Excelsior Hotel

I knew Justin Hemmes had bought this place and established El Loco… but I didn’t realise the Mexican theme extended to the entire establishment. I’m actually here by default… in search of the nearest off licence for takeaways to take to my friend’s place (up the road) for a home cooked meal. The crazy loco Mexicana theme hits me the moment I walk inside. And clearly this Friday night at 7pm, the margaritas are well and truly flowing. The punters are spilling out onto the pavement, and it feels like the Friday night fiesta is only just getting started. I consider sticking around for a quick frozen cocktail but I’m running late and must skedaddle. The food goes whizzing past by fast moving waitresses and the humble hot dog captures my hungry gaze. The Excelsior Hot Dog $ 9 to be precise… grilled pork frankfurt served on a soft bun with pickled jalapenos, pico de gallo, mayonnaise and cheese. Make that drowning in fresh finely grated queso. More Mexicana mmmmmmmm. But it’ll have to wait. I’d previously been put off this place because of the lack of table service, but popping in by default has shifted my outlook, and I can’t wait to settle in for a hot dog and margarita slushy fest in the very close future.

The Excelsior Hotel holds a few treasured memories for me, so it’s fair to say that it has a place in my heart. There are three little memories of the Excelsior Hotel I’d like to share with you today, I’ll do this as informally as possible.
Memory number one, aka, ‘The Happy Snapper.’: Amazing Indie Rockers, Somasek, were playing a set at the Excelsior and so I, after a few drinks at a different establishment made my way to watch the show and continue with the drinking.
Next thing I know I wake up at home to find a whole series of photos on Facebook with me and my glassy eyed whimsical expressions, strange stances and moments of madness in my dancing feet. Now, before their RSA is called into question, I would like to offer that I am exceptional in disguising my drunkenness apart from those lightning quick instances when a camera’s shutter is opening.
Memory number two: ‘Successful Video’: Paper Moose had just completed the micro budgeted music video clip for rock and roll outfit, Smitty & B. Goode and were at their CD launch to celebrate. Wild dance moves and singing along to the lyrics of Solo ensued as we revelled in our music video success.
Memory number three: ‘The Maths Teacher’: I, being a little inebriated and full of confidence happened to spy sitting on a couch in the back of the concert room, a pretty young woman all by her lonesome. I decided that it was in my best interest and the polite thing to do to go and converse with this lonely woman.
I sat down on the couch and introduced myself, got into talking about what she did, what I did and the usual, when all of a sudden the boyfriend walks back over with their drinks, I’m not an ass so I tell her it was nice to talk to her and make my exit, then I realise who the boyfriend is.
I throw out my hand in drunken cheer and embrace the hand of my high school maths teacher, the man who said, «You should probably drop maths, it’s going to drag your marks down.»
Good times.

I went here with a friend who was playing a gig one night, and I quite enjoyed myself!
I like their Mexican food, and I certainly like the ambience of the place. The staff could stand to be a little friendlier, but it’s not too off-​putting.
Excelsior is always busy, and can get quite warm indoors (in summer), but not to worry, there’s plenty of tables and chairs to be seated at in the outdoor dining area!
There are always live musicians and bands playing, which I think really adds to the flavour of the place. I’ve always preferred live music to recorded music.

How do you tart up a tired old pub? Seems you should go a little ‘loco’ and turn the place into a funky Mexican restaurant/​bar.
That’s Justin Hemmes’ approach anyway, and if the crammed crowds last night are anything to go by, he’s got another winner on his hands!
You could almost get whiplash moving from the original, dark front bar to the brightly coloured Mexican fiesta out the back. It’s quite jarring, but after a couple of Coronas it all seems perfectly natural.
Friday night was heaving and so some sly table stalking was required to nab a spot on Bellevue Street. Once seated we then proceeded to gorge ourselves on the delicious Mexican offerings. $ 5 will get you a taco — which looks rather small when dished up, but they’re deceptively filling. The hot dogs are devilishly good too — and of course you can’t go past some simple chips and guac. It all goes down waaaay too well with Coronas or a margarita ($ 13.50) or three!
Bravo Mr. Hemmes. I think it’s pretty clear that Sydneysiders are going loco over the refurb.

The old Excelsior Hotel in Surry Hills has gone loco. El Loco in fact. Which I can only assumes means Mexican.
Under the hands of new owners this old pub has had a makeover and now houses a Mexican eatery which I have heard good things about so I decided to try it for myself.
It looks pretty similar from the outside but has a bright new ‘El Loco’ sign out front and those bright colours run through out the place. The small room as soon as you enter hasn’t really changed except for the odd splash of bright paint but the main eating area out the back is laced with cool paintings, pictures and bright colours. Yep, there are some bright colours throughout!
There are quite a few options to consider food wise, all Mexican of course but I can’t go past the $ 5 taco. It’s what I have been told about and basically the reason I came here. And thank god I didn’t go past it. Sure it’s only a taco but it really hit the spot. I went the vege option.
It’s midweek at lunch but there is still quite a buzz in the place. I wish I didn’t have to go back to work. I contemplate it for a long while but begrudgingly leave and head back to the office. I’ll have to pencil in an evening session. There’s a lot that I’d like to try although I’m pretty positive I’ll stick with the taco and maybe some drinks to wash it down.

Pretty good local pub and band venue.
The front’s a smallish, busy, boisterous pub, with happy hipsters swilling schooners of beer. Certainly not relaxed, but cool.
There’s a small room at the back where they have live music just about every night. Most are small, local bands. I saw a triple bill, with headliners Captain Kickarse & the Awesomes, for ten bucks. If you want to see a random Australian garage band in a dingy room with 40 other people — and I most certainly do — then get thee to the Excelsior. Great fun.