It’s time to break out the maracas and celebrate Cinco de Mayo - enjoy tequila, tacos, racing chihuahuas and more at these restaurants, bars, and events.

 

Take a trip to Mexico without leaving DC at the Mexican Cultural Institute’s Cinco de Mayo celebration. The building itself is made up of several floors and decorated with murals depicting specific regions of the country. The evening celebration will feature a Mexican buffet complete with crispy and soft tacos, Mexican rice, pico de gallo, quesadillas, enchiladas, flan and tres leches, and chile con queso dip; an open bar with your choice of Mexican beers, wines and tequila; a live Mexican band; and access to a special art gallery. The best part? One lucky attendee will win a trip to Mexico via a special drawing! May 1, 7 - 9:30PM, tickets are $60. (2829 16th St, NW)

 

The Penn Quarter location will be serving up Breakfast Tacos with eggs, cheese, pico de gallo, avocado and ranchero sauce along with Pulled Chicken Nachos with beer cheese, guacamole, sour cream, and pico. Pair these dishes with $10 beeritas and Dogfish Head SeaQuench Ale. (901 9th St, NW; 202-644-9433) 

 

The Logan Circle restaurant will be offering plenty of food and drink specials in honor of Cinco de Mayo including $5 margaritas, frozen palomas, Jack’s Spicy Margaritas and a Mezcal Flight in addition to fiesta-themed bites such as Stuffed Jalapenos, Beer Braised Pork Carnitas Tacos, Carne Asada, Grilled Nopal Salad, Chicken Posole Soup and Mexican Fried Ice Cream. Specials available all day long. (1443 P St, NW; 202-299-0018)

 

The modern Mexican restaurant located at Metro Center will offer five different tacos (carne asada, pollo, cochinita pibil, hongos, mahi mahi), five signature appetizers (rockfish aguachile ceviche, guacamole tradicional, kabra quesadilla, cuatro queso fundido, nachos) and five margaritas (margarita de casa, margarita de pina, mango margarita, blackberry cilantro and habanero margarita) all for $7 each. Specials available for five hours on May 5 from noon - 5 PM. (600 14th St, NW; 202-393-1900)

 

Get ready to cheer on the racing pups with a Cinco de Mayo fiesta complete with Mexican beers, good eats, and live music at The Wharf’s District Pier. (101 District Square, SW)

 

The Glover Park location will be hosting a rooftop fiesta complete with drink specials, prizes, giveaways, free tequila and cocktail surprises courtesy of El Jimador, along with live entertainment. Menu specials include half price margaritas and riptide pitchers, $20 mix-and-match beer buckets, $5 tequila shots, $10 bermuda triangle platters (guacamole, cheese dip, and salsa with chips), and a buy an entree receive a $5 drink on the roof deal. May 5, 11 AM - Close. (2444 Wisconsin Ave, NW; 202-380-9353)

 

Come celebrate at Victor Albisu’s most recently-opened Taco Bamba with a rooftop party featuring a Yucatan pig roast with a ceviche bar and mezcal margaritas. Tickets come with an all you can eat fiesta with a whole suckling pig, a taco bar and the aforementioned ceviche bar - with an option to add on an open bar experience where you’ll sip on endless margaritas, palomas, frozen mezcal pina coladas, and a mezcal tasting. May 5, 1 - 4PM, tickets are $30 or $60 with an open bar. (900 7th St, NW; 202-289-7377)

 

Why limit Cinco de Mayo celebrations to just one day? At Tico, they’ll be starting the fiesta with a Milagro Tequila happy hour on Tuesday, May 1 leading to an all-day party on Saturday, May 5. Doors open at 10 AM and guests can purchase tickets for beer, tacos and appetizers ($8) and tickets for margaritas ($15). Revelers will enjoy two tequila bars to indulge in festive beverages such as Micheladas, Pineapple Margaritas and Hibiscus Margaritas while noshing on classic Tico tacos including Pork al Pastor with guajillo, grilled pineapple, red jalapeno and avocado salsa. (1926 U St, NW; 202-319-1400)

Photo via Flickr user SGPhotography77