Why you goTacos and pubs both rank high on the long list of things Sydneysiders hold dear. Tacos in pubs, however, is another story, and usually a pretty tragic one. At least until now. After running a series of wildly successful pop-ups and finding a few semi-permanent homes, barista-turned-chef Toby Wilson has finally laid down roots for his beloved Ricos Tacos banner at The Norfolk Hotel – and it couldn’t be a better fit. The inner-city pub has worn several hats over the years, but finds itself in stronger form than ever thanks to a wicked once-over by new owner Public Hospitality Group and artist Michael Delany. The ground floor has been coated in bright-yellow paint, giving the place a proper Tijuana street-party vibe, complete with breeze blocks and murals of blabbering goats and boogying tacos. Upstairs, that party kicks on at what’s known as Club Ricos, a ’60s-inspired sports bar brought back to life by way of wood-panelling, vinyl seats, vintage soccer photos and a mirror ball, where DJs jog the wheels on Friday and Saturday nights. Taken as a whole, it’s a testament to the scope of Sydney’s pub scene and proof that a great beer garden is a real thing of beauty.
