breaking Bad Stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul surprised Tampa Bay fans on Friday with stops at a few local businesses.
The couple, best known for their hit AMC show, are in Florida promoting their brand of mezcal, Dos Hombres. Their visits drew crowds of people, some who arrived at the events by accident. In Orlando, the stars appeared at the Liquor Library & Wine Market and Bar Louie’s on Wednesday night, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
In Dunedin on Friday morning, a line of fans lined up outside the store and meandered around the building and through the parking lot of Luekens Wine & Spirits, where Cranston and Paul were signing and handing out bottles of their signature liquor. The duo arrived around 11 a.m. and left around 1:15 p.m.
Luekens employee Jimmy Derank said the store sold more than 900 bottles of Dos Hombres at the event, and assumed around 700 fans showed up to greet the stars and pick up autographs.
“They were just awesome,” Defrank said of the duo. “Just awesome.”
Later that day, the couple surprised midday diners at American Social in Tampa, where a host of bargoers filled the Harbor Island venue while Paul and Cranston played bartender, whipping up dozens of cocktails. A signature drink was made for the event: Dos Hombres, Campari, Aperol, passion fruit, pineapple, lime juice and port. Bartender Devin Woodring said the bar will start selling the yet-unnamed drink in the near future.
Ashley McCorkle, 28, was at American Social to celebrate her friend’s bachelorette party when she said the stars showed up and surprised them.
“They were just amazing overall,” McCorkle said.
Cranston and Paul launched their brand of mezcal in 2019. According to the company’s website, the spirit is the product of “several generations of proud mezcal producers” from the village of San Luis del Rio, Oaxaca, Mexico. .
Dig into Tampa Bay’s food and drink scenes
Subscribe to our free Taste newsletter
Get news, insights and reviews of the restaurants and bars you crave every Thursday from food critic Helen Freund.
You are all registered!
Want more of our free weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s start.
Explore all your options