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Drinks Directory|Killer cocktails|Melbourne|Restaurant

Bar Tobalá

237 Melville Road, Pascoe Vale South, VIC, 3044
Phone
0422 482 551
Website
tobala.com.au
Instagram
@bar.tobala

Read time 3 Mins

Posted 31 Oct 2023

By
Tomas Telegramma

Mixing cocktails at Bar Tobala in Melbourne

Make friends with mezcal – and the instantly likeable couple behind the bar – at this Mexican-inspired spot in the ’burbs serving big-on-flavour cocktails and street-food-style snacks.

Why you goOn a Pascoe Vale thoroughfare that tens of thousands of cars must pummel through every day, Bar Tobalá makes it all blur into the background. With the Venetians partially shut, this Mexican-inspired bar and diner feels anywhere but the corner of Melville Road and Bell Street. As soon as you walk through the door, front-of-house whiz Frankie Jayasekera’s warmth and welcoming charm matches that of the space – all pretty pastels, timber-and-teal booths, and walls full of framed, eclectic art. The adjoining bar is her husband Anthony’s domain, where he churns out the kind of creative, colourful cocktails that could keep you around all night. And with dinner also sorted – in the form of tostaditas, tacos and a whole lot more – why would you want to leave anyway?
Why you stayBecause Frankie and Anthony make it so easy to. Their laid-back hospitality and all-are-welcome attitude are what every neighbourhood watering hole should have. This is really the kind of place where you’ll be embraced like a local, even if it’s your first time.
One of the cocktails served at Bar Tobala
What drink to orderPutting the Mexican inspiration front and centre, the bar’s one-page drinks list is all about high-quality agave-based spirits, from the well-known tequila and mezcal to their cousins – like raicilla – that you may be less familiar with. While you can certainly try them neat, they really burst to life in Anthony’s roster of big-on-flavour house cocktails. The closest thing to a signature drink at Bar Tobalá is the fun and fruity Cocodrilo – so green it’s almost glowing, it’s a mix of mezcal, pear, pineapple and almond that the team reckons is a great option if you’ve never tried mezcal before. Want to keep it simpler? Also find familiar Mexican beers like Modelo and Pacifico, as well as Jarritos soft drinks.
What to pair it withThat depends how hungry you are. On the snacky side of things, start with elote, a Mexican street-food staple of charred corn dressed with mayonnaise, cotija (an aged Mexican cheese) and Tajín (a spicy, lime-spiked seasoning). Add on a trio of salsas with freshly fried totopos, or tortilla chips, and you’re sorted. Or you can strap in for a full-on feast. Your taco choices are fourfold (including a vegan jackfruit option), and they come individually so you can try one of each. For a hearty, homey main course, go for the pozole verde con pollo, or vibrant green Mexican stew with shredded chicken.
A selection of dishes served at Bar Tobala
Why we love itIt’s got to be the unexpectedness. While this strip is by no means devoid of dining and drinking options – Shop 225, a great pizza joint, is just a few doors down – Bar Tobalá brings something fresh to the mix. With cocktails this impressive (and inventive) and a Mexican menu that caters to everyone, it’s got “new local” written all over it.
Regular’s tipAdmittedly, there are many delicious reasons why dinner and drinks at Bar Tobalá might leave you too full for dessert. But you should absolutely get yourself a piece of the pie. Literally. The spiced-up carrot-and-cinnamon number is a truly excellent meal-ender. The team cooks down carrots in sweet sherry, evaporated milk and cinnamon, tops that base with a brûléed custard of orange and vanilla, and serves a chunky slice with a dollop of Cointreau-spiked whipped cream that’s super-citrusy and not too heavy on the liqueur.
Cocktail served at Bar Tobala
Don’t leave withoutSometimes it’s hard to go past a well-made Margarita. We get that. But there’s minimum risk and maximum reward when ordering a curveball cocktail at Bar Tobalá. Scanning the list, there’s a handful of ingredients that – at first glance – seem out of place at a Mexican-inspired joint. Case in point: Italian imports like limoncello (a sweet, lemony liqueur) and Montenegro (a herbaceous amaro liqueur). Trust us, they work here, and quite cleverly at that. Limoncello adds a zing of citrus to the Motel Tan alongside mezcal, passionfruit and smoky morita chilli, while Montenegro brings some extra brightness to the Eternal September, a blend of tequila, blueberry, honey and lemon.
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In partnership with Melbourne Food & Wine Festival
Authour image
Tomas TelegrammaTomas is a food, drinks and culture writer, and former Broadsheet Melbourne editor.
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Drinks DirectoryKiller cocktailsBarMeal and a bevDate nightMelbourneMelbourne – WestRestaurantCasual catch-up
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