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The third annual We Are Puerto Vallarta Awards took center stage April 1, 2026, at Coco Cabaret in the city’s Zona Romántica, bringing together community leaders, business owners and residents to celebrate the people and places that help define one of Mexico’s most dynamic destinations. An after-party was held at El Granero Restaurant & Bar.
The show was hosted by award founder Jamie Alexander and singer Eva Jimenez. The ceremony’s opening act was performed by the well-known drag queen and singer Sutton Lee Seymour. Throughout the evening, there were special performances by the cast of the Rat Pack Show (Nacho Granado, Alexis Macías, and Armando Chakám), as well as drag queen and singer Evita Loca.
Launched in 2023, the awards began as a grassroots initiative designed to give visitors and locals a formal voice in recognizing excellence across Puerto Vallarta’s hospitality, tourism and service industries. What started as a simple survey quickly evolved into a citywide celebration, driven not by critics or insiders, but by the lived experiences of those who dine, stay and explore here.
By its third year, the program had grown significantly in both scale and influence. Organizers reported more than 170,000 votes cast during the 2026 voting period, reflecting the awards’ expanding reach and the deep engagement of the community.
Categories spanned a wide range of industries, from restaurants and nightlife to real estate, tours and professional services. The awards also included LGBTQ+-focused categories, reflecting Puerto Vallarta’s status as one of the world’s leading gay destinations and recognizing the businesses and individuals who actively support that community.
Unlike traditional awards programs, the We Are Puerto Vallarta Awards were built on public participation. Organizers implemented safeguards to ensure fair voting, limiting duplicate submissions and maintaining the integrity of the results. Over time, feedback from voters helped shape the evolution of the awards, leading to expanded categories and a more refined process.
The awards highlighted the collaborative nature of Puerto Vallarta’s success. From small, independently owned restaurants to established tourism operators, the program brought visibility to a wide spectrum of contributors. In doing so, it reinforced the idea that the city’s global reputation is built not by a single sector, but by the collective efforts of many.
Through this issue you will see features on some of the winners and finalists.
Official Sponsors:
- Gold Sponsors: Matt Karimi and David Smith
- Silver Sponsors: Let’s Pho, Tamale’s Tours, and Canto Restaurant
- Bronze Sponsors: Daiquiri Dick’s, BOA Spa, Thrive, Lara Studios, and Bravo’s
- Venue Sponsors: Coco Cabaret and El Granero
- Media Sponsors: PVRPV, PV Everything and O&APV Magazine
Official Winners:
RESTAURANTS AND FOOD
- Favorite Taco Stand: Sonorita Olas Altas
- Favorite Specialty Cuisine: Canto Modern Cantonese Bistro
- Favorite Casual Dining: Casita & Garden
- Favorite Fine Dining: Bravos Restaurant PV
- Favorite Upscale Contemporary Dining: Barcelona Tapas
- Favorite Brunch: Coco’s Kitchen
- Favorite Breakfast: Mi Café
- Favorite Restaurant with a View: Barcelona Tapas
- Favorite Beach Restaurant: La Palapa Restaurant
- Favorite Hamburger: Slice and Smash
- Favorite Steakhouse: La Vaca Argentina
- Favorite Pizza: Los Muertos Brewing
- Favorite Mexican Restaurant: Gaby’s Restaurant Bar
- Favorite Restaurant in Versalles: Whiskey Kitchen
- Favorite Restaurant in Marina: La Terraza Di Roma
- Favorite Local Coffee Shop: A Page in the Sun
- Favorite Chef: Pepe Valtierra & Charlie Rubio
MUSIC AND ENTERTAINMENT
- Favorite Ticketed Performance Venue: The Palm
- Favorite Open-Access Performance Venue: La Catrina Cantina
- Favorite Drag Queen Performer (Touring): Miss Conception
- Favorite Drag Performer (Local): Mizz Peachez
- Favorite Live Entertainer (Solo Show) – Female Artist: Amy Armstrong
- Favorite Live Entertainer (Solo Show) – Male Artist: Kevin Anthony
- Favorite Live Entertainer (Group Show): Monaco
- Favorite Piano (Solo Show): Effie Passero
- Favorite Show of the Season: Witch Please – Sutton Lee Seymour
- Favorite Choreography in a Show: Boys on Fire
DRINKS AND NIGHTLIFE
- Favorite Gay Bar: The Corner Bar
- Favorite Ultra Club: Industry Night Club
- Favorite Place to Get a Drink: Blondies
- Favorite Margarita: Daiquiri Dick’s on the Beach
- Favorite Happy Hour: Jorge’s Bar
- Favorite Martini: Twisted Palms
- Favorite Bartender: Manuel Betancourt (La Catrina Cantina)
- Favorite Beach Day Club: Ritmos Beach Café
LOCAL SHOPS AND SERVICES
- Favorite Jewelry Shop: Cassandra Shaw Jewelry
- Favorite Art Gallery: Galleria Dante
- Favorite Spa: Acqua Spa for Men
- Favorite MedSpa: Thrive IV
- Favorite Bakery: Artisan Bakery
- Favorite Barber/Hairstylist: Erik Velazquez (La Barbería)
- Favorite Local Mercado: Old Town Market
- Favorite Boat Tours: Tamale’s Tours
PERSON OF THE YEAR
- Outstanding Business Owner (Community Contributions): Charlie Huynh (Let’s Pho)
- Outstanding Individual (Community Contributions): Marcia Blondin (Vallarta Mirror)
- Outstanding Volunteer (Community Contributions): Lydia Damato (Volunteer at Large)
- Lifetime Achievement Award: Kim Kuzma (Performer & Entertainer)
This article was featured in our Summer 2026 issue. Read the digital copy here.
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