Breaking: El Gato Gab Gab Officially Opens August 29

Last month we let you in on the exciting news that Boxset Collective—the team behind Vancouver faves Published on Main and Bar Susu—were launching a brand new concept. Enter: El Gato Gab Gab, a modern Mexican cocktail bar and botanero (snack bar).

The wait is now almost over as we’ve just learned that El Gato Gab Gab is set to officially open on August 29.

Along with the opening date of Main Street’s newest restaurant, we’ve also got a sneak peak at the cocktail and food menu.

Bar director Joe Casson’s beverage menu is inspired by a range of flavours found throughout various regions in Mexico. You can anticipate cocktails like the Stop Melon Around (featuring Xila Liqueur, condensed mälk, cantaloupe, tarragon sorbet), a take on the classic old fashioned called There & Oaxaca, Again (featuring Birria Pechuga Mezcal, Cenotes Reposado, green coffee, guajillo) and a nod to the location’s former tenant with the Isn’t This a Coffee Bar (featuring Nodo Coffee Tequilana, amaretto, spiced cold brew, cherry).

In addition to creative cocktails there will be a selection of beer, non-alcoholic cocktails and a small wine list.

Executive chef Christian Chaumont has laser-focused on the theme for the culinary portion of the menu: flavours of Mexican cuisine through a Pacific Northwest lens. Think botanas, or snacks, like chicken skin chilaquiles (with an onsen egg and burnt eggplant), Mexican street corn (featuring kimchi queso and cornbread custard) and Veracruz squid (with cannellini beans and pork).

Additionally, when the restaurant opens its doors there will be five shareable build-you-own-taco platters. Think options like a fish of the day grilled over charcoal with red miso and watercress, beef rib barbacoa or sake-charred cabbage with huitlacoche.

El Gato Gab Gab

2650 Main St.