Mezcalista

The Mezcal Lounge is a VIP experience which can be accessed through the rearmost hallway of the seafood restaurant during the day, while at night you can access it through a separate entrance off Miami Beach’s iconic Washington Avenue. Through its brooding and mysterious ambiance, you will feel submerged in a catacomb where the ancient story of the mezcal is revealed.

Upon entering the foyer there is a secret wooden door magnanimously depicting the ancient Aztec Chief Elder narrating the creation of the Mezcal tequila. Over 400 years ago, the Spanish conquerors arrived and taught the Village Elder distillation techniques which he later applied to the agave, thus creating the Mezcal. Those traditions were passed down from generation to generation, immortalizing the image of the Elder and his archaic wisdom on these wooden doors.

Lightstone Group came to QNY Creative to craft a compelling brand for a new restaurant space and Tequila Lounge in Miami. At the heart of the project was a Mexican influence distinctly imbued with tradition. We assisted in the naming, branding and collateral design of the VIP experience behind the Mezcalista Tequila Lounge.

With touches of references to ancient Mezcal-making traditions and Aztec aesthetics, the location has become a sanctuary for Tequila tasting. Everywhere, from its natural earthbound finishes, carvings, artifacts, and vibrant dark colors, the Mezcal Lounge indulges in the ancient flavors of Mexico. The logo’s serpentine curvature and flexible design is a reference to the iconic Aztec and Mayan snake that plays a significant role in ancient Mexican mythology. Snakes, according to legend, were sacred to the Aztec peoples, who venerated them, believing them to be the feathered serpent God Quetzalcoatl, the personification of the earth. The handmade lettering of the Mezcalista lounge evokes a similar devotion with its fine detailing and striking loops.

The color palette chosen echoes the Lounge’s warm interiors, bursting with terracotta, toasted brown, and ceramic-inspired hues that are inviting and cozy at the same time. The collateral espouses this ethos by providing the perfect backdrop for a revisitation
of a tradition that spans thousands of years and tasteful notes.