El Paso bars, booze and big bucks

Nightlife sales in El Paso shot up last year, mixing up the list of hotspots.

Our news partners at El Paso Inc. reported Sun City residents spent $139 million on alcohol at bars and restaurants throughout the city between January and November 2017.

Around $1.9 million was spent at Malolam Cantina, putting it at the top of the popular venue list, which is otherwise dominated by east side bars.

General Manager Vivian Rubio said the bar’s popularity is a culmination of different factors.

“I think it’s the quality of our product, and the experiences that we give and we sell.,” said Rubio.

Their drink menu gives patrons an eclectic list of options, but it’s not overwhelming. You can choose from a $2 Tecate to more costly bottles of premium liquor.

“The Malo Margarita I would say,” said Malolam district manager Carlos Sanchez, as he discussed the most popular drinks at the cantina.” Or a paleta shot.”

He and Rubio agreed that customers ordered the Agave Negro drink most often.

“We are in the business of, you know, obviously making money, but we want to make sure that we provide a great product,” said Sanchez. “That’s what we always do first.”

Malolam is just one of the restaurants and bar in the Pan y Agua Group.

“Part of our umbrella, we have Stonewood, Hillside, our new ramen shop right next to Malolam, El Cuartito,” Sanchez explained. “We have Crave, Fools Gold and Independent Burger.”

Sanchez said the guys behind Pan y Agua are “visionaries,” and plans to expand the business are in the works.

“We always have something up our sleeves, said Sanchez. “We’re always working to create something that’s new. “

But when it comes to the success of Malolam Sanchez said it’s simple: “We’re just doing what we love to do.”