With a background in movie and tv, Bernardo Serna, identified for initiatives similar to Gossip Woman: Acapulco and La Academia actuality present, adopted his ardour for mezcal and teamed up with a Mexico Metropolis hospitality veteran and opened Tlecān—a mezcal bar that in it’s first yr discovered itself on the celebrated World’s 50 Greatest Bars record at #20 (and #10 in North America).
Whereas many Mexico Metropolis bars go for a extra cosmopolitan vibe, Tlecān seems to be to have fun its Mexican roots. Right here you’ll discover the flagship cocktail Paloma Blanca made with carbonated clarified grapefruit juice, mezcal, lime, and grapefruit salt alongside the Tascalate Bitter, impressed by an historic Mexican drink product of cacao, achiote and corn from the state of Chiapas.
Whereas Tlecān made a giant splash on the worldwide cocktail scene in a matter of months, Serna is trying to take issues good and simple and relish the second.
Have been you shocked what number of Mexico Metropolis bars made The World’s 50 Greatest Bars record?
I used to be not that shocked. I feel Mexico is scorching proper now. Individuals are focused on our tradition. I feel subsequent yr there’s going to be extra Mexican bars on the record.
Do you imply Mexico Metropolis is scorching or Mexico generally?
On the whole, however the Metropolis is pumping proper now. Throughout Covid, there have been numerous ex-pats coming from the worldwide north they usually realized what we had right here and it unfold like wildfire. They have been focused on what we’ve to supply. The entire spirits that we’ve in Mexico, some have been thought of not that luxurious and they’re now. So, we determined to make this idea a tribute to Prehispanic roots and have all of the distillates that we make in Mexico and elevate the expertise. We thought the spirts deserved higher.
Plenty of the mezcal you utilize don’t get exported outdoors of Mexico.
We don’t use any labels. Labels don’t matter right here. Every little thing is purchased straight from the producers at truthful costs. We embrace the ephemerality of those spirits, which aren’t high quality managed. They aren’t coming from factories. This isn’t a spot to come back and ask for ‘the standard’. It’s extra like, what do you’ve got this time? Shock me.
Your companion, Eli Martinez Bello, ran the Pujol bar program for 5 years. Please speak about your relationship.
She’s an icon within the business. I knew her from Pujol and Pato Negra and several other locations. I used to be beginning this undertaking and I advised her, what do you say? I already had the traders so do you need to take this to the following degree? That is my first bar and I needed to be taught from the best.
What was the inspiration in beginning a mezcal bar?
I really like mezcal however I didn’t like mezcalerias. Right here, they know what they’re serving you. They know who makes it and the way it’s made. They know all of the mezcals that we’ve. They know the flavour profiles they usually can advocate one thing that you’ll like.
You’re one of many few status bars that play music in Spanish, which helps to supply the Mexican expertise.
Right here we play cumbia; Mexican and somewhat little bit of Colombian as a result of they invented it. Toy [Antonio “Toy” Hernandez] of Management Machete made our playlist.
With drinks just like the Pulque Colada, do you discover that Mexicans are conversant in the elements?
A few of them, sure. Lots of people from the north don’t know what occurs within the south. Tascalate might be identified in Mexico Metropolis however within the north, it’s uncommon for somebody to know. We offer an expertise for Mexicans to know the remainder of their very own nation.
Are vacationers extra keen to strive one thing new in comparison with the locals?
There was a second in time the place foreigners did extra analysis earlier than coming in order that they knew extra. Now, I feel it’s balanced. Everybody is aware of what mezcal is. Now it’s mainstream. After we first opened, I needed to inform folks to not shoot it. That is for sipping.
When did your love affair with mezcal begin?
It began in Oaxaca within the ‘90s. I went to a mezcaleria there and it was a really unusual expertise. I really feel in love with the drink however it was onerous to search out. The primary mezcaleria right here opened round 2010. Then the bottles grew to become mainstream and I went again to the artisanal ones and it blew my thoughts. The variety is wonderful. Individuals are inclined to say that mezcal is smoky, and a few of them are, however numerous them aren’t. There are natural and fruity mezcals. There are numerous flavors.
Is there a cocktail in your menu that’s consultant of the bar?
Sure, I feel the flagship is the Paloma.
What do you hope somebody takes away from their expertise at Tlecān?
It’s very clear to me. Once you first are available from the road, it seems to be actually critical. However mezcal goes to make a celebration of all the things. Simply let your self go. It’s like a avenue occasion. That’s what we would like.
Tlecān is positioned at Av. Álvaro Obregón 228-Native 2, Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Mexico Metropolis.
