clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile
Rosepepper’s top shelf margarita on the rocks, on the patio
Delia Jo Ramsey /Eater Nashville

12 Must-Have Margaritas in Nashville

In pitchers, on the rocks, or in frozen form — where to find some of Nashville’s favorite margaritas

View as Map
Rosepepper’s top shelf margarita on the rocks, on the patio
| Delia Jo Ramsey /Eater Nashville

Drinking isn’t a competitive sport in Nashville, but it very well could be. Every pedal-tavern laden, bachelorette-flooded day on Broadway there are plenty of excuses to imbibe, but holidays and special occasions seem to ramp up thirst a little more. And beyond Derby Day and mint juleps. perhaps no other day or season inspires such widespread consumption of a single alcoholic beverage than this time of year. Yep, that’s right — it’s margarita season. Learn all about the history of the cocktail (tequila, orange liqueur, lime juice, shaken together and topped off with a slice of lime) over on Eater National.

Of course, there is no need for a specific date here to sip on margaritas splashed with healthy pours of tequila, so whenever the mood hits — here’s a map of some of Music City’s must-have margaritas.

Read More
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.

El Fuego Restaurant

Copy Link

Look to El Fuego’s new digs just down Gallatin Pike for expansive patio seating plus house margaritas that are always just $3.99. Jose Merchan first opened the popular Latin American restaurant in 2018 and quickly grew the dedicated following that already sent them packing to the larger space in 2020.

Rosepepper Cantina

Copy Link

The margaritas at this long-time East Nashville staple pack a punch. Since 2001, Rosepepper has a menu focused on Sonoran-style Mexican cuisine but has been a prime destination for those seeking boozy margaritas to wash down chips and some of the city’s favorite queso. Rosepepper has over 80 varieties of tequila, so the margarita options are seemingly endless (and available by the pitcher or by the glass).

Butchertown Hall

Copy Link

Butchertown Hall uses four simple ingredients — tequila, fresh-pressed lime, and Combier — to mix up a top-notch margarita. Is there really any need for anything else? (Other than the 3,000-square-foot courtyard designed for al fresco sipping, and a piping hot bowl of chorizo-loaded queso, of course.)

Nectar: Urban Cantina

Copy Link

Nope, Donelson residents don’t need to drive for a great margarita or fantastic patio vibes. Get top-shelf or regular margaritas by the pitcher, by the glass, or spiked with fresh jalapeno, pineapple, or hibiscus.

Blanco Cocina + Cantina

Copy Link

The new Mexican option at Fifth + Broadway brings a new margarita destination for Broadway visitors and Downtown residents alike. It’s a no-brainer to venture away from the standard/skinny marg here with fun flavors like smashed watermelon, strawberry habanero, and blueberry elderflower on offer.

Pancho & Lefty's Cantina

Copy Link

Whether drinking margaritas by the glass or the pitcher — Pancho & Lefty’s pours some of the city’s best. Variations like spicy, pineapple, strawberry, and mango are all crowdpleasers in the restaurant housed in downtown’s oldest building.

Bakersfield

Copy Link

More solid margaritas in downtown Nashville are found at Bakersfield. The house margarita here is made with tequila, triple sec, agave nectar, and fresh lemon/lime. There is also a premium margarita and a spicy jalapeno-packed margarita on the menu, plus one of the city’s best by-the-pitcher deals.

Saint Añejo

Copy Link

Margarita enthusiasts can choose from a selection of over 130 (yes, you read that right) tequila options at Saint Añejo. Whether you prefer blanco, reposado, joven, añejo or extra añejo, you’re sure to find the perfect tequila for your margarita of choice.

Party Fowl

Copy Link

Admittedly, margaritas counteract that Nashville hot chicken burn pretty well. Cross both off the bucket list in one fell swoop at the downtown, Donelson, Cool Spring, or Murfreesboro locations. Frozen drink aficionados can opt for the riunite ‘rita: an olmeca altos margarita topped with a bottle of lambrusco. The simply good house margaritas can be customized with peach, strawberry, or prickly pear, then crowned with a grand marnier floater.

Midtown’s margarita game got that much stronger when Nada opened a couple years back. The namesake nadarita is two-for-one during happy hour at the bar, and upgraded versions like the suprema, chile-mango, and aqua de rosa add some easy sipping color to the classic margarita.

bartaco 12 South

Copy Link

The patio might be what draws droves of bachelorettes in, but the margarita is what makes them stay. Made with tequila, orange liqueur, agave syrup, and lime juice, the Bartaco margarita uses simple, high-quality ingredients that pack quite the punch.

Guacamayas

Copy Link

Guacamayas allows takeout and delivery of their popular 64-ounce margaritas (with the purchase of food) — which is an added bonus in modern times. Pair it with an order of carnitas with green sauce and have a margarita night-in on the couch.

El Fuego Restaurant

Look to El Fuego’s new digs just down Gallatin Pike for expansive patio seating plus house margaritas that are always just $3.99. Jose Merchan first opened the popular Latin American restaurant in 2018 and quickly grew the dedicated following that already sent them packing to the larger space in 2020.

Rosepepper Cantina

The margaritas at this long-time East Nashville staple pack a punch. Since 2001, Rosepepper has a menu focused on Sonoran-style Mexican cuisine but has been a prime destination for those seeking boozy margaritas to wash down chips and some of the city’s favorite queso. Rosepepper has over 80 varieties of tequila, so the margarita options are seemingly endless (and available by the pitcher or by the glass).

Butchertown Hall

Butchertown Hall uses four simple ingredients — tequila, fresh-pressed lime, and Combier — to mix up a top-notch margarita. Is there really any need for anything else? (Other than the 3,000-square-foot courtyard designed for al fresco sipping, and a piping hot bowl of chorizo-loaded queso, of course.)

Nectar: Urban Cantina

Nope, Donelson residents don’t need to drive for a great margarita or fantastic patio vibes. Get top-shelf or regular margaritas by the pitcher, by the glass, or spiked with fresh jalapeno, pineapple, or hibiscus.

Blanco Cocina + Cantina

The new Mexican option at Fifth + Broadway brings a new margarita destination for Broadway visitors and Downtown residents alike. It’s a no-brainer to venture away from the standard/skinny marg here with fun flavors like smashed watermelon, strawberry habanero, and blueberry elderflower on offer.

Pancho & Lefty's Cantina

Whether drinking margaritas by the glass or the pitcher — Pancho & Lefty’s pours some of the city’s best. Variations like spicy, pineapple, strawberry, and mango are all crowdpleasers in the restaurant housed in downtown’s oldest building.

Bakersfield

More solid margaritas in downtown Nashville are found at Bakersfield. The house margarita here is made with tequila, triple sec, agave nectar, and fresh lemon/lime. There is also a premium margarita and a spicy jalapeno-packed margarita on the menu, plus one of the city’s best by-the-pitcher deals.

Saint Añejo

Margarita enthusiasts can choose from a selection of over 130 (yes, you read that right) tequila options at Saint Añejo. Whether you prefer blanco, reposado, joven, añejo or extra añejo, you’re sure to find the perfect tequila for your margarita of choice.

Party Fowl

Admittedly, margaritas counteract that Nashville hot chicken burn pretty well. Cross both off the bucket list in one fell swoop at the downtown, Donelson, Cool Spring, or Murfreesboro locations. Frozen drink aficionados can opt for the riunite ‘rita: an olmeca altos margarita topped with a bottle of lambrusco. The simply good house margaritas can be customized with peach, strawberry, or prickly pear, then crowned with a grand marnier floater.

Nada

Midtown’s margarita game got that much stronger when Nada opened a couple years back. The namesake nadarita is two-for-one during happy hour at the bar, and upgraded versions like the suprema, chile-mango, and aqua de rosa add some easy sipping color to the classic margarita.

bartaco 12 South

The patio might be what draws droves of bachelorettes in, but the margarita is what makes them stay. Made with tequila, orange liqueur, agave syrup, and lime juice, the Bartaco margarita uses simple, high-quality ingredients that pack quite the punch.

Guacamayas

Guacamayas allows takeout and delivery of their popular 64-ounce margaritas (with the purchase of food) — which is an added bonus in modern times. Pair it with an order of carnitas with green sauce and have a margarita night-in on the couch.

Related Maps