41 Ocean
Santa Monica’s beachfront restaurant, has a Latin-inspired menu for any Cinco de Mayo celebration. Executive Chef Jimmy Martinez (BOA Steakhouse), has created a menu featuring Latin dishes with a Cali twist like Shrimp and Oyster Ceviche, Jumbo Baked Crab Tamale, Chorizo Mussels, Grilled Veggie Soyriso Handmade Tacos, Churros and Seasonal Dipping Sauces, Choco Flan, or a Tres Leches Cake with Mixed Berries. Wash it all down with Latin-infused cocktails like the Ginger-Smoke Margarita or chose from 41 types of Tequila. 1541 Ocean Ave #150, Santa Monica, CA 90401; 310.566.3870
El Carmen
El Carmen opens at noon, and offers happy hour prices on all drinks from noon until 3 pm on Cinco de Mayo. They have hundreds of tequilas to chose from so start thinking which ones you want. 8138 W 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048; 323.852.1552
El Compadre
This dimly lit restaurant is a Los Angeles staple and is famous for their flaming margaritas — get those and bottled beers, specialty drinks and more for happy hour prices on Cinco de Mayo. 7408 W Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90046; 323.874.7924
East Borough
Celebrate “Chino de Mayo” with a menu blending “Fraîche Vietnamese” and Mexican cuisine, and a dash of spice. In collaboration with Jesse Fruman, the chef of Free Range LA, The Hundreds, and Tapatio, Executive Chef Chloe Tran will be using limited edition “The Hundreds X Tapatio” hot sauce.The Chino de Mayo menu features traditional Mexican food items with innovative Vietnamese flare, like Oxtail Tacos;Wonton Nachos with shredded grilled pork, Oaxaca cheese, cilantro, refried fermented black beans, guacamole, pickled jalapenos, and wok charred sesame scallions; Fried Chicken Torta with banh mi fixins; and for dessert, Saigon Churros. Los Angeles mixologist, Johan Stein, will be the guest bartender serving tequila shots with Tapatio salt; mescal cocktails with habanero; and the restaurant’s popular Tamarindo drink with Tapatio salt instead of sriracha salt, reposado, tamarind, and lime. May 5, 5:30 – 10 pm; 9810 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232; 310.596.8263
Tortilla Republic’s “Viva La Fiesta” block party
The modern Mexican restaurant is celebrating Cuatro de Mayo, as they transform the lot behind the West Hollywood Library and West Hollywood Park into a Mexican fiesta, with DJs Corey Craig, Aaron Elvis, and Dan Knapp, multiple outdoor bars, a dance floor, a live mariachi band, $6 margaritas, Mexican small plates, a 50/50 raffle, and a VIP suite with bottle service. The restaurant will also serve Mexican street corn on the cob called Esquitas; Flautas de Pollo; and chicken, steak, or vegetarian Street Tacos. In addition to eats from Tortilla Republic, TASTE will also offer small plates, pommes frites, chicken tarragon sliders, and more. Throughout the festivities, Tortilla Republic will distribute sombreros in an effort to break the world record for number of sombreros worn in one place. A portion of the proceeds from the block party will benefit Alive Music Projectand Project Angel Food. $15 presale general admission; $25 presale for VIP; $25 at the door for general admission; $45 at the door for VIP; Sunday, 2-10 pm; 616 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069; 310.657.9888
Petty Cash
This spot is also celebrating their one year anniversary along with Cinco de Mayo with $5 Fortaleza Tequila Shots, DJ Jeremy Sole spinning from 5-9 pm, and piñatas with prizes including gift certificates, free shots, and more! Also, to kick-off the party, is a Tequila Tasting at Petty Cash from 2:30-3:30 pm with Guillermo Sauza of Fortaleza Tequila and Petty Cash’s Nick Meyer. There will be a $5 cover at the door and you will learn about distillation methods, philosophies, and will get to try Fortaleza’s most recent batch. RSVP: nick@soignegroupla.com. 7360 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036; 323.933.5300
Red O Restaurant
Enjoy Mexican-inspired drink specials at the Newport Beach and Melrose locations. The white, red, and green colors of the Mexican flag are represented in three new cocktails, inspired by “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” (El Bueno, El Malo, y El Feo). The Good (white) cocktail features tequila, coconut, lemon, and orange liqueur, The Bad (red) cocktail is composed of tequila, hibiscus, limonada, and orange liqueur, and The Ugly (green) cocktail includes tequila, cucumber, epazote, fresh lime, and simple syrup. May 2 – May 5; 143 Newport Center Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660; 949.718.0300 and 8155 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90046; 323.655.5009
Grand Central Market
They are celebrating Cinco de Mayo with an international spin. The Market and its vendors have joined together to create a unique and lively celebration of culture, cuisine and community. Special Sunday & Monday Cinco de Mayo offers include Free taco sampling at Villas Morelianas, 10% off at Berlin Currywurst, 10% off the butcher shop at Belcampo Meat Co., free chicken and fish samples at Hawaii BBQ, and free ceviche samples at Lupita’s Seafood. Other vendors will be creating unique menu items in honor of the celebration! Sticky Rice is making Gai Yang Tacos, Horse Thief is making Brisket Tacos, DTLA Cheese will have a Queso Dip, and Valerie at GCM will have Mole Brownies. While you feast, enjoy hte free lunch time mariachi concerts given by local bands, and a free arts and crafts station for the kids at Little Junebugs on Sunday, May 4, 12 – 3 pm. May 4 and May 5; 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013; 213.624.2378
The Abbey
The Abbey will host LA’s first and only gay Mariachi band, Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles. Led by director Carlos Samaniego, Mariachi Arcoiris de Los Angeles performs its repertoire to suit the gay community while it maintains the highest level of musicality. Mariachi Arcoiris also is proud to have the first transgender female, Natalia Melendez in the history of mariachi as one of its members. The Abbey will also be offering a shot and a beer promotion: shot of Avion tequila and a Dos Equis for $12 and a bucket of 4 Dos Equis bottles for $20. 692 N Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069; 310.289.8410
M Café
LA’s macrobiotic eatery, is celebrating its fifth year by offering a fab-five anniversary menu featuring five signature dishes for only $5 for a limited time only. This anniversary special will only be available at the Beverly Hills location and the five dollar menu features favorites like M Café’s signature Big Macro (whole grain brown rice and vegetable patty and a choice of side salad or fries); The M Chopped salad; the Teriyaki Bowl with tempura or steamed seasonal vegetables and choice of tofu or salmon; a Two Salad Combo selected from any deli salad on the menu; and the M Café exclusive agave-sweetened Health-Ade Kombucha. M Café continues to strive to introduce delicious and nourishing foods featuring no dairy, poultry, meat, refined sugars, or processed ingredients. May 5, 3-8 pm; 9433 Brighton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210; 310.858.8459
Gracias Madre
Head to this Mexican spot that is the sister restaurant to Café Gratitude. They’ll be serving up $5 food and drink specials. This includes their Purista margarita, Micheladas, tostadas, and more. Stick around for live music from 5-9 pm, including a mariachi band. May 5, 11 am-11 pm; 8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069; 323.978.2170
Cinco de Mayo at The Bungalow
The Bungalow will be offering up its signature Bitchin’ Sangria and Bungalow Margarita to celebrate the holiday, along with quesadillas, chips and guac, and more. May 5, 5 pm-2 am; The Bungalow Santa Monica, 101 Wilshire Blvd.; 310.899.8530
Loteria Grill
This year, all of Loteria locations will be offering a Cinco+Cinco+Cinco menu: five margaritas, five beers and five tacos. Drinks like the Sandia (a watermelon margarita) range from $6-14; Tacos go for $3.25-3.75 a piece. 6627 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angels, CA 90028; 323.465.2500
Lucha VaVoom at The Mayan
Celebrate with acrobatic, masked wrestlers and “Sexy-Mexy” burlesque stripteases! This crazy show is going down today and tomorrow. Get in on it and pound that tequila. $45; May 1 & 2, door: 7 pm, Show 8 pm; The Mayan, 1038 S Hill St., Los Angeles, CA
Border Grill
Celebrate with Aztec dancers, a pig roast, and extended happy hours all weekend long at the Border Grill Downtown. The Santa Monica location will also celebrate with late-night happy hours on Friday & Saturday, and all-day deals on Sunday, including margarita specials, tequila flights, soft-shell crab tacos, and the oozy-goodness of queso fundido.
The Raymond
Although 1886 Bar at The Raymond may not be open on Cinco de Mayo, they will be celebrating all weekend long with one of their newest additions to their new spring cocktail menu. The Calavera is a festive combo of mescal, reposado tequila and aged Venezuelan rum with Creole and cardamom bitters! May 3rd, 5 pm-2 am; May 4th, 5-10 pm;. 1250 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, CA 91105; 626.441.3136
Fred 62
Where can you celebrate all 24 hours (or more) of Cinco de Mayo? At Fred 62, in Los Feliz, that’s where! Before or after your partying, munch on the Perfect Nachos topped with black beans, jack & cheddar cheese, jalapeno, pico de gallo, sour cream and guacamole. They also have Fred’s Fried Chicken with crispy golden chicken, yucca jicama, pico de gallo, pasilla chiles, avocado, corn, mixed greens and habanero cilantro dressing. Fred 62 is open 24/7/365. 1850 N Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90027; 323.667.0062
Los Balcones
Get down Peruvian style this Cinco de Mayo at Los Balcones in Hollywood with $5 Margaritas, or Marcos Tello’s famous Medicina Latina with El Silencio Mezcal, ginger syrup, honey syrup, fresh lime juice and candied ginger for $7. Fill up on $7 snacks like the Cordero Norteno Tacos made with corn tortilla, lamb shoulder, fennel and aji amarillo dressing or the Peruvian Nachos with pallar purée (Peruvian Lima beans), sarza criolla and queso fresco. May 5th, 4:-11 pm; 1360 Vine St., Los Angeles, CA 90028; 323.871.9600
Suncafe
SunCafe will be going against the “grain” this Cinco de Mayo with their vegetarian and vegan specials such as the two Baja Zucchini Tacos or two Enchiladas with Mole served with a Quinoa Fiesta Salad for $5 each. Wash them down with a house-made Horchata with sweet rice milk and coconut water seasoned with pecans and cinnamon for $5, or the Hibiscus Flower Aqua Fresca for $2.50. May 5th, 11 am-10 pm;. 3711 Cahuenga Blvd., West, Los Angeles, CA 91604; 818.308.7420
Tipple & Brine
It’s a stand-off at Sherman Oak’s newest dining and drinking destination, Tipple & Brine. Bar Operator Daniel Zacharczuk’s Mexican Firing Squad with reposado tequila, lime, house-made grenadine and bitters will leave you wanting many more rounds at the bar. May 5th, 4:30 pm-12 am; 14633 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, CA 91403; 818.528.2550
Velvet Margarita
This crazy Hollywood bar has been mixing kitsch with Mexican flavors for 10 years. They’re hosting a charity benefit on Cinco de Mayo with DJs, food specials, and more. RSVP required. 1612 N Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028; 323.469.2000
Mohawk Bend
Just for Cinco de Mayo this Echo Park spot will feature organic and locally distilled tequila from Greenbar Distillery in drinks like the Técito (IXÁ Organic Tequila, Jamaica Tea, ginger, lime juice). 2141 W Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90026; 213.483.2337
Las Perlas
Snag $5 margaritas, palomas, and tequila shots. Beers start at $3. Find Danny’s Tacos truck on the patio from 6 pm-1 am. May 5, 4 pm; 107 E 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90014; 213.988.8355
Wood & Vine
Head to the heart of Hollywood to Wood & Vine for a Cinco de Mayo treat concocted just for you by Bar Manager Justin Stidham. Guests will go loco over Stidham’s Zocalo cocktail made with Azul tequila, lime, mandarin, cilantro infused agave and habanero tincture. May 5th, 5 pm-12 am; 6280 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028; 323,334.3360
