While LoDo is not the easiest place to locate a happy hipster, it does house several amazing happy hours that are just too good to pass up for a broke, alcoholic twenty-something.
One such place known for pleasing the thirsty of all ages is The Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant at 1525 Blake Street, complete with legendary margaritas, steaming fajitas and a people-judging patio perfect for the warm days and nights ahead.
Now open until midnight on Friday and Saturday, the Rio is, ultimately, a restaurant. As such, they are obligated to cut off consumers after three of their deadly margaritas, and they will, slowly but surely, shuffle patrons out the door when closing time comes around.
That being said, the Rio is a place to go for some early drinking and eating before a night out in LoDo. With three shots of tequila and a secret recipe, these margaritas somehow make even the tequila-averse drinker order another one. With salt or sugar on the rim, blended, strawberry, or mango options; the Rio has the variety to please the pickiest of drinkers.
It all comes to a head on Threesome Thursdays, the Rio’s golden nugget. For DU students who don’t have class on Friday, this deal – $4 margaritas and $4 half quesadillas from 9-11 p.m. on Thursdays – is a dangerous one.
Usually priced at $7 for even the froofiest, most delicious strawberry blended margarita in the world, and around $10 for a full quesadilla, complimentary chips and salsa make this salty and sweet combination a must for Thursday night socializing.
The beautiful, high-ceilinged building has exposed wood and brick and boasts a kitschy, if not problematic, great giant neon sign of a cowboy over the door. While not necessarily the best of Mexican food joints, the Rio serves up a good dose of cheese, beans and tequila, making it a great place for a hungry, happy drinker to enjoy a few hours off the strip of LoDo.
With Americana decorations, crates of Jose Cuervo near the bar and cozy booths, it’s a fun place to get a little too drunk on a comfortable date or with a few friends. It’s also perfect for birthday parties, as they are accommodating of large groups.
Regular happy hour lasts from 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and includes $1 off margaritas, usually $7, $3 tacos and $5 for the cheesy goodness of the guacamole, chile con queso and queso deluxe special. For the weekend crowd, there are $2 shots of Cuervo Gold & Silver.
The Rio can get a bit rowdy though after about 9 p.m. With margaritas so perfectly blended and mixed, it’s not difficult to see why. A family or business-meeting kind of restaurant by day, The Rio becomes a birthday-party-fiesta-Facebook-inappropriate-photo kind of place by night.
However, the wait staff is exceedingly patient with the crowd of drunks. They are great about splitting bills, bringing chips and salsa and hiding their judging eyes when you slur to order that third margarita.
That being said, don’t be a hero. They cut you off for a reason. Be aware; three margaritas at the Rio will be plenty enough; they have “baby” margaritas that are half the size and cost $3.50 generally and are a good alternative for the classy drinker, or for going with your parents.
Near Union Station, it’s not suggested to drive to the Rio, unless you have the patience for downtown parking or a very dear friend who is willing to resist the mango perfection of the Rio’s margs to be your DD. Otherwise, the light rail is your new best friend.
Our Grind writer went with full intention of taking diligent notes and photos, and ended up dancing to Justin Timberlake songs while realizing he or she only wrote down, “high ceilings, no grenadine, MARGARITAS.”
So, happy Thursday, Pios.
