Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Happy Margarita Day! Our Staff Picks For The Best Margaritas In NYC
By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 22, 2012
Modified Feb 22, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 22, 2012
Modified Feb 22, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
It's National Margarita Day! And since we love any excuse to drink on a weekday, we're here to help you celebrate. Over the years our staff has tasted the best and worst this city has to offer of the tequila-based drink, and here our some of our favorites.
JDS has also been known to enjoy the margs at Surf Bar. (Photo by Jen Carlson)
But before we get started, can we all agree that you have to go with the salt-rimmed glass? Editor Chris Robbins explains, "Salt is necessary to balance out the inherent sweetness of the margarita, in addition to making the rim of your glass look jagged and broken, therefore increasing the badass quotient." Seconds later, he added, "Fuck yeah!"
- The frozen pomegranate margarita at Rosa Mexicano is Editor-in-Chief Jen Chung's top pick, and it pairs very well with the restaurant's tableside guacamole. You can try these out at one of their three locations: 61 Columbus Avenue, 9 East 18th Street, or 1063 1st Avenue.
- Managing editor John Del Signore prefers the frozen ones at Trailer Trash, which he says are "potent, and BIG." His memory is fuzzy but he believes they may have a good happy hour, as well. They're located at 271 West 23rd Street.
- Editor Garth Johnston prefers Mesa Coyoacan's concoctions at their Graham Avenue spot in Williamsburg, saying, "I feel like such a fag when I order it, but the (very pink) watermelon margarita is delicious."
- Senior Editor Jen Carlson prefers the avocado margarita at Curra's in Austin, but since that's so very far away, she'll pick El Nuevo Amanecer's on the LES... pretty sure it's made mostly of grain alcohol.
- Intern Kate Schaefer says "Empellon has a lot of good margaritas and a ton of tequila choices. And for cheap, frozen, will get you drunk margaritas, Burrito Bar in Brooklyn makes good margaritas, and sell them by the pitcher, so it's good for groups."
- Contributor James Thilman says "I hit up Hecho on Bowery when I'm in the mood for a spicy 'rita."
One last tip from Robbins, if he didn't already sell you on the salt: "Salt is also necessary for when you're on a bad date and cannot control your wince or frown. At each mention of a Modern Family plot line, take an inordinately large lick of salt and nod."
P.S. Over at SFist, they're also celebrating, and have a little bit on the history of the drink.
Tagged
alcohol
drinking
fake holiday
margaritas
margs
national margarita day
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .