With a background in movie and tv, Bernardo Serna, identified for tasks similar to Gossip Lady: 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 distinguished World’s 50 Finest Bars checklist at #20 (and #10 in North America).
Whereas many Mexico Metropolis bars go for a extra cosmopolitan vibe, Tlecān appears to be like to have a good time 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 historical Mexican drink made from cacao, achiote and corn from the state of Chiapas.
Whereas Tlecān made an enormous splash on the worldwide cocktail scene in a matter of months, Serna is trying to take issues good and straightforward and relish the second.
Had been you shocked what number of Mexico Metropolis bars made The World’s 50 Finest Bars checklist?
I used to be not that shocked. I feel Mexico is sizzling proper now. Individuals are inquisitive about our tradition. I feel subsequent yr there’s going to be extra Mexican bars on the checklist.
Do you imply Mexico Metropolis is sizzling or Mexico typically?
Typically, however the Metropolis is pumping proper now. Throughout Covid, there have been plenty of ex-pats coming from the worldwide north and so they realized what we had right here and it unfold like wildfire. They have been inquisitive about 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 exterior of Mexico.
We don’t use any labels. Labels don’t matter right here. All the things is purchased straight from the producers at honest costs. We embrace the ephemerality of those spirits, which aren’t high quality managed. They don’t seem to be coming from factories. This isn’t a spot to return and ask for ‘the standard’. It’s extra like, what do you’ve got this time? Shock me.
Your accomplice, Eli Martinez Bello, ran the Pujol bar program for 5 years. Please speak about your relationship.
She’s an icon within the trade. I knew her from Pujol and Pato Negra and several other locations. I used to be beginning this challenge and I advised her, what do you say? I already had the buyers so do you wish to take this to the following degree? That is my first bar and I needed to study from the best.
What was the inspiration in beginning a mezcal bar?
I 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 and so they can suggest 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 a bit 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 accustomed to the components?
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 prepared to attempt one thing new in comparison with the locals?
There was a second in time the place foreigners did extra analysis earlier than coming so that they knew extra. Now, I feel it’s balanced. Everybody is aware of what mezcal is. Now it’s mainstream. Once we first opened, I needed to inform individuals 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 nevertheless it was laborious to seek 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 range is wonderful. Folks are likely to say that mezcal is smoky, and a few of them are, however plenty of them usually are not. There are natural and fruity mezcals. There are various 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. Whenever you first are available in from the road, it appears to be like actually critical. However mezcal goes to make a celebration of all the things. Simply let your self go. It’s like a road social gathering. That’s what we would like.
Tlecān is situated at Av. Álvaro Obregón 228-Native 2, Roma Norte, Cuauhtémoc, 06700 Mexico Metropolis.
