Like it or not, for most people, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated as culturally correctly (or as historically educated) as St. Patrick's Day. Pretty much, it's just another excuse to drink theme-appropriate booze and maybe take part in some vaguely Mexican-themed festivities. Well... Crack out the tequila, right? If you need another shield for daytime and/or excessive drinking, here are five worthy events at which to booze away Saturday's holiday.
Fort Lauderdale's Largest Cinco De Mayo Block Party: No surprise here -- the Himmarshee bar district is hosting its own multi-venue, indoor-outdoor party starting at 5 p.m. Enjoy live music of the mariachi and non-mariachi types, and imbibe at 10 outdoor bars. (New Times is a sponsor of this event.) Admission is free. Click here.
Cinco de Mayo Block Parties at Rocco's Tacos: South Florida
mini-empire Rocco's Tacos is pulling out all the stops at its area
locations. The Palm Beach Gardens, West Palm Beach, Boca, and Fort
Lauderdale restaurants all promise a block party at each. The
festivities start at noon at all of them, and live music and DJs keep
things going into the wee hours. Our favorite billing is at the Fort
Lauderdale Rocco's, where Latin jam stars Suenalo promise a dance party.
Click here.
Cinco de Mayo at Green Room With Pterodactyl Sleepover, Raggy Monster, Eyes Lips Eyes, and more.
There's nothing particularly Mexican here except for a jalapeno-eating
contest (don't rub your eyes afterwards) and some pinatas. But like
every other party at Green Room, you can expect a good time and good
music with no hassle. That means no cover, plus loosely
holiday-appropriate drink specials: a PBR plus a Jose Cuervo shot for
$7, or Koko Brown plus a JC shot for $10. Reckless Dames provide the
burlesque and all of the worthy indie bands listed above provide the
live-music soundtrack. Click here.
Cinco de Mayo at Pinche Taqueria: How's this for a bargain?
Pinche Taqueria in Wilton Manors got Herradura Taqueria to sponsor their
shindig, soundtracked by DJ Jared Michael. That means tequila shots are
$2, margaritas are just $4, and for beer-drinkers, Corona Light Drafts
are $3. Enjoy the drinks and the weather on the restaurant's covered
outdoor patio. Click here.
Third Annual Cinco de Mayo Street Festival at Tulum Mexican Grill & Bar. Ever
consider partying in Miramar? Oh, uh, not really? If you're feeling
adventurous, head southwest. Unlike other Cinco de Mayo parties, this
one isn't free -- admission is $40 to $50 depending on which level
ticket you want. What that does get you, however, is an open bar AND
food from the kitchen, plus a day of live music, a DJ, and so forth. Add
up the cost of a la carte drinks at some of the other fiestas, and you
could easily spend that much, so it may be worth it depending on how
hard you plan to go. For the brave, there's also a hot sauce-eating
contest! Click here.
