National Margarita Day (Feb. 22, 2026) started from humble beginnings, when a real estate agent named Todd McCalla simply wanted to share his love of this iconic cocktail, made of tequila, orange liqueur and citrus juice and so codified a day of celebration in 2008.
McCalla's intention was to not only commemorates the classic, tried-and-true margarita, but also the many variations from basic Tommy's or coin-style, to spicy or frozen offerings, to those imbued with fruit, fun garnishes or rims. You like yours smoky? Come on in, mezcal; the margarita is chill like that.
While there are national celebrations for all types of food, from Jello Week to National Molasses Bar Day, time spent honoring the margarita is actually worth some fanfare. The cocktail itself is celebratory; correct me if I'm wrong, but has anyone ever sadly suggested a pitcher of margs? Has any down-on-their-luck sad sack looking for an escape at the end of a long day ever eschewed a solemn order like neat whiskey for a skinny marg?
No. So let's celebrate the impending seasonal warming, grab some amigos and sip on margaritas on Feb. 22. While you can make great margaritas at home, it's a drink that begs company and so there are several spots in North Jersey offering holiday deals and many, many more with killer margaritas on their menus. Here are some to check out.
National Margarita Day deals in North Jersey
Any bar worth their salt (rim) will whip up a margarita for you -- on Feb. 22 or any other day. But you'll find some good deals on National Margarita Day in North Jersey and some unique variations.
Chevys Fresh Mex in Clifton and Linden, for instance, is offering $2 house margaritas all day to celebrate. La Fortaleza, with several locations in North Jersey, are dispensing with theirs for $5 a pop. Be careful, folks.
At Blu on the Hudson in Weehawken, you can take advantage of some fun margarita variations. They'll have a wasabi marg (Patrón Silver, triple sec, passionfruit, wasabi and fresh lime) and a Bamboo Panda variety (Lalo tequila, kaffir lime-infused elderflower liqueur, coffee-infused Montenegro amaro, demerara sugar and lemon).
At Meximodo in Jersey City and Metuchen, which is recognized as home to the largest agave spirit collection in the world, you can celebrate with a margarita brunch from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. with DJ music. While there, you can try their new Meximodo Tequila Blanco, a woman-owned brand and spirit made from organic Blue Weber agave with notes of white jasmine, citrus blossom and pink peppercorn.
And, El Aguila Dorada in Bayonne will have special margarita flights with new flavors all day.
If all else fails, head to your local Chili's -- they're celebrating with three new margaritas and the launch of their Margarita of the Month Club. And to be honest, their margs aren't half bad.
Where to get margaritas in North Jersey
* Chevys Fresh Mex. 1150 S. Stiles St., Linden, 908-862-9800, and 365 NJ-3, Clifton, 973-777-6277; chevys.com.
* La Fortaleza. Locations in Clifton, Passaic, Carlstadt and Lodi; fortalezarestaurants.com.
* Blu on the Hudson. 1200 Harbor Blvd., Weehawken Township; 201-636-1200, bluonthehudson.com.
* El Aguila Dorada. 830 Broadway, Bayonne; 201-858-0033, aguiladoradarestaurant.com.
* Meximodo. 25 Christopher Columbus Drive, Jersey City; 201-377-3265, meximodo.com
* Lolita's Mexican Cantina. 65 Old Hook Road, Westwood, 201-666-7998, and 8809 River Rd, North Bergen, 201-943-6366, lolitasmexicancantina.com.
* Viva Margarita. Locations in Hackensack, Wallington and Cliffside Park; vivamargarita.com.
* Chico's Mexican Grill. 559 E Main St., Denville; 973-957-0850, chicosmexicangrill.com.
* Lola's Cocina Latina. 300 Lakeside Ave., Hopatcong; 973-264-4231, eatlolasnow.com.
* East LA. 508 Washington St., Hoboken; 201-798-0052, ilovemargaritas.org.
* NOM Mexican Table & Tequila Bar. 67 Morris St., Morristown; 973-267-4700, nommexicantable.com.
Matt Cortina is a food reporter for NorthJersey.com/The Record. Reach him at mcortina@usatodayco.com.
