Popular Mexican spot opens in Coconut Grove with secret speakeasy and tasting lounge
A new Bodega Taqueria y Tequila has just opened in Miami, and at this one, customers get three venues in one.
The fifth location of the popular brand is now open in Coconut Grove, home to its ever popular taco shack where the hungry (and occasionally the inebriated) can line up for burritos, tacos, nachos, guacamole and other Mexican snacks.
The design of the 3,276-square-foot space will be familiar to anyone who has visited the original Bodega on Miami Beach or its sister restaurants in Fort Lauderdale and Aventura: it’s the casual, laid-back atmosphere of airstream trailer-turned taco truck.
And yes, you can expect the traditions of Taco Tuesday (three classic tacos for $11 until 6 p.m.) and Margarita Monday ($5 frozen margaritas) to live on.
If you want to expand your Bodega experience, walk through the Taco Shack into the hallway covered in graffiti from local artists MSG and open the Porta Potty door. No, really, do it. It does not open into a Porta Potty. It’s the door to a hidden speakeasy with a 30-foot skylight above, a long bar and comfortable couches for maximum lounging.
The speakeasy will feature signature cocktails and live music and other entertainment. On Live Music Wednesday by 818 Tequila, local bands will perform from 7-9 p.m., while Thursdays offer $1 draft beers. On the weekend, brunch means big cocktails, beer buckets and mimosas at noon as you gear up to watch football on the televisions.
If your tastes are somewhat more refined than football and beer, make a reservation online to visit Bodega’s intimate mezcaleria, which will host high-end mezcal and tequila tasting experiences.
Jared Galbut, co-founder and president of Menin Hospitality, which owns the brand, told the Miami Herald last year that despite the growth of Bodega’s take-out offerings, guests still want to experience the restaurant in person.
“Our customers still want that Bodega experience, to come in and see the Airstream and hear Mexican hip hop and grab their Corona out of a beat-up cooler and sit on picnic benches. We have such loyal customers.”
Bodega also opened a West Palm Beach location earlier this year and has plans to open a smaller Bodega in Wynwood in 2023.
Bodega Taqueria y Tequila Coconut Grove
Where: 3419 Main Highway, Coconut Grove
Hours: Taco shack 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m. Sunday-Wednesday; 11:30 a.m.-3 a..m. Thursday-Saturday; speakeasy daily from 4 p.m.-close; mezcalaria 6 p.m.-close Wednesday-Saturday
More information: www.bodegataqueria.com
This story was originally published August 25, 2022 at 4:30 AM.