Arriba Arriba

One word — Margarita. Now, I previously said authentic Mexican was important to me and something I’m on the hunt for. I can’t say I come here for that. I come here because it’s an institution! The margaritas are lethal, the staff is fun, and the food? Well, the food is good enough. Love this place for a pre-show drink and chips.

I love that Arriba Arriba is still going strong since it opened in the 80s. It still attracts a huge gay customer base, especially on Monday nights when Broadway is dark, making it one of the, if not THE, gay restaurant of Hell’s Kitchen.

It’s the reliably great margarita in HK. I’ve been going for 20 years and the formula hasn’t changed. It’s great.

Skinny mama margs, chips and salsa, tacos, fantastic vibes — need I say more??? If you are looking for a party AND some great drinks, look no further.

It’s my go-to for Mexican food and strong margaritas. Some of the staff members have been there as long as I have lived in NYC, almost 17 years. Amalia, the owner, is just so warm and sweet. She gives me a big hug every time I walk in, it makes you feel like you are part of the family.

The endless margarita and food options combined with the upbeat atmosphere is always a go-to when I want to “escape” into a world of (to quote Sweet Charity) fun, laughs, and good times. My favorite day to go is Taco Tuesday where you get 25% off of all tacos and empanadas!

Arriba’s frozen, cucumber-dill, jalapeño margarita makes me happy. With reflections of disco balls setting the scene, Arriba always hits the spot when you need a tasty marg mid-week.

One of the few places that’s been here for the duration of my residency in HK. Food is always true to Tex-Mex tradition (I lived in San Antonio for five years). It’s noisy and festive. One time I had a deaf Vietnamese friend visiting from Boston and took him there. I held his hand to touch the wall. He could feel the vibrations of the room and the noise of the guests and he smiled in acknowledgement.

It’s my go-to for Mexican food and strong margaritas. Some of the staff members have been there as long as I have lived in NYC, almost 17 years. Amalia, the owner, is just so warm and sweet. Gives me a big hug every time I walk in, it makes you feel like you are part of the family. Many of the servers have been there for many years and have become friends.

It’s just a fun Mexican restaurant where the boys in the neighborhood congregate. It always feels like a party.

I mean, c’mon, this is a neighborhood staple for margs and Mexican food and it is one of my favorite pastimes with friends. All any of us need to do is just drop into our group text thread and say “margs this week?” and it’s on the calendar.

First of all… how fun is it saying Arriba Arriba?! haha This restaurant has been in Hell’s Kitchen forever, and whenever I go, I ALWAYS run into someone I know. Recently I went, and I ran into a manager I had worked with for years. He told me he bought into the business and is now a part-owner! I’m so happy for him. 🙂

Besides their delicious (sometimes dangerous 🤣) margaritas and dishes (I especially love their enchiladas). At the height of the pandemic, this was a place I loved supporting with to-go meals and I am so glad to see it continue to thrive.

I love their frozen margaritas and it is one of our favorite spots to eat Mexican food. This is the first restaurant we ate at when we moved into this neighborhood. It was recommended by a broker who also lived here at the time.

The chimichanga with a La Mamma margarita is the ultimate cheat meal.

Margaritas on a Friday night after a long week.