Cinco De Mayo Guide 2012
We’re a bit torn about Cinco de Drinko and The Kentucky Derby falling on the same day. On one hand, how can one turn down a day of gluttony with margaritas and tacos. On the other hand, it sounds like a refreshing change to dress up all classy and sip on mint juleps.
But in the end, both holidays encourage day drinking and some form of costume (faux staches, sombreros on one side, bow ties, pastels and big floppy hats on the other). So, while this is technically a cinco post, you might see a few derby deals sneak their way in because, ultimately, our goal is to get your drunk+fat, regardless of which event you chose to celebrate.
The wonderfully uplifting artistic representation of Cinco De Mayo via Wikipedia…. we prefer to just associate it with booze+tacos.
Las Perlas (Downtown): Teaming up this year with Herradura Tequila, Las Perlas will be offering $5 Margs, $5 Tequila Shots, and $4 Modelos. There will also be tacos available for purchase on the patio from Julio Arenas (a well regarded street food vendor in those parts). Party starts at noon. Note to those unfamiliar with this part of town: do not walk east post drinking.
Los Angeles Athletic Club (Downtown): $35 Kentucky Derby Party this Saturday, 12:30pm – 4pm. Admission includes a buffet lunch, one mint julep, live bluegrass, games and prizes. For details on the food and booze, check out ThirstyInLA’s post here.
One Eyed Gypsy (Downtown): If you’re just lookin for cheap drinks and snacks, this is your place to go. $5 Micheladas (our reader PL loves these), $8 tequila voodoo punch, $6 boiler makers and $5 fresh guac and chips platter. All sound yummy, boozy and wallet friendly. (Thanks for the tip on this one LAWonders!)
The Conga Room (Downtown): Inside LA Live, this spot will feature live mariachis and drink specials from 9-11pm. The booze story is $3 Coronas and $5 Margs.
The Crocker Club (Downtown): We’re not really familiar with this place (seems to be a cloob) but when we saw $1 burritos we jumped. There will also be $3 Coronas, $5 margaritas, and $200 bottles of patron (I can get that at Ralphs and enjoy it on my sofa for $35, thank you very much.) The deals run all week, Wednesday through Saturday during normal business hours.
The Edison (Downtown): This party, starting at 9pm on Saturday, is a little less south of the border, a little more 20s swank, but nonetheless marg & taco laden. Live performances by the Latin jazz band Mambo Loco, specialty pricing on margs, mexi food like short-rib tacos, and tequila from their very own barrel. Party starts at 9pm & Entry is $10.
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Lola’s Martini Bar (WeHo East): Why don’t you start out your big Mexican themed day of boozin with a nice hearty breakfast complimented by lots and lots of margaritas. Bottomless Margaritas. Just $16 for the endless tequila cocktail with any breakfast entree purchase.
Pitfire Pizza (WeHo East, Westwood, NoHo, Culver & Downtown): Offering up $10 draft beer pitchers, $2 bottles of Sol, and a $11 ‘puerco de mayo’ pizza (holy crap just the name alone sounds good!) Deals are available from 11am – 5pm at all locations (we think, their post isn’t super specific so make sure to call ahead.)
Red O (WeHo): We never thought we’d see the day where this Melrose/Rick Bayless afiliated spot had ‘deals’, but here we are, happy as clams to be reporting on just that very thing at that very place. Now we say ‘deals’ with the slightest hesitation, because even during their specialty Cinco happy hour, the cocktails are still $8. But they sound oh so amazing! Specialty $8 beverages include: the Topolo Margarita, Alacran Margarita, Market Margarita, Beso del Diablo Mojito (sounds awesome), and the Vodka Gimlet. There will also be $5 craft beers, $7 wines, and a stellar sounding menu of discounted plates ($2 oysters, $10 ceviche, $6 guac+chips+salsa, $12-$15 taco & tostada trios.) Cinco food and drink specials run Saturday, 3-6pm.
Tortilla Republic (WeHo Proper): This new spot in the old Fat Fish location will be featuring a Cinco party from 12-5pm. There will be a live DJ, a specialty ‘cinco de mayo’ themed menu, $12 Corona Familiar (that better mean a box of Coronas…), and special pricing on Margs. And if you choose to stay and sober up over dinner, service starts at 6pm and features tequila tastings and delicious greasy (modern) Mexican food to sop up all those margs.
El Carmen (Mid City): Our favorite spot in town for tacos and strong margaritas will be featuring a fun but intimate fiesta this saturday noon – 2am (its a small joint, first come first serve). What could be better than a party in a cool joint, with already well priced margs, an extensive tequila list, and FREAKIN AMAZING tacos? This: there will be happy hour pricing from noon -3pm.
Planet Dailies/Mixology 101 (Mid City): Still have to find a mother’s day gift but don’t want to sacrifice a day of culturally approved day-drinking? Why not combine the two and head to Planet Dailies at The Farmers Market. You can enjoy $5 booze (beers, margs, and other cocktails) as well as $5 guac, chips+salsa, and tacos. After a few dranks you’ll definitely have the inspiration for that perfect gift for mom, and you’ll be in the perfect venue to find it.
The Churchill (Mid City): V might have to hold up hanging out at her Friday night haunt until Saturday this week so she can save up some stamina for the Churchill’s day-long cinco de mayo fest. There will be $5 tequila shots, $5 micheladas, $6 margs, and $8 specialty fruity cocktails as well as some dips and tacos for $6. Or maybe she’ll just have to go both days.
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Pink Taco (Century City & Sunset Strip): Starting at 11:30am and running until 2am, Pink Taco’s two LA locations will be celebrating Cinco with a big ‘ol bash. Tickets will be $20 (sold at the door, and online) and will include access to the festivities, complete with luchadors, mariachis, DJs and some giveaways. There will also be drink specials every hour. Both spots afford the perfect location to booze, and then head off to shop and awkwardly gaze at sober tourists.
The Six (Rancho Park & Studio City): Teaming up with Thrillist to offer a freakin amazing deal for brunch this Saturday. For just $25 you get one brunch entree, three tacos, and BOTTOMLESS MARGARITAS or Estrella beers. JUST $25!@3&!@$#*. Love it. Buy it fast.
Mercado (Santa Monica): This newly opened SaMo spot, from the people who brought you Yxta, will be open 4pm – 1am and serving up $6 margs, $3 beers, and very delicious food.
Sonoma Wine Garden (Santa Monica): What a perfect place to spend the day boozing away with $5 drinks in the sunshine, overlooking the ocean, while people watching. The menu of $5 cocktails includes martinis, mojitos, and margaritas and is available ALL WEEK (4/30-5/4) from 3:30-6:3pm. There will also be some $5 Mexican themed plates like ceviche, tacos, and churros. While you’re there, sign up to win a free trip to Cabo!
The Yard (Santa Monica): Though we cannot help but be sad that our pseudo-buddy (who never remembers us) CJ is no longer here, we can be comforted in the fact that this Saturday The Yard will be featuring drink & food specials all day long in honor of Cinco De Mayo. $7 plates include: fish tacos, steak tacos, shrimp tacos, and lamb empanadas. All of which can be washed down with $6 Herradura margs and $3 Coronas.
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Gasser Lounge (Redondo Beach): Drink-o de Cinco at Gasser will feature $2 Tecates, $5 Patron shots, and $9 28-oz Margs. No, you did not read that wrong, the prices are really that cheap and amazing. Their flyer for the event, as always, is also amazing. Not sure what time this party starts, but we’re just going to assume at their standard opening hour. ‘Eat the Worm’ challenge at midnight (not sure what it entails, but sounds slimy and slippery.)
The Rockefeller (Hermosa Beach): $1 Tacos. $3 Beers. 2-5pm on the Patio. Enough Said.
The Slide Bar (Fullerton): Would we go all the way to Fullerton for cheap food+booze at an all day party? Maybe…. if we had a solid DD… but still probably not. But for those that live down south and want a supremely cheap spot to head this Saturday, The Slide Bar is a great choice. Open at 6am with a $20 all-you-can-eat brunch until noon, $1 margs & bloodies 6-7am, $1.50 margs & bloodies 7-8am, $2 from 8-9am, and $2.50 9 -10am. As well as $3 DosEquis pints and $5 Margaritas 10-5pm. AND a live mariachi band. Way to go Fullerton. Way to go.
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Michael’s Bar & Grill (Burbank): A two day fiesta, both Friday and Saturday, featuring 4 shots of tequila for $20 + a special menu of Mexican style fare. Menu includes $6 Jalepeno Caps, $12 Baja Clams, $12 Fish Tacos and $12 Pork Tostadas. Oh, and did we mention the theme is ‘Fiesta Karaoke’? Better start brushing up on your Shakira…
The Brickyard Pub (NoHo): Opening early at 1pm on Saturday for an all day fiesta. Enjoy $3 “fun shots”, $3 Tecates, and $4 margaritas as well as a menu of burgers, hot dogs, and nachos from their grill.
