Cinco de Mayo falls on a Saturday this year! That means you can loosely plan your adventures today, tackle all of the best places tomorrow and recover on Sunday. Ain't life grand? We hit the streets and took a "taco census" to find you the best parties, drink specials and events, so click the titles for more information and share this list with your friends.
There's a parade, a roof top movie, a mustache competition, derby parties, competitive taco and queso eating and a mechanical bull. Go on, make us proud. Then prove it by posting your best Cinco de Mayo photos on our Flickr page. We'll show off our favorites next week.
Cinco de Mustache at LaGrange Do you look like a villain from a telenovela? You could win some mustache wax money at LaGrange; the owner of the finest lip whiskers goes home with $100. There's also four bands (Dead Twins, The Phuss, Ten Can Riot, and Broadcast Sea), midnight raffle prizes, including a couple bar tabs (really run yours up, you'll probably win), and other oddball happenings. It's $10 to $15 at the door.
The Big Parade and Party Oak Cliff has today's parade action, but don't get too drunk too early, Mayor Rawlings is the Grand Marshal. From there you'll flow into the street festival where you'll glut your way through vendors. It's the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Puebla, so this bash should be extra rockin'. The parade goes from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and the festival runs from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
Cinco de NORML Because there's nothing more fun than being paranoid in front of City Hall, the local chapter of NORML is hosting Cinco de MOTA, a walk/rally for marijuana reform. After getting all political, there will be bands, food trucks (obvi), fire dancers, parkour performers, and something called the "cannabis all-star drum line" from UT-Arlington. Meet up begins at 2 in front of City Hall, with walk beginning at, yep, 4:20.
Boil for the Brave at The Foundry This just happens to be on the fifth of May, but your $20 cover goes towards our community's veterans and gives you access to an all-you-can-eat crawfish boil, live music, and beer/liquor specials. Dallas Observer Party at Wild Salsa Don't act surprised! We never miss an excuse to knock back tequila shots and eat yummy food; that's the stuff of life. Starting at 6 p.m. and going until your maracas no longer rattle, this bash has live music, drink specials, raffle prizes and loads of other secret goodies.
More things to do are on Page 2.
There's a Block Party at Hacienda on Henderson Man, it's hot out. Too bad someone didn't have the foresight to install a dunk tank -- hang on, what? There's a dunk tank? Nice. There's also drink specials, giant Jenga and a photo booth.
Tacopalooza at Bryan Street Tavern It's a celebration of all things wrapped in tortillas! There will be a taco eating contest, a taco tweet live feed display, bands, beer (it's sponsored by PBR) and, of course, tacos. Onsite taco vendors will face judgement as local hungry-types (yep, Wilonsky and others) determine who wins the coveted title of Best Taco. Sleep in, this starts at 1 p.m. and runs until 7 p.m. and there's no cover.
Primo's Takes It Outside Chill under the tent at this Uptown hang and enjoy $5 beer and margaritas, live music and mariachi madness.
Urban Taco, Uptown This party boast a pretty delicious $5 drink menu: Limonda Corrupta, Bloody Maria, Sangria, Tequila Slammer, and Gran Centenario Azul Silver Tequila shots. Urban is also serving up $3 Dos Eqis Lager Drafts and $2 tacos alongside a live band, because we all know how much better we dance after tequila shots.
Mattito's I get nervous when I read the words "queso eating contest" and "mechanical bull" in the same sentence, but the folks at Mattito's must be made of stronger stuff, because they're hosting exactly that at their two locations. Also on the bill: mariachis, a dj, and tequila tastings (like Baskin-Robins, but for liquor!).
On The Border (Addison at 4855 Belt Line Road, Plano at 5000 State Hwy 121 and Burleson at 13005 South Freeway) All of these locations are having outdoor parties with live music and massive margarita menus.
Desperados Dear Desperados, I love you. I think I always have but hadn't put it in words until now. The way you fry your tacos... it's like you know me. And your $2 Mexican beers for Cinco de Mayo and discounted special food plate, well, It's like you know my budget, too. Since we have an understanding, I promise to make a reservation if I'm coming with a big posse.
Fairmont Hotel Feeling fancy? Want a luxurious approach to this day of drinking? Go rooftop at the Fairmont (1717 N. Akard). Tonight is the kick-off of the hotel's dive-in movie series, but it's also a Cinco de Mayo party. It comes at a cost, though. $45 per person gets you a fajita dinner at 6 p.m., followed by live music with the Matt Stapp Band and a movie that you can watch while floating under the stars. Booze drinks are available at the cash bar. Call: 214-720-5330
Cinco de Derby Don't forget, Cinco de Mayo is also the day of the Kentucky Derby, so if you're feeling more mint julep and less michelada, maybe do the pony angel.
Sissy's First Annual Jockeys & Juleps Derby Watching Party From 4 to 7 this Southern kitchen is offering up juleps, Kentucky Punch, Presbyterian Bourbon Press, and Alabama Sunsets for $5. Plus you can watch the races; they'll be showing them on every television. Play it safe and make a reservation: 214-827-9900.
Derby Party at Lone Star Park They'll be simulcasting the big race and giving up $500 to the Hat Contest's "Best In Show."
