San Francisco takes its margaritas seriously—this is the city that invented the Tommy's Margarita and turned the rest of the world onto 100% agave tequila. Skip the tourist traps and hit these five spots where the drinks are strong, the tequila is real, and the bartenders know their stuff.

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Tommy's Mexican Restaurant - The Legend

This unassuming Outer Richmond family joint created the most famous margarita variation in modern cocktail history. Julio Bermejo ditched the triple sec back in the '80s and made a drink with just tequila, lime, and agave nectar that's now served worldwide. With over 300 tequilas behind the bar, you can taste your way through Mexico without leaving Geary Boulevard.

The vibe is pure neighborhood restaurant—think plastic tablecloths and fluorescent lighting—but the tequila program is world-class. Ask Julio for a tequila education and prepare to learn more than you bargained for. Fair warning: they close at 8:30pm like it's 1985.

Order: The original Tommy's Margarita, or ask about their secret margarita flights
Address: 5929 Geary Boulevard

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Latin American Club - Mission District Powerhouse

Want a margarita that'll rearrange your evening plans? LAC serves 16-ounce monsters that pack enough punch to flatten a linebacker. These aren't subtle cocktails—they're tequila delivery systems wrapped in lime and served with questionable decision-making abilities.

The quality varies depending on who's working, but when they nail it, you'll understand why people keep coming back. Order the half-size if you have plans later.

Order: Regular margarita (if you're brave) or half-size (if you're smart)
Vibe: Loud, packed, exactly what you want from a Mission bar

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Sunset Cantina - Neighborhood Gem

This Sunset spot has a tequila list longer than a CVS receipt and margaritas that actually taste different from each other. The Impala margarita gets a float of Amaro Montenegro that sounds wrong but tastes absolutely right—vanilla and eucalyptus notes that somehow work with agave.

They also do fruit variations that don't taste like candy, which is harder to pull off than it sounds. The crowd skews local, the music doesn't assault your eardrums, and you can actually have a conversation.

Order: The Impala margarita or any of their fruit variations
Good for: When you want quality without the scene

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Tacolicious - Reliable Chain Done Right

Don't let the multiple locations fool you—Tacolicious knows what they're doing. Their "Margarita Picante" with red chile shrub brings actual heat without killing your taste buds, and the "Papi Hemingway" mixing mezcal and rum shouldn't work but absolutely does.

The Marina location has the best service and you won't wait forever for drinks. Plus, their food is solid enough that you won't regret eating here.

Order: Margarita Picante if you like spice, classic if you don't
Locations: Marina, Mission, Palo Alto

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El Techo de Lolinda - Rooftop Vibes

When San Francisco decides to have actual weather, this Mission rooftop becomes the place to be. Their margaritas mix tequila and mezcal for extra complexity, and the Latin American street food pairs perfectly with day drinking.

The view beats most SF rooftops, and when the fog stays away, you'll remember why you moved here in the first place. Just don't come when it's windy unless you enjoy frozen margaritas the hard way.

Order: Tequila-mezcal margarita
Best time: Sunny afternoons (all three of them per year)

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San Francisco's margarita game is strong because Tommy's set the standard decades ago—quality tequila, fresh ingredients, no shortcuts. Most serious bars now follow this playbook, which means you're unlikely to get a truly terrible margarita anywhere that isn't actively trying to rip you off.

Start at Tommy's to understand what the fuss is about, then work your way through the others. And remember: if they're not using 100% agave tequila, you're drinking in the wrong place.