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El Paseo at Michael's Santa Monica

16 Pitch-Perfect Margaritas to Try in Los Angeles

Just in time for Cinco de Drinko

by Crystal Coser Updated Apr 27, 2017, 2:00pm PDT

5 comments / new

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El Paseo at Michael's Santa Monica

| Rachel Jacobson

by Crystal Coser Updated Apr 27, 2017, 2:00pm PDT

5 comments / new

Is there a more refreshing beverage than a margarita? When a cocktail achieves the perfect balance of acidity and sweetness, there's nothing better to wet your whistle on a hot summer's day. And with arguably the best holiday just around the corner (when else is it acceptable to drink margaritas all day?), we here at Eater LA thought it would be nice to share the very best watering holes for the agave-based beverage. Whether you like your cocktails set ablaze or served in its purest form, here are the best places to drink margaritas in Los Angeles.

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Gracias Madre

One of LA’s most innovative beverage directors has made quite a splash with his line of cannabidol oil cocktails. Yup, it’s exactly what you think—essential oils from the cannabis plant are added to cocktails to add anti-anxiety and mood elevating effects. A particularly instagrammable pick is the Sour T-lesel, a blend of tequila blanco, lime, agave, mint, matcha, egg white substitute aquafaba, and, of course, CBD.

8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Visit Website

gracias madre

Also featured in:

Broken Spanish

Darwin Pornel, perhaps most widely known for his work at Faith & Flower, has recently stepped in as Bar Director of Broken Spanish. On his new cocktail menu are plenty of outstanding margarita variants including the Second Generation, a blend of mezcal, caramelized pineapple, lime, and black salt.

1050 S. Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Michael's - Santa Monica

One of the most interesting new margaritas comes thanks to Michael’s Santa Monica bar manager Meredith Hayman, who pours a margarita over a seasonal fruit granita. The current iteration features tequila blanco, vida mezcal, ginger, lime, page mandarin, blood orange and thyme granita, and citrus sugar; but as spring turns to summer, look out for an icy strawberry base.

1147 3rd St, Santa Monica, CA 90403, États-Unis

Also featured in:

Tower 12

An outstanding addition to the South Bay’s cocktail scene is Tower 12’s Por Qué No, a blend of Cazadores Anjeo, mezcal, peach liqueur, chipotle, agave nectar, fresh lime, and pineapple juice. With a chipotle powder rim, it’s quite the drink to kick off a day on the Hermosa pier.

53 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, États-Unis

Also featured in:

MiniBar

This laid back Hollywood watering hole is shaking up the Chavito 2, a cinnamon sugar-rimmed tipple with reposado tequila, simple syrup, fresh lemon, lime, and orange juices over ice. Pro tip: pop in on Mondays for $6 margaritas all night.

Open in Google Maps

6141 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028, États-Unis

The Bazaar by José Andrés

One of the most beloved concoctions at José Andrés’ molecular gastronomy-utilizing bar is the Salt Air margarita, topped with a lovely salt foam that is reminiscent of the sea.

465 S LA Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048, États-Unis

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Salazar

With its perfected margarita on draft for $10, you may find yourself lingering all day while you take in the Frogtown hot spot’s desert-chic vibes.

2490 Fletcher Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Petty Cash Taqueria

There are plenty of agave-based cocktails at Petty Cash, but you can’t go wrong with the classic Petty Cash margarita. Made with a choice of tequila or mezcal (go with mezcal), lime, and citrus-spiked agave curacao, this is a purist’s margarita that won’t disappoint.

7360 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Casa Vega

Casa Vega’s margaritas, particularly the hibiscus with Patron Roca Silver, hibiscus tea, mint and agave, are exactly what you want them to be: not overly sweet, nicely acidic, and most importantly, large. But almost as important as the pint-size libations are the cool ‘50s vibes that come with your drinks. Cozy up in one of the red booths, bust out your flashlight to read the menu, and enjoy your 1956 throwback.

13301 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Visit Website

Also featured in:

El Compadre

This Hollywood mainstay is known first and foremost for its flaming margarita. The extra boozy beverage is served ablaze to really set your evening on fire.

Open in Google Maps

7408 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Ortega 120

Often lauded as having one of the best classic margaritas in LA, this South Bay restaurant makes its own house mix to live up to the hype. You’ll be glad you can order the drink by the pitcher.

Open in Google Maps

1814 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Visit Website

Las Perlas

One of LA’s great mezcal bars, Downtown’s Las Perlas has a slew of entertaining margarita variations, but the classic Las Perlas margarita does just fine. Sweetened with agave and made with plenty of fresh lime juice, it is a margarita just as it should be.

107 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Bludso's Bar & Que

Why is Bludso’s on the list for best margaritas? There are few other places in the city where you can get the cocktail Texas-style, that is mixed with limeade and good ol’ PBR.

609 N LA Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Mercado

If you’re looking for hipper digs to sip a margarita, Mercado has you covered with its classic version made with Triple Sec and fresh sour

1416 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Visit Website

Also featured in:

El Carmen

The massive collection of tequilas at El Carmen might make your head spin, but sip on well balanced versions of the classic in the restaurant’s dim red lighting, and you’ll feel just fine.

Open in Google Maps

8138 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Visit Website

Velvet Margarita Cantina

While no one would say they are the best in LA, the margaritas at Velvet Margarita are only five bucks during its extended happy hour from noon to 8 pm. With extremely dark, clubby digs, there’s no better placed to drink an endless supply of the tequila cocktail.

Open in Google Maps

1612 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Visit Website

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Gracias Madre

8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069

One of LA’s most innovative beverage directors has made quite a splash with his line of cannabidol oil cocktails. Yup, it’s exactly what you think—essential oils from the cannabis plant are added to cocktails to add anti-anxiety and mood elevating effects. A particularly instagrammable pick is the Sour T-lesel, a blend of tequila blanco, lime, agave, mint, matcha, egg white substitute aquafaba, and, of course, CBD.

8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Visit Website

gracias madre

Broken Spanish

1050 S. Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Darwin Pornel, perhaps most widely known for his work at Faith & Flower, has recently stepped in as Bar Director of Broken Spanish. On his new cocktail menu are plenty of outstanding margarita variants including the Second Generation, a blend of mezcal, caramelized pineapple, lime, and black salt.

1050 S. Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Visit Website

Michael's - Santa Monica

1147 3rd St, Santa Monica, CA 90403, États-Unis

One of the most interesting new margaritas comes thanks to Michael’s Santa Monica bar manager Meredith Hayman, who pours a margarita over a seasonal fruit granita. The current iteration features tequila blanco, vida mezcal, ginger, lime, page mandarin, blood orange and thyme granita, and citrus sugar; but as spring turns to summer, look out for an icy strawberry base.

1147 3rd St, Santa Monica, CA 90403, États-Unis

Tower 12

53 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, États-Unis

An outstanding addition to the South Bay’s cocktail scene is Tower 12’s Por Qué No, a blend of Cazadores Anjeo, mezcal, peach liqueur, chipotle, agave nectar, fresh lime, and pineapple juice. With a chipotle powder rim, it’s quite the drink to kick off a day on the Hermosa pier.

53 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254, États-Unis

MiniBar

6141 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028, États-Unis

This laid back Hollywood watering hole is shaking up the Chavito 2, a cinnamon sugar-rimmed tipple with reposado tequila, simple syrup, fresh lemon, lime, and orange juices over ice. Pro tip: pop in on Mondays for $6 margaritas all night.

Open in Google Maps

6141 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028, États-Unis

The Bazaar by José Andrés

465 S LA Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048, États-Unis

One of the most beloved concoctions at José Andrés’ molecular gastronomy-utilizing bar is the Salt Air margarita, topped with a lovely salt foam that is reminiscent of the sea.

465 S LA Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048, États-Unis

Visit Website

Salazar

2490 Fletcher Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90039

With its perfected margarita on draft for $10, you may find yourself lingering all day while you take in the Frogtown hot spot’s desert-chic vibes.

2490 Fletcher Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Visit Website

Petty Cash Taqueria

7360 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

There are plenty of agave-based cocktails at Petty Cash, but you can’t go wrong with the classic Petty Cash margarita. Made with a choice of tequila or mezcal (go with mezcal), lime, and citrus-spiked agave curacao, this is a purist’s margarita that won’t disappoint.

7360 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Visit Website

Casa Vega

13301 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Casa Vega’s margaritas, particularly the hibiscus with Patron Roca Silver, hibiscus tea, mint and agave, are exactly what you want them to be: not overly sweet, nicely acidic, and most importantly, large. But almost as important as the pint-size libations are the cool ‘50s vibes that come with your drinks. Cozy up in one of the red booths, bust out your flashlight to read the menu, and enjoy your 1956 throwback.

13301 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Visit Website

El Compadre

7408 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

This Hollywood mainstay is known first and foremost for its flaming margarita. The extra boozy beverage is served ablaze to really set your evening on fire.

Open in Google Maps

7408 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Ortega 120

1814 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Often lauded as having one of the best classic margaritas in LA, this South Bay restaurant makes its own house mix to live up to the hype. You’ll be glad you can order the drink by the pitcher.

Open in Google Maps

1814 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Visit Website

Las Perlas

107 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

One of LA’s great mezcal bars, Downtown’s Las Perlas has a slew of entertaining margarita variations, but the classic Las Perlas margarita does just fine. Sweetened with agave and made with plenty of fresh lime juice, it is a margarita just as it should be.

107 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Visit Website

Bludso's Bar & Que

609 N LA Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Why is Bludso’s on the list for best margaritas? There are few other places in the city where you can get the cocktail Texas-style, that is mixed with limeade and good ol’ PBR.

609 N LA Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Visit Website

Mercado

1416 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

If you’re looking for hipper digs to sip a margarita, Mercado has you covered with its classic version made with Triple Sec and fresh sour

1416 4th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Visit Website

El Carmen

8138 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

The massive collection of tequilas at El Carmen might make your head spin, but sip on well balanced versions of the classic in the restaurant’s dim red lighting, and you’ll feel just fine.

Open in Google Maps

8138 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Visit Website

Related Maps

Velvet Margarita Cantina

1612 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

While no one would say they are the best in LA, the margaritas at Velvet Margarita are only five bucks during its extended happy hour from noon to 8 pm. With extremely dark, clubby digs, there’s no better placed to drink an endless supply of the tequila cocktail.

Open in Google Maps

1612 N Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028

Visit Website

Related Maps