Francisco “Pancho” Castillon at Farmacia Rita Pérez, Guadalajara

Relaxed Farmacia Rita Pérez is home to welcoming service and a killer aguachile menu. Francisco “Pancho” Castillon’s engaging personality sets the tone, while a rousing jukebox and vintage organ turn out tunes in a country where indoor dining (with masks and temperature checks) is still an option. Here, agave spirits reign, but gin delights come in the form of drinks like Quinina Fina: Jaliscan-made Clover Club Gin, lavender bitters, basil and tonic water.

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING IN THE PANDEMIC?

We opened in August 2020 and the pandemic has been present for us from the first. We bet on empowering the work staff with knowledge, training and having fun tasting to better understand the beautiful spirits we offer. In this way, we can give a personalised touch to our customers and thus better share the experience of our spirits and cocktails.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION LOOKING AHEAD?

[We are in] a stage of death and rebirth. Many places will not survive, others will continue despite the damage and others, like us, were born in chaos. I personally think that what a situation like this teaches us is: nothing is certain, and everything can happen at any time. Prepare for the unexpected, adapt to the new rules and be creative, do not complain about what you have no control over, try harder than you imagined, empathise with the reality of others, do not magnify adversity, and most importantly, never lose your sense of humour.