The Other Bird to open Mule locations in London, Cambridge as brand expands

Hamilton-based hospitality group The Other Bird has set its sights on scaling up its taco bar brand across southern Ontario.

The Mule joined the city's food scene more than half a decade ago in 2015 after a successful Indiegogo campaign, which saw local foodies funnel more than $100,000 toward the restaurant.

The King William Street eatery specializes in Mexican fare, serving up ceviche, frijoles, and a rotating menu of tacos alongside an ample selection of tequila and bourbon.

Drag queens and other performing artists can often be seen swaying through the dining area or dancing on the bar.

And as of this past summer, it's no longer just a Hamilton spot - The Other Bird opened a Mule in nearby Port Dover, on the shore of Lake Erie.

But the growth isn't stopping there, said Erin Dunham, CEO and co-founder of the hospitality group, in an interview with The Spectator.

Dunham said two more Mule locations, one in London and another in Cambridge, are expected to open by next spring.

That expansion is being supported by the recent sale of The Arlington Hotel and Dominion Telegraph Event Centre to Carmen's Group, another Hamilton-based hospitality company.

Dunham said the hospitality group is also eyeing other communities in the province - and beyond Ontario - where the restaurant could do well."

Our dream-dream would be to be able to go to the East Coast and have Mules in the capital cities," said Dunham, looking to Halifax, N.S., and St. John's, Nfld. We love it out there."

The Mule isn't the only restaurant brand owned by The Other Bird. The hospitality group also operates Burro in Burlington, Rapscallion & Co. in Hamilton as well as Hunter & Co. in London.

(The Other Bird is also looking at moving Burro to a larger location where they'll turn it into another Mule.)

However, Dunham said out of the restaurants under their banner, The Mule has been the brand that appeals to all ages," from university students to the corporate crowd.

She described the restaurant as more approachable," while also noting that the eatery has truly taken on a life of its own."

When Dunham and her business partner Matt Kershaw opened The Mule, they thought it would be more of a lunch and dinner spot, with their primary focus on the menu, which was dominated by yummy, cheffy bites of food."

The entire concept has completely evolved," noted Dunham, pointing to their patrons as the reason for the shift.

The eatery is now open until 2 a.m. every night and there is a heavy focus on cocktails, bourbon and tequila. Their heavy food focus" is still there, but the bar has become even more important, she said.

It just makes sense for us to expand on it," said Dunham. And take it to other cities where we think it will be well-received because it has been so wonderfully well-received in Hamilton."

The new Mule locations will each have their own vibe," as they are set to be housed in two very different buildings - but the signature chandeliers, graffiti and art pieces from locals Lester Coloma and Gord Bond will make appearances, Dunham added.

However, she admits she never would have guessed" that it would have been The Mule that would be their most popular restaurant under their banner.

We've been super happy with the way The Mule has evolved and grown," she said. It's just very fortunate and awesome."

Fallon Hewitt is a reporter at The Spectator. fhewitt@thespec.com