There is no shortage of places around the Valley to party at on Cinco de Mayo, to say the least. Ditto for all the events that will transpire during the days and nights leading up to the big drinking holiday. For proof, look no further than our annual Cinco guide, which includes all manner of affairs — from authentic and traditional to lively and raucous — throughout Metro Phoenix that will take place on Tuesday, May 5, unless otherwise specified.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Chandler Cinco de Mayo Festival
& Chihuahua Races
22 S. Delaware St., Chandler
www.cincochandler.com
Pint-size pups who happen to be fast on their feet will be celebrated during Chandler's annual Cinco de Mayo Festival on Saturday, May 2. The event's famous tradition of Chihuahua racing followed by a beauty pageant will once again and begin at 5:30 p.m. with registration starting at
3 p.m. The festival itself, which benefits the Si Se Puede Foundation, will offer Latin, jazz, and mariachi bands, folklorico troupes, a beer garden, food and drink vendors, robotics demonstrations, a health fair, a custom car show, and more. 9 a.m.; free before 3 p.m., $10 thereafter. Call 480-310-2018.
Cinco de Mayo Phoenix Festival
200 E. Van Buren St.
www.arvizu.com
Ginuwine, Sir Mix-A-Lot, Keize Montoya, Tower of Power, and Jay Perez will headline this annual two-day block party in downtown Phoenix, which will also include live entertainment from local bands, mariachi groups, traditional musicians, and folklorico dancers. Food and drink vendors, arts and crafts demonstrations, boxing exhibitions, lucha libre wrestling, and a variety of games and distractions are also planned. Hours are 2 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, May 2; and noon to 10 p.m. on Sunday, May 3. General admission is $5 at the door before 5 p.m., $15 at the door or online after 5 p.m., and free for kids 12 and under. Call 602-279-4669.
Talking Stick Resort
9800 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale
www.talkingstickresort.com
The resort's Release summertime pool party series kicks off on Saturday, May 2, and will feature a DJ session by Dutch-born house music producer Chuckie. Gates open at 11 a.m. admission is $23.66. Call 480-850-7777 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
RESTAURANTS
32 Shea
10626 N. 32nd St.
www.32shea.com
Margaritas can be had for $5 all day long. 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call 602-867-7432.
Arriba Mexican Grill
Six Valley locations
www.arribamexicangrill.com
Live entertainment, dancing, giveaways, promo girl appearances, and food and drink specials will be offered at each Arriba location in metro Phoenix on Cinco de Mayo. 10:45 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call 602-265-9112.
Aunt Chilada's
7330 N. Dreamy Draw Dr.
www.auntchiladas.com
Fun will be in abundance during Aunt Chilada's notorious Cinco de Mayo party, which will include such thrills as a bikini bocce ball tournament, a Day of the Dead face-painting contest, an adult-oriented piñata bash, live music, DJs, food and drink specials, and more. 4 p.m., $15. Call 602-944-1286.
Diego Pops
4338 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
www.diegopops.com
Nosh on Brussels sprout nachos (made with queso Oaxaca, fresno chili, pickled onion, roasted garlic beet crema, and a fried egg garnish) for $10 or enjoy a guava coconut cocktail for $13. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call 480-970-1007.
Fogo de Chão
6300 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
www.fogodechao.com
If you're hungry for something more than just tacos and tequila on Cinco, consider sampling the multitude of meats and authentic side dishes that will be prepared by the gaucho chefs at this all-you-can-eat Brazilian churrascaria steakhouse. Prices are $49.50 per person and include the gourmet salad bar. Open 4:30 p.m to 10 p.m. Call 480-609-8866.
Garcia's
Six Valley locations
www.garciasmexicanrestaurants.net
Cinco de Mayo will bring live music, free kids meal with additional purchase, and other food and drink specials at all local Garcia's restaurants on Monday, May 5. Call 602-866-1850.
Hurricane Grill & Wings
7450 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler
www.hurricanewings.com
Specials on Cinco de Mayo include $2 chicken and beef tacos, $3 bottles of Corona and Corona Light, and $3 pints of Dos Equis Amber, Landshark, and Corona Light. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call 480-678-9896.
La Fonda Del Sol
7223 E. Shea Blvd.,
Scottsdale
Happy hour will be offered from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Cinco. Call 480-991-9282.
2545 W. Glendale Ave., Glendale
www.lennysburger.com
A combos of a bacon-wrapped Sonoran hot dog with mayo fries and a 24-ounce drink can be had for for $5.99 during the month of May. Open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Call 623-703-0073.
Los Compadres
2350 W. Northern Ave.
www.loscompadresaz.com
Food and drink specials will be offered all day during Cinco de Mayo, including $2 Montejo Mexican lager drafts, $5 3 Amigos tequila shots, and more. 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Call 602-864-0043.
Macayo's
11 Valley locations
www.macayo.com
Every Macayo's in Metro Phoenix will celebrate Cinco for five days straight from Friday, May 1, to Tuesday, May 5, with such drink deals as $4 Dos Equis drafts, $7.99 1800 margaritas, $8.99 beeritas, and a $6 beer and shot special with Dos Equis and 1800 Reposado tequila. Live entertainment will also be offered on May 5. Locations open at 11 a.m. daily.
Miracle Mile Deli
1949 E. Camelback Road
www.miraclemiledeli.com
The deli will serve up plates of chicken enchiladas on Cinco de Mayo in honor of the holiday for $8.99 each or $11 with a Corona. Bottles beers will also be $4.25. 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call 602-776-0992.
The Mission at Minder Binder
715 S. McClintock Dr., Tempe
www.theminderbinder.com
Cinco de Mayo and Mexican Independence Day will be honored at this Tempe spot (as well as the character Milo Minderbinder from which is draws its name) during "Cinco de Milo." Specials include $9.95 taco salads, $6 margaritas, $2 cans of Tecate, and $3 Corona from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Call 480-747-3851.
Paz Cantina
1011 N. 3rd St.
www.pazcantina.com
This downtown taqueria will offer "cinco days of Cinco" from Friday, May 1, until Tuesday, May 5, with live music each night, games, and a wealth of Mexican culinary classics coming from its kitchen. Hours vary. Call 602-368-2487 for more details.
RA Sushi Bar
Five Valley locations
www.rasushi.com
Each RA location will serve $8 Emperor's Margaritas in four different flavors (traditional, cucumber, mango, or strawberry) from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. to close on Cinco de Mayo, as well as $4.75 Coronas, and $6 Sauza Blue tequila cocktails. Call 480-990-9256 or 480-303-9800.
Sierra Bonita Grill
6933 N. 7th St.
www.sierrabonitagrill.com
Two of Sierra Bonita Grill's margaritas (fresh-squeezed and pomegranate) will be available for $5 all day long throughout the restaurant. A variety of $6 food specials also will be served in the bar during the 3 to 6 p.m. happy hour, including green chile mac and cheese, carne asada street tacos, Sonoran hot dogs, borracho nachos, queso fundido con chorizo, and more. 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Call 602-264-0700.
Sumo Maya
6560 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale
www.sumomaya.com
Food and drink specials start at 11 a.m. with social hour prices available at the bar and $5 Casamigos Sumoritas all day. The first 100 customers can also score a Sumorita for five pesos (or 33 cents for you gringos). 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Call 480-397-9520.
BARS & CLUBS
Amber Inn Cocktail Lounge
4236 W. Dunlap Ave.
Score $5 frozen margaritas and $1 Fireball during Cinco de Mayo. 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. Call 623-937-5869.
Cactus Jack's
4747 E. Elliot Road, Phoenix
www.cactusjacksbar.com
Cinco de Mayo party featuring performances by Santana tribute Supernatural and Skunk Creek Railroad, as well as specials like $5 tequila shots, $3.50 Coronas, and $5 margaritas. 6:30 p.m., $5. Call 480-753-4733.
Calico Jack's
6770 N. Sunrise Blvd. Glendale
www.calicojacksglendale.com
The Cinco festivities won't be limited to only one day at this Westgate spot. To wit: during "Dos de Mayo" on Saturday, May 2, specials like $2 margaritas, $2 tacos, and $2 domestic draft beers will be available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The viewing party for the Mayweather and Pacquiao fight starts at 6 p.m. followed by various drink deals from 11 p.m. until close. On Cinco de Mayo itself, a giant burrito eating contest is planned, a trip to Mexico will be given away, DJ Izzy will be in the mix, and specials will include $5 drafts, margaritas, and appetizers and a burrito. 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Cover charges vary. Call 623-877-5225.
Crescent Ballroom
308 N. 2nd Ave.
www.crescentphx.com
The dancers and artists of Flamenco por la Vida will perform on Saturday, May 2, in the Crescent's lounge. 6 p.m., free. Call 602-716-2222.
Echo 5 Sports Pub
2855 N. Power Road, Mesa
www.echo5sportspub.com
Fish tacos or barbecue pork tacos will both be available for $2 each while frozen margaritas and Jose Cuervo will be $5. Call 480-832-8989.
El Hefe
4425 N. Saddlebag Trail, Scottsdale
www.elhefescottsdale.com
The Scottsdale location of El Hefe will host back-to-back block parties during the buildup to Cinco de Mayo, both of which will feature plenty of drinking, dancing, and other celebratory shenanigans. Viewing of the Mayweather/Pacquiao match will be the centerpiece of the affair on Saturday, May 2, while Canadian DJ duo Dzeko and Torres will serve as special guests during the day-long fete on Sunday, May 3. Doors open at 10 a.m. each day. Call 480-945-6200.
Karamba Nightclub
1724 E. McDowell Road
www.karambanightclub.com
Cinco will be celebrated all weekend long at Karamba, kicking off with a live performance by Mariachi Mexico Nuevo on the patio on Saturday, May 2, followed by dancing until 4 a.m. The partying continues on Sunday, May 3, with Barbara Seville's salsa challenge starting at 3 p.m. and a Cinco de Mayo drag show hosted by Diamond later in the evening. Cover charges vary. Call 602-254-0231.
Linger Longer Lounge
6522 N. 16th St.
www.facebook.com/lingerlongerlounge
The force will be strong with Tongue Tied's DJ Roya and DJ Funkfinger during their "Superhero vs. Sci Fi Party" on Saturday, May 2. Lightsaber duels, superhero dance battles, and a cosplay contest are planned, as well as plenty of indie dance hits and retro tunes being spun. 9 p.m., $5. Call 602-264-4549.
Livewire
7320 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale
www.livewireaz.com
Local hip-hop station 101.5 The Beat will stage the latest in its Beatlocker Live concert series on Cinco de Mayo, which will feature gigs by local rappers Pokafase, Hannibal Leq, Willy Northpole, Ali Tomineek, Heavensent, and others, as well as spin sessions by DJ Fact135, DJ Jaba One, and DJ Marvel. 18 and over. 6 p.m., $10. Call 480-970-6980.
Marc's Sports Grill and Nightlife
4494 W Peoria Ave., Glendale
www.marcssportsgrillandnightlife.com
Cinco will be celebrated all day at Marc's with a variety of food and drink specials. The kitchen will offer such selections as $3 soft tacos, $5.75 nachos, $6 taco salads, $8.75 chicken enchiladas or green chili burro platters while the bar will serve $2.25 tequila shots, $2.75 margaritas on the rocks, $3.25 tequila sunrises, $3.25 Corona bottles and drafts, and $3.50 Dos Equis pints. Happy hours prices will also be available from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Texas Hold'em games will take place at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., and karaoke starts at 9 p.m. in the lounge. Call 623-842-1053.
Maya Day & Nightclub
7333 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale
www.mayaclubaz.com
Electro-house producer and Fool's Gold founder A-Trak will rock the record decks when he headlines the Soundwave Pool Party on Sunday, May 3. Gates open at noon; $20 general admission, $40 for VIP access. Call 480-625-0528 or see www.sletickets.com.
Sandbar
21001 N. Tatum Blvd.
7200 W. Ray Rd., Chandler
www.sandbaraz.com
Three straight nights of Cinco celebrations will take place at the Desert Ridge Sandbar locations. Both locations will broadcast the Kentucky Derby and Mayweather/Pacquiao fight on Saturday, May 2, and feature live music. Additional bands will also perform on Sunday, May 3, and Tuesday, May 5. Hours vary. Admission is free. Call 480-585-5900 or 480-961-1700.
September's Bar
500 W. Southern Ave., Mesa
www.septembersbar.com
Specials likes $3.50 Coronas and $1 tacos will be offered during "Cinco de Drinko." 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Call 480-969-5373.
The Shout! House
6770 N. Sunrise Blvd., Glendale
az.theshouthouse.com
Enjoy $2 El Jimador tequila and $3 Coronas, Dos Equus, and margaritas on Cinco de Mayo. The dueling pianos start at 8 p.m. Open from 7 p.m. to midnight. Call 623-772-1500.
