Cinco de Mayo 2015 Events in Broward and Palm Beach Counties

Cinco de Mayo is here, and it's happening on Taco Tuesday. Sometimes the stars align and the world just makes sense.

Can't decide where to go celebrate? No problem; we've listed the best Cinco de Mayo parties in Broward and Palm Beach counties right here, so all you have to do is show up and put some shots back.

Palm Beach County

Baja Cantina
201 NW First Ave., Boca Raton. Call 561-419-8118.
Get ready for one of the biggest Cinco de Mayo parties in Boca Raton with the first ever at Baja Cantina. The bar will be slinging $5 Patrón (and other top-shelf tequilas) all day. Better still, expect tons of raffles with free giveaways, contests, and more. Senoritas: Be sure to wear your sexiest sombrero. A special beauty pageant will take place to crown the first official Miss Baja Cantina. The winner receives a $500 cash prize.

El Camino
15 NE Second Ave., Delray Beach. Call 561-865-5350.
What's better than celebrating Cinco de Mayo at El Camino in Delray Beach? Celebrating and getting entered for a chance to win a trip to Key West. During the daylong festivities, you can take down tequila and a rainbow of specialty margaritas (think spiced avocado or watermelon jalapeño) with all-day drink specials, dance to the sounds of a live DJ, and take selfies with an authentic Mariachi band. Then, enter the restaurant's raffle for a chance to win a VIP trip to the Key West Lobsterfest. El Camino's Cinco de Mayo celebration will take place all day from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. (Due to the holiday El Camino's weekly Taco Tuesday will take place Wednesday, May 6.)

The Backyard
511 NE Fourth St., Boynton Beach. Call 561-740-0399.
This year, why not celebrate Cinco de Mayo with some karaoke and a Taco Tuesday? At the Backyard in Boynton Beach, the bar and restaurant is giving you three tacos for $9.95, paired with $5 margaritas, $5 shots of Cuervo Gold, $15 buckets of Corona, and karaoke on the live music stage. If you're looking to eat, drink, and sing your Cinco de Mayo away, you can do it all in one spot.

Calaveras Cantina
125 Dockside Circle, Jupiter. Call 561-723-0059.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo — and the grand opened of a new restaurant — all in one at Calaveras Cantina in Jupiter. The newest addition to Jupiter’s Harbourside Place will offer more than 100 tequilas and a few types of specialty margaritas. The party starts at 6 p.m. and will include live music and drink specials.

Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar
224 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. Call 561-650-1001.
It wouldn't be Cinco de Mayo in Palm Beach County without a Rocco's Tacos block party — here known as "Cinco de Drinko." Of course, the original Clematis Street restaurant won't be the only one shutting down the block on May 5. All four Rocco's Tacos locations in Palm Beach and Broward counties will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo come Tuesday, an event that includes the tequila connoisseur himself — bar-top dancing owner Rocco Mangel — hosting four unique fiestas from Fort Lauderdale to Palm Beach Gardens. Each party will have incredible drink specials along with several surprises including live entertainment, Pancho Villa mariachi band, DJs, prize giveaways, and free tequila pourings. Beat the crowds and get there early when the restaurants open at noon. Want to know where Rocco will be on Cinco de Mayo? Follow him to track his location on Facebook and Twitter.

Cantina Laredo
4635 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens. Call 561-622-1223.
The Palm Beach Gardens Mexican cantina will serve a Cinco de Mayo tequila flight for $21, or celebrate at the bar from 4 to 10 p.m., where they'll be pouring Cabo Wabo shots for $4 (and slinging $3 quesadillas or $2 tamales). The restaurant will also be having a few piñata games and live music.

Cabo Flats
11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave., Palm Beach Gardens. Call 561-624-0024.
Happy hour starts at early at Cabo Flats in Delray Beach and Palm Beach Gardens, where both locations of the taco and tequila restaurant and bar will be hosting its own version of Cinco de Mayo. Expect DJs, live music, face painting, raffles, giveaways, contests, and more. Oh, and enjoy any of their flavored margaritas, tequilas, draft beers, and more on happy-hour specials starting at 3 p.m.

La Bamba Mexican & Spanish Restaurant
4285 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. Call 561-499-7996.
All La Bamba Broward and Palm Beach County locations will celebrate Cinco de Mayo all day with tequila and margarita specials. That includes the Plantation, Margate, Delray Beach, North Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale restaurants.

Broward County

Tacocraft
204 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-463-2003.
JEY Hospitality Group’s Fort Lauderdale establishments Tacocraft and Rok:Brgr are teaming up with Tarpon Bend and will be closing off parking in front of the restaurants on Himmarshee Village’s Second Street for a giant Cinco de Mayo Fiesta. For Tuesday only, the outside dinner seating will extend to the street starting at 6 p.m. Dance to live music by the sombrero-clad men of Experimento, a Latin reggae urban soul band. DJ Mark Gallo will also spin beats for the crowds. All-day specials include $2 tacos (the Gringo, braised chicken, and crispy pork tacos), $4 beers (all beer selections), $6 Espolón margaritas. The kitchen is open till 2 a.m.

Lime Fresh Mexican Grill (Plantation)
801 S. University Drive, Plantation. Call 954-472-5550.
Get the party started early on Sunday, May 3, at Lime Fresh Mexican Grill at the Fountains in Plantation. Chefs, sous chefs, and customers are invited to take part in a Cinco de Mayo-themed salsa contest. Bring your best homemade salsa, and judges from KISS Country 99.9 (along with three random judges) will taste and select the best. The winner will receive a $250 cash prize as well as chips and salsa for a year from Lime Fresh Mexican Grill at the Fountains, a Corona gift package, and the chance to publicize their salsa. Oh, and bragging rights for having the best salsa in town — until next year. The event takes place from 3 to 5 p.m. 

Bar Rita Pop-Up at Tap 42 
1411 S. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale. Call 954-463-4900.
Get excited, Broward County. On Tuesday, May 5, Tap 42 creators will debut a daylong, pop-up of their latest concept, Bar Rita. The Fort Lauderdale craft-beer bar has selected Cinco de Mayo to preview their new Mexican concept via food and drink. For lunch through dinner and into the wee hours, Tap 42 will be serving a large selection of Bar Rita menu items and pouring $9 craft margaritas. Bar Rita menu items will include guacamole and salsa platters including tasty new takes like a tequila-marinated strawberry, bacon and sweet corn, or butternut squash salsa. A selection of flatbreads will feature truffled ahí tuna with smashed avocado, pineapple, red onion, and an agave soy vinaigrette; or a BBQ brisket and brussels sprouts flatbread with sweet potato, chipotle BBQ sauce, smoked Gouda, and scallion. And, of course, tacos: chili lime grilled shrimp, Korean beef tenderloin, yellowtail snapper, and sweet potato and cauliflower — all served with warm tortillas, chopped lettuce, and lime.

Casa Maya Grill
301 SE 15th Terrace, Deerfield Beach. Call 954-570-6101.
Join the Deerfield Beach restaurant's annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta on Tuesday. This year, the event has been dubbed the "Cinco de Drinko Fiesta" and will feature a number of drink and food specials. Expect live music with the Rum Crew starting at 5 p.m., taco buffet stations, a specials menu, and fun-filled contests and surprises. 

The Whole Enchilada
8000 W. Broward Blvd., Plantation. Call 954-314-7095.
The best place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Broward County may very well be at the Whole Enchilada, where they'll be celebrating all day and night. All locations will be celebrating, but the big party is in Plantation, where the restaurant will be offering drink specials all day and night long (think $3 Coronas and $3 tequila shots), live music starting at 6 p.m., and contests with cash prizes. Have niños? No problemo. The whole family can have fun from 3 to 7 p.m., when the festivities are still PG-rated. Live music and liquor drink specials at Plantation location only.

Rumors Bar and Grill
2426 Wilton Drive, Wilton Manors. Call 954-565-8851.
Get your maracas ready and celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Rumors in Wilton Manors. From 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. drink up with a two-for-one happy hour, $4 Corona drafts, and $5 Corona bottles. From 9 p.m. to close the bar will be offering $2 domestic drafts, $2.50 import drafts, and $5 Absolut and Jose Cuervo cocktails. Need something to soak up all that liquor? From 8 to 9:30 p.m., enjoy a full taco buffet for $12. A live Mariachi band will be onsite from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. 

Cantina Laredo
501 Silks Run, Hallandale Beach. Call 954-457-7662.
Get ready for a street party at Gulfstream Park Village. Cantina Laredo will be closing down the street to celebrate its Cinco de Mayo party from 6 to 11 p.m. Join the fiesta with a live DJ and plenty of bebidas from across the border including the Repo Cinco ‘Rita!

Whole Foods Market (Davie)
1903 S. University Drive, Davie. Call 954-916-3000.
Craving an easy Cinco de Mayo-themed happy hour? The Davie Whole Foods Market will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo at the store's bar, the Watering Hole, on Tuesday from 5 to 8 p.m. Specials include $8 snacks, like the Fiesta grilled cheese paired with your favorite beer or wine.

Nicole Danna is a food writer covering Broward and Palm Beach counties. To get the latest in food and drink news in South Florida, follow her @SoFloNicole or find her latest food pics on the BPB New Times Food & Drink Instagram.