Where to Drink Margaritas on Cinco de Mayo
in San Diego
Eater Staff on May 4, 2015, 1:02p
Nothing says Cinco de Mayo quite like an ice cold margarita.According to some, the
libation's origins can be traced to late 1930s Mexico when Carlos "Danny" Herrera developed
the cocktail at his Tijuana-area restaurant, Rancho La Gloria. The perfect combination of sweet,
salty, sour and bitter— from classic to contemporary, top shelf to blended—no ‘Fifth of
May Fiesta’worth its salted rim would be complete without one of these iconic drinks. Whether
you plan to party downtown, or on the coast, our handy map to the musthave margaritas around San Diego will help you do Cinco de Mayo right.
Note: Restaurants are not ranked.
-Keri Bridgwater
1 Fairweather
Margarita lovers should slide over to East Village, post
up at the crisp blue and white tiled bar and take
advantage of Anthony Schmidt’s exceptionally curated
cocktail menu. Featuring unique, hard-to-find mezcals
and tequilas, the Margarita (Blanco tequila, fresh lime,
agave, housemade curacao) is a classic crowd pleaser.
For an iconic cocktail in the tequila stable, and great
margarita alternative, have a dance with El Diablo ––
 Blanco tequila, fresh lime, ginger and soda topped with
a drizzle of cassis make a respectful nod to Trader Vic’s
original 1947 creation.
795 J St
San Diego, CA 92101
2 Cantina Mayahuel
Educate yourself in all things Agave at this real-deal cantina, which brings a touch of real old
Mexico charm to Normal Heights. Boasting one of the biggest tequila selections in San Diego,
take your pick from the two hundred plus bottles of añejo, blanco and reposado behind the bar
––from $5 to $50 a shot–– any of which can be made into a delicious margarita. Combined with
orange nectar, orange liquor and fresh lime juice they are simple, delicious and perfect for sipping
on the sail-shaded patio this Cinco de Mayo.
2934 Adams Ave
San Diego, CA 92116
Visit website
(619) 283-6292
3 Ponce's Mexican Restaurant
A Kensington mainstay for over thirty years, Ponce’s margarita menu is fourteen beverages
strong and features everything from fruit-forward blends to tart takes on the classics. House
favorite Viva la Ponce’s (Herradura Añejo, Grand Marnier, Cointreau, sweet and sour, fresh
squeezed lime) is a perpetual pleaser. But if elements of roast agave, lime rind, gentle smoke,
and rainwater are more your style try the Smokey –– Don Julio Añejo, house-made organic agave
nectar mix topped with a Del Maguey Chichicapa Mezcal floater. In honor of Cinco de Mayo this
neighborhood gem will be offering $3 ‘Happy Hour prices’ on all beers, and $2 street tacos
(regularly $2.95) for the day.
4050 Adams Ave
San Diego, CA 92116
Visit website
(619) 282-4413
4 Don Chido
From the modest Clasico (Olmeca blanco, fresh lime, agave),
to the majestic Margarita Lujosa (Don Julio 1942, fresh lime,
agave, egg white, Grand Marnier 1880) the sophisticated
margarita menu at the Gaslamp’s newest Mexican eatery
has something for every price point. Celebrate Cinco de
Mayo in style on Tuesday with offerings from 11a.m. to
4p.m. including $4 Mexican drafts and $5 house margaritas,
alongside mouthwatering tacos (carne, chicken, carnitas)
courtesy of Executive Chef Antonio Friscia. *Don Chido will
close at 4PM for a private event. 
527 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 232-8226
5 El Zarape
The bar is well-stocked and the drinks list is long at this spacious-yet-charming Normal Heights
neighborhood go-to. If you feel like taking ‘South of the Border’ to a whole new level try the
Peruvian Margarita - an inspired mix of Pisco Parton, triple sec, organic agave and fresh lime juice
served on the rocks with salt. For something a little more avant-garde the Hennchata (homemade
horchata topped with Hennessey VS) offers plenty of creative play and a break from the normal
margarita menu option mainstays.
4642 Park Blvd
San Diego, CA 92116
Visit website
(619) 692-1652
6 The Blind Burro
Whether you come here for the top shelf
tequila, Mexican-inspired specialty cocktails
or mezcal flights, the margaritas at this buzzy
Baja-style bar are also some of the most
seriously sip-worthy in town. And the Burro’s
popular Cantaloupe Margarita –– a thoughtful
blend of Espolón reposado tequila, lime,
Aperol, Monin Rock Melon Syrup and sage ––
 goes down great every time. Holiday
happenings on the fifth include bottomless
Cadillac Margaritas, $3 Tecate cans, Taco
Tuesday prices, a DJ from 6-10p.m. plus an
appearance from Churro the Burro.
639 J St.
San Diego, CA 92101
Visit website
(619) 795-7880
7 En Fuego
Tequila has been poured and margaritas
have been mixed at this historic Spanish
tiled cantina since the 1930s. With its
charming original structure and convivial
atmosphere, today returning regulars sip
on the owners’ namesake “Bubba’s
Margarita” (Hornitos, Sweet and Sour,
splash of orange juice, Grand Marnier
float) on the below ground patio while
enjoying bites from the Mexican Rivierainspired menu. Stop by on Tuesday for $4
margaritas, food and drink specials, and
more from 11:30a.m.
1342 Camino Del Mar
Del Mar, CA 92014
Visit website
(858) 792-6551
8 Barrio Star
The award-winning Roasted Jalapeno Blackberry Margarita may have put Chef Izabel Cruz’s
colorful cantina on the map,
but the Strawberry & Toasted
Coconut (blanco tequila,
muddled strawberry, coconut
milk, fresh lime, agave,
toasted coconut flakes) is a
close contender to the Barrio
Star crown. While the Bonita
Skinny –a low-calorie mix of
Milagro blanco tequila, fresh
lime and touch of agave– is
perfect for gym bunnies. Stop
by on Tuesday and say feliz
aniversario
to
this
neighborhood gem, which
celebrates its fifth anniversary on Cinco de Mayo. Open from 11a.m. – 10p.m., with special Taco
Tuesday pricing and $6 and $8 margaritas all day there will also be a photo booth and fun props
to make this double celebration one to remember.
2706 5th Ave
San Diego, CA 92103
Visit website
(619) 501-7827
9 Casa de Reyes
No mention of margaritas would be complete without a nod to Old Town, and with its historic
park setting Casa de Reyes has to be one of San Diego’s most charming places to enjoy an al
fresco margarita. Featuring only 100 percent Blue Agave Tequila, from Margatinis to El Maestros,
an afternoon could easily be spent under the tree-shaded patio sipping your way through the
specialty menu and watching the world go by. Starting 11 a.m. on Saturday May 2, the 32nd
Annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta will see three days filled with live music, food and fun.
2754 Calhoun St
San Diego, CA 92110
Visit website
(619) 220-5040
10 Pony Room
Gallop on over to Rancho Santa Fe and stay gold at The Pony Room this Cinco de Mayo. In honor
of the Mexican fiesta the resorts equestrian-themed bar will be serving up their La Piñata
‘seasonal sipper’ all month
long. Made with Ilegal
Mezcal Joven, serranoinfused tequila, charred
pineapple, lime, cilantro, a
solid dose of smoke and a
touch of sweet heat give
this little number some
serious ‘giddy up’. Holiday
food specials, plus tequila
shots and margarita pitcher
offerings will also be
available on the day.
5921 Valencia Cir
Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
11 El Camino
Spice up your life with a Pineapple
Jalapeño Margarita at Little Italy’s hip
Mexican hotspot - the perfect balance of
‘sweet and heat’ this menu standout
features muddled jalapeños and fresh cut
pineapple. For those that like to share the
El Capitan and Mexican Mule Fishbowls do
not disappoint. This buzzy bar never needs
much of an excuse to party, and Cinco de
Mayo is no exception. Opening at 3.pm.
enjoy $6 Corralejo margaritas, $3
sangrias, $6 shots ($8 reposado, $9 añejo),
food specials plus lively beats from DJ
Kanye Asada, Saul Q and more this
Tuesday.
2400 India St
San Diego, CA 92101
Visit website
(619) 685-3881
12 Las Olas
With prime North County digs just
a hop skip and a jump from Cardiff
State Beach there might be no finer
margarita-sipping locale than Las
Olas. Popular for its locally sourced
produce, the margaritas here are
also perfectly on point. Grab some
chips and salsa, watch the sun dip
into the Pacific and work your way
through their specialty margarita
menu. Can’t decide? Try a
generously sized 4-glass tasting
flight; if something a little spicy is
more your speed give the
Pineapple Chili Margarita a whirl.
2655 S Coast Highway 101
Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007
Visit website
(760) 942-1860