BARTENDER Magazine’s 26 for 26: Crystal Mendoza

“Born in California and raised in South Texas, Crystal Mendoza now calls Long Beach home—and she’s been making waves in the hospitality scene. With a degree in marketing and a deep passion for the bar world, Crystal thrives behind the bar at an acclaimed Los Angeles cocktail bar and takes on select freelance projects, especially those that bring big energy behind the scenes at large-scale events.

Her competitive spirit took off after winning a regional speed-bartending competition in 2023, and she’s been chasing that high-speed thrill ever since—earning a spot among the Top 10 in a major national cocktail competition in 2025.

A proud part of the Long Beach community for the past seven years, Crystal teaches local cocktail classes and is always building something new to inspire and connect others in the industry.

Whether she’s shaking up drinks or teaching the next generation of bartenders, Crystal does it all with heart, hustle, and a whole lot of style.”