El Chingon Celebrates National Margarita Day with Destilado Tequila

San Diego restaurant hosts tequila tastings, cocktail contest, and specialty honeydew margarita for the holiday.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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El Chingon, a Mexican restaurant in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, is hosting a series of events to celebrate National Margarita Day on February 22nd. The festivities will include a Santo Tequila sampling social, the debut of El Chingon's new house destilado tequila in a specialty honeydew margarita, and a cocktail contest where bartenders will compete to create the best El Chingon Destilado margarita, with the winner receiving an all-expenses-paid trip to Tequila, Mexico.

Why it matters

National Margarita Day is a popular annual celebration of the classic Mexican cocktail, and El Chingon's events showcase the restaurant's commitment to agave-based spirits and innovative cocktails. The introduction of their own house destilado tequila also highlights the growing trend of restaurants and bars developing their own branded spirits.

The details

El Chingon's National Margarita Day celebration will kick off on Thursday, February 19th with a Santo Tequila sampling social at the restaurant and its sister speakeasy, Prohibition. On Sunday, February 22nd, El Chingon will debut its new El Chingon Bad Ass Destilado tequila in a specialty honeydew margarita. Bartenders from across the GBOD Hospitality Group will also compete in a contest to create the best El Chingon Destilado margarita, with the winning bartender receiving an all-expenses-paid trip to Tequila, Mexico.

  • The Santo Tequila sampling social will take place on Thursday, February 19th from 6 to 8 p.m.
  • The El Chingon Destilado tequila honeydew margarita will be available exclusively on Sunday, February 22nd.
  • The bartender cocktail contest will also take place on Sunday, February 22nd.

The players

El Chingon

A Mexican restaurant located in San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter, known for its traditional Mexican cuisine with elevated ingredients, expansive beverage menu, and specialty in agave-based cocktails.

GBOD Hospitality Group

The parent company that owns El Chingon and other restaurants and bars in San Diego, including the hidden speakeasy Prohibition.

Santo Tequila

A tequila brand founded by legendary rocker Sammy Hagar and iconic chef Guy Fieri, made from 100% Blue Weber Agave sourced from the Highlands of Jalisco, Mexico.

El Chingon Bad Ass Destilado

El Chingon's newly introduced house tequila brand that will be featured in a specialty honeydew margarita and a bartender cocktail contest.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

El Chingon's National Margarita Day celebration showcases the restaurant's commitment to agave-based spirits and innovative cocktails, as well as the growing trend of restaurants developing their own branded spirits to stand out in a competitive market.