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Consuming any type of alcohol in quantity will produce varying degrees of morning-after misery, the body’s delayed reaction to ethanol poisoning. But waking up with the sands of the Sahara in your mouth and a head filled with nuclear waste is no fun, no fun at all – no matter how gleeful you felt whilst consuming whatever alcoholic beverage(s) caused said condition. Symptoms of this type of self-induced abuse may include dehydration, fatigue, headache, body aches, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, flatulence, weakness, elevated body temperature, difficulty concentrating, sweating, irritability, sensitivity to light and noise, erratic motor functions, trouble sleeping, severe hunger, halitosis and lack of depth perception. However, it’s more convenient to lump all this wretchedness into a single word – hence, hangover, or “Estoy crudo…” as our Mexican friends would say.

OK...whatever. Now, how do you make it all go away?

The majority of Mazzie voters believed the ultimate hangover cure was more beer, a little “hair of the dog,” so to speak. A chocolate milkshake also seems to be a popular remedy, but personally, I think this is just comfort food. (I just like the ‘more beer’ idea.) Other suggestions included cucumbers (hel-loo!?) cheeseburgers, beans and rice, menudo and a nice fresh Coco Frio.

I might suggest you try ‘em all – what have you got to lose except all the unwanted symptoms mentioned above? - BK

Gus-Gus in the Marina

With the plethora of palapas, abundance of bars and the reams of restaurants, in reality there are more places to drink a beer in Mazatlán than in the entire state of Wyoming. Even so, one place stood out with the readers of M! as the best place to consume a cold one, and it was a surprise. (But hey, a pleasant one!) Long-time party place Gus & Gus newly opened Marina location topped the votes for Best Place To Drink a Beer. Shaded, outside seating teeming with potted tropical plants makes this a pleasant place to park yourself and partake of a Pacifico. The predominant view is of the clustered watercraft in the marina, the guyed masts swaying slightly with the rhythms of the harbor. With no streets close by, the ambiance is laid back and not tarnished by the sometimes omnipresent drone of traffic. Now, at night, it’s a different story: like it’s older sibling in the Gold Zone, Gus Gus starts to get lively when the sun goes down, and beer isn’t the only think you’ll be enjoying – there’s live music, dancing and the folks in this part of town like to have fun, if you know what I mean (wink, wink). To top it off, the waiters are friendly and attentive, the bar is well stocked and the menu is extensive. –BK, JB

SECOND YEAR! La Cueva del Leon

What more can we say? For the second year in a row, these margaritas, made the old-school way by Manolo Cardona and the Cueva crew, took the prize. What’s the trick, what’s the secret? With a knowing smile, Mané will shrug and say it’s a basic recipe, with just three ingredients: great tequila, fresh lime juice and Cointreau. Nada mas. Well, it helps that the little Olas Altas restaurant has such a winning location and great vibe – both of which only get better the more margaritas you try (ahem). (Or so he says.) We humbly suggest it’s about time you tried for yourself. -JB

TIE!

A surprise tie in this very-popular-for-voting category, from a big list of contenders; you all have your favorite watering holes, that’s for darn sure! Both are in the Gold Zone; both have many years of service and throngs of satisfied customers that keep coming back.

At the Purple Onion, owner and gad-about-town Howard Gable knows what people want, and so Happy “Hour” goes all day. The venerable spot is known and loved by many, and is home to great food, live entertainment and a community of folks who feel like “the Onion” is their very own “Cheers.” Add big, well-made adult beverages – at great prices – all day, and well, you’ve got a winning formula.

Hotel Las Flores, also M!’s 2009 winner, is legendary for its Friday Happy Hour, from 5-7 p.m. Here, drinks are strong and 2x1 – dos por uno – with no “fine print.” Regulars know to (ahem) plan for a taxi ride home, and chances are you’ll be dancing to the live music before the night is over. The bar opens onto the beach with seating inside and out. It’s beautiful, it’s fun and hey, it’s only once a week, so why not? - JB