Secret tequila speakeasy open in Little Havana
El Santo Restaurant and taqueria and Don Diablo tequila speakeasy have opened on Calle Ocho in Little Havana. The concept comes from nightlife mogul Roman Jones and the team behind Kiki on the River and Mandrake Miami.
Tacos and tequila go together like tacos and tequila — which is to say they’re a perfect match.
This is why the grand opening of El Santo Restaurant, its taqueria and Don Diablo — the aforementioned speakeasy — is worth noting.
The taqueria has been open for a couple of weeks, but El Santo restaurant and Don Diablo are open as of this week. Created by the team behind Kiki on the River and Mandrake Miami, the concept is part of a Calle Ocho revival.
The idea from entrepreneur Roman Jones, who is also taking over the former space of Tarpon Bend on Miracle Mile: Become a neighborhood favorite and a nightlife destination via three separate approaches.
The taqueria, decorated with bright luchador masks and vintage subway tiles, features favorites like guacamole, grilled corn esquites and six kinds of tacos, including short rib and mojo pork tacos. The specials are worth checking out, too: Taco Tuesday means half-price tacos, and a 4-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday happy hour features $4 cocktails.
In the hacienda-style El Santo Restaurant, you can dine on small and large shareable plates like Jalea Mixta with fried corvina, bay scallops, bay shrimp, yuca and salsa criolla and and the Wagyu Lomo Saltado. Mariachis and other musical acts perform throughout the evening.
Inside the late-night speakeasy Don Diablo, which is open Thursday through Saturday, enjoy a Day of the Dead vibe and
drinks from the eclectic cocktail menu by Bar Lab’s Bryan Canales. Tequila and mezcal are highlights, featured in such cocktails as the Santo Pecado with Mezcal Sacrvm, fresh lime, jicama, watermelon juice, Mexican pepper reduction and CBD ($13). There’s also a resident DJ to spin tunes.
EL SANTO RESTAURANT
Where: 1618 SW Eighth St., Miami
Hours: For El Santo Taqueria, 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 11:30 a.m.-4 a.m. Thursday-Friday; 11-4 a.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-10 p.m Sundays; for El Santo, 7-midnight ThursdaySaturday; for Don Diablo, 10 p.m.-3 a.m. ThursdaySaturday.`