In December 2021, after having worked for In Situ, Txalaparta, and other renowned bars in Oaxaca, and with no desire to return to working in an office like I did after graduating, I was looking for a job that would give me enough time to do my own projects, but I couldn't find anything relevant or that would help me continue growing.

I had the idea to ask Aaron and Britney, owners of the only Tiki bar in Oaxaca, "Aloha," if they'd let me set up a small bar inside their bar and offer mezcal tastings while I figured out what to do with my life. To my surprise, they had much more space than I'd imagined and offered me the opportunity to open my own speakeasy behind their business, where I could create something of my own, my own way.

I remember we agreed one Sunday to work that way, and I excitedly ran off to Gozona with my friend Luis to taste their mezcals and buy what would be the first mezcals from my own mezcaleria. From then on, it was a nerve-wracking adventure, but even more joyful. By Friday, I was open and selling.

Since then, we've been growing in knowledge, friends, and collection. We've been enjoying the new family that has joined the project, in one way or another.

Some of the best nights at the Speakeasy were the ones you'd least expect: there were few people, and we could join Luis and Jorge (Aloha's bartenders) and have our own little fun. A very apt comparison was once made: our venues were comparable to a house party: Aloha was the living room or garden where most people were, and the Speakeasy was the kitchen, where there was less noise and more genuine, calm conversations—although that never stopped us from having a big party in our small space.

This is how the bar grew, and so did my confidence in what I was doing. For over a year, I dedicated myself to working almost every day and at every opportunity. In February 2023, my friend Aline convinced me to consider moving to a new, larger, and more central space, right on my insecurities! The mere thought of having to pay more rent and take more risks sounded out of reach, but taking risks and then figuring out how to solve them had already served me well on my previous trips, so I decided to risk the stability of my Spekeasy and bring it to its current home. We are now on the ground floor of an old house, right on Porfirio Díaz Street, the street that has grown with party spots. And I had to quickly consider the need for someone else to help me run it, since I was going to burn out very quickly on my own.

Paho decided to join us and leave behind his stable jobs, and we managed to unite into one of the best teams I've ever had, and grow this new bar. It was no longer a speakeasy, hidden from the general public, but a bar specializing in mezcal. I expanded the menu to include cocktails and Oaxacan craft beers.

Fortunately, my clients and my small community followed me to my new space and haven't left me alone all this time. It's been an unprecedented growth, hosting public and private events, and great artists have honored us by decorating our walls with their diverse designs, while DJs and musicians have filled the space with good vibes.

We continue to plan new activities and ways to reach more palates, so thank you for everything you've given me, and I hope we continue to grow and reach new spaces.

I share some photos with you, full of love and gratitude.

Carlos Díaz