Bricia Lopez and Park MGM to Bring Oaxacan Flavor to Las Vegas with Mama Rabbit Bar
James Beard Award-winner Bricia Lopez, lovingly dubbed a “Oaxacan Princess” by the late Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Jonathan Gold, has joined forces with Park MGM to celebrate the culture and spirit of Oaxaca – the birthplace of mezcal – with the debut of Mama Rabbit Bar in late July.
Fusing the dynamic atmosphere of a Mexican taverna with the intimate and sexy allure of a speakeasy, Mama Rabbit will become Las Vegas’ definitive mezcal-and-tequila destination. Lively music will capture the state of Oaxaca’s electric energy while a bold and bright art program pays homage to the region’s famously vibrant art scene. Mama Rabbit will feature Las Vegas’ largest collection of tequila and mezcal, highlighting a wide range of Mexican flavors. Anything but reserved, Mama Rabbit will be a feast for the senses.
Guests can expect three distinct environments to set the mood for their night. The double-sided bar will serve walk-up guests daily, while the sophisticated taverna will treat guests to relaxed surroundings. The lounge, complete with luxe banquettes and an elaborately decorated fiINSERT will feature a robust lineup of live performances that will transition throughout the evening.
The name Mama Rabbit is inspired by the legend of Mayahuel, the goddess of agave and fertility, who is said to have had 400 rabbit children and nourished them with mezcal and tequila. Over time, those rabbits came to symbolize the entire spectrum of feelings one experiences while embracing the spirits. And now, it’s Mayahuel’s time to come back to life and reclaim her place in the world as Mama Rabbit.
“We are incredibly proud to collaborate with Bricia Lopez – who is largely responsible for mezcal’s rise to popularity in the U.S. – for what will be the foremost destination for experiencing Mexican spirits in Las Vegas,” said Sean Christie, president of events and nightlife for MGM Resorts International. “Bricia’s knowledge, upbringing and passion for Oaxacan heritage and culture, paired with Park MGM, the newest must-see resort on The Strip, will make for a vivacious and nuanced experience that will captivate guests.”
Lopez, Mama Rabbit’s cultural consultant, said, “I’m so excited to work with MGM Resorts to create a concept that honors the mythology, the culture and the diversity of spirits born from my roots in Oaxaca, Mexico. I can’t wait to introduce Las Vegas to my heritage and help guests cultivate a love for mezcal and Oaxaca.”
Born and raised in Mitla, Oaxaca, rich in culinary tradition and indigenous food culture, Lopez comes from a long lineage of Oaxacan Mezcal craftsmen and grew up in her grandmother’s kitchen living the traditions of mole and true artisanal cooking. In 1994, her father founded Guelaguetza, a James Beard Award-winning Oaxacan restaurant that has become a temple to Oaxacan food and tradition in Los Angeles and the U.S. Lopez is a staunch proponent of Oaxacan culture and an integral figure in the gastronomic culture of Los Angeles. She was named LA’s official Mezcalera by Mayor Eric Garcetti and one of Zagat’s 16 Power Players in LA’s dining and drinking scene.
Details about Mama Rabbit’s design, beverage and culinary programs will be shared in the coming months, leading up to the venue’s opening this summer.
For more information about Park MGM, visit Park MGM’s website.