Heard about that whole lime shortage that's been going on recently? No doubt you already have, especially if you've had to dole out a few more dollars for that margarita lately.
With Cinco de Mayo weekend kicking off, it makes you wonder if it's worth it to check out any of the muchas fiestas happening around metro Phoenix today through Monday, May 5, since you'll paying more green to have a few slices of the green fruit to complement your cerveza or tequila.
See also: 10 Best Places to Meet Singles in Metro Phoenix
The party monsters at both the Tempe and Scottsdale locations of El Hefe will go wild out for two days and nights during their "Cinco de Hefe" block parties on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4. Expect all the hallmarks of a crazy El Hefe rager (confetti, sombreros, inflatable zebras, sexy drink-slingers atop the bar), as well as multiple DJs performing and the Floyd "Money" Mayweather versus Marcos Maidana pay-per-view playing on every TV on Saturday. Doors open at 11 a.m. each day. Admission is free.
Three days of drinks specials and Cinco celebrations will take place at The Shout House. On Friday, May 2, enjoy $3 Corona and Dos Equis, as well as half-off bottles of wine and buckets of domestic beer for groups of four, and 50 percent discounts on bottle service for groups of eight from 7 to 8 p.m. and midnight to close. Meanwhile, $4 Dirty Tequila and Antos shots will be served on Saturday, May 3; and $5 margaritas, $2 street tacos, and free admission will be offered on Monday, May 5.
We're pretty certain that the folks at Monkey Pants had their tongues planted firmly in their cheeks when they decided to title their Cinco fiesta on Monday, May 5, as the "No Irish Allowed Mexican Pants Off Dance Off." Despite the inane name, it still guaranteed to be a big party, which will include specials on tacos and tequila, a few wacky games, madcap shenanigans, and (per its staff) the chance to "celebrate like a real vato at Tempe's most Anglo bar." Ahem. The silly celebration starts at 8 p.m. Admission is free.
Mucho giveaways are planned for this McFadden's "Cinco de Drinko" party on Saturday, May 3. To wit: The first 50 people through the door will get free ponchos and mustaches, piñatas filled with cash and prizes will be bashed, and those who have a sticker on their $3 bottle of Corona will get a chance to win a trip to Mexico. Dos Equis and Irishrita's can also be had for $3, and the Mayweather/Maidana fight will be shown. The party starts at 6 p.m., and there's no cover.
The fiestas will be going strong for three straight days and nights during the annual "Cinco de Sandbar" at Sandbar's Chandler and Desert Ridge locations from Saturday, May 3, until Monday, May 5. The festivities include bands, DJs, dancing drink specials like $3 Dos Equis beers and $5 margaritas, and viewing of the Mayweather/Maidana fight on Saturday, and more. Starts at 11 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. on Monday. No cover.
Chandler Downtown Public Library
We're no Cesar Millan, but we're willing to bet your Chihuahua wants to party on Cinco de Mayo. So why not oblige the wee beast, doggone it, by taking it to the celebration being held in its honor at Chandler's Cinco de Mayo Festival? The annual Chihuahua races and beauty pageant are a big part of the event on Saturday, May 3, and will involve the pint-sized pooches hauling ass for potential cash prizes starting at 2 p.m. Afterwards, contests to crown the king and queen Chihuahua will be held. The festival itself (which includes Latin bands, games, traditional dancing, and food and drink vendors) starts at 10 a.m. Admission is free, while the entry fees are $20 for the races, $10 for the pageant, and $25 for both.
Come for the cheap brews and booze, stay for the fisticuffs and the Latin dance fiesta. That's the M.O. of the pre-Cinco festivities at this Mesa cantina on Saturday, May 3, as Coronas and Cuervo can be had for $3 from 3 p.m. until close, the epic boxing pay-per-view begins at 7 p.m., and DJs dropping old school, hip-hop, and Latin hits starts immediately afterwards and goes until 2 a.m. There will also be $2 drinks like AMFs and Long Islands from 9 p.m. until midnight. Admission is free until 6 p.m., $15 during the fight, and $5 during the dance party.
Can't afford to spend Cinco partying because of work or a final exam the next day? No problema. The Dos Gringos in Scottsdale has four day's worth of fetes and fiestas commencing on Friday, May 2, and running until Monday, May 5. DJs, cerveza specials, local bands, promotional giveaways, and other activities are planned, in addition to all the usual drinking and dancing going on. Doors open at 11 a.m. daily. Free admission.
Catch the latest episode of RuPaul's Drag Race at the "Sashay Cinco!" party hosted by Travis Edwards while partaking in some chips, salsa, Mexican lasagna, and posole. Specially priced Dos Equis, Corona, tequila, and Absolut will be served to help wash it all down. The fabulous fiesta starts at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
The interior and exterior of Fat Tuesday will be alive with activity during its "Cinco de Drinko" celebration on Monday, May 5. People will be moving to the beat both inside and outdoors, as three different DJs will perform inside and on the patio, or heading for the bar for drink specials like $2 Bud Light Limes and $4 margaritas until 6 p.m. Doors open at 11 a.m.
Economically priced brews and booze will be flowing like agua while the sounds of live music fills the air and various promo girls make appearances during all four days of Cinco shenanigans at Aunt Chilada's.
On Friday, May 2, drink specials like $4 Avion Silver shots will be poured from 2 p.m. to close, while $4 Don Julio Silver will be offered during the same time frame on Saturday, May 3. (A Vladimir Putin look-alike contest with a $100 cash prize also takes place at 9 p.m.) The activities on Sunday, May 3, include a bocce tournament, giveaways, and more, while Monday, May 5, promises DJ Mike G., a dunk tank for charity, and more. Admission is free.
Since all of Gringo Star's arcade games will be set to free play mode on Monday, May 5, you can use your quarters to get more of the two-for-one tequila shots that the bartenders will be pouring. Meanwhile gaming death matches will go down on the bar's console systems and DJs will be in the mix. Doors open at 11 a.m. Admission is free.
If your threadbare budget necessitates drinking on the cheap, wey, the Salty's in Scottsdale and Peoria will have such daily deals as $6 Zarco El Señor margaritas, $7 1800 Maria's Choice margaritas, $10 CoronaRitas over Cinco weekend from Saturday, May 3, to Monday, May 5. Tequila shot specials and $3 street tacos will also be available and local bands will also perform each day. Hours and cover charges vary.
Brody Jenner has model-quality looks, a famous father, connections for days, and a few reality shows under his belt. But does he have epic DJ skills? You can decide for yourself when Jenner visits Maya on Sunday, May 4, to spin beats and party hard at a daytime pool party rager during the beach club's "Cinco de Maya" weekend. Gates open at 11 a.m. General admission is $15, VIP access is $35. Other special guests over the weekend include Tiësto on Saturday, May 3, and DJ Ruckus on Sunday. Both events kick off at 9 p.m. Admission prices vary.
A five-day "Saga de Mayo" is planned at Calico Jack's for those who have the wherewithal and partying mojo. It begins Thursday, May 1, with "Uno de Mayo," which will feature tequila cocktail competition starring its bartending staff. Day two on Friday, May 2, will include a "Sexy Señorita" competition for $200 in cash and prizes, followed by live bands and a chance to win a trip for two to Mexico on Saturday, May 3. And the "Cuatro de Mayo" party on Sunday, May 4, will offer a special brunch at 10 a.m. and a cash giveaway for those in the best Star Wars-themed costumes. The biggest shindig is on Monday, May 5, and will include $3 margaritas all day long, live music, DJs, and more. Doors open at 11 a.m.
The intersection of Second and Van Buren streets will be encompassed by la gran fiesta, also known as the Cinco de Mayo Phoenix Festival. Taking place on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4, it's arguably the biggest such event in the Valley. The lineup of live entertainment and activities is suitably large, including boxing matches, traditional dancing, games, carnival rides, crafting stations, and concerts by Latino bands (such as Los Lobos, Ozomatli, and Los Lonely Boys). Hours are 2 p.m. to midnight on Saturday and noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday. General admission is $5 to $10 for the event, VIP access to the concerts is $25 each day, and an all-inclusive VIP pass is $50.
