By james art 
Mark Wahlberg was the latest celebrity to come to downtown Reno when he stopped by the Eldorado Hotel & Casino Friday night to promote his Flecha Azul tequila brand.
Samples are available and Wahlberg meets local fans of his movies and music.
Wahlberg moved to Las Vegas in 2022, a move he says was right for his family.
“Vegas is a big state and a big city, but life is very small town,” he told RGJ. “Everybody knows everybody … I really wanted to give my kids and family a better quality of life and we found it here.”
He loved traveling around the state until now. It’s served him well in business—he’s overseen two movie productions so far, and in September opened his newest restaurant, Flecha Cantina in Las Vegas’ Town Square.
“I might be able to bring them in, but the food is what will keep them coming back,” he said of the new restaurant venture.
He echoed that thought about the tequila.
“Most of the great ones [tequila] brands have never had a celebrity to endorse them. We’re creating a little more awareness and excitement for the brand, but … first, second and third we have to do the quality.”
Wahlberg has had a more varied career than most. He first gained recognition as a rapper, followed by a stint as a Calvin Klein model. But his film career catapulted him to the A-list.
Flecha Azul was co-founded by Mexican entrepreneur Aaron Marquez and Mexican-American professional golfer Abraham Anser, who launched the product in 2020. Wahlberg became a major investor in the company in 2022.
Produced in Jalisco, Mexico, the company offers blanco, reposado and three añejo tequila options.
Flecha Azul’s blanco tequila is $54.99 a bottle with extra añejo for $307.99. More information can be found on his website.
Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey was in Reno last week to promote Ramsey’s Kitchen at Silver Legacy.