fun, and excellent across the board is on it’s way… What we can expect for sure is an intimate, tucked away setting – the kind of place you have to know in order to find it; that, when you step into it, makes you instantly feel like you’ve made it to the right side of the night. Plus, Maria Ponce is back in the kitchen; and if you ever ate at Chupito, you know her cooking walks the line between rustic and refined, firmly rooted in tradition but never predictable — so you can safely assume that you’ll be seeing many of the same dishes from Chupito’s menu and you’ll be eating well.

The big take away here? Chupito isn’t gone—it’s just getting ready for its next chapter. Plans are in motion. The full reveal is coming in the next few weeks, but if you want “in”, now is the time to pay attention. Word has it that they’re currently hiring, which means the wheels are already well in motion. If you’ve ever wanted to work with this crew, here’s your shot.

WHY WE CARE
A great cocktail bar is one of the first things we seek out while visiting other cities; and Vancouver needs to protect places doing it right on our own home turf — especially those run by people who genuinely give a damn. This team definitely does. Case in point: here they are, building something compelling on a shoestring budget, even during tough economic times. If we want a city with real culture, good energy, and a genuinely world-class food and cocktail scene, these are exactly the kinds of projects we need to show up for.