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Margarita from Mercado

Where to Sip Summertime Margaritas in Los Angeles

Warm weather calls for all the tequila cocktails

by Crystal Coser May 3, 2018, 1:20pm PDT

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Margarita from Mercado

| Mercado

by Crystal Coser May 3, 2018, 1:20pm PDT

Is there a more refreshing beverage than a margarita? When a cocktail achieves the perfect balance of acidity and sweetness, there’s nothing more satisfying on a hot summer’s day. And with the sunny season just around the corner there’s no better time to share the very best watering holes for the agave-based beverage. Whether looking for cocktails set ablaze or served in its purest form, here are the best places to drink margaritas in Los Angeles, presented from west to east.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Casa Vega

Casa Vega’s margaritas are exactly what one needs 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 the drinks. Cozy up in one of the red booths, bust out a flashlight to read the menu, and enjoy a full-blown 1956 throwback.

13301 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

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Bar at Casa Vega, lit up with string lights.

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Gracias Madre

Vegan or not, everyone can appreciate Gracias Madre’s expansive patio, especially when it is enjoyed alongside a wide roster of both classic and playful iterations of the margarita.

8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069

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Gracias Madre in West Hollywood

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Ortega 120

Often lauded as having one of the best classic margaritas in LA, this South Bay restaurant makes its own house sour mix to live up to the hype. Thankfully they come by the pitcher.

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1814 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

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Ortega 120

El Tejano

Tex Mex cuisine is few and far between in Los Angeles, which makes North Hollwood’s colorful El Tejano and its copious supply of margaritas and queso that much more of a worthwhile Valley destination.

11122 W Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Visit Website

El Tejano

El Carmen

The massive collection of tequilas at El Carmen might make heads spin, but sip on well balanced versions of the classic in the restaurant’s dim red lighting, and find oneself felling extra comfortable in the sultry surrounds.

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8138 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

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Mercado

Margaritas at Mercado come with hip vibes, making it one of West Third’s best places to sip agave-based libations, especially during the restaurant’s ultra-popular happy hour.

7910 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

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El Compadre

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

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7408 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

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El Compadre

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Petty Cash Taqueria

There are plenty of agave-based cocktails at Petty Cash, but the classic Petty Cash margarita is always a safe bet. 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

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Also featured in:

El Cholo

Inching towards its 100-year anniversary is El Cholo, the seminal place for affordable classic and frozen margaritas that flow as freely as the restaurant’s iconic green corn tamales.

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1121 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006

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Broken Spanish

There’s nothing more appropriate to sip with Ray Garcia’s outstanding modern Mexican fare than a few margarita variants, including the Second Generation, a blend of mezcal, caramelized pineapple, lime, and black salt.

1050 S Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90015

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Also featured in:

Border Grill

The Financial District’s Border Grill has been a longstanding watering hole for the Downtown after-work crowd, who arrive very much in need of a classic margarita and some of Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger’s Mexican small plates.

Union Bank Plaza, 445 S Figueroa St #100, Los Angeles, CA 90071

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Border Grill

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B.S. Taqueria

The more casual little sister restaurant to Broken Spanish, B.S. Taqueria offers both a classic margarita and spins like the Oaxacan Bramble, built with mezcal, seasonal fruit, and habanero. Soak it all up with a smattering of tacos swaddled in housemade tortillas, and one is nearly guaranteed an exceptional night out.

514 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Visit Website

B.S. Taqueria

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Salazar

With its perfected margarita on draft, it’s easy to linger all day while taking in this Frogtown hot spot’s desert-chic vibes.

2490 Fletcher Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90039

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Salazar in Frogtown, Los Angeles.

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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, the margaritas here feel right at home in the hipster digs.

107 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

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Also featured in:

Lola's Mexican Cuisine

Long Beach favorite Lola’s is the local standard for margaritas. The house special here is laced with Cointreau, agave nectar, and fresh limonada, and is best sipped on the always pleasant patio.

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1049, 2030 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814

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Casa Vega

13301 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Casa Vega’s margaritas are exactly what one needs 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 the drinks. Cozy up in one of the red booths, bust out a flashlight to read the menu, and enjoy a full-blown 1956 throwback.

13301 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Visit Website

Bar at Casa Vega, lit up with string lights.

Gracias Madre

8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Vegan or not, everyone can appreciate Gracias Madre’s expansive patio, especially when it is enjoyed alongside a wide roster of both classic and playful iterations of the margarita.

8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Visit Website

Gracias Madre in West Hollywood

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 sour mix to live up to the hype. Thankfully they come by the pitcher.

Open in Google Maps

1814 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Visit Website

Ortega 120

El Tejano

11122 W Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Tex Mex cuisine is few and far between in Los Angeles, which makes North Hollwood’s colorful El Tejano and its copious supply of margaritas and queso that much more of a worthwhile Valley destination.

11122 W Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Visit Website

El Tejano

El Carmen

8138 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

The massive collection of tequilas at El Carmen might make heads spin, but sip on well balanced versions of the classic in the restaurant’s dim red lighting, and find oneself felling extra comfortable in the sultry surrounds.

Open in Google Maps

8138 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Visit Website

Mercado

7910 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Margaritas at Mercado come with hip vibes, making it one of West Third’s best places to sip agave-based libations, especially during the restaurant’s ultra-popular happy hour.

7910 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Visit Website

El Compadre

7408 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

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

Open in Google Maps

7408 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Visit Website

El Compadre

Petty Cash Taqueria

7360 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

There are plenty of agave-based cocktails at Petty Cash, but the classic Petty Cash margarita is always a safe bet. 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

El Cholo

1121 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Inching towards its 100-year anniversary is El Cholo, the seminal place for affordable classic and frozen margaritas that flow as freely as the restaurant’s iconic green corn tamales.

Open in Google Maps

1121 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006

Visit Website

Broken Spanish

1050 S Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90015

There’s nothing more appropriate to sip with Ray Garcia’s outstanding modern Mexican fare than a few 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

Border Grill

Union Bank Plaza, 445 S Figueroa St #100, Los Angeles, CA 90071

The Financial District’s Border Grill has been a longstanding watering hole for the Downtown after-work crowd, who arrive very much in need of a classic margarita and some of Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger’s Mexican small plates.

Union Bank Plaza, 445 S Figueroa St #100, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Visit Website

Border Grill

B.S. Taqueria

514 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

The more casual little sister restaurant to Broken Spanish, B.S. Taqueria offers both a classic margarita and spins like the Oaxacan Bramble, built with mezcal, seasonal fruit, and habanero. Soak it all up with a smattering of tacos swaddled in housemade tortillas, and one is nearly guaranteed an exceptional night out.

514 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Visit Website

B.S. Taqueria

Salazar

2490 Fletcher Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90039

With its perfected margarita on draft, it’s easy to linger all day while taking in this Frogtown hot spot’s desert-chic vibes.

2490 Fletcher Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Visit Website

Salazar in Frogtown, Los Angeles.

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, the margaritas here feel right at home in the hipster digs.

107 E 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Visit Website

Lola's Mexican Cuisine

1049, 2030 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814

Long Beach favorite Lola’s is the local standard for margaritas. The house special here is laced with Cointreau, agave nectar, and fresh limonada, and is best sipped on the always pleasant patio.

Open in Google Maps

1049, 2030 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814

Visit Website

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