Love Happy Hour - Agaves Kitchen & Tequila Lounge - Long Beach, California

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Agaves Kitchen & Tequila Lounge

January 18th, 2014
By: Wendy Castellanos-Wolf

I fell in love with a margarita recently. It was pink. A perfect cube of watermelon floated amidst the ice and was speared by a sprig of rosemary that crowned it the winner of all margaritas who have come before, and will probably come after. As I brought it to my lips I tasted summer in Latin America. It was reminiscent of fresh watermelon juice usually called an agua fresca, or fresh water, and that is exactly how easily it went down. The scent of rosemary was a nice earthy contrast to the refreshing flavor of the watermelon. It was an experience, not just a drink. Agaves Kitchen & Tequila Lounge located on Pine Ave. in Long Beach is home to De Sandia, my new favorite margarita.

With 120 premium tequilas, agave spirits, well-crafted cocktails made with in house syrups and bitters and weekly happy hour specials, Agave has turned into my go to whenever I find myself in Long Beach for work or for pleasure. On Taco Tuesdays patrons can partake in 2 delicious tacos for only $5. Wednesday nights, all night, is all about infused tequilas for $5, while Thursday features half off selected Tequila brands. On Sunday night, Agaves has Happy Hour all night with traditional Mexican appetizers like taquitos, nachos and ceviche at reduced prices as well as margaritas for $5, Mexican beer for $4, $2 off their signature cocktails and $5 off well drinks.

The night that I decided De Sandia was the margarita for me, I met up with some new friends and some old friends and shared some delicious cocktails. Everyone agreed that while De Sandia was special, Agave’s La Flaca Organica, or Skinny Margarita, tasted like what a margarita is supposed to taste like but often times doesn’t. It was citrus, salt and tequila without any of the frills except for an orange peel that added some bitterness. We drank a Strawberry Margarita that we all thought was well made but slightly too sweet for our taste. I was the last to arrive that night so I missed out on the Spicy Mango and the Tamarindo Sabor, but according to my trust worthy drinking companions, these margaritas were both unique and delicious.

Agaves is the type of establishment one can go to for happy hour after work, stay for dinner with friends and then make a night of it as it seamlessly transitions into a lounge complete with DJ’s spinning a mix of Latin and Electronic beats. I say this because I did this. Once the Casamigos, (George Clooney and Rande Gerber’s new Tequila brand), began flowing we were enticed to stay and enjoy a 4 course gourmet Mexican dinner. It was not your typical Mexican food, but then again Agaves does not do typical. The food was as arty as their cocktails. As their new chef Abel Hernandez so eloquently put it, Agaves references the original but executes using modern and classical techniques to elevate what is often thought of as “traditional” Mexican cuisine and drinks.

XOXO,

Wendy