Tequila Town

If there's one celebration that P-Town knows how to do with style, it's Cinco de Mayo. Nearly everyone in the Valley's gonna be living la vida loca and feting Latino culture nonstop from Thursday, May 1, until Monday, May 5. Myriad Mexican-themed parties are on tap around the PHX, offering all manner of fun and excitement. We've assembled a list of many of the best fiestas in town fit for your perusal. Wanna see how fast your Chihuahua can run? Head to Chandler for the annual races. Need to shake hands with Jose Cuervo? Check out Mill Avenue, cabrón. Feeling the desire to shake your tailfeather? Some Latin DJs have just the tune for you. Think of this guide as a massive multicultural piñata, 'cept instead of dulces, it's filled with a sweet selection of Cinco shindigs and shenanigans. Just don't hit us with the bat, okay?

• Salomé

  

  DJ Seduce spins for at least three separate Cinco de Mayo bashes this year.

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Cinco de Mayo Guide

THURSDAY, MAY 1

BARS & CLUBS

Hard Rock Cafe 3 S. 2nd St. www.hardrock.com Latin hip-hop artists MC Magic and DJ Kane perform, with DJs Big Latin and Robb G. spinning salsa, merengue, and Latin house. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. $10 (with ladies free until 11). Call 602-261-7625.

FRIDAY, MAY 2

RESTAURANTS

Aunt Chilada's 7330 N. Dreamy Draw Dr. www.auntchiladas.com Cinco de Mayo party featuring mariachi bands, live music from The Crown Kings starting at 7 p.m., promo giveaways, food and drinks, a chocolate fountain, and more. 4:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Also runs Saturday, May 3. $5. Call 602-944-1286.

Los Sombreros 2534 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale www.lossombreros.com A special multicourse Cinco de Mayo menu is available, boasting a tasty repast of four different entrée selections (including tequila carne asada with nopales, or grilled shrimp with mango pico de gallo), as well as delicious appetizers and deserts. Reservations suggested. 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Prices vary per item. Also available Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4. Call 480-994-1799.

Macayo's on Central 4001 N. Central Ave. www.macayo.com DJ Big Latin spins up the hottest hip-hop, cumbias, and Latin hits. 4-10 p.m. Call 602-264-6141 for cover.

BARS & CLUBS

Bar Smith

130 E. Washington St., Phoenix www.barsmithphoenix.com Rooftop Fridays with drink specials and DJs Idenaty, Deuce, and Rob G. spinning hip-hop, R&B, and top 40. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. $7. Call 602-229-1265.

The Blooze Bar 12014 N. 32nd St. www.myspace.com/thebloozebar Rock from the Jack Ripper Band and B/S, drink specials, and more. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. $5. Call 602-788-4574.

Club Cabo 30 S. Robson St., Mesa DJ Seduce spins reggaeton, cumbias, classic hip-hop, dance music, and Latin jams. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. $7. Call 480-615-3242.

Hazelwood's First Place 3626 E. Indian School Rd. www.hazelwoods1stplace.com Celebrate Cinco de Mayo all weekend with live music, prizes, giveaways, and a visit from the Dos Equis and Margaritaville Girls. Also occurs Saturday, May 3, through Monday, May 5. 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Call 602-957-2462.

Matador Mexican Restaurant 125 E. Adams St. matador2go.com Shake your moneymaker at Caliente Chica Fridays, with DJ AL3 and The Manic Hispanic spin reggaeton, hip-hop, cumbias, and other Latin tracks. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Call 602-254-7563 for cover.

Phase 54 1700 W. Drake Dr. www.myspace.com/phase54tempe DJs SupaVaiza and Johnny Vegas spin top 40 and hip-hop, with live music from local bands, $3 you-call-its until 10 p.m., and $3 shots all night. 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. $5. Call 480-551-3970.

The Shout! House 6770 N. Sunrise Blvd., Glendale www.theshouthouse.com The three-day "Cinco de Drinko" party kicks off with a visit from the Bud Light Lime Girls, promo giveaways, and music from the dueling pianos. 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. $5 until 7 p.m., $10 thereafter. Call 623-772-1500.

SATURDAY, MAY 3

SPECIAL EVENTS

Barrios Unidos Park 1501 E. Mohave St. The two-day Cinco de Mayo Festival hosted by 88.3 La Campesina Radio features food, games, entertainment, and performances by a slew of Latino musicians, including Ramon Ayala, Diana Reyes, Rogelio Martinez, El Gringo, Grupo Laberinto, El Flaco Elizalde, Los Buitres, El Chalinillo, and others. 3 p.m.-midnight. Also runs noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday, May 4. Visit www.campesina.com.

César Chávez Memorial Plaza Washington St., between Central Ave. & 4th Ave. Food City's annual two-day Cinco de Mayo Festival kicks off, with food and drink vendors, games, activities, and a lineup of live music headlined by War and Los Lonely Boys. 1 p.m. to midnight. $5 for adults, free for kids 12 and under. Call 602-279-4669.

Chandler Downtown Library 100 E. Commonwealth Ave., Chandler Pack up your pups for Chandler's 11th annual Cinco de Mayo Celebration, which is headlined by Chihuahua racing for prizes at 6 p.m. (with a $10 entry fee, signup at 1 p.m., limited to 150 dogs), and contests to determine the "King and Queen Chihuahua" at 7 p.m., in addition to vendors, food and drink, and more all day. Live entertainment includes performances by mariachis, folkloric dancing groups, Latin musicians, and more. Visit www.chandleraz.gov for the full lineup. Noon to 8 p.m. Call 480-782-2735.

Scottsdale Civic Center Mall 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale www.scottsdaleaz.gov Cinco de Mayo festivities include live music, raffles, arts and crafts, a performance by the Scottsdale International Club dancers, and more. 6 to 9 p.m. Free. Call 480-312-2771.

RESTAURANTS

Maria Maria Restaurant 2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe www.mariamariarestaurants.com Carlos Santana's newest restaurant hosts DJ Seduce and various local musicians. A tapas menu, Veracruz seafood bar, top-shelf tequila bar, and specialty margaritas are also offered. Noon to midnight. Call 480-449-3663.

Salty Señorita Four Valley locations www.saltysenorita.com The annual "Señoritaville" Cinco de Mayo extravaganza takes over at each location with more than 10,000 square feet of party space, food and drink specials, island bars, outdoor grills, and VIP tents at the Mesa and Old Town Scottsdale venues. Live entertainment starts at 2 p.m. with performances by Metalhead, Shirley's Temple, Dimonet, and DJ Diesel in Old Town Scottsdale; Rock Lobster, and Capital Down in Mesa; The Polyesters, UltaMaxx, and DJ Okey Doke in north Scottsdale; and The Chadwicks and others in Peoria. Noon to 2 a.m. $10. Call 480-946-7258.

BARS & CLUBS

Bar Smith 130 E. Washington St., Phoenix www.barsmithphoenix.com Solstice Saturdays hosted by Tondra Dene, with DJs Pete Salaz, Senbad, and Mr. Alex spinning house music upstairs; as well as DJs Element, Benjamin Cutswell, and Treis offering hip-hop and other jams downstairs. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. $7 after 10:30 p.m. Call 602-229-1265.

Chasers Bar & Night Club 8005 E. Roosevelt St., Scottsdale www.chaserslive.com Rock out with music from Big Tex and The Blazin' Pintos, Haven James, The Bellflowers, and Above the Love. 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. $5. Call 480-945-4985.

Club Mardi Gras & VooDoo Lounge 8040 E. McDowell Rd., Scottsdale www.myspace.com/mardigrasbar Diverse-Fi Music's "Tres De Mayo" celebration and anniversary party with music from DJ Seduce (featuring sax accompaniment by Jeff Gutierrez) and others. Live art, drink specials, prizes, and giveaways are also promised. 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. $5. Call 480-970-5707.

Crown Room 7419 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale www.myspace.com/crownroom Toast Saturday featuring a free shot toast at midnight, as well as DJ Propa Villin on the turntables, $5 grape and cherry bombers, and more. 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Call 480-423-0117.

Coach & Willie's 412 S. 3rd St. www.coachandwillies.com Ritmo Latino's Cinco de Mayo party with a performance by Tejano artist Monica Castro, $3 Parrot Bay and 16-ounce Bud Light until 11 p.m., promo giveaways, and more. The DJ lineup includes AL3, NERD, and Big Latin spinning all night. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. $10 after 10 p.m. Call 602-254-5272.

Dos Gringos South Tempe 8000 S. Priest Dr., Tempe www.dosgringosaz.com Mariachis and drink specials are offered during the afternoon, with a variety of different games and contests (including Bobbing for Limes, Best Sombrero, Best Macarena, and Ultimate Señor and Señorita) starting at 9 p.m. A DJ also pumps out the jams. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. $5. Call 480-753-4577.

Dos Gringos Scottsdale 4209 N. Craftsman Ct., Scottsdale www.dosgringosaz.com Cinco de Mayo Blowout Party with music from The Chris Parker Project at 8 p.m., a performance by the pint-sized rockers of MINIKISS at 11 p.m., and more. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. $5 (with VIP packages also available). Call 480-423-3800.

Dos Gringos Trailer Park 1001 E. 8th St., Tempe www.dosgringosaz.com Cinco party extending into the parking lot with a "bags" tournament at 2 p.m., music from Chris and Randy on the patio from 4 to 7 p.m., as well as a performance from Capital Down and 9Ball later in the evening, and more. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. $5. Call 480-968-7879.

Graham Central Station 7850 S. Priest Dr., Tempe www.grahamcentralstation.com Pre-Cinco Party with 25-cent well drinks and longnecks from 6 to 9:30 p.m., and $3.75 Corona and Corona Light all night, DJs, karaoke, and more. Open until 2 a.m. Call 480-496-0799 for cover.