Concierge Picks from the Inn at Loretto

Two likable words that immediately popped up during a conversation with a staff member at the Inn and Spa at Loretto, a boutique hotel in Santa Fe, were the words tequila and margaritas. New Mexicans are fiercely proud of their cuisine and culture; and even though Santa Fe isn’t about those two types of drinks exclusively, we discovered that local is the way to go when visiting their capital city.

Two recommended spots close to the Loretto are Catamount Bar and Grille and The Cowgirl. If you’re up for a relaxing night playing pool, watching sports or just want to relax with a beer, Catamount has a number large hi-def televisions, high-quality pool tables, and a great selection of beers on tap. The Cowgirl is a famous Santa Fe restaurant offering excellent margaritas with a variety of entertainment each night of the week, from DJs to karaoke to live music.

Happy hour crowd at the Pink Adobe

Santa Fe’s famous restaurant The Pink Adobe, known to locals as “The Pink” has an upscale yet laid-back bar called the Dragon Room Lounge. Arguably the most famous drinking establishment in the city, patrons have a variety of tequila and margaritas to choose from as well as a bar menu with some of the best that The Pink Adobe has to offer. Right down the street, within the historic Barrio de Analco district is Rio Chama; a steakhouse with an extensive tequila menu, including a selection of four exceptional, aged brands, and hand-crafted margaritas.

The Ore House has served up tequila since the mid-70s and they hand-craft over 40 different types of margaritas, while Tomasita’s – another Santa Fe institution – serves up authentic New Mexican fare, such as sopapillas, which you can eat with shots of your favorite tequila or their famous Swirl margarita.

If you need to take a break from the agave-based drinks, try Second Street Brewery. This English-style pub has a selection of house-brewed beers, such an Extra Special Bitter, India Pale Ale. Cream Stout, Golden Ale, and seasonal offerings. From Tuesdays to Saturdays they have live music and open-mic nights. For a quiet evening in an atmosphere that is quintessential Santa Fe, look no further than the Loretto Living Room Lounge, which offers great drinks and small-plates from the hotel’s signature restaurant, Luminaria.

[photos courtesy of Inn at Loretto and the Pink Adobe]