Agave Elevated: 25 Luxe New York Destinations Shaking Up National Tequila Day

Refined Tequila Cocktails, Rooftop Views, and Hospitality Worth Sipping For—Here’s Where to Celebrate July 24 in Style
Bar Cima's "Cima Special"
Bar Cima's "Cima Special"Photo Courtesy of Bar Cima

National Tequila Day may fall in the middle of the week, but this year's line-up of high-end tequila experiences proves it’s not just a reason to toast—it’s an invitation to indulge. Across New York City’s skyline lounges, heritage hotels, and cocktail-forward restaurants, tequila is being reimagined with nuance, craftsmanship, and a dose of summer flair. These 25 curated destinations lead with flavor, atmosphere, and a commitment to quality that speaks directly to the luxury-minded drinker.

1. Bar Cima

Empanadas & Cocktail at Bar Cima
Empanadas & Cocktail at Bar CimaPhoto Courtesy of Bar Cima

Location: Grayson Hotel, 30 W. 39th St., New York, NY 10018

Cocktails: Cima Special ($17), Spicy Tommy’s Margarita ($17)

Twenty-eight floors above Midtown, Bar Cima makes a strong case for tequila with a view. This sleek Latin-inspired cocktail lounge pairs its agave-forward menu with panoramic views of the Empire State Building and a striking walnut bar lined with rare mezcals and tequilas. For National Tequila Day, the Cima Special offers a summer-ready mix of reposado tequila, passion fruit, pineapple, honey, lime, and Tajín. Prefer spice over sweet? The Spicy Tommy’s Margarita, with fire tincture and agave, delivers a clean kick with upscale edge.

2. The Skylark

The Skylark Margarita
The Skylark MargaritaPhoto Courtesy of The Skylark

Location: 200 W. 39th St., 30th Floor, New York, NY 10018

Signature Cocktail: Desastre Caliente ($22)

At The Skylark, perched 30 stories above the city, tequila takes a sultry turn. The Desastre Caliente lives up to its name with a fusion of juicy peach, prickly pear, jalapeño, and fresh lime—all anchored by a tequila base that smooths the heat without muting it. Surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows and skyline views that span Hudson Yards to the Empire State Building, it's an ideal place to sip slowly and linger longer.

3. Temple Court

Location: The Beekman Hotel, Financial District

Cocktail: Benito Antonio

Housed inside one of Manhattan’s most historic buildings, Temple Court is no stranger to timeless appeal. Executive Chef Travis Sowards and Chef de Cuisine Rigoberto Saloj offer refined American cuisine, while Food & Beverage Director Isabella Fitzgerald complements the experience with a thoughtful cocktail list. Among them, the Benito Antonio stands out for National Tequila Day—crafted with chili-infused Herradura Silver Tequila, salty cilantro syrup, and fresh lime. It’s a restrained, savory take on the margarita that plays well with the restaurant’s sophisticated setting.

4. ART SoHo

ART SoHo's Watermelon Fizz
ART SoHo's Watermelon FizzPhoto Courtesy of ART SoHo

Location: Arlo SoHo, 231 Hudson St., New York, NY 10013

Cocktails: Watermelon Fizz ($22), Passionfruit Daisy Cocktail Tower ($120)

ART SoHo turns tequila into a shared experience. The Watermelon Fizz, made with Patron Silver Tequila, fresno chili, lime, and grapefruit soda, blends just the right amount of summer heat and fruit-driven acidity. For groups, the Cocktail Towers—designed for up to ten guests—elevate bottle service with a mixologist’s touch. One standout: the Passionfruit Daisy, combining Herradura Blanco, Aperol, passionfruit, pineapple, and lime. The indoor-outdoor space offers a breezy escape above the city, backed by a wood-fired menu and seasonal dishes curated by Renwick Hospitality Group.

5. Bar Blondeau

Location: Wythe Hotel, Williamsburg

Cocktail: East Riviera

With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Manhattan skyline, Bar Blondeau has long been a Brooklyn cocktail destination. Its seasonal cocktail program centers on locally sourced spirits and modern European flair. The East Riviera brings a tropical edge to tequila: Blanco Tequila meets lemon, mango chili liqueur, and clementino for a drink that’s as sophisticated as it is sessionable. Best paired with oysters and a late sunset.

6. Craft

Craft's Smoky Sunrise
Craft's Smoky Sunrise Photo Courtesy of Craft

Location: 43 E. 19th St., Flatiron

Cocktail: Smoky Sunrise

Tom Colicchio’s flagship restaurant is known for its ingredient-driven ethos—and its bar program keeps the same standard. The Smoky Sunrise leans into layered flavor, with Herradura Tequila Silvero, mezcal, Solerno (a blood orange liqueur), Benedictine, lime, and ash salt. It’s not just a drink—it’s a mood. For tequila fans looking to explore nuance and depth, this is a glass worth lingering over at Craft.

7. The Russian Tea Room

The Russian Tea Room's 7 Citrus Margarita
The Russian Tea Room's 7 Citrus MargaritaPhoto Courtesy of The Russian Tea Room

Location: 150 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019

Cocktail: 7 Citrus Margarita

An NYC icon since 1926, The Russian Tea Room surprises with one of the most inventive tequila cocktails in Midtown. The 7 Citrus Margarita features El Velo Reposado Tequila, Cointreau, and Giffard Pamplemousse—layered with housemade syrup crafted from their own 7 Citrus Russian tea blend. Notes of black tea, lemon, lime, orange, and bergamot enhance the tequila’s richness and deliver unexpected balance in every sip.

8. InterContinental New York Barclay

InterContinental's Paloma on Fire
InterContinental's Paloma on FirePhoto Courtesy of InterContinental New York Barclay

Location: 111 E. 48th St., New York, NY 10017

Cocktail: Paloma on Fire

As polished as its address, the InterContinental New York Barclay honors tradition with a twist. Their Paloma on Fire pairs Maestro Dobel Tequila with a touch of Ilegal Mezcal, fresh grapefruit and lime juices, jalapeño simple syrup, and club soda. Topped with a Tajín rim and garnished with jalapeño, it’s refreshing but with unmistakable heat. A sharp contrast to the refined elegance of the lobby bar—and that’s the point.

9. The Algonquin Hotel, Autograph Collection

The Algonquin Hotel's Linger On
The Algonquin Hotel's Linger OnPhoto Courtesy of The Algonquin Hotel

Location: 59 W. 44th St., New York, NY 10036

Cocktail: Linger On

Few hotels carry as much literary legacy as The Algonquin, and their National Tequila Day cocktail feels like a modern ode to old New York. “Linger On” layers Casamigos with Cointreau, Grand Marnier, and lime juice—shaken, garnished with ginger and lime. It’s clean, structured, and quietly luxe.

10. ART NoMad

ART NoMad's "Do You Want Me?" Cocktail
ART NoMad's "Do You Want Me?" CocktailPhoto Courtesy of ART NoMad

Location: Arlo NoMad, 11 E. 31st St., New York, NY 10016

Cocktail: Frozen Mango Margarita ($21)

With a mural by Rey Jaffet and a Sky Walk glass floor 31 stories above the street, ART NoMad brings art and altitude together. Their Frozen Mango Margarita blends Patrón Silver Tequila with mango purée, orange liqueur, lime, and a tamarind drizzle. Finished with a Tajín rim, it’s sweet, tart, and spicy—the kind of cocktail that hits best on a rooftop in late July.

11. Dolores

Dolores' Salida del Sol
Dolores' Salida del Sol Photo Courtesy of Dolores

Location: 397 Tompkins Ave., Brooklyn, NY

Cocktails: Salida Del Sol, Jerk Batanga

Mexico City flair finds a Brooklyn rhythm at Dolores, the newest concept from the team behind Winona’s. Beverage Director Leanne Favre (formerly of Clover Club and Leyenda) curates an agave-forward menu that highlights depth and nostalgia. Try the Salida Del Sol with tequila blanco, orange, passionfruit, Aperol, and Valentina, or opt for the Jerk Batanga—Tequila Reposado, Amontillado, jerk spice, banana, lime, and Mexican Coke. Elevated, expressive, and completely transportive.

12. ART Williamsburg

Location: Arlo Williamsburg, 96 Wythe Ave., Brooklyn, NY 11249

Cocktails: Playa Margarita ($21), Sunset Paloma ($20)

At ART Williamsburg, tequila meets rooftop chic. The Playa Margarita—made with Casamigos Blanco, orange liqueur, watermelon, cilantro, agave, and lime—is light but complex, with layers of herbaceous sweetness. The Sunset Paloma leans citrusy, blending Astral Blanco Tequila, grapefruit, lime, agave, yuzu, and jalapeño salt. Sip, savor, and scan the skyline—this one’s made for golden hour.

13. Vallata

Location: 19 E. 19th St., Flatiron

Cocktail: Margarita Calabrese

Chef Tom Colicchio’s Italian concept just off Union Square leans into Calabrian flair for its tequila toast. The Margarita Calabrese combines tequila with lime and a fiery Calabrian chili kick, finished with a salted rim. It’s a succinct, spice-driven take that feels perfectly at home among Vallata’s handmade pastas and aperitivo hour.

14. Confidant

Location: Industry City, Brooklyn

Cocktail: House Margarita (Tequila, Guajillo, Yuzu, Cilantro)

At Industry City’s modern newcomer Confidant, the margarita gets a refined update. The cocktail blends tequila with guajillo chili, yuzu, and fresh cilantro—creating a citrus-meets-herb profile with subtle heat and balance. The menu here, led by alums from Per Se and Gage & Tollner, matches the drink’s complexity with dry-aged meats, seasonal plates, and unexpected pairings.

15. Bourbon Steak New York

Bourbon's Espresso Martini with Cincoro Reposado Tequila
Bourbon's Espresso Martini with Cincoro Reposado TequilaPhoto Courtesy of Bourbon Steak New York

Location: JW Marriott Essex House, 160 Central Park South

Cocktail: Espresso Martini (with Cincoro Reposado Tequila)

Michael Mina’s upscale steakhouse, Bourbon Steak New York, reinterprets the espresso martini with Cincoro Reposado, Spanish brandy, Caffé Borghetti, and fresh-pulled espresso. This twist trades vodka for depth, giving the classic a mellow, oak-aged backbone. Sip it with a post-dinner view of Central Park and let the tequila linger into the evening.

16. Bar Primi (Penn District)

Bar Primi's Triple Threat4
Bar Primi's Triple ThreatPhoto Courtesy of Bar Primi

Location: 349 W. 33rd St., New York, NY 10001

Cocktail: The Triple Threat

Bar Primi’s Penn District outpost turns heads with The Triple Threat—a tableside showstopper made with three tequilas, Cappelletti, orange aperitivo, pineapple, and creole bitters. Served flaming, it walks the line between high-energy and high-design. With a stylish warehouse vibe and expansive outdoor dining, this one delivers both spectacle and taste.

17. Sungold

Sungold Bar Interior
Sungold Bar InteriorPhoto Courtesy of Sungold

Location: Arlo Williamsburg, 96 Wythe Ave., Brooklyn

Cocktails: Shadow Silk ($20), Twilight Paloma ($19)

Inside Arlo Williamsburg, Sungold’s cocktail program leans culinary. The Shadow Silk layers Contraluz Cristalino Tequila with shiso, yuzu, cucumber, and black smoked salt for an herbaceous, savory expression. The Twilight Paloma reworks the classic with Don Julio Blanco, Faccia Brutto Centerbe, Luxardo Maraschino, and sparkling grapefruit. It’s thoughtful mixology in a moody, intimate setting—best enjoyed beneath the pendant lighting or on the open patio.

18. The Muse New York

The Muse New York's Fire & Bloom
The Muse New York's Fire & BloomPhoto Courtesy of The Muse New York

Location: 130 W. 46th St., New York, NY 10036

Cocktail: Fire & Bloom

Tucked just off Times Square, The Muse’s Fire & Bloom adds jalapeño-infused Casamigos Blanco to ginger liqueur, grapefruit liqueur, and lime. With a Tajín rim and citrus garnish, it offers freshness with a floral burn. The name says it all—it blooms, then it bites.

19. Selune

Selune's Dirty South
Selune's Dirty SouthPhoto Courtesy of Selune

Location: Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn

Cocktail: Dirty South

In a landmark Brooklyn space, Selune marries natural wine and agave with a cocktail that’s earthy and elegant. The Dirty South blends thyme-infused tequila with corn and chile de árbol for a slow-building sip with complexity. The bar’s commitment to local sourcing and its intimate setting make this a quiet standout.

20. Lucky Charlie

Lucky Charlie's Paloma di Palermo
Lucky Charlie's Paloma di PalermoPhoto Courtesy of Lucky Charlie

Location: Bushwick, Brooklyn

Cocktail: Paloma di Palermo

Chef Nino Coniglio’s coal-oven pizzeria takes a Sicilian approach to the Paloma. The Paloma di Palermo features Casco Viejo tequila, housemade Sicilian pink grapefruit soda, and citrus sal di mar—a salty-sweet tribute to both Mexico and the Mediterranean. It pairs perfectly with one of Lucky Charlie’s hand-tossed pizzas, straight from the coal oven.

21. Harta

Happy Hour at Harta
Happy Hour at HartaPhoto Courtesy of Harta

Location: Grayson Hotel, 30 W. 39th St., New York, NY 10018

Cocktails: Traditional Mezcal Margarita ($17), Paloma ($16)

Harta, the all-day Mediterranean brasserie inside the Grayson Hotel, leans sophisticated for its agave-forward sips. The Traditional Mezcal Margarita combines tequila, mezcal, orange curaçao, lime, and agave for a smoky-citrus punch. Prefer something more refreshing? The Paloma introduces grapefruit, pamplemousse, bitters, and soda for a sessionable, warm-weather option. Bonus: golden hour happy hour runs 4–6 p.m., with $14 spritzes and $10 snacks.

22. Breva

Location: 3145 Brighton Fourth St., Brooklyn, NY 11235

Cocktails: Hibiscus Margarita ($14), Spicy Paloma ($14)

Steps from Coney Island, Breva elevates the boardwalk cocktail game with tequila-forward drinks that pack nuance. The Hibiscus Margarita uses hibiscus-infused blanco tequila, curacao, lime, and agave, while the Spicy Paloma kicks in fire tincture for a finish that lingers. Expect coast-meets-cocktail bar energy, with shareable plates and breezy seaside views.

23. Central Park Boathouse

Central Park Boathouse Golden Ember Cocktail
Central Park Boathouse Golden Ember CocktailPhoto Courtesy of Central Park Boathouse

Location: Central Park, Upper East Side

Cocktail: Golden Ember

Following its recent renovation, Central Park Boathouse brings tequila to the lakefront. The Golden Ember—made with Patrón Reposado, Juliette peach liqueur, lime juice, peach nectar, and a smoked sea salt rim—offers a fruit-forward pour with restrained sweetness and just enough minerality. Few places offer this level of atmosphere with a splash of tequila.

24. Tacalle

Location: 19 W. 38th St., Midtown

Cocktails: Classic & Flavored Margaritas ($14), Spicy Margarita, Paloma

Hidden behind the Grayson Hotel, Tacalle offers street food charm with a cocktail program to match. Flavored margaritas (lime, strawberry, passion fruit, and watermelon) and frozen options line the menu, while standouts like the Spicy Margarita—made with Ghost tequila—and the Paloma with Espolon Reposado and Jarritos deliver authenticity with flair. Add tacos and twinkling bistro lights and you’ve got a lively tequila garden tucked into Midtown.

25. Rolo’s

Location: Ridgewood, Queens

Cocktail: Oaxacan Blues

Rolo’s may be known for its wood-fired meats and Gramercy Tavern pedigree, but its cocktail menu deserves equal attention. The Oaxacan Blues features a mix of mezcal, tequila, blue curacao, agave, and mole bitters. It’s smoky, citrusy, and just a little nostalgic, like a beach drink that grew up.

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