I am of Mexican Descent but I embrace the eclectic mix of American practices first, and then…read moreMexican traditions. Like I would opt to attend a concert in the Disney Concert Hall before a Corrido, 100% percent of the time. Nevertheless, I still feel a connection to Mexican culture that endures. This connection, I felt was respected, when I saw Coco. I know, I know, Coco was an animated project that literally gave caricature form to Mexican traditions. In doing so, however, it gave fresh vibrancy with color and detail, cultural songs that are not tired, and a story that centralized the the spirit of Mexican lore with respectable flare. In contrast, Las Perlas had aspects that, in my opinion, caricaturized Hispanic culture. So let us start the review by exploring the contrast of what seemed fresh and what seem stale, at least in one Yelpers opinion.
What has withstood the test of time, is the tequila selection and how it is displayed in a shelf. All the bottles are stacked by size, color, and together say- this is the house that tequila build, sample different kinds but just use some caution or else your face might know the pound of the floor. I also noticed (and clipped) a picture of a ladder that can be used to climb to get the bottles from the top. So literally effort and climb is required to reach the top shelf booze of the place. The focal point of the tequila shelf was an image of the Virgin Mary. For me, this is where the situation becomes a bit more complex but not necesirarily in a cool way. The Virgin Mary is the patron saint of Mexico, and on her birthday celebrations and pilgrimages abound to celebrate her life. I have been to LA's Cathedral and her famous and she is celebrated by lights that form into red roses, and by patrons who go seeking her favor by reverence. Using her image to show that she is blessing tequilas or their pure intent seems to minimize or twist her purpose. Like do people really want connect the reverence owed to the mother of a deity to an item that is used to lubricate a party? Maybe. I have heard that Dyonosus- Greek God of Wine-- sponsored some great parties through libations. I know that I might have dived deep into my thoughts here but what was one stylish and novel can now be considered un-modern.
On another quick example, we see Campesinos (field workers) tend to the leafs that give tequila to the world. These workers were doing back breaking labor, one can feel the heat and soreness of the workers just by seeing the mural. And in the clip two girls are using their phone, to keep up with modern demands--- whether that be posting, influencing or moving stock funds around. Thus, in my opinion, the picture of laborers tending fields is one that should be balanced as Mexican's should no longer just be shown as braceros and laborers, even in this bar.
I came around 9 and this bar was sort of crowded, the party was starting to build. I sat and drank their La Fresa Loca drink, with vodka instead of tequila. Special nod to their menu for being loteria-tablet-like. The drink was delicious, refreshing, and it made me feel like I was drinking a fun and fruity cocktail. I paid for two in advance then closed my card. They allowed for that. As soon as I finished one, I could order a new one. That was kind of neat, and I never had tried the strategy before. It helped me get my drinks in before the crowd accumulated.
This is definitely a party spot, and I can see how it hits hard later in the evening. If you are the type of person that gets distracted with decorations and their place and message in modern times, like me, one might over think. But if one just wants to party hard with tequila and some tacos, and ladies, and gents, then this place handles.