El Paseo & Sammy Hagar launch "The Passage Bar"

El Paseo--the iconic restaurant from former Van Halen frontman Sammy Hagar--has been serving food and drink in a historic building in downtown Mill Valley for a number of years. And now with a full liquor license in place Mr. Hagar has launched The Passage Bar, tucked away along the beautiful brick passageway leading into the restaurant.

Photos by Hardy Wilson Photography

Bar Manager Steve Gizzi has designed six flagship cocktails featuring top-shelf spirits, including Sammy's own brands: Cabo Wabo Tequila, Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum, and the recent launch of Santo Mezquila – his newest agave product in partnership with Maroon 5 frontman and fellow Grammy winner, Adam Levine..

The space itself is incredibly intimate and is sure to become one of Mill Valley's hot spot hangouts any day of the week. Chef Henry Cortez has crafted a menu of small bites focusing on California ingredients, inspired by Spain's tapas. Some of the dishes include a tortilla de patatas, prosciutto-wrapped pineapple, fried chicken with pimenton honey and the Passage bocadillo (burger). A must try cocktail is the Santorito that incorporates Sammy's newest agave product "Santo Mezquila" with lime juice, orange juice, Damiana Liquer and chili salt. The Passage Bar is open daily from 4pm until close. Every day there is a "bubbles & bites" happy hour from 4pm to 6pm.