The Century-Old Bank Vault Tequila Tasting Experience

While Tampa descends into pirate chaos, a sophisticated sanctuary awaits behind tons of polished steel in historic West Tampa.

On Gasparilla Eve, Friday, January 30th, Catrinas Tacos and Tequila Bar will unlock its authentic 1906 bank vault for the premiere of "La Bóveda" (The Vault)—an ultra-exclusive sensory experience where culinary art meets master distillation.

This is not your typical tequila tasting. This is an intimate dialogue between gastronomy and agave, personally orchestrated by Executive Chef and gifted mixologist Tisbeth Mejia inside a space originally built to protect treasure. And for us, these spirits truly are the treasure.

La Bóveda is an immersive journey through Mexico's finest agave spirits, featuring:

✦ Three Exceptionally Rare Tequilas
Selected from Chef Mejia's formidable collection—one of the most extensive premium agave libraries in Tampa Bay. These aren't bottles you'll find at ordinary bars.

✦ One Elusive Mezcal
The smoky, complex cousin of tequila that tells its own story of artisanal production and regional terroir.

✦ Four Bespoke Culinary Palate Cleansers
Each spirit is paired with a masterfully composed scratch-made creation by Chef Mejia, specifically designed to unlock and complement the nuanced flavor profiles of the agave. This isn't garnish—this is gastronomy working in harmony with distillation.

Recognized across Tampa Bay for her authentic scratch kitchen and reverence for premium agave spirits, Chef Tisbeth Mejia will personally educate you on:

✓ The provenance of each spirit—where it comes from, who made it, why it matters
✓ The gastronomy behind each pairing—how specific flavors interact with complex agave notes
✓ The art of tasting—proper techniques to appreciate these spirits like the fine treasures they are
✓ The cultural storytelling—the traditions and craftsmanship behind each pour

"With La Bóveda, we are creating an intimate dialogue between culinary art and master distillation. Inside the vault, I will personally guide guests through how specific flavors in our scratch-made pairings interact with the complex notes of these rare spirits. It is a sensory experience meant to be savored inside a space built to protect treasure."
— Executive Chef Tisbeth Mejia

You're not just tasting rare spirits—you're doing it inside an authentic century-old bank safe within the imposing Bank of West Tampa building.

The massive steel vault doors, original brass fixtures, and architectural grandeur create an atmosphere of exclusivity and history that elevates this beyond a typical tasting into a true experience. This vault protected the fortunes of West Tampa's wealthy elite for over a century. Tonight, it protects something even more precious—Mexico's finest agave craftsmanship.

For this Gasparilla Eve premiere only, those vault doors swing open for a select few.

📅 Date: Friday, January 30th, 2026 (Gasparilla Eve)
🕘 Time: Doors at 9:00 PM - Arrive early
📍 Venue: Catrinas Tacos and Tequila Bar
🏠 Address: 1611 N Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33607 (Historic West Tampa)
💰 Price: $50 per person
⚠️ Capacity: Extremely limited for intimate experience
🔞 Age: 21+ only (valid ID required)
⏱️ Duration: Approximately 90 minutes

OPTION 1: LA BÓVEDA VAULT EXPERIENCE ONLY ✨
$50 - This Ticket

• Exclusive access to the historic vault
• 4-course guided agave spirits journey (3 rare tequilas + 1 rare mezcal)
• Chef-prepared culinary pairings with each spirit
• Personal education from Executive Chef Tisbeth Mejia
• Intimate setting with extremely limited capacity

Note: This ticket grants you vault access ONLY. You will not have access to the main floor event.

OPTION 2: THE COMPLETE EXPERIENCE 🎉
$60 Total ($10 Main Event + $50 La Bóveda)
Everything in Option 1, PLUS:

• Full access to the main floor celebration
• Live performance by Tampa's viral sensation Ambito Latin Band
• Open-format Latin DJs spinning salsa, bachata, reggaeton, merengue all night
• Indoor and outdoor flow
• Premium cocktails available for purchase
• High-energy Latin nightlife atmosphere
• Dance until close

Get your main event ticket here: https://maloofentertainment.com/Gasparilla_2026
(Separate ticket required - $10 advance)

While the rest of Tampa descends into typical festival chaos, La Bóveda positions itself as the elevated alternative—the invasion night for connoisseurs.

✦ Authentic Over Manufactured
No gimmicks. No shortcuts. Just authentic culinary storytelling and spirits treated with the reverence of fine cognac.

✦ Intimate Over Overwhelming
While the main floor pulses with energy, the vault offers a sanctuary of sophistication with extremely limited capacity and personal attention from Chef Mejia herself.

✦ Quality Over Quantity
These aren't mass-market spirits. Chef Mejia has assembled one of Tampa Bay's most formidable collections of premium agave—and she's sharing the crown jewels with you.

✦ Experience Over Entertainment
This is sensory immersion. Educational elevation. A journey through Mexican craftsmanship guided by a master of her craft in a space that commands respect.

✦ Memorable Over Forgettable
Everyone will have a Gasparilla story. Only you will have the La Bóveda story—the night you tasted rare mezcal inside a century-old bank vault while a master chef explained exactly why it matters.

You're not just attending an event—you're witnessing the birth of a new Tampa tradition.

After this Gasparilla Eve premiere, La Bóveda will become a monthly ritual at Catrinas for those seeking authentic Latin nightlife combined with premium culinary craftsmanship.

But this is the first. The inaugural. The premiere. And premieres carry weight.

Be part of the story from the beginning. Secure your place in La Bóveda history.

La Bóveda speaks to:

• Connoisseurs who appreciate craft over commercialization
• Couples seeking sophisticated date night experiences
• Groups who value quality over crowds
• Anyone who treats spirits with the reverence they deserve
• Professionals looking to impress clients or celebrate with class
• Those who collect experiences, not just Instagram moments (though you'll get those too)
• People who understand that the best nights aren't always the loudest ones

If you've ever said:
"I wish Tampa had more sophisticated nightlife options..."
"I'm tired of the same generic bar scene..."
"I want Gasparilla weekend, but elevated..."

This is your answer.

The vault wasn't designed for crowds—it was designed for valuables. And that's exactly how we're treating this experience.

Limited capacity ensures:
✓ Personal interaction with Chef Tisbeth Mejia
✓ Intimate, not overwhelming, atmosphere
✓ Everyone can hear, see, and engage
✓ Proper appreciation of the spirits and pairings
✓ The exclusivity you're paying for

When tickets sell out, they're gone. There's no "adding more spots" in a century-old bank vault with a fixed square footage and a chef who refuses to compromise quality for quantity.

Let's be honest about what $50 gets you:

❌ NOT a typical $50 night out:

• Not watered-down well drinks
• Not mass-produced tequila shots
• Not a crowded bar with no experience
• Not generic "tequila tastings" with grocery store bottles

✅ WHAT YOU'RE ACTUALLY GETTING:

• Access to a space normally closed to the public
• Four exceptionally rare spirits (worth $200+ retail if you could even find them)
• Four bespoke culinary creations from a recognized Tampa Bay chef
• 90 minutes of personal education and interaction
• An experience you literally cannot buy anywhere else in Tampa
• A premiere event you'll talk about for years

The real question isn't "Why $50?"
The real question is: Where else can you get this for $50?

Contact Maloof Entertainment:
📱 Phone: 813-738-2444
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌐 Web: MaloofEntertainment.com

For VIP table reservations on the main floor or private group experiences, please call directly.

This is the sophisticated alternative Tampa has been hungry for. This is West Tampa's answer to cookie-cutter nightlife. This is where culinary art meets master distillation in a space built to protect treasure.

The vault doors open on Gasparilla Eve.
Will you be inside?

Reserve your exclusive La Bóveda experience before capacity fills.

Presented by Maloof Entertainment - Creators of Classic Salsa Sundays and Viernes Social
In partnership with Catrinas Tacos and Tequila Bar - Authentic Mexican cuisine & Tampa Bay's premier agave spirits collection

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Catrinas Tacos and Tequila Bar, 1611 North Howard Avenue, Tampa, United States

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