Best Margaritas in Northern Colorado

Northern Colorado runs deep on Mexican food, but a genuinely good margarita is its own thing. Fresh lime instead of sour mix, tequila you'd sip on its own, and a price that doesn't punish the second one. From $1.99 Taco Tuesday rounds to top-shelf pours, these are the ones worth the drive.

Best for…

Best Value

Gaia Masala Burger & Bar Fort Collins

A $6 Mango Chili Margarita at happy hour, a genuinely distinctive signature pour at a price that's hard to beat.

Best Date Spot

Chelo's Modern Mexican Fort Collins

Creative margaritas with black-salt rims and enough atmosphere that a date naturally settles in for a second round, one of the few margarita rooms actually built for date night.

Best for Groups

3 Margaritas Fort Collins

Big booths, strong margaritas, and endless chips and salsa, the spot that handles almost any group without overthinking it.

Worth the Drive

Birdhouse Erie

Worth the run to downtown Erie for a $6 mango margarita, a fresh and distinctive pour you won't find anywhere closer.

Maida Trattoria

Fort Collins

Date Night, Casual Dinner

The easiest place in town to accidentally stay for another round of wine.

Bad Daddy's Burger Bar

Fort Collins

Casual Dinner, Patio Drinks, Rooftop, Late Night, Value

The burgers get the attention, but the Bad Ass Margarita quietly runs happy hour here.

Blue Agave Grill

Fort Collins

Date Night, Brunch, Cocktails, Patio Drinks, Value

Old Town Fort Collins, a serious margarita program, and 50% off tequila every Tuesday all day.

Bonefish Grill

Johnstown

Date Night, Casual Dinner, Cocktails, Patio Drinks

A chain that punches above its weight on the happy hour front.

Cactus Grille

Loveland

Date Night, Casual Dinner, Cocktails, Patio Drinks, Value, Dog-Friendly

Mike Severance ran Cactus Grille for 20 years, closed it in 2008, then brought it back in 2012.

Cancun Mexican Grill and Cantina

Greeley

Patio Drinks, Value, Groups & Family

West Greeley and 20 years in business.

Coyote's Southwestern Grill

Greeley

Patio Drinks, Value

Coyote’s is one of those longtime Greeley spots that locals seem genuinely loyal to, and after going there it’s pretty easy to understand why.

El Cielo II

Loveland

El Cielo II feels like one of those dependable Loveland Mexican spots people quietly become regulars at.

El Diablo Taco Bar

Fort Collins

Casual Dinner, Groups & Family

Feels like one of those Fort Collins spots built equally for tacos and margaritas.

El Diablo Taco Bar

Loveland

Cocktails, Value, Groups & Family

Loveland needed a good taco spot and El Diablo showed up.

Grey Rock Sports Grill

Fort Collins

Game Day, Value

Grey Rock is one of those dependable south Fort Collins spots where people go to watch games without dealing with the Old Town chaos.