People don't need much of an excuse to hit the bars during a work night.
On St. Patrick's Day, the Irish-at-heart don green apparel and chug Guinness after Guinness. Memorial Day is a federal holiday meant to honor those who died while in military service, only it has become the unofficial start to summer and an excuse to extend a three-day weekend into a four-day vacation.
Cinco de Mayo, the Mexican holiday commemorating the 1862 Battle of Puebla victory of the French, isn't any different. Cinco de Mayo isn't even Mexico's Independence Day. Mexican-American communities around the country celebrate it more than natural-born Mexicans ever have, mostly with $5 Margaritas, street-side tacos, and "bandas" playing into the night.
May 5 in the United States has been called anything from "Cinco de drinko" to "drinko de Mayo," and with reason. The margarita and "cerveza" deals can't be beat.
Let's take a look at some of the better activities and deals around the Los Angeles area during Cinco de Mayo.
Events
Lucha VaVoom - Mayan Theatre, Los Angeles
"Psychedelic Cinco" is an eclectic mix of "lucha libre" style wrestling, comedy, and striptease burlesque. The 21-and-over event also features Aztec dancers, mariachis, low-rider car displays, and a lot of tequila. General admission tickets are $50 and allow access to all of the Mayan Theatre's activities.
Puro Pari Dia y Noche - La Plaza de Cultura y Atres, Los Angeles
All-day festivities begin at noon with live mariachis, photo booths, food trucks, and a mechanical bull. Taking the Metro to Union Station and walking to Olvera Street may be the way to go since parking will be hard to come by. Admission is free until 5 p.m. with prices going up to $10 thereafter.
Los Angeles Angels vs. Seattle Mariners - Angels sombrero Guinness World Record attempt, Anaheim
For the sixth straight season, the Los Angeles Angels will try to break a Guinness World Record, this time asking fans to wear sombreros for five consecutive minutes in the fifth inning. The Cinco de Mayo celebration continues in the left field Music Garden with live music, games, and food and drink specials. Tickets start as low as $12.
Cantina Party - Pez Cantina, Los Angeles
Pez Cantina's Cinco celebration began four days ago, but they've saved the best for last. Each day featured varying selections of food and musical acts, not to mention $12 margaritas made with Don Julio tequila. Seven-piece band Orquestra Son Cache has been tapped to play from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Los Lobos - Regency Theatre, Los Angeles
The longstanding East L.A. band known for their renditions of Richie Valens song play an all-ages show in downtown's Regency Theatre. Los Lobos gained international stardom with their role in "La Bamba," winning multiple Grammy awards along the way. Tickets are still available, beginning at $40.
Food and drink deals
Las Perlas - Los Angeles
There is no cover from 5 p.m. until closing at Las Perlas, the downtown L.A. restaurant that will host an extended Margarita hour tonight. Margaritas, Palomas - usually made with tequila and a fruit-flavored soda- and shots of tequila will all be $5. Not to mention $3 cans of Tecate. Music will be provided by all-female mariachi band La Victoria.
Border Grill - Santa Monica and downtown Los Angeles
Both locations will have $5 Margarita and sangria glasses all day. What differentiates Border Grill from other Cinco de Mayo spots is the pig roast on the patio. They'll also have $4 tacos made of squash blossom, pork belly, and seared calamari or lamb barbacoa.
Dia de Campo - Hermosa Beach
Finding a $1 build-your-own tacos deal is hard enough. Adding a complimentary tequila tasting makes stopping at Dia de Campo that much more necessary. Casamigos tequila samples will be given out from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and an extended happy hour runs until 7 p.m. Food specials include $1 oysters and $1 street corn with chipotle mayo and Parmesan, similar to what street vendors sell.
Solita Tacos & Margaritas - Valencia
Where else can you find a bucket of beer for $5? The Valencia restaurant not only offers cheap beer and $10 watermelon margaritas, they'll have a street-side taco stand set up. Then there's the $5 for five churros deal that will satiate your sweet tooth. The restaurant closes at 10 p.m. but the bar will remain open until midnight.
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