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Arana's bar.
Arana's bar.
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Brace For Cinco de Mayo With These 12 Awesome Margaritas

As Cinco de Mayo (and warm weather) approaches, check these places out for tequila refreshment.

by Nora McGunnigle
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Arana's bar.
| Brasted
by Nora McGunnigle
1 comment / new

Cinco de Mayo may not be until next week, but you'd best believe there will be celebrating this weekend, since May 5 lands on a Tuesday this year. In a town with so many great cocktails, it's surprising how often the classic margarita gets overlooked. Here are a few places in New Orleans to enjoy the traditional tequila cocktail. (And in many cases, with some creative spins.)

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Araña

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Arana will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo all week long with Tequila Week. From May 4-8, starting at 3pm, check out the samples available and, Arana hopes, sign up for their Tequila Society. Tequila is serious business, and they have the agave spirit selection and the margarita variations to prove it. Try a hibiscus, guava or herbsaint marg and enjoy. (photo courtesy of Araña's Facebook page)
3242 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 894-1233
(504) 894-1233

Also featured in:

Johnny Sánchez NOLA

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This CBD newcomer has an entire cocktail menu built around Mexican flavors, so finding the traditional Margarita de la Casa alongside grapefruit jalepeno version is no surprise. Happy Hour bonus: a pitcher of the Margarita de la Casa is half price Sun-Fri, 3-6 pm. Bring a friend though. Or eat a lot of the happy hour $5 street tacos. (photo courtesy of Johnny Sánchez's Facebook page)
Poydras St., New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 304-6615
(504) 304-6615

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El Gato Negro

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El Gato Negro, currently in the Quarter near the French Market and in Lakeview with a third location going in the Warehouse District takes its tequila seriously, with flights and tastings, and all that. They also take making a kickass margarita seriously, with traditional versions alongside their signature Pineapple Cilantro and Carrot Lime variations. (photo courtesy of El Gato Negro's Facebook page)
81 French Market Pl, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 525-9752
(504) 525-9752

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Felipe's Taqueria

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All four locations will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo with plenty of margarita action. Uptown will have a patio bar and taco truck, and Mid City will have live music from 6-9 pm. There will also be info on how to donate to local non profits for Give NOLA Day, which is also on May 5. So if you get drunk and spend too much, at least it's for a good cause. (photo courtesy of Felipe's Facebook page)
301 N Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 267-4406
(504) 267-4406

Also featured in:

Juan's Flying Burrito

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Juab's is slamming every night of the year, so Cinco de Mayo should be no different. Also available every day and night of the year, their variety of margs. From classic to supersized to fruity to frozen, if you're not getting your margarita on here, you ain't doing it right. Try the cooling cucumber, or treat yo'self to a Cadillac. (photo courtesy of Juan's Flying Burrito's Facebook page)
2018 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 569-0000
(504) 569-0000

Also featured in:

Del Fuego Taqueria

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Settle in on the patio overlooking Magazine Street, or the one in the back, and enjoy margaritas the way they were meant to be. Get 'em cheap at happy hour, savor them with your meal, but when you really need that margarita itch scratched, this is the place to be. (photo courtesy of Del Fuego Taqueria's Facebook page)
4518 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 309-5797
(504) 309-5797

Also featured in:

The Velvet Cactus

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Not only is this Lakeview restaurant throwing a party with live music (Bag Of Donuts) on the 5th, it's also cutting loose and celebrating on Friday (Marc Broussard) and Saturday (Chee Weez) nights as well. In addition, their summer marg menu is out featuring cooling combos like Watermelon Mint, Blood Orange Mango, and Strawberry Jalapeno. (photo courtesy of The Velvet Cactus's Facebook page)
917 Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124
(504) 301-2083
(504) 301-2083

Casa Borrega

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Check out the margaritas, other tequila cocktails, whole roast pig and live music starting at 5pm for Casa Borrega's annual Cinco de Mayo street party. (photo courtesy of Casa Borrega's Facebook page)
1719 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113
(504) 427-0654
(504) 427-0654

Also featured in:

Maïs Arepas

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Not a Mexican joint for sure, but Mais Arepas makes killer margs on their regular menu with seasonal fresh fruit. (photo courtesy of Mais Arepas' Facebook page)
1200 Carondelet St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 523-6247
(504) 523-6247

Also featured in:

Mayas

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While best known for their mojitos, Mayas does serve up a "Phenomenal" organic margarita all year round, and will also be holding a "Cinco de Mayas" party on the 5th, starting at 4pm, featuring $6 Hornitos Margs and $4 Hornitos shots. (photo courtesy of Maya's Facebook page)
2027 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 309-3401
(504) 309-3401

Superior Grill

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Every year, Superior Grill closes down the street to hold its Cinco de Mayo block party, which promises to be margarita-tastic.(photo courtesy of Superior Grill's Facebook page)
3636 Saint Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 899-4200
(504) 899-4200

Also featured in:

Mizado Cocina

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Mizado's lethal margs are worth a stop every day of the year, not just the 5th of May. Their awesome happy hour includes a classic margarita every weekday (M-F, 3-6) and features $3 frozen margs every Friday afternoon. For the adventurous, try the Chipotle Sunrise with raspberries and St. Germain, the Wabbit Smash with carrot and ginger, or the Cucumber Jalapeno. (photo courtesy of Mizado Cocina's Facebook page)
5080 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70118
(504) 885-5555
(504) 885-5555

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Araña

3242 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Arana will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo all week long with Tequila Week. From May 4-8, starting at 3pm, check out the samples available and, Arana hopes, sign up for their Tequila Society. Tequila is serious business, and they have the agave spirit selection and the margarita variations to prove it. Try a hibiscus, guava or herbsaint marg and enjoy. (photo courtesy of Araña's Facebook page)
3242 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 894-1233
(504) 894-1233

Johnny Sánchez NOLA

Poydras St., New Orleans, LA 70130
This CBD newcomer has an entire cocktail menu built around Mexican flavors, so finding the traditional Margarita de la Casa alongside grapefruit jalepeno version is no surprise. Happy Hour bonus: a pitcher of the Margarita de la Casa is half price Sun-Fri, 3-6 pm. Bring a friend though. Or eat a lot of the happy hour $5 street tacos. (photo courtesy of Johnny Sánchez's Facebook page)
Poydras St., New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 304-6615
(504) 304-6615

El Gato Negro

81 French Market Pl, New Orleans, LA 70116
El Gato Negro, currently in the Quarter near the French Market and in Lakeview with a third location going in the Warehouse District takes its tequila seriously, with flights and tastings, and all that. They also take making a kickass margarita seriously, with traditional versions alongside their signature Pineapple Cilantro and Carrot Lime variations. (photo courtesy of El Gato Negro's Facebook page)
81 French Market Pl, New Orleans, LA 70116
(504) 525-9752
(504) 525-9752

Felipe's Taqueria

301 N Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70130
All four locations will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo with plenty of margarita action. Uptown will have a patio bar and taco truck, and Mid City will have live music from 6-9 pm. There will also be info on how to donate to local non profits for Give NOLA Day, which is also on May 5. So if you get drunk and spend too much, at least it's for a good cause. (photo courtesy of Felipe's Facebook page)
301 N Peters St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 267-4406
(504) 267-4406

Juan's Flying Burrito

2018 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Juab's is slamming every night of the year, so Cinco de Mayo should be no different. Also available every day and night of the year, their variety of margs. From classic to supersized to fruity to frozen, if you're not getting your margarita on here, you ain't doing it right. Try the cooling cucumber, or treat yo'self to a Cadillac. (photo courtesy of Juan's Flying Burrito's Facebook page)
2018 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 569-0000
(504) 569-0000

Del Fuego Taqueria

4518 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
Settle in on the patio overlooking Magazine Street, or the one in the back, and enjoy margaritas the way they were meant to be. Get 'em cheap at happy hour, savor them with your meal, but when you really need that margarita itch scratched, this is the place to be. (photo courtesy of Del Fuego Taqueria's Facebook page)
4518 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 309-5797
(504) 309-5797

The Velvet Cactus

917 Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124
Not only is this Lakeview restaurant throwing a party with live music (Bag Of Donuts) on the 5th, it's also cutting loose and celebrating on Friday (Marc Broussard) and Saturday (Chee Weez) nights as well. In addition, their summer marg menu is out featuring cooling combos like Watermelon Mint, Blood Orange Mango, and Strawberry Jalapeno. (photo courtesy of The Velvet Cactus's Facebook page)
917 Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124
(504) 301-2083
(504) 301-2083

Casa Borrega

1719 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113
Check out the margaritas, other tequila cocktails, whole roast pig and live music starting at 5pm for Casa Borrega's annual Cinco de Mayo street party. (photo courtesy of Casa Borrega's Facebook page)
1719 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70113
(504) 427-0654
(504) 427-0654

Maïs Arepas

1200 Carondelet St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Not a Mexican joint for sure, but Mais Arepas makes killer margs on their regular menu with seasonal fresh fruit. (photo courtesy of Mais Arepas' Facebook page)
1200 Carondelet St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 523-6247
(504) 523-6247

Mayas

2027 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
While best known for their mojitos, Mayas does serve up a "Phenomenal" organic margarita all year round, and will also be holding a "Cinco de Mayas" party on the 5th, starting at 4pm, featuring $6 Hornitos Margs and $4 Hornitos shots. (photo courtesy of Maya's Facebook page)
2027 Magazine St, New Orleans, LA 70130
(504) 309-3401
(504) 309-3401

Superior Grill

3636 Saint Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115
Every year, Superior Grill closes down the street to hold its Cinco de Mayo block party, which promises to be margarita-tastic.(photo courtesy of Superior Grill's Facebook page)
3636 Saint Charles Ave, New Orleans, LA 70115
(504) 899-4200
(504) 899-4200

Mizado Cocina

5080 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70118
Mizado's lethal margs are worth a stop every day of the year, not just the 5th of May. Their awesome happy hour includes a classic margarita every weekday (M-F, 3-6) and features $3 frozen margs every Friday afternoon. For the adventurous, try the Chipotle Sunrise with raspberries and St. Germain, the Wabbit Smash with carrot and ginger, or the Cucumber Jalapeno. (photo courtesy of Mizado Cocina's Facebook page)
5080 Pontchartrain Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70118
(504) 885-5555
(504) 885-5555

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