If you ask us, a warm Saturday in NYC simply necessitates a margarita. Salty, sour, sweet and punchy, a margarita is simply the perfect summer cocktail, and bonus points if you get one during happy hour! NYC is home to plenty of excellent spots to grab a marg, so next time life hands you limes, you know what to do. We’ve rounded up the very best spots to grab a margarita in NYC.
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113 7th Ave S. / 212.924.2305 / Website
Ofrenda offers happy hour every day from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sip on either their traditional margarita for $8 or fun flavors such as mango, prickly pear or cucumber for $10. Spicy marg lovers, never fear, as the smoky jalapeño margarita comes in at just $9 during happy hour. If you’re planning a margarita night with your besties, you can opt to order pitchers of your favorite flavor. Lastly, grab some classic delicacies such as guacamole, nachos and quesadillas and you’ve got yourself a party.
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65 2nd Ave. / 212.777.6965 / Website
This plant-based, gluten-free and soy-free spot brings the heat with its uber-flavorful food and excellent drinks. We love their margarita pitchers, which come in a variety of flavors including pineapple, strawberry, passion fruit, mango, guava, raspberry, blood orange and pomegranate. You can also opt for a spicy pitcher or choose your own spirit from the mescal and tequila menu for an additional charge. Feeling really crazy? Opt for the tequila and mescal flight.
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248 W. 55th St. / 646.657.0565 / Website
Bringing the “taste, sounds, and smells of Mexico to your doorstep in the heart of Midtown West,” Vida Verde’s rooftop margarita market provides a colorful and fun atmosphere to celebrate Cinco. Not to mention, the menu includes 10 margarita flavors! Our favorites? The blueberry coconut and the peach margarita. We also love the late-night menu for when you just don’t want the fiesta to end.
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86 Orchard St. / 212.777.2600 / Website
The first “Mezcaleria” in NYC, Casa Mezcal is a tequila lover’s paradise. (If José Cuervo is the most adventurous you’ve gotten, you don’t know the joy of good tequila yet!) The drink menu includes margarita classics, along with more elevated flavors, such as “La Rosa Maria,” featuring a rosemary-infused mezcal. Smoky and spicy margarita lovers, rejoice! P.S. try the Carajillo espresso martini, it’s life-changing!
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372 Lafayette St. / 347.662.3522 / Website
With a huge drink list and plenty of dietary-restriction-friendly food, ATLA is a great place to bring all your friends and share tons of plates. Sip on a margarita while munching on potato and cheese flautas and mushrooms in salsa verde. We also love the shrimp tacos. Lastly, finish off your meal with the churros and some tres leches, obviously.
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35 E 21st St. / 212.913.9659 / Website
No gatekeeping here, we are obsessed with Cosme. If you’re looking for an elevated Cinco de Mayo, there’s simply no better spot to enjoy a delicious marg and killer food. We love the mezcal margarita crafted with Agua Mágica Rogelio Juan, Combier, Giffard Triple Sec and lime, and spicy lovers will swoon over the spicy marg featuring Casa Dragones Blanco, Giffard Triple Sec, lime and serranos. If you stay for dinner, you simply must try the duck carnitas. You can thank us later!
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5-48 49th Ave., Long Island City / 347.448.6040 / Website
Alright so technically, this spot isn’t in NYC, but considering it’s just a hop, skip and a jump over the East River to Long Island City, we’d be remiss not to mention Casa Enrique’s delicious margarita. This Michelin-star awarded restaurant takes its margaritas seriously, with fresh fruit options such as strawberry, coconut, mango and tamarind available in addition to the classic served either frozen or on the rocks. If you really want to get crazy try the Aguachile Margarita made with Agave Rey tequila, Cointreau liqueur, brown simple syrup, cucumber, serrano pepper and fresh lime juice.
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60 2nd Ave. / 212.598.0300 / Website
Luckily, Black Ant’s “antmazing” happy hour coincides with Cinco de Mayo. Tuesday through Sunday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., you can choose from one of their traditional margaritas for $8, or add a delicious flavor such as cucumber, mango, passion fruit, and tamarind for an extra dollar. The Black Ant also has an extensive list of agave-based spirits, so feel free to pick your poison when ordering your marg. Or if you’re really looking to celebrate all night long, just grab some limes and salt and opt for shots.
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5 W. 31st St. #8 / 212.300.4713 / Website
As a speakeasy sitting above a Korean gastropub, Osamil might be an unexpected place to find an excellent margarita but trust us, you can’t go wrong. If you want a twist on the traditional, go with the O.E crafted with Volcan tequila, cucumber juice Cointreau, lime and agave. Or don’t fix what isn’t broken and order the classic. With cozy and elevated interiors and great drinks, Osamil Upstairs is about to become your new go-to spot.
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41 Wilson Ave., Brooklyn / 929.234.2498 / Website
With a $7 classic or spicy margarita during happy hour every day from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., La Loncheria is the easiest “yes” you’ll say all week. This gorgeous Brooklyn eatery is warm, welcoming and always full of locals enjoying delicious drinks such as, you guessed it, a margarita. We highly recommend the Margarita de Jamaica, a blend of hibiscus flower, tequila and lime with a tequila rim.
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253 Broome St. / 212.228.6710 / Website
With no less than ten different varieties of margarita, Barrio Chino is a great choice for groups with many different tastes to account for. Those who love a spicy marg can opt for the jalapeño lime or habanero grapefruit take on the classic, while those who prefer a sweeter take will love the watermelon, hibiscus, elderflower and strawberry varieties. Prefer sweet and sour? Tamarind and grapefruit are for you. We’ll cheers to that!
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Multiple locations / Website
With locations in Chelsea, Tribeca and Park Slope, Fonda can be found throughout the city. We love their elevated takes on the classic margarita, with eight varieties available. Their signature is the Rosalita, a frozen hibiscus margarita made with Silver tequila, hibiscus, orange liqueur, lime juice and a hibiscus rim. We also love the La Piñata, which is made with chipotle-infused tequila, pineapple, mint, orange liquor, and lime juice and finished with a chile rim.
Whether you are a spicy marg fanatic, like to mix it up or always stick with the classics, these NYC margaritas are sure to impress. Cheers!
Photography by: CabecaDeMarmore / Getty Images
