Imagine getting off the light rail in downtown Denver and walking straight into Mexico City. That is exactly what happens when you walk into Machete Tequila + Tacos downtown (notice they have their priorities straight). Machete has spiced up Cherry Creek with its cantina vibe and classic street food for just over a year now. In December a second location appeared across the street from the new and improved Union Station and this cozy cantina is now spicing up LoDo.

Owners John Wallrath and Dan Ohlson say this new restaurant will feature “Mexology” when it comes to food and drink.

“Because that’s how the street vendors do it!” Ohlson laughs. And what goes with tacos? Tequila! Machete currently has over 140 varieties.

“It may not be the biggest [selection in Denver],” says Bar Manager Danielle Scott “but we have the best.”

Guests can reserve these amazing bottles of tequila for personal use in the cantina’s Tequila Cage. Featured at the restaurant’s front entrance, two large, locked wrought iron cages hold precious bottles of Mexican liquid gold and silver. Patrons only pay for the bottle of their choice and can sip their personal stash or put it in their favorite cocktail whenever at the restaurant. There is no time limit on holding bottles in the cage.

As can be expected, the bar serves up a large variety of margaritas. Besides the traditional Machete Margarita and the Strawberry Marg, the bar offers a Skinny Margarita, the Coin Purse, a Kona Rita featuring house-infused pineapple and coconut tequila and something affectionately called the Hot Mess with house-made habanero and serrano pepper infused tequila. There is an asterisk warning next to this one. For tequila aficionados a cool thing to do is is add a favorite tequila to the margarita. There are upcharges, but guests can add their favorite Reposado or Anejo to several margaritas Other cocktails include the Paloma, Bloody Mary, the Sunrise and the Michelada. New for summer is the Machete Manhattan made with anejo tequila from Arta Tequila of Colorado.  

Happy hour is, get this, from 11 AM to 6 PM Monday through Friday. That includes lunch people! All tacos (except specialties) are $2.50 all day long. Happy hour, or happy afternoon as we like to call it, also features $6 Machete, Skinny and Coin Purse Margaritas, $3 Negra Modelo, Dos Equis, and Coors Light drafts, $6 Corona “La Familiar” and $2.50 Tecate cans. For the super-stingy, suck up some PBRs for $1.50.

Machete Tequila + Tacos is also available for private parties and has a party bus that groups can rent for special events. Machete is located at 1730 Wynkoop St., 720-612-7698.