11 Ways To Celebrate Cinco De Mayo In South Florida

Cinco de Mayo is one of the most highly anticipated, yet least understood “holidays” in the United States.

Many believe May 5 is Mexico’s Independence Day, but in reality, that’s actually September 16.

Millions nationwide have no idea their taco and tequila celebrations are actually taking place on the anniversary of Mexico’s underdog victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. But any excuse for a good time, right?

Whether you’ll be clinking bottles in honor of Mexico’s win 157 years ago, or if you just really want a margarita, here are 11 places to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in South Florida.

Palm Beach County

Calaveras Cantina

Kick off Cinco at the vibrant Calaveras Cantina in Jupiter. Head to the outside tent and dig into your favorite tacos ($3-$6), or taco combos with a side ($12-$18). Cheers with $4 Coronas, $8 margaritas, and try a Calaveras cocktail called the Pony Ride, made with a shot of Tres Agave Anejo and a mini Corona for $12. The fun doesn’t stop with the brews and bites — Calaveras is bringing back last year’s chihuahua race, beginning at 2 p.m.

125 Dockside Drive, Jupiter; 561.320.9661; calaverascantinas.com

Eau Palm Beach

If you want to stay more low-key this Cinco de Mayo, head over to Eau Palm Beach for gorgeous beachfront views and live entertainment. The resort’s alfresco eatery, Breeze Ocean Kitchen, will be offering tacos for $5, margaritas for $12 and various beer specials for $5.

100 S. Ocean Blvd., Manalapan; 800.328.0170; eaupalmbeach.com

El Camino

El Camino is joining two powerful forces: coffee and tequila. The popular Mexican eatery will sell coffee tequila shots made with dark roast coffee, vanilla and cinnamon ($7). DJ Savage Beattz will play in the Delray Beach location from 1 p.m. to 2 a.m. In Fort Lauderdale, Mariachi Los Viajeros will perform from noon to 4 p.m., and DJ Angelo will spin jams from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Delray Beach: 15 NE 2nd Ave. Delray Beach, FL; 561.865.5350; elcaminodelray.com

Las Olas: 817 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954.530.1188; elcaminoftlauderdale.com

Rocco’s Tacos

Go all out this weekend with the ultimate Cinco de Mayo experience at Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar. Join owner Rocco Mangel – famous for his bartop-dancing skills and tequila knowledge – knows how to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Starting at 11 a.m., enjoy stellar drink specials, hundreds of tequila offerings, Rocco’s signature dishes, DJs and live music by Suénalo. But that’s not all: Rocco himself will give out free tequila pourings. Whether you celebrate in Delray, West Palm Beach or Fort Lauderdale, the party isn’t over until 2 a.m.

Delray Beach: 110 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach; 561.808.1100; roccostacos.com/delraybeach

West Palm Beach: 224 Clematis St., West Palm Beach; 561.650.1001; roccostacos.com/westpalmbeach

Fort Lauderdale: 1313 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954.524.9550; roccostacos.com/fortlauderdale

Yard House

The New American eatery notorious for its extensive beer selection will have $5 margaritas all of Cinco de Mayo. Whether you prefer the tried-and-true classic margarita or like to switch it up with salted watermelon or pomegranate flavors, there will be no shortage of flowing margs at all of Yard House’s Florida locations.

Boca Raton: 201 Plaza Real Ste. 1201, Boca Raton; 561.417.6124; yardhouse.com
Hallandale: 601 Silks Run Ste. 1490, Hallandale Beach; 954.454.9950; yardhouse.com

Sunrise: 2610 Sawgrass Mills Circle, Sunrise; 954.838.0120; yardhouse.com

Broward County

Bar Rita

Head to Bar Rita in Fort Lauderdale for a Cinco de Mayo block party like no other. From 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Tap 42’s buzzy sister restaurant will be serving up Mexican beer specials, margaritas, tequila shots and all the Mexican eats you could ask for. Dig into meal deals like steak, chicken, shrimp and cauliflower tacos ($2), Rita’s original guacamole ($4) and/or truffle street corn guacamole ($6). Pair your bites with Bar Rita’s original, spicy watermelon and “Don’t Be a Prick” margaritas ($6).

Relax with live music by House Savage, Sol + The Tribu, Marcus Amaya, and Two Hats and Friends. Go all out on a mechanical bull, participate in a 50/50 raffle with The Broward Health Foundation, and enjoy Live Art by Avi.

Doc B’s Restaurant + Bar

At this point, tequila is synonymous with Cinco de Mayo, so Doc B’s Restaurant + Bar is making everyone’s tequila dreams come true. This Sunday, the fresh-casual restaurant will be offering half-off all tequila libations on its menu. Whether you choose to down tequila shots or mix it in Doc B’s signature cocktail, “The Internal Affair” (tequila, jalapeño, pineapple and basil), take full advantage of this tequila-tastic deal.

452 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale; 754.900.2401; docbsrestaurant.com

Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach

All-day drink specials and as many tacos as your stomach desires? Yes, please. Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach’s new rooftop bar and pool lounge, Breezes and its pool bar, Waves, will be serving up your favorite drinks all Cinco de Mayo long, such as five for $25 Corona buckets; Micheladas ($6); and tequila shots ($8). Pair your drinks with various cabana bites, such as chipotle shrimp and mojo chicken tacos made with queso fresco, black bean and corn salsa, pico de gallo and cilantro cream on corn and flour tortillas. A complimentary poolside instructional food demo will start at noon.

801 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954.764.2233; bahiamarftlauderdale.com

Beach House Pompano

Oceanfront views, unlimited bubbly and brunch are an unbeatable trio. Beach House Pompano will be serving a special egg burrito made from scratch during its weekly brunch from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. alongside bottomless mimosas or Peroni ($20 per person). From 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., indulge in Beach House Pompano’s signature half-priced margaritas, including Mango Sol (Herradura, mango-habanero puree, peach and agave lime), Passion Fruit (Don Julio, Triple Sec and passionfruit puree) and its Classic (Rock N Roll tequila, Triple Sec and fresh sour).

270 N. Pompano Beach Blvd., Pompano Beach; 954.607.6530; beachhousepompano.com

Lona

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Lona Cocina y Tequileria with authentic Mexican eats by chef Pablo Salas. From 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., pair beachfront views with an unlimited guacamole bar ($10 per person), or dig into tacos al pastor and barbacoa ($12 per two tacos). Lona’s Sunday brunch complete with endless mimosas and margaritas is offered every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. ($38 per person).

321 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954.245.3069; lonarestaurant.com

Steelpan

Fort Lauderdale’s newest Caribbean-American fusion kitchen and bar has a delicious fiesta lined up for Cinco de Mayo. Down $6 Steelpan margaritas all day long, with flavors including classic, acai, blood orange and ocean blue. Pair your cold concoctions with a delicious $12 taco plate, which includes barbacoa pork tacos or slow-braised short rib tacos alongside roasted sweet corn, jicama slaw and cilantro crema.

999 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954.302.5252; steelpanftl.com

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