When it comes to sipping on the best margaritas in Washington, DC, you have a lot of choices. In this article we will cover the best places to grab a great margarita, starting with the more trendy places and then listing the more casual spots. By the end, you can pick which your personal favorite is in this list of the best margaritas in DC.
Best Margaritas In DC: Trendy & Sophisticated Spots
Washington, D.C. offers a variety of trendy spots to enjoy a refreshing margarita. These locations feature unique flavors, stylish settings, and complementary food options like great tacos.
Quadrant Cocktail Bar
Quadrant is a sophisticated cocktail lounge inside the Ritz Carlton Hotel. Their margarita here is called the Margaret which is pictured below. It is served in a tall salt-rimmed glass with a garnish.
Quadrant is a great place to take a date or partner that needs their margarita fix. There are multiple Ritz Carlton hotels in the DMV area, so be sure you head to the one in the West End neighborhood.
Bazaar By Jose Andres
Bazaar by Jose Andres is probably our favorite place for a really cool margarita. The venue is beautiful as well as historic. The restaurant is located inside what use to be the old Post Office Pavilion. It has massive ceilings and a beautiful lobby area.
What makes the margarita here so incredible is that instead of a salt rim, this margarita has salt air. The salt air margarita means you get the perfect amount of salt with each sip without having to lick the rim of the glass. This is a great place to take anyone who is visiting from out of town to really impress your guests.
El Presidente In Union Market
El Presidente is a restaurant in Union Market by the Stephen Starr group. It has a casual yet stylish environment with an array of interesting margarita flavors. One of their specialties is the mezcal margarita, which adds a smoky twist to the traditional cocktail.
Not only is this the best spot in the Union Market area for original margaritas, this restaurant has some great food as well. Don’t miss out on the Nacho Mama as well as the ceviche which will be a real treat for your taste buds. Union Market has it’s own food scene but it is not far from the many great restaurants on H street.
Jane Jane
While Jane Jane is more known for being one of Washington DC’s best cocktail bars, it also makes a great spicy margarita. It is not on the menu but the mixologists here know what they are doing. The bartenders here can make a great house margarita with just the classic ingredients like tequila, triple sec, and fresh-squeezed lime juice.
Jane Jane is cozy and small spot. It’s the perfect spot for a date or enjoying a drink with a small group of friends.
Oyamel In Penn Quarter
Oyamel stands out for its creative twist on classic margaritas. They use agave nectar for a smooth, sweet flavor. Their signature margarita includes freshly squeezed lime juice and a salt rim. The atmosphere is vibrant, often filled with patrons savoring their drinks and enjoying the buzzing environment.
Food enthusiasts will also appreciate the range of delicious tacos on offer, pairing well with their diverse margarita selection. Oyamel also offers an intriguing margarita flight for those looking to sample different flavors in one visit.
If you don’t like what is on the menu just ask their friendly staff to make your own margarita concoction. Whether you want skinny margaritas or a drink with a spicy rim they are friendly and well versed to make whatever you want.
D’lena
Dlena is known for its upscale, chic ambiance, and seriously good food. Of course they have classic margaritas, but you can also try a fun variation like the tamarind margarita.
The restaurant features high-quality ingredients, ensuring each drink is well-crafted. For a sexy date night check out their downstairs lounge which is dimly lit with cozy couches and an extensive cocktail menu featuring agave spirits.
Bar Japonais
What? A Japanese Izakaya with a good margarita? Yes, that’s correct. Bar Japonais on 14th street took over the space that once occupied Spanish restaurant Estadio, and it has a great margarita on the menu.
The margarita at Bar Japonais has a twist because it features Yuzu and is lined with Togarashi. Yuzu is a citrus fruit that is popular in East Asian cuisine, and Togarashi is a Japanese spice mix. Enjoy!
Mi Vida
Located near the waterfront, Mi Vida boasts picturesque views and a trendy interior. Their margaritas are celebrated for their balanced flavors, often highlighting unique infusions and fresh fruit blends. Patrons can savor options like the cactus margarita which is as exotic as it sounds.
Mi Vida’s tequila selection is extensive, allowing for various margarita styles from classic to contemporary. Additionally, their food offerings, including fantastic tacos, make it a favorite dining spot in the city.
Fig And Olive
Fig And Olive is a beautiful restaurant in City Center. While this is more of an American restaurant rather than Mexican restaurant, they offer a pretty interesting take on a margarita. The margarita at Fig And Olive has tequila of course, but it also has cilantro liqueur as well as basil liqueur which add some complexity to the drink. It is lined with Harissa salt for a little kick.
The best part about this is that it is offered on their happy hour menu which is on weekdays, Sundays as well as late night. In addition to drink specials, there are food specials as well making this a great deal for the otherwise pricey City Center neighborhood. There is also a second floor that can be privately rented for corporate events or other special occasions.
Best Margaritas In DC: Casual Hangouts
‘Washington, DC offers many places where margarita enthusiasts can enjoy a drink. From lively bars to cozy cantinas, there’s a spot for everyone looking to savor delicious margs in casual settings.
Taqueria Habanero
Taqueria Habanero has multiple locations. You can check out their website to figure out which one is best for you.
El Bebe In Navy Yard
El Bebe is a self proclaimed taco joint, but the decor is more on the trendy side. This place has some awesome frozen mango margaritas as well as a huge menu for you to enjoy.
Johnny Pistolas In Adams Morgan
Johnny Pistolas is located in Adams Morgan is a casual spot with an awesome bottomless brunch and daily happy hours. The highlights here are the classic margaritas and creative variations like the spicy jalapeño margarita. Patrons can pair their drinks with delicious tacos and Mexican dishes. The frozen margaritas during summer make Johnny Pistolas a refreshing spot to unwind.
El Chucho In Columbia Heights
For a casual setting, good food and a solid margarita check out El Chucho. They have a small patio as well if you can snag a seat here to enjoy your margarita outside.
Shaw’s Tavern
Shaw’s Tavern has a famous spicy mango margarita. You can check this out during their Taco Tuesday special which has specials on both drinks and food.
Bar Taco
Bar Taco has many locations in the DC area. In addition to making a great margarita check out their food menu as well. Popular items are their guacamole as well as their yummy shrimp tacos.
Lauriol Plaza
Lauriol Plaza is a popular Mexican restaurant that has really authentic Mexican fare. Of course their drinks are great too. The restaurant is known for its frozen swirl margaritas as well as spacious and friendly environment. It’s a great casual restaurant for a group of friends to meet up at.
Don’t miss out on the great food either either. Lauriol Plaza has a very expansive menu that has a range of Mexican cuisine, from carne asada to enchiladas. The large patio is perfect for those looking to enjoy their margarita in an open space.
El Centro In Georgetown
El Centro in Georgetown is well known by locals for its energetic vibe and great margaritas. Signature drinks like the hibiscus margarita offer unique twists on traditional recipes. The happy hour here is one of the best happy hour deals in the Georgetown area.
They have food specials in addition to drink specials. Enjoy their fresh lime juice-based margaritas along with a menu filled with classic and modern Mexican dishes.
El Techo In Shaw
El Techo, perched in Shaw, offers a rooftop experience perfect for sunny days and starry nights. The live DJ often sets the tone for a lively atmosphere, making it a hotspot for socializing. Known for its innovative margarita menu, El Techo’s drinks are crafted with care, using only the freshest ingredients. Patrons can also enjoy small bites and delicious tacos alongside their drinks. It’s an ideal spot to mingle and enjoy craft cocktails.
El Rey
Located on U Street in Washington DC, El Rey is known for its great deals and crisp margaritas. El Rey has a party atmosphere and is a fun time pretty much any day of the week.
Enjoy their margaritas in salt-rimmed glasses and pair with some yummy tex mex food. If you are looking for a place to party be sure to check out their Cinco De Mayo celebration as it is a favorite spot amongst locals during this time.
Republic Cantina
Republic Cantina provides a homey, welcoming environment. Located in Truxton Circle, this casual Tex-Mex restaurant makes a mean margarita. This restaurant has tons of special promotions including a happy hour on Saturday and Sunday, as well as a late night happy hour. It is conveniently located near Capitol Hill as well as not far from Columbia Heights.
Mission Navy Yard
Mission Navy Yard combines delicious margaritas with a lively sports bar vibe, making it a favorite among locals. Known for its signature margaritas, this establishment often includes specials for various occasions. The frozen margaritas are especially popular during game days and warm weather.
Cactus Cantina
Cactus Cantina is located right next to the famous pizza spot Two Amys. During hora feliz you can enjoy some great margaritas in a casual environment.
Best Margaritas In DC: Summary
Washington, D.C. has tons of great spots to find the best margaritas in 2024. Whether you’re into trendy places like Quadrant Cocktail Bar and Bazaar by Jose Andres or casual hangouts like Johnny Pistolas and Lauriol Plaza, there’s something for everyone. Each spot has unique margaritas, from classic flavors to cool twists like prickly pear margaritas, strawberry margaritas, passion fruit margaritas. And don’t forget National Margarita Day when many places will have a margarita special.
Whether you like your margarita with blanco tequila, a bit of simple syrup, or a splash of, you will find your favorite margarita at one of these DC spots. Enjoy them with delicious food, or add some tequila shots for a really boozy experience.
