Hussong’s Cantina Brings Mexico to Mandalay

Hussong's Cantina

In the Fall of 1941, a clever bartender named Don Carlos Orozco whipped-up a simple cocktail for Margarita Henkel, daughter of the German Ambassador to Mexico.  Made with equal parts tequila, Damiana (though we now substitute Cointreau), and lime juice, and served on the rocks in a glass with a salted-rim, the Margarita was born herein and named for its first taker.  And where did this clever cocktail concoction occur?  At Hussong’s Cantina in Ensenada, of course...

Opened in 1892, Hussong’s is the oldest cantina in the Californias, is a social hub of the famed Baja 1000 off-road race, and in its location 50 miles south of Tijuana, Mexico has served the likes of Steve McQueen, Marilyn Monroe, and Bing Crosby.

Now, folks looking for that honest-to-goodness Mexican cantina experience can do so on this side of the border at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place (located between Mandalay Bay and the Luxor) on the famous Las Vegas Strip, from 11am until midnight, daily.

With a replica of the signature red and green bar, the exterior signage and the rustic façade, visitors to the original Hussong’s in Ensenada will feel right at home in the 3,700 square foot Las Vegas outpost.  They can dig into the authentic Baja street-fare, sing-along with the rock-n-roll flavored Mariachi band, or display the shot-glass bandoleer across their chests in a display of having imbibed an obscene amount of tequila like a true Hussong’s hombre.

So, get into Hussong’s Cantina at The Shoppes at Mandalay Place.  Just make sure to give your keys to a friend!