When Barrio closed its doors on Poland Street earlier this year, Soho lost one of its loudest Latin fixtures. Now, it has been reborn as La Familia: a two-storey space that splits between street-level tacos and a basement built for all your late nights and tequila dreams.

This time, the Barrio team left the bar’s classic and beloved neon-soaked themed chaos behind. What remains is a space that keeps the warmth and rhythm of the OG bar but swaps excess for atmosphere. Upstairs feels buzzy and sunlit; downstairs, dimmed lights, pared-back design, and pulsing with disco and Latin hip hop sets that go late into the night.

But of course, as with any Mexican restaurant and bar, the proof is always in the tacos and tequila.

The taqueria

At street level, La Familia runs like a proper taqueria. The taco line-up covers the essentials: Al Pastor with charred pork and pineapple, Pollo Asado marinated in citrus and finished with creamy avocado salsa, and Birria, slow-cooked beef with a rich consommé to dip into, comfort food with precision. The vegetarian Nopal taco uses cactus cooked layered with salsa verde and pickled onion.

If you’re tired of tacos, there are snacks like Elote Callejero, street-style corn rolled in mayo, cotija and chilli-lime; Chicharrón bites with salsa roja that crackle on contact; and Tostaditas, crisp and light, topped with grilled chicken or pico de gallo to keep your stomach full. Vegetarians can also indulge in a molten Quesadilla with Oaxaca cheese, tortilla chips with guacamole.

Dessert is the one and only classic: churros with cajeta, fried to order, dipped in thick caramel. There’s also a midweek deal on tacos – two tacos and a drink for £10.00 or £12.00, in case you want to sneak out of the office and treat yourself to some fiery, punchy flavours.

Downstairs: the Speakeasy

If upstairs is the family dinner, downstairs is the afterparty. Hidden beneath the taqueria, the La Familia Speakeasy is a Latin-inspired cocktail bar where tequila and mezcal take centre stage. The cocktail list is a riot of inventive twists and subtle craftsmanship that honour Mexican ingredients in all their glory. Some highlights include:

• El Del Flower Pepino blends Espolòn Blanco with elderflower and lime
• Cornfashion reimagines the Old Fashioned with corn-infused Altos Tequila and orange bitters, which is just the right level of corny (we said it)
• Carajillo, a blend of mezcal, coffee and Licor 43 that lands somewhere between espresso martini and digestif
• Agua de Jamaica, a mix of tequila, hibiscus mezcal and grapefruit soda that could easily replace your go-to spritz
• Lychee Paloma, a twist on the original Paloma, which swaps grapefruit soda for a fragrant, tropical lift
• Batida De Passion, a dessert-like cocktail made with Velho Barreira Cachaca, condensed milk, passionfruit, and nutmeg

If you’re all in on the cultural immersion (and brave enough), the Muy Caliente Margarita Flight lets you taste three versions of the house Margarita – Spicy, Spicier, and Spiciest. There’s even a “Holy Trinity” – Altos Plata Tequila, Tommy’s Margarita, and Sagrado Agave Nectar – for those who take their agave seriously. Some of the cocktails on offer can also be made alcohol-free on request.

Key details

Address: 6 Poland Street, Soho, London W1F
Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 12pm–1am
Bookings: Reservations for the speakeasy can be made at lafamiliabars.co.uk; the taqueria operates on a walk-in basis

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