Tucked away in the rear of Crown Towers’ The Waiting Room lounge is a hidden tequila bar that won’t remain secret much longer following Thursday night’s glitzy VIP launch.

Unveiled in late September, 42 by Don Julio is Australia’s first permanent branded bar bearing the iconic Don Julio 1942 name.

Opening its unobtrusive door to a hand-picked guest list for snack bites and impeccably smooth drinks, the venue felt as exclusive as its 35-seat capacity suggests.

Among the high profile attendees were STM columnist Brittany Bown, Eagles player Tom Cole, and influencers Gracie Piscopo, Em Davies, Jacquie Alexander, and Rahnee Bransby.

Cole and his wife Lily were treated to a preview of the venue earlier on Thursday, and said they could imagine a few high profile teammates sneaking in for a quiet drink.

A few hours later, the pair were joined by retired Eagle Dom Sheed and wife Brooke, with Cole suggesting the premiership hero “thinks he’s pretty popular around Perth, so he likes to be hidden away”.

“And then probably one of our captains, Liam Baker, same sort of reasons, likes to hide away in a dark corner,” he told PerthNow.

Evening guests were met with hypnotic tunes and a dimly lit lounge divided into four sections, with a clear thoroughfare leading to a bar framed by rows of Don Julio 42 bottles.

As young parents of two, Cole and Lily could sense the appeal for couples seeking an escape for date night, or a cosy catch-up among friends.

“This venue is great because it kind of encompasses getting out with a bit of a vibe and a bit of energy, but you can still sit down and have a nice conversation, a nice drink, and great food,” Lily said.

Unlike much of Perth, the venue stays open until midnight on Thursday and Sunday, and 1am on Friday and Saturday.

With a raft of signature cocktails to choose from, including a 1942 Golden Royale, Don Paloma, and Spicy Piña Margarita, as well as a tequila menu dubbed the “Don Julio Experience”, guests might need to set their own curfew.

Mexican-born Eduardo Conde is a Sydney-based bartender and venue manager who brings a lifetime of experience to his role as cocktail consultant and brand collaborator.

As a past winner of Diageo World Class Bartender of the Year, “the world cup for bartenders”, a proud Mr Conde offered his tip for the menu items sure to turn heads.

“One of the signatures that I think will be very popular is the Royale, because it’s utilising the 1942 tequila, but also a bit of champagne to add a bit of a theatrical element that will make people see the drink going around tables and maybe asking, ‘What’s that drink? I want to order it’,” he said.

“Paloma is definitely the most traditional drink in Mexico that we drink the most, but I think the good thing about tequila is that now you can see it in different cocktails as well, even in twists like a negroni or espresso martini, you can replace the the vodka into reposado to give those nice caramel notes.”

To wash down his classy concoctions, guests can order from a small bites menu that features Shark Bay Tuna tostada and wagyu birria empanada, or a caviar experience for a slightly more refined supper.

A drink pairing has also been suggested for each food menu item.

42 by Don Julio is now open at Crown Perth.

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Photos are available to purchase from westpix.com.au.