Celebrate International Margarita Day with these local margs | 22 Feb
Each and every year, February 22 marks International Margarita Day – a day to celebrate an iconic cocktail, the margarita. Classically made with tequila, triple sec, and lime juice (and a salt rim on the glass, of course), there are plenty of traditional and out-of-the-ordinary takes on the marg across Newcastle. We've done the hard work and found the best spots for a margarita in Newcastle.
Antojitos
Being one of Newcastle's best spots for Mexican food, Antojitos naturally does a killer margarita. When the burritos are this tasty, the margaritas are this fresh, and the vibes are this good, you'll think you're in Mexico.
Where: 11 Steel St, Newcastle West
Bar Mellow
Bar Mellow may be known for its excellent wine list and creative cocktails, but did you know the Newcastle West bar offers a stand-out selection of classic cocktails? The margarita is of course on the list, and we reckon it's a delicious rendition of the classic.
Where: Ground Floor, 744 Hunter St, Newcastle West
Bar Romeo
A night out at Darby Street's Bar Romeo is always a fun time. The bar's cocktail list is extensive, but if you're craving a marg, head straight for the 'Margarita Madness' section of the menu, and choose either a traditional, paloma, coconut, or spicy margarita.
Where: 97-107 Darby St, Cooks Hill
Beach Burrito Co.
Beach Burrito Co. on Darby Street is known for its laidback Mexican food and extensive margarita menu. Featuring classic, coconut, spicy, watermelon, and passionfruit margaritas, there's something for everyone. Grab a frozen marg for just $10 during happy hour, 4pm-6pm, Monday to Friday.
Where: 135 Darby St, Cooks Hill
Good Nights at Good Brother
While we love the blackboard wine list when we head to Good Nights at Good Brother, the cafe-turned-bar also makes a great margarita. Enjoy it from 5.30pm on Thursdays for just $12, accompanied by a $10 quesadilla and $12 chips and guacamole.
Where: 40 King St, Newcastle
Hotel Jesmond
Pull up a seat out in the beer garden at Hotel Jesmond, and sip on a margarita while you enjoy a pub feed. The hotel offers some of the best value margaritas in town, with its classic marg and spicy marg coming in at $15 and $16 respectively.
Where: 182 Newcastle Rd, Jesmond
In Forno
In Forno serves up a huge array of Italian dishes at its Hamilton and Charlestown locations, and the drinks menu is equally as extensive. Fancy a marg? Choose from classic, pineapple, spicy tropical, and watermelon and basil.
Where: 79-81 Beaumont St, Hamilton | 36 Pearson St, Charlestown
Lock's Paddock
Lock's Paddock is consistently one of the best dining spots in Newcastle, known for its creative yet quality food, fun atmosphere, and solid drinks offering. There's three margaritas on the menu at Lock's Paddock: smoked, watermelon, and chilli.
Where: 16 Watt St, Newcastle
Market St Basement
Market St Basement has crafted some delicious signature cocktails to go with its Italian fare, two of which are margaritas. Try the chilli Tommy's margarita for a spicy take on a classic (featuring both chilli syrup and a chilli salt rim) or the coconut margarita for something a little sweeter.
Where: 2/2 Market St, Newcastle
Meantime
There's stacks of interesting concoctions to be enjoyed at Meantime, Beaumont Street's cocktail bar and gluten-free kitchen. There's three margaritas to choose from if you're that way inclined – spicy (made with jalapeños), watermelon, and spiced cranberry.
Where: 104 Beaumont St, Hamilton
Merewether Surfhouse
Merewether Surfhouse is all about margaritas – in fact, we think its offering is one of the most extensive in Newcastle. Upstairs at the bar, sip on classic, chilli watermelon, coconut, pineapple, and Aztec margaritas, or downstairs at the beach bar, try creations like a strawberry and lychee margarita or a jalapeño margarita.
Where: 5 Henderson Pde, Merewether
Modus Merewether
Modus Merewether may be know for its craft beers, but did you know the Merewether brewery also does an excellent margarita?
Where: 20 Merewether St, Merewether
Queens Wharf Hotel
Located right on the water, Queens Wharf Hotel is a pretty ideal spot for a pub feed. Grab yourself a margarita while you're at it – the pub has classic, chilli, and watermelon to choose from.
Where: 150 Wharf Rd, Newcastle
Romberg's
With some of the best views in the city and a quality signature cocktail list to match, Romberg's, at the top of the Crystalbrook Kingsley hotel, is a lovely spot for a drink. Try the rosella margarita with Altos Plata tequila, spiced rosella syrup, and lime juice for something different.
Where: Level 9/282 King St, Newcastle
Roy's at 45
Roy’s at 45 serves up hearty, tasty tapas alongside wine, beer, and cocktails in its intimate Mayfield bar. While there's always margaritas on the menu, you can expect marg specials each week to really shake things up.
Where: 45 Maitland Rd, Mayfield
Scottie's
Spend the day at the beach, then treat yourself to some local fish and chips before you wash it all down with a yuzu margarita at Scottie's. Sitting outside under the lights and palm trees is a dreamy way to spend a balmy evening.
Where: 36 Scott St, Newcastle East
Signal Box
There's a few margaritas on offer at Signal Box, and they make a lovely pairing with the restaurant's signature fresh, easy-eating, seafood-focused menu. Go for a classic or spicy, or change things up with a frozen jalapeño margarita.
Where: 155 Wharf Rd, Newcastle
The Beach Hotel
While we love a margarita in any setting, there's no denying that drinking one by the beach is probably the most apt way to enjoy this iconic cocktail. The Beach Hotel has margaritas down pat – the pub even has a dedicated margarita menu.
Where: 99 Frederick St, Merewether
The Greenroof Hotel
Swing into The Greenroof Hotel in Hamilton and order yourself a classic margarita, treat yourself to a $14 frozen margarita (available all day, everyday!), or spice things up with a chilli margarita.
Where: 71 Tudor St, Hamilton
The Falcon Restaurant
The Falcon Restaurant over in Newcastle East serves up some excellent cocktails alongside its food inspired by the American South. Order the Findik margarita, an "homage to those who lay in wait for the perfect wave," featuring lime, spiced syrup, triple sec, tequila, chilli salt rim, and a seaweed garnish.
Where: 10 Pacific St, Newcastle
The Lucky Hotel
Kicking back with a margarita in The Lucky Hotel's courtyard with a pub feed and margarita in hand is a lovely way to spend an afternoon or evening, if you ask us. Go for a classic marg, or try the coconut or chilli margarita.
Where: 237 Hunter St, Newcastle
The Maryville Tavern
The Maryville Tavern's take on the margarita is certainly out of the ordinary – the Devil's Margarita features chilli-infused tequila, agave, and a shiraz float. For a fusion of two our favourite Mexican cocktails, go for the paloma margarita.
Where: 71 Lewis St, Maryville
The Prince of Merewether
Sitting on the balcony at The Prince of Merewether with a margarita in hand is a pretty ideal way to while away an afternoon or evening. Treat yourself to one from the pub's selection and pair it with some of the excellent pub grub on offer.
Where: 1 Morgan St, Merewether
The Young Street Hotel
The Young Street Hotel has margarita-lovers sorted. Not only does the Carrington pub serve up a classic and spicy marg, but there's also frozen margaritas on offer for just $10. Count us in.
Where: 132 Young St, Carrington
TINTA Belmont
TINTA Belmont has an entire section on its cocktail menu dedicated to margaritas – need we say more? It includes a blueberry margarita, which is a fruity take on the classic, and even a non-alcoholic option made with Lyre's Agave Blanco and Triple Sec.
Where: 690 Pacific Hwy, Belmont
Whilst we’ve mentioned some of our favourite venues known for their margarita offerings, check our guide to the best cocktail bars in Newcastle, and our list of Newcastle restaurants with delicious cocktail menus.