National Margarita Day brings specials and tequila deals Saturday but few free drinks

You don't have to wait until 5 o'clock to kick off National Margarita Day.

This year the spirited made-up holiday, which is held annually on Feb. 22, falls on a Saturday.

At bars and restaurants across the country, the all-day party for one of America’s most popular cocktails brings discounted tequila-based drinks and salt-rimmed specials, available either frozen or on the rocks. Some businesses are starting the festivities early on Friday.

Traditional margaritas usually include tequila, orange liqueur and lime juice and are served with salt on the rim or sugar. The next holiday with margarita deals is Cinco de Mayo in May.

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Margarita Day 2020 specials and deals

The following deals are available Saturday, Feb. 22 unless otherwise noted. Some deals start early and a few extend through Sunday. Participation and offers can vary by location – sometimes because of state and local laws – so check with your closest location before heading out.

Abuelo's: The El Jefe Margarita will be $2 off the regular price at all locations Saturday.

Applebee’s: Not a margarita, but the February drink of the month is the $1 Vodka Strawberry Lemonade. Some locations may have various margarita deals Saturday. Check with your location.

Bad Daddy's Burger Bar: Get $3.50 House Margaritas or "Bad Ass Margaritas" for $5.50 Saturday.

Bahama Breeze: Get $2.22 signature Classic Margaritas Saturday.

Buffalo Wild Wings: Get the Down South Margarita for $7 Saturday at all locations. No coupon is needed and the drink includes Sauza Gold Tequila, Finest Call Lime Sour, Bols Melon Liqueur, Mountain Dew with a lime wedge and beef stick garnish.

Chili's Grill & Bar: In addition to the February $5 Margarita of the Month, the Hearts on Fire ‘Rita, the chain's signature Presidente Margarita is $5 Saturday. Plus, get a commemorative cup to take home while supplies last.

Chuy’s: All-day drink specials Saturday include $1 floaters and for $2 extra make any regular House or Frozen Rita a Grande and keep the commemorative cup. Also only Saturday, Taco Fries are $7.

Duffy's Sports Grill: Get $3 Mi Campo Margaritas Saturday.

Fuzzy's Taco Shop: Get a 12-ounce House FuzzyRitas, frozen or on the rocks, for $3 Saturday. The chain notes prices and participation may vary and advises contacting your local Fuzzy's for specials.

Genghis Grill: Through Sunday, get $5 Signature Frozen or on the Rocks Genghis Margaritas. For $1 extra, top the drinks off with special flavors.

Hopdoddy Burger Bar: Through Sunday, buy one liter bottled Doble Fina Margarita, made with silver tequila, triple sec, lime, agave and a black lava salt rim, for $25.

Houlihan's Restaurant + Bar: Through Sunday, get two new margaritas – Sorta Smokey Marg and Spicy Pineapple Marg – as well as the Top Shelf margarita for $5.

Hurricane Grill & Wings: Get $3 house margaritas Saturday.

Miller's Ale House: House margaritas are $2.22 Saturday through 8 p.m. ET. or 10 p.m. CT in Illinois. Upgrade to Patrón Silver for $2. Not valid in Georgia or Massachusetts. Find a list of participating locations at www.millersalehouse.com/national-margarita-day.

Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub: Get $4.99 House Cuervo Margaritas and cocktails Saturday.

O'Charley's Restaurant + Bar: Get $4 house-made margaritas Saturday, which is a daily special.

Olive Garden: The Watermelon Margarita is part of the chain's $5 drink specials available daily.

On The Border: Through Saturday, the chain has $5 1800 Grande ‘Ritas served on the rocks. Also on Saturday, there will be $2 'Ritas, available on the rocks or frozen, and meltdowns with well liquor are 99 cents. These offers are dine-in only.

Postmates: Through Saturday, Postmates customers 21 and up in Los Angeles, Long Beach, San Francisco and Orange County, California, New York City and Miami can order a free Don Julio Party Pack with no purchase necessary while supplies last. To get the freebie, open Postmates and find the National Margarita Day Party Pack, which includes a tote bag, coasters, lime squeezer, cups, reusable metal straws and more. Tequila is sold separately. Also through Saturday, get free delivery on Don Julio Blanco orders with code DONJULIO.

Quaker Steak & Lube: Get $2 well 'Ritas Saturday.

Taco Cabana: Get $2 margaritas Saturday.

Torchy's Tacos: The new 16-ounce large margarita is available on the rocks or frozen for $9.50. And the limited-time Scallywag Margarita, available through Feb. 29, is $6.50.

Twin Peaks: On Friday, get $4 Well Margaritas and Saturday's deal is $6 Peaks Margaritas.

Yard House: The chain has a color-changing Magic Margarita Saturday, which changes from blue to purple Saturday. Prices vary.

More deals: Check smaller chains and local restaurants' social media accounts for additional deal announcements.

Free margarita contest

Online travel agency CheapCarribean is giving away free margaritas and will Venmo the first 100 people who tweet a photo with their margarita $10 when they tag @CheapCaribbean and use hashtag #MoreMargs.

The giveaway is from 3 to 11:59 p.m. ET Saturday and you must tag the agency and use the hashtag to qualify. Anyone who participates will be entered in a contest for an all-inclusive three-night trip for two to Hotel Riu Tequila in Riviera Maya, Mexico, which includes flights.

Margaritaville contest

Through Feb. 29, enter a contest for a Margaritaville Frozen Concoction Maker at locations or online at www.margaritaville.com/entertowin.

Follow USA TODAY reporter Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: National Margarita Day 2020 specials: Get cheap drink deals Saturday