Mezcal Por Siempre: Year Two in LA

Mezcal Por Siempre is back for its second year, and this time it's taking over the Los Angeles River Center & Gardens on Saturday, September 19. Presented by Madre Oaxacan Restaurant & Mezcaleria, the festival is one of the more thoughtful food and drink events LA has seen in years. It's not a standard spirits-industry trade show but a genuine celebration of campesino heritage and the ancestral production methods that give mezcal its distinct character.

The setting matters here. The River Center's gardens give the whole thing an outdoor, unhurried feel that fits the subject. Mezcal isn't a drink you rush, and this festival doesn't ask you to.

What You'll Find Inside

The main draw is the tastings led by maestros mezcaleros (the artisans who oversee every stage of production, from harvesting agave to distillation). You'll hear directly from people who know the spirit better than anyone, which makes the tasting something more than just sipping through a flight of glasses.

Food vendors round out the experience, leaning into the Oaxacan culinary tradition that pairs so naturally with mezcal. Art installations and live music fill in the rest of the afternoon, with dance performances that connect the cultural roots of the drink to the broader heritage it comes from.

Every GA ticket includes a commemorative tasting copita. If you're going VIP, expect early entry, an opening ceremony, and an after-party at Bar Flores with complimentary food, a solid extension of the day for anyone who wants to keep the conversation going into the evening.

Tickets and Pricing

General admission starts at $81.88 with fees included. Grab tickets on Eventbrite before they go. The event draws a crowd that cares about what's in the glass, so availability tends to tighten as the weekend approaches.

This is one of the better food events in Los Angeles this fall if mezcal, Oaxacan culture, or outdoor festivals are your thing.

Getting There

The Los Angeles River Center & Gardens sits at 570 W Avenue 26 in the Cypress Park neighborhood, just north of downtown LA. It's accessible from the 5 or 110 freeways, and street parking is available in the surrounding area. The venue is walkable from the Lincoln/Cypress Park Metro A Line station for anyone coming by rail.

For more things to do in Los Angeles this weekend, check the food and drink events calendar or browse LA events by neighborhood.