The Margaritas at La Diabla Retro Bar Are Sinfully Good

The devil is most definitely in the water at La Diabla Retro Bar, but fortunately, the details there are entirely devil free. The new tequila spot, from the team behind La Calle Tacos, opens its doors to the public with a grand opening on Thursday, February 16. The menu features frozen margaritas and a bevy of other tempting alcoholic beverages that sound so sinfully good they might just have you sprouting horns. The bar’s grand opening, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., will feature live entertainment from local music artists Jaky Alarcon, Stereo Cover, and DJ Cris. 

Located at 300 Main Street next door to Market Square Park, the bar is an ode to Mexico City pop culture of the ’80s and ’90s and pays homage to every Houstonian’s favorite vacation destination throughout the space—from its walls decked out in pop-art portraits of Mexican pop and rock icons such Juan Gabriel, Thalía, and Luis, to its nightly DJ-led singalongs to nostalgic Mexican classics. 

“It is amazing to see how excited people are to finally have a place catered specifically to them,” said La Diabla co-owner Ramon Soriano in a statement. “From the music to the decorations, it is like they are being transported to their teenage years! We are bringing an experience that Houston has not seen before and it makes me so happy to be able to share it with everyone!”

The bar specializes in modern interpretations of classic Mexican beverages, including margaritas, micheladas, piña coladas, and Mexican mojitos. The frozen margarita list alone is enough to sucker even the most reluctant of drinkers into a round or two and features flavors such as limón, sandía, piña, fresa, mango, and chamoy—all crafted daily from freshly cut and squeezed fruit juices that are then spiked with el Jimador 100% Blue Agave tequila. For guests who enjoy their Mexican vacations beachside, the bar also offers four flavors of piña coladas—original, sandía, fresa, and mango—all freshly prepared upon order and spiked with Blue Chair Premium Rum and Irish Cream. The micheladas here also come in a bevy of flavors—from sandía to mango—and so do the breezy-sounding mojitos.

The colorful interior decor sports a decidedly retro vibe, which occupies 4,000 square feet and holds space indoors for 200 guests. La Diabla is also home to a 400-square-foot patio that seats 50, an ideal spot for people watching along downtown’s busy Main Street corridor. The highlight of the bar’s interior is a giant, eight feet tall and 20 feet long bar that is lit in multi-colored lights and showcases the bar’s expansive tequila selection, which is focused exclusively on tequilas that populate Mexico City cantinas. 

And since it’s from the team behind La Calle, there are, of course, some food offerings to nibble on as you sip (or maybe throw back a few of the bar’s Mexican candy shots). La Diabla’s snack menu includes a triumvirate of crispy flauta options, which come with fillings of either pollo, carnitas, or papa con queso—just enough variety to help you keep your blood alcohol level in check as you slurp down one frozen cocktail after another.

La Diabla Retro Bar is open Thursday through Saturday from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. and features live music every night.