Aniceto Mendoza was stabbed in his buttock by one of his dear lover for being a womanizer. He brings this retablo to the Virgin of Guadalupe infinitely thanking her for he have enough time to run away from this crazy broad.

Puebla, 1917

My old man Cirilo used to drink in the bar with his friends. I was very desperate because he couldn’t stop. I begged the Holy Lord of Chalma to help him to quit this sin, and thanks to his divine intervention my old man amended his ways and became a good worker.

Domitila Castrejon ~ Tlaquepaque, Jalisco

Virgin of Guadalupe, we ask you to rest in peace the souls from don Chucho’s pulqueria-bar.

Catarino Pantoja was in a tavern when his beloved ones began fighting each other. They two ended up in the hospital, along with the baby. Catarino thanks the Merciful Lord with this retablo because all three have already come out of the hospital and he managed to get rid of them.

Puebla, 1914

— Don’t you dare, son… anymore.
— One more?
— One more whitey…

Señor Arnolfo Layo gives thanks to the Holy Death because he stopped drinking alcohol starting October 12, 2010, and went to work in construction to support his family. Amen.

Thanks to Saint Martha I could go far in my profession as a bartender. She answered my pleas so I worked in the best restaurants and bars and gained competence. Now I have my own bar.

Puerto Vallarta, 2019

My eternal gratitude to Saint Charbel for hearing my prayers and making so that my three sons—the Salazar brothers—have finished their studies and got degrees despite the fact that they were always in the town mezcaleria-bar.

Concha Vega, Salazar widow

My husband changed for the worse. He began to visit bars and ladies of easy virtue. I was afraid to lose him, so I prayed to the Virgin so that he wouldn’t go a bad path. Finally I had an idea. I said to him that if he’d continue to behave naughty, I would not cook for him anymore. And I cook really good. He thought it over and broke off his bad habits. I thank the Virgin of San Juan.

Zapopan, Mexico, 1980

The other night my friend and I went to the bar to drink some tequilas. But we lost control, and after a while got so drunk and sentimental talking about our fails in love that when we realized what was going on we were pretty close to each another and ready to kiss. We thank the Lord of Chalma for we have our conscience back and didn’t do it. We remain being friends as usual.

Juan N. and Silvestre R. ~ Tonala, Jalisco

Sebastian Gomes gulped too many pulque and fell down. Since he didn’t put his arms in front of him, he smashed his mug into the floor and cut it with the broken glass shattered there. He thank Saint Judas for his face has been healed up with no marks left.

Puebla, 1918

Demetrio Chavez was about to have a drink with his buddy in the pulqueria bar, when he felt a terrible pain in the stomach. The pain was so strong he felt like dying. He thanks Saint Martin with this retablo for he has been cured.

Tlaxcala, 1930

Forgive me, Virgin of Juquila, and I promise not to spend my fortnight salary on mezcal anymore.

Abel Templos

Pulqueria-bar “La Pescadora” thanks the Virgin of Guadalupe with this ex-voto for the health of all of us and our clients in the time of COVID-19, for letting us keep selling pulque, despite the adversities, and for celebrating 60 years of our pulqueman Margarito.

Mexico City, June 24, 2020