10 Great Tequila Bars

Back in the ’90s, you’d be hardpressed to find a decent tequila list anywhere in town. Today it’s a completely different story. Whether you’re in the mood for blanco-based Margaritas or ready to sip some rare extra añejo, these places have what you’re looking for—and then some.

Barrio

Minneapolis

This spot prides itself on authentic scratch made Latin cuisine and bold cocktails. It offers 12 Margarita variations ($10-$15), including the Pink Elephant, made with Maestro Dobel tequila, Aperol, Cointreau, and grapefruit and lime juices; and the Diamante Pepino, featuring Maestro Dobel, Cointreau, jalapeño, cucumber, and lime juice. The backbar holds a large selection of 150-plus agave-based spirits and more than 40 flights.

Cantina Dos Segundos

Philadelphia

This Mexican restaurant has over 100 different tequilas available, with highlights including Gran Patrón Smoky ($45/1-oz. pour), Siembra Valles Ancestral Lot 3 ($28), Casa Dragones joven ($37), and an El Tesoro reposado that was specially made for the venue ($14/2 oz.). There are also several tequila-based cocktails ($8-$14) on the menu, including the Tequila Ocho Blanco-based Paloma ($13). This summer the venue will host “Palomas on the Patio” offering specials with this drink, on the patio.

Casa Chapala

Austin

Open since 1987, this venue is inspired by the town of Chapala, one of the cities that surrounds the largest lake in Jalisco, Mexico, offering authentic cuisine from the owners’ family recipes. On the beverage side, more than 200 tequilas and other agave spirits are on offer, and the cocktail list primarily highlights various takes on the Margarita, including house favorites like the Pepino Rico ($12), featuring tequila, lime juice, agave nectar, muddled cucumber, mint, and freshly squeezed orange juice, and the El Tropico ($11), blending tequila, lime juice, agave nectar, muddled roasted jalapeño, roasted pineapple, cilantro, and mint.

El Agave Restaurant and Tequileria

San Diego

This Mexican restaurant doubles as a tequila museum, with over 3,000 bottles on display. Around 800 of them are available to taste, including the venue’s own tequila, El Agave Barrica añejo, which is aged 34 months in new French oak and is available only at the restaurant ($35/2 oz.). There are also plenty of cocktails, including nine house Margaritas ($14-$16) and such high-end options as the Tequila Old Fashioned ($50), comprising Adictivo extra añejo (aged 83 months), Angostura bitters, and Luxardo maraschino cherries.

El Carmen

Los Angeles

This tequila bar and taqueria is known for its vast collection of tequilas and mezcals, carrying over 300 labels from more than 175 producers. It was originally founded in 1929 by Encarnacion Elias Gomez to support her family after her husband was killed, before hotelier Sean MacPherson took ownership in 1997 and renovated the interior to celebrate the colorful history of Lucha Libre wrestlers, inspired by MacPherson’s summers spent with his grandmother in Guadalajara. In addition to house cocktails ($14-$17), tequila pours range from $11 for blancos like Abre Ojos, Cielo, El Jimador, and Jose Cuervo, up to $80 for Codigo 1530 extra añejo.

Maya

New York City

Mexican-born chef and restaurateur Richard Sandoval is at the helm of this restaurant and bar specializing in modern approaches to classic Mexican cuisine. The expansive tequila list includes 42 blancos ($14-$24/1.5 oz.), 42 reposados ($15-$32), 39 añejos ($16-$78), and 18 extra añejos ($18-$250), plus 14 ultra-pre mium labels ($16-$60) and seven flavored and blended expressions (all $14). There are also six Margaritas to try, or you can choose the Margarita flight ($33). Additionally, there are 13 spirits flights ($22-$55) available: 10 tequila, two mezcal, and a single barrel whisky fligh from Oaxaca, Mexico’s Sierra Norte Distillery.

Mercadito

Chicago

Located in the heart of River North, this upscale Mexican restaurant carries around 100 different tequilas and 50 mezcals, includ ing popular labels like Don Julio ($15-$90/2 oz.) and Patrón ($16-$31) and more boutique and up-and-coming brands like Casa Azul Orgánico ($15-$17). High-end options include Clase Azul añejo ($120) and Clase Azul San Luis Potosí mezcal ($105). The venue’s tequila-based cocktails are popular—especially the Pepino El Pyu ($16), a blend of Gran Centenario plata, cucumber, lemon, hoja santa (Mexican pepperleaf ), and cumin salt, and the Amiga Sandia ($17), featuring Astral blanco, fresh watermelon, and basil.

Oyamel Cocina Mexicana

Washington, D.C.

This restaurant from chef and restaurateur José Andrés offers Mexican small plates, ceviches, and tacos, plus unique Margaritas—the Oyamel ($16) is a house specialty com prising Milagro blanco, Magdala orange liqueur, lime juice, and topped with foamy “salt air”—and an array of 250 different agave-based spirits, 100 of which are tequilas. The tequila list is organized by age statement and region, with offerings ranging from $12/1.5-oz. for Astral blanco up to $88 for the limited release G4 Día de Los Muertos 2023 Edition Reposado de Madera.

TeQuiztlan Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar

Miami

First opened in 1991 as El Cielito Lindo, this was the first Mexican restaurant in South Beach. In 2013 the owners moved to a bigger venue in Sunset Harbor under its current name, where they’ve continued to win attention for their authentic Mexican cuisine and impressive tequila selection. In addition to the 250-plus tequilas offered, the cocktail menu includes 11 Margaritas ranging from $15 to $22, such as the Spicy Rooster ($16), a classic Margarita with the addition of muddled jalapeño, La Chula ($15), a mezcal-based version comprising strawberry and tamarind purée, and El Dragon ($22), a top-shelf Margarita featuring Casa Dragones blanco and Cointreau Noir.

Tommy’s Mexican Restaurant

San Francisco

This family-run spot has been open since 1965 and was the first restaurant in the country to serve 100% agave Herradura Silver as its house tequila. In addition to offering more than 300 tequilas, it’s also where Julio Bermejo, son of the original owners, created the Tommy’s Margarita, which blends 100% agave tequila, agave nectar, and fresh lime juice—a recipe that many venues have since adopted for their own Margaritas.