where to celebrate margarita day

Raise a glass to these 20 Houston spots offering deals for National Margarita Day

Generally speaking, we are not advocates for food holidays. They’re ridiculous. No one needs to wait for a specific day on the calendar to eat a burger, oysters, or a lobster roll.

However, National Margarita Day (February 22) is the exception. The reason should be obvious. Houstonians love margaritas. They are worthy of celebration, especially when restaurants and bars discount them to mark the occasion.

The list below includes humble margaritas and fancy margaritas. It covers a range of places and price points. Use it to celebrate the city’s favorite drink — responsibly.

Armandos wants you to take on its $45 River Oaks RIta. It’s made with Jose Cuervo Reserva de la Familia Tequila, Patron Citronge, fresh lime juice a la minute, agave, served with house-made “green” salt rim and a 24K gold lime slice. 4

Photo by Tommy Middleton

Get $5 house margaritas all night long at Axelrad

Axelrad is cheersing National Margarita Day with margs-a-plenty! The beer garden is offering $5 house margaritas, on the rocks or frozen, with a $1 upcharge for flavors.

Brennan’s has a must-have Crystal margarita for $14. It’s made with Lalo Tequila, Ancho Reyes Liqueur, jalapeño tincture, and housemade Crystal Hot Sauce pepper mash, which adds heat and creates a shimmering effect in the glass.

Candente will serve its house margarita for $6 from 3-6 pm. Or try the February margarita of the month, a White Chocolate Raspberry Margarita.

Caracol, Hugo’s, Urbe, and Xochi will all be serving their Greatest Margarita Ever Sold — made with 25-year aged Grand Marnier Gran Centenario anejo — for $18. There will also be $10 house margaritas, while Urbe will have a special margarita flight.

Over at Daily Gather, sip on a spicy margarita made with Lalo Blanco tequila, Paula’s orange liqueur, fresh lime, jalapeño, and agave. $13 (or $10 during happy hour, starting at 2 pm).

1891 American Eatery & Bar has every flavor profile covered. From the classic 1891 Margarita to frozen lime (Strawberry, Mango, or Jalapeño), Tejas Killer with fresh jalapeños, or the garden margarita with blackberries and rosemary, this Heights hotspot will be ready.

El Big Bad will be hosting an all-day party filled with drink specials, tequila samples, live music, and more. Come join the fiesta and enjoy a margarita (starting at $1 and increasing every hour until 5 pm when they’ll be $5 all night) on the rooftop patio.

Over at Hongdae 33 Korean BBQ, enjoy 21-ounce regular and strawberry frozen margaritas for only $8. Pair with all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue ($33) to cut through the richness of grilled meats.

Money Cat will have $12 Omija-Ritas. This usually-$14 Japanese rendition combines tequila, shishito, togarashi, sudachi, omija honey, and hibiscus tea.

The Original Ninfa’s is teaming up with Tequila Patron for a $7 frozen cocktail. The Perfect Prickly Patron Margarita (Ninfa’s proprietary Ninfarita mix, patron reposado, orange liquor, agave syrup, and prickly pear) comes in its own plastic, miniature-replica Patron bottle.

Sample the lychee margarita over at Phat Eatery. This cocktail entices with Espolòn tequila, Grand Marnier, lychee, basil, lime, all for $10 (make it spicy for $1 more). Perfect for pairing with savory noodles, curry, and more.

Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House will sling its margaritas and frozen flights at half price all day. Choose from a Spicy Rita ($5), the classic house frozen margarita ($5), or a frozen flight ($8).

Relish Restaurant & Bar will roll out the Rodeo Rita, made with mezcal, tequila, lime, blood orange, and bitters. Or get Relish's classic the Rita, made with Camarena Tequila, Cointreau Noir, lime, agave, and egg white, with a chili salt rim. All margaritas are $7.

Over at Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, celebrate the restaurant’s 25th anniversary with the La Reyna Margarita (The Queen Margarita). This $11 cocktail is made with Casa Del Sol Tequila Blanco, fresh lime juice, cucumber, and fresh jalapeño syrup.

The Taco Stand will have $5 margaritas all day. Choose from lime, strawberry, or mango – all made with 100-percent blue agave tequila. Offer applies to all frozens and single cans.

Tobiuo Sushi & Bar will have a kaleidoscope of margaritas. Choose from traditional margaritas in lime, strawberry, or mango, watermelon mint or torched palomas, priced at $5 all day.

cocktails where-drink

say hey to Hypsi

Houston chef's hip new Italian restaurant now open in Heights hotel

Photo by Julie Soefer

Hypsi serves pasta and other Itaian-inspired dishes.

A new Italian restaurant is now open in the Heights. Located within the newly opened Hotel Daphne, Hypsi marks chef Terrence Gallivan’s return to professional cooking in Houston.

Known for his time as the co-execuive chef of The Pass and Provisions and owner of ElRo Pizza and Crudo, Gallivan brings strong culinary credentials to Hypsi. Although he isn’t known explicitly for Italian fare, he has significant experience making pizza, pasts, and other Italian-inspired dishes. After closing ElRo last year, the chef says that working for Bunkhouse Hotels, the Austin-based company that operates the Daphne, had a lot of appeal.

“My wife and I always made it a point to stop at their places whenever we’re in Austin. They know how to make cool stuff,” Gallivan says.

Hypsi’s menu includes updated takes on Italian fare begins with starters such as lamb meatballs, black truffle arancini, and Caesar salad. A selection of house-made pastas include squid ink radiatori with rock shrimp, butternut squash tortellini, and lumache with vodka sauce that gets a little heat from nduja. Entree choices include a roast chicken, pork Milanese, and roasted snapper with salsa verde.

The restaurant is also open for breakfast during the week and brunch on the weekends with items such as a panatone waffle, frittata, and breakfast sandwich. Lunch will follow in January.

“We took inspiration from tradition without being traditional,” Gallivan says. Later, he adds, “For me, it’s about balance. You try to please everybody. I want my mom to enjoy herself as much as a 25-year-old foodie. It’s important to hit as many marks as you can.”

One of the restaurant’s signatures will be the mozzarella cart that rolls through its dining room. Gallivan says he’s sourcing a mix of both American and imported Italian cheeses that will rotate every week or two. The cheese is served with a range of pickled fruit and vegetables, olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar, focaccia, and more. Of course, seeing a cart immediately grabs diners’ attention, making them want whatever is on offer.

“That’s the beauty of carts,” Gallivan says. “It’s a fun thing to do. I think sometimes we get a little too serious in restaurants. It’s supposed to be fun. People are here to enjoy themselves.”

All that eating and drinking takes place in a dining room that’s inspired by Prohibition-era speakeasies, according to press materials. Details include blueberry lava stone on the bar, vintage velvet chairs, and custom Carimate dining chairs by Vico Magistretti. An outdoor patio features brick pavers, mosaic tables, and sculptures.

Photo by Julie Soefer

Hypsi serves pasta and other Itaian-inspired dishes.

news-you-can-eat openings the-heights hotels