May 5th is Cinco de Mayo! We love our Mexican friends and want to celebrate the Mexican Army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. That, and we love a good margarita.
Here are a few cool things to do on Cinco de Mayo in NYC:
Toloache is a renowned Mexican eatery in the Theater District. Chef Julian Melina will be offering specials like lamb tacos and lobster nachos. Wash them down with specially flavored margaritas as you dance along to the mariachi band that will be playing all day.
Sunset Park in Brooklyn will host a Cinco De Mayo celebration between 4 and 7 p.m. Mexican music, dance, and crafts will all be on hand!
On Sunday, May 7th, head to Nitehawk Cinema, an eat-in movie theater in Brooklyn. The owners are throwing a special Cinco de Mayo brunch party. $16 will get you lots of grub, along with plenty of laughs at a screening of that Steve Martin, Chevy Chase and Martin Short classic, Three Amigos.
In Manhattan on Wednesday, the 3rd, head to the Upper West Side for a Cinco De Mayo parade! The marchers will promenade down Central Park West from West 106th St. to West 96th St. between 1 and 3 p.m.
Viva Mexico!!!
About those Margaritas…
Legend has it that the yummy adult beverage was first dreamed up by a Tijuana bartender in the late 1930s. True or not, it remains one of the most popular drinks here in New York City!
So what better way to start celebrating the holiday than a Margarita March
a tasting tour of our favorite tequila-based cocktail.
On Saturday or Sunday (April 28th and 29th), check into Gonzalez y Gonzalez on Mercer Street here in the Village between noon and 3 p.m. to pick up your pass, which must be ordered online.
Armed with your golden ticket, you can make a pilgrimage to eight–count ’em, eight–local haunts that produce a better-than-average version of a margarita. The restaurants? Mama’s Bar, Wicked Willy’s, Slainte, JoJo’s Philosophy Bar & Grill, 2A and The Red Lion. (All are located in the West and East Village.) There will be music, entertainment and food specials galore along the way.
A few obvious facts:
Yes, you must be 21. No, you do NOT have to finish all eight margaritas. And don’t even think about driving! FYI the event officially closes at 10 p.m. so you can take your sweet time slurping those drinks.
Participants are encouraged to wear their favorite Cinco de Mayo gear (sombrero, anyone?) but they certainly don’t have to.
Tickets are $65 and a portion of the proceeds will go to charity so you will be drinking for a good cause! These are charity cocktails, amigo!