The Guest List, Chapter 01: Mexico City

Editor’s note: Mexico is on fire this World Cup! 🇲🇽 ⚽️ 🔥 To avoid conflict with the next big game, this event has been rescheduled from July 5 to July 12.

Join us for a special evening with two of Mexico City’s most influential voices in agave spirits, hospitality, and cultural storytelling: Eli Martínez Bello and Dani Villasuso. Through cocktails, conversation, and connection, this edition of The Guest List celebrates the traditions, producers, and stories behind the spirits of Mexico.

Dani Villasuso is a respected voice in agave spirits, Mexican culture, and the history behind the spirits of Mexico. A Master in Agave Spirits through the Agave Spirits Institute and certified through CEMMEZ, Dani’s work is rooted in education, storytelling, and a deep respect for the people and traditions behind every bottle. Through her consulting, travels, and work with brands like Mijenta Tequila, she has helped connect bartenders, producers, and guests to a more thoughtful understanding of Mexico’s spirits. The Modern Bar is proud to welcome Dani to Austin as part of The Guest List, bringing one of Mexico City’s important agave voices into our home for a night rooted in culture, craft, and connection.

Eli Martínez Bello, 50 Best Bartenders’ Bartender of the Year 2025, is widely regarded as one of the leading ambassadors for Mexico, its spirits, and its culture.
Her career has been rooted in cultural preservation, discovery, and a deep respect for the traditions behind Indigenous spirits and distillates. From café work at 17 to becoming Head Bartender at Enrique Olvera’s Pujol, one of The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, and later helping open Tlecān, one of Mexico City’s most celebrated bars, Eli has consistently championed the people and stories behind Mexico’s hospitality traditions. Through her hospitality and storytelling, Eli continues to share the beauty, complexity, and generosity of Mexican culture with the world. The Modern Bar is proud to welcome Eli to Austin as part of The Guest List, bringing one of Mexico City’s most important hospitality voices into our home for a night rooted in culture, craft, and connection.