It’s time to salt your rim, break out your Hawaiian print shirt and crank up a Jimmy Buffett Spotify playlist. Or at the very least, hit the bar.
National Margarita Day is back, and with its return comes happy hours, unique twists on the beloved 'rita, and dirt-cheap drink specials.
We’ve rounded up the best deals across Tampa Bay so you can plan your attack accordingly. We also asked readers to weigh in on their favorite places to get margs around town.
Deals in Hillsborough
Bahama Breeze
Bahama Breeze is offering classic margaritas for $2.22. There are two locations nearby.
Event info: https://www.bahamabreeze.com/events/national-margarita-day
Tampa address: 3045 N Rocky Point Dr. East, Tampa
Lutz-Wesley Chapel address: 25830 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz
Bartaco
Bartaco in Hyde Park is rolling out a series of unique margarita flavors throughout the months of February and March. On Friday they’ll be debuting the “ernesto en jalisco,” which features tequila, Luxardo Maraschino, grapefruit cordial and lime juice.
Event info: https://bartaco.com/location/tampa/?fbclid=IwAR1NYOTZcIs6TzSuIxe71YMEAMRh59Yo3SW7JjPtYR8Kq66j6OWHB55dpXo
Address: 1601 W Snow Ave, Tampa
Besito Mexican Restaurant
Besito’s celebration lasts throughout the weekend. There’s a different $8 marg special every day, starting with the Wild Blueberry Margarita on Friday. Saturday’s special is Jamaica Margarita (spiked with hibiscus syrup and fresh lime juice) and Sunday’s special is the Tamarindo Margarita (featuring orange liquor, Milagro Blanco, tamarind puree and a chipotle salted rim).
The restaurant is encouraging people to call ahead and make reservations. Here’s the number: 813-287-4800.
Event info: https://www.facebook.com/events/820032105006138/
Address: 205 Westshore Plaza, Tampa
Cantina Laredo
Wesley Chapel’s Cantina Laredo is peddling a $5 Casa Rita all day long. The drink is made with Blanco Tequila, Cointreau, and fresh lemon and lime juice.
Address: 2000 Piazza Ave, Bldg 4, Suite 170, Wesley Chapel
Chuy’s
Chuy’s in Lutz has drink specials all day. You can get a Top-Shelf Skinny Rita for $1 or dress up any margarita with a $1 floater. There are also limited edition drinks, including the Frozen Blackberry Margarita and a Pink Cadillac drink made with Cointreau. If you come during happy hour (4 - 7 p.m.) you can get a free fully-loaded Nacho Car filled with queso, ground sirloin and salsa.
Event info: https://www.chuys.com/news/post/national-margarita-day-friday-2-22
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Explore all your optionsAddress: 25750 Sierra Center Blvd, Lutz
Ciro’s
Ciro’s in Tampa is turning its private lounge into a pop-up “Rita Room.” Guests get their first margarita for free from 5:30 to 7p.m. Marg specials are $8 throughout the rest of the evening. There’s no entry fee, but make sure to call 813-251-0022 ahead of time to make reservations and get the password first.
Event info: https://allevents.in/tampa/national-margarita-day/20002497822246
Address: 2109 Bayshore Blvd, Tampa
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop
Fuzzy’s in Tampa is selling its house rocks margarita for $2. Speciality margaritas with flavors like Watermelon Basil and Coconut Mango are $6.
Event info: https://www.facebook.com/events/497804093957080/
Address: 5621 E. Fowler Avenue, Units 201-207, Tampa
Miguelitos Taqueria Y Tequilas
Miguelitos Taqueria Y Tequilas in Tampa Is giving away a free -5 Degree infused tequila shot with the purchase of a signature marg (only one per customer). You can also get 50% off the house margarita between 2 and 6 p.m.
Address: 2702 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa
Prost Kitchen + Bar
Prost in Tampa is offering $2 margs, $2 Coronas and taco specials.
Event info: https://www.facebook.com/events/370057176916012/
Address: 2802 E Bearss Avenue, Tampa
Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar
Rocco’s Tacos in Tampa doesn’t appear to have any deals on Friday, but they do have an opportunity for you to give back. Creative Loafing reported that all proceeds from the chain’s Margarita for Multiple Sclerosis will go to funding research on the disease. The drink features açaí liqueur, Maestro Dobel Diamante, agave nectar and lime juice.
Address: 2223 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa
Deals in Pinellas
MacDinton’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
MacDinton’s in St. Pete is selling $5 Milagro Margaritas and $3 Milagro Tequila shots throughout the evening. The $10 Friday Open Bar also includes margaritas, as well as draft beer and well liquor, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Event info: https://allevents.in/st%20petersburg/national-margarita-day/20002493719368
Address: 242 1st Ave N, Saint Petersburg
VIP Lounge & Mexican Restaurant
Treasure Island’s VIP was one of the most popular restaurants suggested on social media. The restaurant is giving away free “National Margarita Day” T-Shirts. VIP is also serving El Jimador Margaritas for $6 and Casamigos $8 all day.
Address: 10625 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island
Yard of Ale St. Pete
Yard of Ale is serving $5 Suerte Margaritas and $5 Suerte Reposado Shots throughout the evening. Yard of Ale is offering the same $10 Friday Open Bar deal as MacDinton’s, but their hours are from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Event info: https://allevents.in/st%20petersburg/national-margarita-day/20002684630319
Address: 260 1st Ave N, St. Petersburg
Deals at chains across Tampa Bay
Applebee’s
If you made it this far down the list, I’m assuming that you’re pro-margarita. But if you aren’t, Applebee’s has a deal for you. The Dollar Hurricane (February’s Neighborhood Drink of the Month) is a mere $1 all month long. Served in a 10-ounce mug, the New Orleans-inspired cocktail features rum, passion fruit, orange, black cherry and lime flavor.
Event info: https://www.applebees.com/en/specials/dollar-hurricane
Find a location near you: https://www.applebees.com/en/restaurants
Chili’s
Chili’s has three $5 margs to choose from: the Tropical Sunrise Margarita, Cuervo Blue Margarita and the Blueberry Pineapple Margarita.
Event info: https://www.chilis.com/restaurant-events/margarita-day
Find a location near you: https://www.chilis.com/locations
Ford’s Garage
Ford’s Garage is selling $4 margarita pints from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at participating locations.
Find a location near you: https://www.fordsgarageusa.com/locations/
Can’t decide where to go?
I asked readers to tell me their favorite places to grab a margarita. Here are a few recommendations:
- Facebook commenter Malory Speir recommended Taquitos Mexican in the Bay Pines area of St. Pete: “They rim the glass with citrus zest along with the salt and they use agave. 😋”
- Commenter Scott Snyder’s recommended the golden margarita at VIP Lounge & Mexican Restaurant.
- Old Key West off Central in St. Petersburg is George Neill’s choice. “Crystal Ellis-Faber and Mitchell Faber always do it right,” Neill said.
- John David was a fan of Miguel’s in South Tampa, writing “No one else comes close to their margaritas.”
Readers also took to Twitter to share their faves:
Red Mesa in St. Pete. Absolutely perfect (as is the sangria).
— Tim Armstrong (@TimClearwater) February 18, 2019
I bartend at King corona in ybor, I make the best, casamigos anjeo, fresh juice margs in tampa, perfected it at Hablo taco before it closed in channel side
— WestBuk (@WestBuk) February 19, 2019
VIP Mexican on treasure island !! Ask anyone on the beach
— dan the man (@dank1919) February 18, 2019
Vallarta Restaurant:
— Jay F. (@Ex_Machina77) February 19, 2019
13731 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618, USA
I love the people that work there. The drinks and food are great. A great authentic atmosphere and food. Been to Mexico a few times and loved it, this place reminds of that experience. I highly recommend it.
Even chain restaurants got some love.
I know it’s a chain but @bartacolife is actually a favorite spot for a margarita.
— Carlos Hernandez (Carlos Eats) (@carloseats) February 18, 2019
I dig the margs at @bartacolife... but tell me what I’m missing and I need to hit next time. #TeamTampa
— Tammy Gordon (@tammy) February 19, 2019
I’m with you on Besito... quality Margarita!
— David Stich (@David_Stich) February 19, 2019
How do you plan to celebrate National Margarita Day? Let us know in the comments below.