Innovation is a real gamble; being the first to risk bringing something new carries a risk of lower chances of success than getting heads on a coin toss (50%) but even so, people who, knowing the above, are able to launch a project deserve all our respect.
Such is the case of Fabiola Padilla who after more than 9 years in New York found the foundations to establish the first cocktail bar in San Miguel de Allende called Bekeb and located on the terrace of the Hotel Boutique Casa Hoyos.
Learn about the origins of the visionary entrepreneur and use her example as inspiration to start the process of your own project.
L: Tell us how your experience abroad helped you return home with new ideas and inspiration to open your own bar.
F: New York is a city that sets global trends. Having developed my 9-year career there, not only inspired me, but also gave me all the foundations within the world of cocktails to succeed in starting and establishing BEKEB as the first cocktail bar in San Miguel de Allende, mentioned by The New York Times.
L: What have been the biggest challenges of opening a bar in SMA?
F: The process of obtaining all the government permits and licenses, I felt that was the most complicated.
L: What logistics/operational differences exist between a “normal” bar and one that is within the facilities of a hotel?
F: There are several limitations when it comes to construction, such as noise controls and restricted hours, if you are located on a hotel. However, the daily operation and processes are the same as a normal bar.
L: You constantly support the LGBTTQIA+ community within Bekeb, tell us about the highlights of the Pride event they had together with Ojo de Tigre mezcal
F: It was very special to bring the community together on this important day where we celebrate Pride. The Ojo de Tigre brand has always supported us and in this case was our official sponsor, with its rainbow bottle. We decorated for the occasion, had a drag queen show, DJs and special themed cocktails throughout the event. It was a lot of fun!
L: What do you feel events like Barra México bring to the locals of San Miguel de Allende?
F: Barra México is an event of international stature, being the largest bar show in Latin America. It brought together all the brands, national and international ambassadors of the industry, offering a proposal of seminars covering topics that interest all of us who are dedicated to this, learn from and are inspired to grow professionally.
L: Recipe for “Purple Rain”?
F: It is a cocktail that emerged during the Pandemic, as an option with ingredients that help strengthen the immune system, based on natural beet and pineapple juices, natural ginger extract, yellow lemon, chamomile syrup and Casa Dragones white tequila.
L: What does the name Bekeb mean?
F: Bekeb, comes from the term “bek” which means “seed” in Tzotzil, the Mayan language of Mexico. BEKEB is a palindrome, using the same term, it is read forwards and backwards in the same way.
L: What distinguishes Bekeb's mixology?
F: BEKEB is based on ingredients endemic to the creative process of cocktail making: flowers, plants and roots. We also use modern techniques, distillates and liquors of the highest quality to obtain a cocktail that fills all your senses, presentation, flavor and aroma that conquers you and inspires you to try the entire menu.
Learn more about the first cocktail bar in our city and find out everything that is happening on their social networks @bekeb_sma and follow the mastermind behind all this @fabspadilla
