Eli Martinez Bello, head bartender at Tlecān, has been named the recipient of the Altos
Bartenders’ Bartender Award 2025. Martinez Bello is recognized for her remarkable leadership,
creativity, and dedication to highlighting lesser known Mexican and female-produced spirits. She is the
first bartender from Mexico to receive this prestigious peer-voted honor for her impact and
contributions to the drinks community. This is the second special award announced leading up to the
highly anticipated awards ceremony for North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025.
Martinez Bello’s journey in hospitality has been deeply intertwined with culture, activism, and
storytelling. She co-founded Tlecān Mezcaleria, a bar that honors Mexico’s culinary and drink traditions,
after five years as the beverage program leader at world-famous restaurant Pujol (No.33 in The World’s
50 Best Restaurants 2024). Tlecān is more than a mezcal bar, it is a cultural venue devoted to
showcasing traditional Mexican spirits and rare native distillates. Martinez Bello’s approach to
hospitality extends beyond crafting cocktails – she curates an experience where every ingredient, from
mezcal and sotol to pulque, tells a story of heritage and identity. Through Tlecān, she invites guests to
explore Mexico’s rich history, and to learn more about its diverse and complex customs.
Emma Sleight, Head of Content for North America’s 50 Best Bars, says: “Eli Martinez Bello’s influence on the hospitality world goes far beyond the bar. She’s a cultural curator, a mentor, and a changemaker in the industry. At Tlecān, she has created a space where every cocktail tells a story, connecting guests to
Mexico’s rich heritage through taste and tradition. Martinez Bello’s dedication to challenging outdated
norms continue to shape the future of bartending for both men and women. Receiving the only peer voted award as part of North America’s 50 Best Bars is testament to her lasting impact.”
With more than two decades of experience in the industry, Martinez Bello has played a major role in
Mexico City’s bar scene. Challenging the machismo historically embedded in cantina culture, she has
created a space in Tlecān that is not only inclusive but celebrates the voices and craftsmanship of
women and Indigenous producers. Her cocktail menu is a testament to this mission, featuring meticulously crafted drinks that highlight native Mexican ingredients such as pulque, tejuino, and
ancestral mezcals, all sourced with transparency and respect for tradition.
Eli Martinez Bello says: “I am so honored to be named this year’s Altos Bartenders’ Bartender. Earning
this recognition from peers who share the same passion and dedication to this craft means the world to
me. I owe this milestone to the unbelievable team we have at Tlecān, my mentors, and the relationships
I’ve built throughout my career. I feel deeply grateful, proud, and excited to be the first Mexican winner
of this award!”
Carlos Andrés Ramirez, Global Advocacy & PR Director for House of Tequila — Pernod Ricard, says: “It’s
an honor and a true source of pride for Altos Tequila to present this special recognition to Martinez
Bello — not only because she’s proudly Mexican and shares the same cultural values that define us, but
also for her role in championing the appreciation of artisanal agave spirits, crafted with care,
responsibility, and exceptional quality. Going to Tlecān means embracing the complexity and diversity of
aromas and flavors that make these spirits so unique.”
The North America’s 50 Best Bars 2025 awards ceremony will take place in Vancouver, on Tuesday, April
29, 2025. This represents the first time the awards ceremony will be staged in Canada and recognizes
the country’s presence on the global cocktail scene. North America’s 50 Best Bars aims to provide
consumers with an exceptional list of expert-approved drinking destinations across North America.
The countdown of the list of North America’s 50 Best Bars and the awards ceremony will also be
broadcast to a global audience who are not able to attend in person, and bar and cocktail lovers will be
invited to join through the 50 Best Bars TV YouTube channel.