What’s better than a Cinco de Mayo Sunday Funday! If you’re looking to celebrate on the town, we’ve got a list of the best LA restaurants, bars, hotels, and cantinas, serving cocktail and food specials and hosting special Cinco de Mayo events. And for those celebrating from home, check out our list of festive cocktail recipes to serve at your Cinco de Mayo party. So if you love tacos, nachos, burritos, margaritas, mezcal, and tequila, get ready because Cinco de Mayo is here!
Cinco de Mayo Events
Cinco de Mayo at Benny Boy Brewing
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Benny Boy Brewing with music by Maiden Mexico and Air Nandez (6-11 pm), a Vintage Vochos VW car show (6 – 10 pm), and some of the best Mexican eats from Birria Los Socios (12 – 5 pm), Giron (3 – 8 pm) and TortaMovil (4 -9 pm). Plus, ice cold Mexican lager and Tripel Tequila Trouble poured fresh from the tanks in the taproom Tank Bar. Free entry; Sunday, 12 – 10:00 pm; 1821 Daly St., Los Angeles, CA 90031
Win a Trip to Mexico at Chicas Tacos Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
Join Chicas Tacos at All Season Brewing for a chance to win a fabulous trip to Mexico’s famous wine country Valle de Guadalupe! Guests can smash their booze-filled Piñata, win the taco eating contest, buy one of their famous pizzas, or follow @chicastacos, tag 10 friends & like their Cinco de Mayo post for a chance to win the trip! They’ll also host a delicious Mexican wine and tequila tasting, as well as giveaways from Mela Water and Abbot’s! Various prices; Sunday, 12 – 8:00 pm (4 – 7:00 pm – wine tasting) and 6 – 7:00 pm – taco eating contest); All Season Brewing – 800 South La Brea Avenue Los Angeles, CA 90036
Cinco de Mayo at Freehand LA
You’re invited to a Cinco de Mayo fiesta at the Freehand LA. Guests can dance to beats by DJ Moonlight while eating bites and sipping cocktails. Tarot reading and street art will also be on site! Free with RSVP; Sunday, 7:00 pm – late; 416 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
KA’TEEN Debuts Brunch Service for Cinco de Mayo Weekend
KA’TEEN, Hollywood’s beloved Yucatan-inspired restaurant by Chef Wes Avila, is pleased to announce that Cinco de Mayo weekend will mark the debut of a brand new, high-energy brunch service with updated menu items and a curated music program that will see DJ performances every Saturday within the al-fresco space. KA’TEEN will introduce a new menu with specialty dishes such as the Breakfast Quesadilla and Strawberry Concha French Toast, accompanied by inventive cocktails including the large-format El Jefe Wes Colada or La Bloody Maria, for Mezcal lovers. On Saturdays, brunch will feature special DJ sets by LA-based talent throughout the spring and summer months. To mark the occasion and in celebration of Cinco de Mayo, KA’TEEN will be serving up a variety of drink and dish specials exclusively available this Saturday and Sunday, including the La Poblana cocktail made with Cincoro Tequila Reposado, a Duck Mole, Wild Boar Carnitas, and much more. There will also be musical performances all weekend long for guests to enjoy while dining. Various prices; Saturday – Sunday, 11:30 am – 2:30 pm; Tommie Hollywood – 6516 Selma Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028; 323.410.6360
La Lo La Rooftop Celebrates Cinco de Mayo
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo amongst the clouds at La Lo La Rooftop, located on the 34th floor of the AC Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. The Spanish-inspired cocktail bar will be offering three new tacos, each priced at $12, or opt for a tasting experience featuring all three for $29. The menu features a Mahi Mahi Baja Taco with beer-battered fish, cabbage slaw, avocado crema, and peanut sesame macha salsa on a yellow corn tortilla, as well as Grilled Steak Tacos, made with red mole, black beans, pickled tomatillo, and toasted sesame. For those seeking a vegetarian option, the Tacos de Nopales offer a delectable combination of grilled corn, queso Oaxaca, grilled cactus, jalapenos, and a roasted red salsa. To complement the culinary offerings, guests can enjoy a Pacifico beer paired with a shot of tequila for $18, or opt for a Modelo and a shot of Mezcal for $19. Handcrafted cocktails, including classic or spicy Margaritas, Palomas, or the unique Oaxacan Old Fashioned, are available for $18 each. Various prices; Sunday, 5:00 pm – close; AC Hotel – 1260 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Cinco de Mayo Comes Early at DTLA’s Level 8
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo on Saturday at Level 8’s Sinners Y Santos and The Brown Sheep. Featured cocktails include: Ilegal Mezcal Prickly Pear Paloma with Jamaica Agua Fresca and Patron Blanco Margarita with purple basil, cucumber and jalapeno. Guests are also invited to enjoy exclusive cocktails available at Sinners y Santos such as Batanga, made with Patron and Pepsi, Ranch Water with Patron and club soda and lime – all to sounds by DJ Diablo. Various prices; Saturday, 10:00 pm – 2:00 am; Moxy DTLA – 1254 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015
A Touch of Tulum in LA: Skybar Cinco de Mayo Pool Party
Join the E.C. Twins and Casamigos for A Touch of Tulum in LA, an exclusive Cinco de Mayo party pool at Skybar. Free entry with RSVP; Sunday, 2 – 7:00 pm; The Mondrian – 8440 Sunset Boulevard West Hollywood, CA 90069
Pitfire Pizza and Sonoratown Collab for Cinco de Mayo
Pitfire Pizza and Los Angeles’ award-winning taqueria Sonoratown team up to create a Chivichanga Pizza ($20) with $5 from every pizza sold donated to No Us Without You. An ode to Sonoratown’s famous burrito, the Chivichanga is reimagined on Pitfire Pizza’s sourdough crust made with Sonoratown’s slow-cooked guisado, shredded chicken, monterey jack & mild cheddar cheese, topped with Sonoratown’s classic taco radish, onion, and lime. Dippers of avocado crema and Sonoratown’s signature Spicy Chiltepin Salsa are served alongside. For guests looking to pair with a beverage, Pitfire’s beloved Margaritas are also available all day for $6 (regularly $12). This special collab pizza will be available at all Pitfire Pizza locations for dine-in, take-out and delivery through the website or the Pitfire Pizza app. Various prices; Sunday; Various hours and locations
Tacos and Margaritas at the Surfing Fox
This Cinco de Mayo, The Surfing Fox is tapping into its Mexican and Latin-inspired menu with a new chef special: beef barbacoa and mahi fish tacos all day long with margarita specials starting at 7:00 pm. Enjoy tacos and margs alongside menu favorites including a new Street Corn Focaccia, tajin-sprinkled Michelada Mussels, an Oaxacan-spiced Hot Chicken Sandwich and fresh guacamole. Various prices; Sunday, 11:00 am – 10:00 pm; 120 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90401; 424.214.1830
Cinco de Mayo Cocktail Recipes
3 Cocktails from Pink House Alchemy (That Aren’t Just Margaritas) to Serve at Your Cinco De Mayo Celebration
In honor of one of the booziest holidays of the year, the alchemists at Pink House Alchemy have whipped up some delicious cocktails that are simple to make and are even more refreshing to drink. Yes, this does include the classic margarita in addition to some delicious alternatives with a kick of spice.
- The Daisy
- 2 oz. silver tequila
- 1 oz. pH Pineapple Rosemary Shrub
- 3/4 oz. pH Herbalicious Syrup
- 1 oz. fresh lime juice
- Method: Shake or stir. Strain into a glass over ice, rimmed with rosemary salt. Enjoy!
- Mexican Chile Mango Tequila Soda (Non-Alcoholic)
- 1 oz. mango puree
- 3/4 oz. fresh lime juice
- 3/4 oz. pH Mexican Chile Syrup
- Soda water
- Method: Rim an empty glass with Tajín. Combine mango puree, lime juice, and syrup in a glass with ice. Top with soda water.
- Mexican Chile Margarita
- 1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 oz. pH Mexican Chile Syrup
- 2 oz. Casamigos Blanco
- Soda water
- Method: Combine lime juice, tequila, and syrup in a glass with ice. Top with soda water and enjoy.
Two Refreshingly Delicious Cocktails from Langers to Enjoy This Cinco de Mayo
Our friends at Langers, the family-owned West Coast juice brand have crafted some delicious cocktails to celebrate! Whether you choose to cool down with a cucumber lime margarita or amp up the spice with watermelon chamoy, Langers created a handful of cocktails you’re sure to love. *Feel free to swap with the Langers 5 Calories Cucumber Lime With Mint for a delicious skinny version!
- Cranberry Watermelon Chamoy Frozen Margarita
- 2 oz. tequila
- 1 oz. Langers Watermelon Chamoy
- 1/2 oz. lime juice
- 1/4 oz. orange liqueur
- Method: Combine all ingredients in a blender with ice. Blend until smooth. Pour into a rimmed glass and garnish with a lime wheel.
- Cucumber Lime Margarita
- 2 oz. Langers Cucumber Lime with Mint Juice*
- 1 oz. Silver tequila
- 1 oz. triple sec
Cinco de Mayo Tequila + Cocktails with Cantera Negra Tequila
On behalf of Cantera Negra Tequila, check out the below twists on the most popular cocktails, including margarita, espresso martini, paloma, mule and bloody mary. Cantera Negra is certified additive-free and celebrity-free ultra-premium tequila made from 100% fully mature blue weber agave, and our portfolio includes Silver, Reposado, Añejo, Extra Añejo and Café (yes, Café – eat your heart out, Patron).
- Dulce Noche: This is an easy riff on a classic Espresso Martini. The addition of condensed milk gives the drink a rich depth reminiscent of dulce de leche, playing off the bitter chocolate notes of espresso.
- 1 oz. Cantera Negra Café
- 2 oz. Espresso
- 1/4 oz. sweet condensed milk
- Method: Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously. Double strain into chilled coup or martini glass. Garnish with cinnamon powder.
- Cinco Paloma: This is our favorite way to make a paloma – it is quick, easy and refreshing. It has a cult following in the industry, and you may have seen it recently in viral TikTok videos.
- 2 oz. Cantera Negra Silver
- 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
- 5 oz. Mexican Squirt
- Tajin and sugar for rim
- Method: Build over ice in a Collins glass rimmed with tajin/sugar mix (3 parts tajin to 1 part sugar). Stir and garnish with a grapefruit slice.
- Piña Mule: This version of a classic uses Tepache in place of ginger beer. Tepache is a traditional Mexican fermented beverage made from the peels and rind of pineapple. The ginger version keeps the familiar notes of the classic cocktail, while adding sweetness and depth with the tepache, resulting in a great spring sipper.
- 2 oz. Cantera Negra Silver
- 5 oz. Ginger Tepache
- 1/2 oz. fresh lime juice
- Chili mango and lime for garnish
- Method: Add all ingredients into copper mug over ice, stir and garnish with chili mango and lime.
- Los Angeles: This Bloody Maria recipe features ingredients popular in Latin American cuisine which has had a major influence on the culture and food scene in Los Angeles.
- 2 oz. Cantera Negra Silver
- 1 cup tomato sauce (can sub Clamato for less ingredients but I wouldn’t)
- 2 cups Clamato Classico
- 3/4 oz. horseradish
- 2 oz. fresh lime juice
- 2 oz. orange juice
- 1/2 oz. Jugo Maggi
- 1/2 oz. Cholula or Tapatio hot sauce
- Celery salt, smoked paprika and pepper to taste
- Lime wedge or wheel, chili powder and dried chili peppers for garnish
- Method: Rim glass with tajin. Pour 2 oz. of Cantera Negra Silver over ice in a Collins glass and top with mix (usually 3-4oz) and stir. Garnish with a lime wedge or wheel dipped in chili powder and two dried chili peppers.
- Tommy’s Margarita: This go-to cult classic is known as a Tommy’s Margarita and is a bartender favorite.
- 2 oz. Cantera Negra Silver
- 1 oz. fresh lime juice
- 1/2 oz. agave nectar
- Blood orange slice for garnish
- Method: Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously. Strain over ice in a half salt rimmed rocks glass and garnish with blood orange slice.
Fun Cinco de Mayo Facts
- What is Cinco de Mayo: Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day. The holiday actually celebrates the unlikely victory of the Mexican army over the French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Think underdog story with a side of guacamole!
- Avocado Obsession: Get ready for guac overload! Did you know Americans consume a crazy amount of avocados on Cinco de Mayo – we’re talking millions of pounds! Guess everyone loves a good creamy dip with their chips.
- Mole over Margaritas: Sure, margaritas are fun, but for a more authentic taste, try mole poblano, the rich, dark sauce Puebla is famous for. Made with chocolate and chilies, it’s a complex and delicious flavor explosion!
