Charlotte’s cocktail scene has grown up considerably over the last decade. The city now has serious craft cocktail bars, proper whiskey programs, and wine lists worth paying attention to. But when it comes to margaritas in Charlotte, NC, one restaurant has been in a category by itself for years, and it’s not particularly close.
Paco’s Tacos & Tequila doesn’t just make great margaritas. It built its entire identity around doing tequila right, and the depth of that commitment shows in every glass.
The Tequila Program That Changes the Conversation
Most bars in Charlotte that offer margaritas are working from a shelf of a dozen tequilas, maybe twenty if they’re trying. Paco’s carries over 195 varieties—the most in the city, and possibly the most in the state.
That number matters more than it might seem at first. A margarita is a simple drink: tequila, citrus, and a little sweetness. When the tequila selection is this deep, your margin for creating an exceptional drink is dramatically wider. You’re not constrained to one or two options that work well in a cocktail; you’re choosing from across the full spectrum of blanco, reposado, añejo, and extra-añejo expressions, each bringing different characteristics to the glass.
At Paco’s, the bartenders know this library. They know which tequilas work with a classic lime-forward build and which ones deserve a more minimal treatment to let the agave speak. That expertise is what separates a bar that stocks a lot of tequila from one that actually knows what to do with it.
What a Great Margarita in Charlotte Actually Requires
There’s a floor under which a margarita just isn’t a margarita anymore—it’s a sour mix delivery vehicle. Great margaritas in Charlotte, like anywhere, come down to a few non-negotiable things:
Fresh citrus. Not citrus juice from a bottle. Not sour mix. Freshly squeezed lime juice pressed the same day it’s used. This is the most basic indicator of a bar that cares about its cocktails, and it’s the thing that most places get wrong.
Quality tequila. A margarita is only as good as the tequila in it. With over 195 options at Paco’s, the baseline here is considerably higher than what you’ll find at a typical restaurant bar.
Proper balance. Margaritas fail in two directions: too sweet, or too sour. Getting the proportion right between tequila, citrus, and sweetener is a skill, and it’s one that’s practiced behind the bar at Paco’s every day.
Salt that’s actually optional. A salted rim should enhance the drink, not overpower it. And if you prefer no salt, that preference should be respected without anyone acting like you’ve committed a crime.
Paco’s hits all four of these consistently, which is why regulars come back for margaritas specifically rather than treating the drinks as an afterthought to the food.
The Margaritas Worth Ordering
The classic lime margarita is the benchmark: fresh juice, the right tequila, proper balance, nothing extraneous. It’s the drink to order first to understand what the bar is capable of.
From there, the range of options reflects the depth of the tequila program. Añejo margaritas, built on aged expressions with a rounder, more complex character, are worth exploring if you appreciate tequila as a spirit rather than just a cocktail base. Seasonal variations using fresh fruit and herbs show up throughout the year. And if you want a recommendation based on your tequila preferences, the staff knows the inventory well enough to point you in the right direction.
Tequila in Charlotte Worth Taking Seriously
The best margaritas in Charlotte are the ones that make you think differently about tequila. Paco’s has been doing that for years, and the 195-bottle shelf is the most visible symbol of a commitment that runs deeper than the bar itself.
The food is excellent too. The tacos, fajitas with house-made tortillas, and cheese enchiladas with chili con carne are built with the same attention to sourcing and detail that shapes the drinks program—the full menu is worth a look before you go. But if you walk into Paco’s for the first time and leave thinking primarily about the margarita you had, that’s intentional.
Paco’s Tacos & Tequila is at 6401 Carnegie Boulevard in Charlotte. View the full menu and plan your visit on the Paco’s website. For large groups and private dining, reach out through the FS Food Group private dining page.