Tequila is the spirit that Arizonans order more than any other. That's no surprise given that you can find plenty of spots around town to sip or shoot the agave spirit straight up. You'll find tequila in Phoenix's official cocktail, along with plenty of other unofficial ones, including the tequila sunrise.
The spirit is given the spotlight on Wednesday for National Tequila Day. Why not toast the day with tequila's favorite tipple, a margarita?
Here are 10 metro Phoenix spots to get a great margarita – shaken, spicy or sweet.
The spirit is given the spotlight on Wednesday for National Tequila Day. Why not toast the day with tequila's favorite tipple, a margarita?
Here are 10 metro Phoenix spots to get a great margarita – shaken, spicy or sweet.
Barcoa
829 N. First Ave.Since opening its doors in downtown Phoenix in 2021, Barcoa has been spreading the gospel about all things agave from its two-bars-in-one concept. While the basement lounge is an ideal spot for sipping spirits or watching the creative bar team at work, the cantina is where simplicity reigns with well-made margaritas of all stripes, from house and Cadillac styles to mezcal and mango riffs. On National Tequila Day, you can build your own tequila flight, choosing three samples from 12 bottles for $12 in the cantina. Barcoa's basement bar will offer a Corralejo Tequila flight for $12.Urban Agave
6685 W. Beardsley Road, #180 GlendaleThis Glendale cantina has an array of specialty margaritas on its menu, but its namesake is the Urban Margarita, a Cadillac style with blanco tequila, Grand Marnier, agave and fresh lime. Other flavor infusions include prickly bear, blood orange, pineapple-jalapeno and chimango – a chile de arbol-infused tequila with orange liqueur, mango and lime. And, if you’d rather keep it simple, Urban Agave offers a house marg that can be served as-is or made spicy or skinny.Modern Margarita
5410 E. High St.
4165 S. Gilbert Road, Chandler
As its name implies, Modern Margarita is all about the tequila cocktails. On the menu, you'll find more than a dozen takes on the margarita. Stay classic with the OG Rustic margarita or frozen version. Try the restaurant's namesake version, which features Olmeca Altos blanco tequila, guava puree, Aperol, grapefruit and lime juice. Can't decide? Consider a frozen margarita or tequila flight. Those with a big group who love to share can also order fish bowl-sized versions of many of Modern Margarita's offerings. Mi Patio Mexican Restaurant
3347 N. Seventh Ave.Sipping a margarita at Mi Patio is a Phoenix rite of passage. The central Phoenix spot has been serving comforting, affordable Mexican food and drinks for 40 years. Mi Patio keeps it simple with a house version that is – yes, even in this economy – $3.89 or $4.99 for an extra large. Sure, it does taste a bit like Gatorade, but it’s hard to argue with a sub-$5 cocktail, seemingly bottomless chips and salsa and hearty plates.![The Arcadia Margarita from CRUjiente Tacos.](https://media2.phoenixnewtimes.com/phx/imager/u/blog/18294451/cruijiente_tacos_-_spring_training_2021.jpg?cb=1721682065)
The Arcadia Margarita from CRUjiente Tacos features cucumber, cilantro and jalapeno.
Crujiente Tacos
CRUjiente Tacos
3961 E. Camelback RoadAt the Arcadia taqueria and cantina CRUjiente Tacos, the neighborhood gets a namesake drink. The Arcadia Margarita combines tequila, cucumber, cilantro, jalapeno, house agave syrup and fresh lime. CRU’s bar team also is infusing unique flavors, including cinnamon, coconut and a version with passion fruit and serrano. You’ll find daily specials, including all-day happy hour on Wednesdays, which features an $8 Premiere CRU Margarita.Centrico
202 N. Central Ave. Located inside the San Carlos Hotel in downtown Phoenix, Centrico’s extensive, well-executed margarita menu led it to being named the New Times’ Best Margaritas for 2023. Its selections include a sandia version with muddled watermelon, a spicy chipotle-infused take, a classically-Phoenix prickly pear rendition and a jamaica sipper that uses reposado tequila, triple sec, simple syrup, hibiscus and orange bitters. The bar also boasts an extensive list of agave spirits including tequilas, mezcal, sotol, raicilla and bacanora.![Three margaritas on a table.](https://media2.phoenixnewtimes.com/phx/imager/u/blog/18294446/hamburguesas_y_cervezas_margaritas.png?cb=1721686815)
Head to Hamburguesas y Cervezas to try the chile-infused Green Emerald Margarita.
Hamburguesas y Cervezas