Cinco de Mayo – another holiday that exists almost purely to give us an excuse to drink in excess. Unfortunately this year the holiday falls mid-week so be prepared to call in sick on Thursday. We are going to break down events around town in 2 parts, today we will give you some festive options at local Mexican restaurants in each area. And tomorrow, we will follow up with Cinco de Mayo events and drink specials at non-Mexican venues, since we know that going to a Mexican place on Cinco de Mayo is just as crazy as going to an Irish pub on St Patty’s.
There are of course the regulars that come to mind, El Cholo, El Compadre, El Coyote, El Carmen etc. and although those places will all probably be packed on Wednesday, they don’t really have any extra drink specials for the holiday. So here are our picks for a boozy Mexican celebration in each part of town:
WEST HOLLYWOOD
–Spanish Kitchen: The Spanish Kitchen kicked off their Cinco de Mayo celebration early, and have had drink specials running for the holiday since last Friday. They have $5 drink specials all night, with a different drink featured every hour that will be selected from their Drink Wheel. On Wednesday, they will have $5 margaritas, $3 Tecates, and specials on shots of tequila. They will also have prizes and giveaways and free mustache airbrushing. Call in advance to reserve a table for any night this week and especially for Wednesday. 826 N La Cienega. (310) 659.4794.
–Borracho Cantina: Huge Cinco de Mayo party starting at 5pm on Wednesday featuring Mariachi bands, a DJ, Dos Equis tribal dancers, shot girls and a beer garden. $5 margarita special until 6pm and again from 10pm-1am. Must call ahead to reserve wristbands. 8570 Sunset Blvd. (310) 289.8809.
–Mexico Restaurant & Bar: This spot on SM Blvd will have $15 pitchers of Dos Equis and Tecate, $8 margs, $5 tamales and taquitos and live mariachi music. Their FB page also says that Star 98.7 will be present all day. Specials will run from noon to 2am. 8512 Santa Monica Blvd. (310) 289.0088
DOWNTOWN
–Casa: This Mexican spot in Bunker Hill area will have a DJ all day as well as Mariachi performers. Herradura premium tequila drinks specials + beer garden with Negro Modela and Pacifico (my favorite Mexican beer!) on draft. Reservations recommended. 350 S Grand Ave. (213) 621.2249
–Provecho: Provecho will have $5 margaritas, $2 Tecates, and $1 (!!) tacos, also will have other select bites for $5. They will have live music all day and the specials will be available starting at lunch hour and onwards! 800 Wilshire Blvd. (213) 489.1406.
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EASTSIDE
–Malo Cantina: This hipsterville spot on Sunset blvd is throwing a pretty rad fiesta on Wednesday. The Cinco menu includes $4 Margs (with pitchers going for $25), $4-$5 Tequila Shots, and $3 cans of Modela. Party is going on from 5pm – 11pm.
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WESTSIDE
–Pink Taco: Not quite the Westside but still West of us, Pink Taco will have $5 Margaritas, $5 shots, and $5 beers (Dos Equis and Tecate). They will have a DJ spinning all night as well as bikini shot girls and midgets (not PC but that’s what’s listed on their website). Will also have prizes and giveaways. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd. (310) 789.1000.
–Border Grill: My personal favorite Westside pick will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo all day long from 11:30am to 10pm. They will have $5 drinks (margaritas, mojitos, sangria, draft beer, select wines by the class), $3 tacos (carnitas, fish, carne asada, potato, carne asada, roasted lamb, black bean and cheese), $5 bites (tamales, taquitos, queso fundido, calamari, enchiladas, chile poppers), and $5 desserts (churros and sorbet). Sounds like the best menu ever, yum. 1445 4th Street. (310) 451.1655.
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If there are any others you have heard of, feel free to leave comments below! And as always, be safe! If you are heading out for Cinco de Mayo and plan on drinking, definitely make it a Ydrive night or call a cab, there are bound to be DUI checkpoints allover town.
FinerThings LA 