Inside Las Perlas, Downtown Austin's New Mezcal Haven

Austin is getting a new downtown mezcal bar with the debut of Las Perlas, led by Los Angeles’ bar group 213 Hospitality. The Oaxaca-inspired bar is found right next door to sibling bar, the whiskey-obsessed Seven Grand, on East 7th Street. This is 213 Hospitality Group’s second location of the bar, with the first found in Los Angeles.

Las Perlas focuses on the smoky agave-based spirit, with a selection of 400 different bottles. The mezcal is available for sipping in copitas, as well as mixed in cocktails. There are margaritas Negronis, palomas, and the spicy Poblano Escobar with pineapple, poblano peppers, and cumin, plus cocktail pitchers. For non-mezcal drinks, there are bottled and canned beers.

Eater photographer Courtney Pierce took a tour of the mezcal bar. The bright pale green bar showcases mezcal bottles. The longleaf pine bar top comes from the construction of the Riverwalk in San Antonio in 1891. Out back, the patio is shared with Seven Grand. Painted throughout the space are 400 rabbits, as an reference to the Aztec myth about the agave plant goddess Mayahuel.

Much like Seven Grand’s Whiskey Society, Las Perlas will host its own mezcal educational programs. The Mezcal Collective will host master distillers and brand ambassadors.

In October, Las Perlas will serve tacos from an unnamed taco vendor. It will also host live music that month, ranging from mariachi Tejano bands on weeknights from 10 p.m. until closing.

The downtown mezcal bar is hosting an opening party on Thursday, September 14. Its nightly hours are from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Nightly happy hour runs until 8 p.m. with $5 cocktails and $3 beers. Las Perlas isn’t to be confused with Tejano bar La Perla on East 6th Street.

Under 213 Hospitality’s Austin umbrella are Seven Grand and Chris Bostick’s Rainey Street bar Half Step.

• Las Perlas [Official]
• Las Perlas [Facebook]
• Las Perlas [Instagram]