Lauren Drewes Daniels
Audio By Carbonatix
The margarita machine, as we know it, was born in Dallas. So, it’s pretty much our duty to celebrate the day, either with a plate of Tex-Mex or unwinding after another long week. Here are some of our favorite spots in the city from $250 concoctions at The Mexican to low-key authenticity at Las Almos Rotas or Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca
334 W Jefferson Blvd.
Where are we going for National Margarita Day? Ayahuasca, duh. This mystical bar is one of our favorites that transmits ancestral Mexican flavors with killer drinks to match; and don’t get us started on the atmosphere. Each section of their cocktail menu highlights a significant time in Mexico’s history, starting from the pre-Hispanic era to the Mexican Revolution. The Nahual-rita is a clarified margarita made with Mijenta blanco tequila, citrus acid, Naranjita liqueur and topped with their seasonal foam.
La Viuda Negra
2513 N Fitzhugh Ave.
This speakeasy behind a bridal shop facade – hence, the black widow (la viuda negra) – is also conveniently next to the amazing El Come Taco, which is some of our favorite tacos in the city. For this holiday, barkeep Javier Villalva is whipping up a Sierra Potosina with Desolas Mezcal. “Desolas is more vegetal, so we combine it with the natural sweetness of bell pepper, added peach liqueur, a tang of lime, and finish it off with a touch of Chinicul Salt to create the “Sunrise Salutation” cocktail – a grounded and reviving cocktail,” Villalva says. Sunrise Salutation is our next tatt.
Las Palmas Tex-Mex
2708 Routh St.
Las Palmas is Uptown’s go-to for all things Tex-Mex. The margs here are formidable. Go easy. They have a full menu of agaves if you want to go beyond just the house margarita.
Saint Valentine
4800 Bryan St.
Saint Valentine is an East Dallas cocktail lounge with easy vibes. You can take our Chanel bags and your date can wear their dusty Vans. Look for the La Niña shaken up at Saint Valentine won the 2024 Margarita Off, and while that alone should convince you to try it, we persist. It’s made with Patrón Silver, guava tepache, lime, gomme syrup and salted ginger foam. While you sip on that mingle with barkeep Frank. He once saved a baby from a fire and still clocked in on time (joke). He’s a man for the people, and he makes a mean cocktail.
Las Almas Rotas
3615 Parry Ave.
The tiny and mighty Las Almas Rotas doubles as a library of prestigious agave spirits. They say the Fortaleza tequila is the crown jewel of their bar, but ordering a standard marg on the rocks – frozen or muy premium style – are your dollars well-spent, premium tequilas or not.
José
4931 W. Lovers Lane
The team at Jose features a new agave spirit every month from their two-page spirits menu, which means they’re constantly shaking up something interesting. Otherwise, the usual Squozen margarita, frozen seasonal marg, top shelf and the Skinny Palomarita are National Margarita Day staples.
The Charlotte
2822 N Henderson Ave.
The Charlotte, in the busy Knox-Henderson neighborhood, is celebrating National Margarita Day with $10 salt-rimmed creations they say marg enthusiasts won’t want to miss. They’re slingin’ classic frozen margs, frozen mangonadas, a midnight margarita with hibiscus and gold dust and a blood orange number with Don Julio. Make it a swirl for an additional $4 or grab a mini Don Julio 1942 bottle for $35. YUM!
The Mexican
1401 Turtle Creek Blvd. (Design District)
The Mexican’s standard margaritas range from $16 to $17, but there are also three over-the-top margarita options that may require you to take out a second mortgage. You can choose from the Hildalgo ($50), the Zapata ($100) and (if money is no object) the Pancho Villa ($250), made with Clase Azul Ultra tequila and Grand Marnier Cuvee 1880, the latter of which goes for about $350 a bottle. The cocktail is served in a rocks glass rimmed with citrus gold salt and garnished with a lime wedge. But who says Dallas is bougie?
Miriam Concina Latina
2015 Woodall Rodgers Freeway
Miriam Concina Latina is across the street from Klyde Warren Park, and a new location in Coppell both offer a wonderful place for people-watching. With more than a dozen margaritas on the menu, it’s hard to choose. So maybe get a flight. The standard is called Acapulquena ($13), either frozen or on the rocks. There are several made with mezcal, but the house-made pomegranate sangria in the El Tornado might be the best bet.
Odelay Tex-Mex
5600 W. Lovers Lane
Julian Barsotti is well-known for his Italian restaurants around Dallas, but when he opened Odelay Tex-Mex a couple of years ago, we had confidence in his genre-hopping skills. Odelay offers a basic frozen margarita, but we’re partial to the Cadillac Moon ($16), made with Tres Generaciones Reposado, Grand Marnier, citrus and pure cane sugar. It’s like boots with a suit – classy and gritty. Pairs well with a nice spring day on the patio.
Revolver Gastro Cantina
2646 Elm St. (Deep Ellum)
Revolver is one of our favorite restaurants in the city, and folks here like to party (the two might be correlated). The tequila wall is extensive and the basic house margarita is great (and half-price during happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m.). But at Revolver, go big or go home. Get the Liquarita ($45) with 24 ounces of margarita served with vendor-style fruit, chamoy, sea salt and chile de arbol. Maybe share.
