Long Beach’s Viaje continues to be Belmont Shore’s stalwart in cocktail creation

Viaje in Belmont Shore is one of the more stellar examples in our city’s always-continuing-to-grow cocktail game. Following the lead of former head bartenders Tiquio Serratos and Jason Epsin, newly minted bar boss Ruben Martinez explores and maps his own program with Mirate-like adoration of Mexican spirits and ingredients.

“I want to celebrate and uplift Mexico’s output,” Ruben said. “One of the new cocktails has absinthe in it. But then I discovered there is a distiller that creates a Mexican version—so I have to wait for that to come in and see if that cocktail will even remain on the menu as we shift to using the Mexican absinthe.”

Sakes from Sinaloa. Non-agave spirits like the (rightfully) growing La Condesa brand. Ruben deeply respects the Mexican diaspora—but is unafraid of also altering people’s perceptions of Viaje. His stellar “Moda Chicali” cocktail will go on to replace the space’s much-loved, household staple “La Condesa.”

“It needs to change and we need to evolve,” Ruben said. “I often visit Mexicali, which has a huge Asian community—something few people quickly associate with Mexican culture. These are the little things I want to start bringing back home here.”

A look into Viaje’s Last Call cocktails…

Ruben has created three cocktails for Long Beach Last Call 2026, including an updated version of the Viaje classic, “Chac Mool.”

Moda Chicali: Ford’s gin | Destilado de pulque | Sake Sinaloense | Elderflower | Lemon | Guanábana | Rose

Primer Baso: G4 Blanco | Lillet Rose | Watermelon | Cilantro | Aloe vera | Lime | Absinthe | Saline

Chac Mool (2026): El Negocio Tequila | Derrumbes “Durangenesis” Mezcal | Chile passila | Demerara | Mole

So what are some of the highlights of Viaje’s regular cocktail menu?

Cenizo malvado: Nuestra Soledad Mezcal Reposado | green chile vodka | cilantro | lime | peach foam

Elotero de bola: Salvadores Elote Mezcal | Abasolo Mexican Whiskey | corn | almond | vanilla

Amor saturno: Roku Gin | Planetary Oftd Rum | port | passionfruit | mango | lime | vanilla

Hasta el cielo: El Silencio Espadín Mezcal | cantaloupe | aloe vera | basil | lemon

En la primavera: Divino Maguey Mezcal | Smith & Cross Jamaican Rum | Lillet Rosé | guava | gentian

Pocho: Mal Bien Mezcal | George Dickel Bourbon | pineapple | guanabana | lime | cane | angostura

Sunday Service: El Tesoro Blanco Tequila | Aperol | ginger | cucumber

How Viaje went from casual fast Baja taco spot to elevated Mexican cuisine

Owner Julio Guitierrez had been running (the very-much missed) Baja Fish Tacos in Belmont Shore for years. The fast-casual joint that made an open shaming call toward the Rubio’s down the street—and by that, I mean it showcased how true Baja-style fish tacos should and could be represented Stateside.

Back in early 2018, he saw a large shift in the way eateries present themselves in the neighborhood: With the success of more detailed-meets-elevated comfort food like Simmzy’s and Saint & Second, Guitierrez decided to entirely gut his space.

Ditching the fast-casual concept and specifically privatizing the space he uses for the Baja Fish Taco franchise, he wanted to go toward the direction he saw Belmont Shore going.

With a design by SMS Architects, the space has homages toward Mexico’s cultural legacies—handmade and hand-painted tiles, plaster, warm colors contrasting—while honing in on an overall contemporary feel.

And it’s at the bar is where the magic happens.

Long Beach Last Call: A 10-day celebration of Long Beach’s cocktail and bar scene

Long Beach Last Call was born following the success of my restaurant week, Long Beach Food Scene Week, and serves as a 10-day toast to the bars, bartenders, and cocktail creatives that define Long Beach’s drinking culture.

Designed as both a celebration and a spotlight, the citywide event highlights the craftsmanship behind the stick—from meticulously built classics, like the special NOLA-centric menu at The Ordinarie this year, to boundary-pushing original creations, like those at Olive & Rose—while encouraging locals to explore neighborhood institutions and hidden gems alike.

At its core, Long Beach Last Call isn’t just about cocktails; it’s about community, storytelling, and honoring the independent spaces that give the city its distinct flavor after dark.

Viaje is located 5224 E. 2nd St.