Nightlife Skinny

Being a student at the University of Maine campus, it only stands to reason that I’d look to the Orono stomping grounds for nighttime happenings.

As small as Orono may be in size and population, the thousands of students that land there each September manage to fight nighttime boredom with the aid of three establishments near the corner of Main and Mill streets in Orono.

Just up from the Stillwater River, a Mexican restaurant, a pizza joint and a brewpub make up the meat and potatoes of Orono’s after-dark scene.

Without further delay, I give you the first chapter of Orono’s “Triad of Good Times,” a staple of any UM student’s weekend – Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant and Watering Hole. Yes, watering hole.

From the Mexican tapestries that accent the pastel yellow walls to the delicately carved chairs with thatched-straw seats, Margarita’s is set on establishing a presentation of culture.

The three-floor eatery includes a mingle-friendly bar and lounge with high-rise tables and bar chairs on the main floor. Above and below, you’ll find dining rooms full of dark wooden booths and four-person tables in a d?cor of Spanish tile and strings of multi-colored chili pepper lights.

The vastly Mexican menu includes fajitas, burritos, chimichangas and even a few entrees that don’t end in vowels (i.e. the Gringo Burger.) And although I’m not a licensed food critic, I can tell you this: the entrees are large, the ingredients are fresh and it all makes for “good eats” straight out of the fridge the next morning.

A little word of advice: the restaurant’s own hot sauce is a little misleading with its cute cartoon drawing of a donkey on the bottle. It’s actually a super-sweet punch to the kisser that’s liable to make your eyes water and leave a tingle on everything it touches. Must be why I can’t pass it up.

As the name implies, Margarita’s specializes in the salt-rimmed concoctions of sour mix, tequila, triple sec and lime juice. In addition to the traditional, there’s a myriad of fruity versions such as strawberry, mad melon and sour apple. And for those of us who like to get a little crazy, there are specialty margaritas such as the Heavens to Margatroid – an extravagant blend of seven different flavors.

As is expected, Margarita’s also sports a fine variety of Mexican brews under the menu’s “cerveza” heading; the more full-bodied Negro Modelo, the mellow Pacifico and the smooth Mexican beer gathering popularity by the minute: Dos Equis. (That’s pronounced do-sek-e.) And oh yes, it wouldn’t be a Mexican restaurant and watering hole in the middle of Maine if it didn’t serve Corona.

Adding to the ambiance of the Mexican experience is the mariachi music in the upper and lower dining rooms. Brisk acoustic guitars, high-pitched, poppy horns and soothing hand drums give the dining experience a festive mood.

Bear in mind, the staff at Margarita’s likes to have fun and isn’t above throwing a big party for a totally random reason.

Every month, on the night of the full moon, Margarita’s hosts “Full Moon Madness,” with contests, specials and a truckload of people getting crazy simply because there’s a full moon.

Area businesses get in on the action with giveaways such as rafting trips, snowboards and DVD players. (Free stuff is definitely good.) In addition, 5 percent of all the lounge sales at Full Moon Madness are donated to a local charity.

The next one is slated for Sunday, Sept. 2, so don’t go making other plans.

And now a few weeknights to remember: Wednesday night is “College ID Night” – two for one on entrees and 16-ounce margaritas for three dollars and two quarters; Thursday is “Ladies Night” – Sauza Gold Margaritas are on special and food is 40 percent off for ladies.

For all things Margaritas, check out www.margs.com.