Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico’s victory over the French army at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. It’s a relatively minor holiday south of the border, but a popular fiesta for Americans who love any excuse to live it up with tacos, margs and their best amigos. These local establishments are going all out for Cinco de Mayo—some as early as May 1—with vibrant flavors, games and Latin beats.
Cinco de Mayo Weekend at Punch Bowl Social
From May 1-5, get $6 frozen and well margaritas, plus order a $14 margarita with Pantalones Tequila and get a surprise with it. Listen to Latin beats, including salsa and merengue. 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
Tipsy Scoop x Upside on Moore Collab
From May 1-9, 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Lili’s at this Rosslyn food hall will serve alcohol-infused ice cream from Tipsy Scoop. Indulge in margaritas in soft-serve form. You’ll have a choice of pomegranate and classic lime. Note that the shop is closed on Sundays. 1700 N. Moore St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Northside Social
Both Northside Social locations will offer a special Mexican cookie from May 1-5. It’s a chewy chocolate cookie packed with chocolate chunks, toasted almonds and chopped Mexican hot chocolate tablets, flavored with cinnamon and cayenne, and rolled in cinnamon sugar before baking. 3211 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon), and 205 Park Ave,, Falls Church
Liberty Tavern
Celebrate at Liberty Tavern May 1-5 with specials available just for the holiday. Get chips and salsa, queso or guacamole, available individually or as a trio. Follow those with fajitas made with char-grilled chicken, skirt steak carne asada or veggies, and wash everything down with Lime in a Coconut, Pearfection, Tequila on the Beach or a Mexican Candy Shooter. 3195 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Cinco de Mayo Festival
Celebrate Cinco early with a party May 2, 1-6 p.m. It includes a tasting of 1800 and Jose Cuervo tequila, a marshmallow-to-sombrero toss, and a hot pepper eating contest. The event is free to attend, but food and drink carry fees. Drink specials include shots for $5 and margs for $7. Appropriately, tacos will also be available. 7581 Colshire Drive, Tysons
Clarendon Margarita Fest
Pre-game your Cinco with rooftop fun on May 2, 3-9 p.m. Happening on the rooftop of the Clarendon Ballroom, the party includes margarita flights, tacos, burritos, nachos and quesadillas. Come camera-ready for photo ops and take a swing at the piñatas to win a prize. Drink specials from 3-5 p.m. include $6 margs and $5 Tequila Sunrise Shooters. Tickets are $12.50. 3185 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Third Annual Cinco de Mayo at Ometeo
On May 3, 1-5 p.m., enjoy $10 margaritas, specials from the kitchen and games galore. The mariachi band starts playing at 2, and DJ Harry Hotter will be spinning beats from 4-7 p.m. 1640 Capital One Drive N., Tysons
Colada Shop
The Cuban fast-casual restaurant is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with $8 margaritas all day. Find them at all area locations except the one at Ronald Reagan National Airport. 2811 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon); 244 19th Court, Arlington (National Landing); 2920 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Fish Taco
The two NoVa locations of this taqueria (which also has burritos and quesadillas) will celebrate Cinco with a taco deal. Get any three street tacos but seafood-stuffed ones for $10. 930 W. Broad St., Falls Church, and 1644 Boro Place, McLean (The Boro)
Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ
The Del Ray location of this local barbecue joint will be serving up new dishes and drink specials for Cinco. Sink your teeth into a Tuna Tartare Tostada with avocado, mango and jicama or a Smoked Chicken Caesar Salad Burrito with chipotle Caesar, cotija cheese and cornbread crumbs. Wash it all down with a classic marg or a frozen mango one, each $8, or Bluejacket El Honcho Mexican Lager, a Hi/Fi exclusive. The deals are available May 5, 4:30-10 p.m. 2000 Mount Vernon Ave., Alexandria (Del Ray)
Guapo’s
On May 5, 11 a.m.-11 p.m., get in 12 hours of celebrating with margaritas, live outdoor music and tequila specials at all locations of this local Tex-Mex chainlet. But only the one at the Village at Shirlington will have its annual Cinco de Mayo Street Festival on May 5, 2-10 p.m., with dancing, DJs and an outdoor taco bar. 4028 Campbell Ave., Arlington (Shirlington), and 3052 Gatehouse Plaza, Falls Church
Bartaco
To celebrate its 15th anniversary, the restaurant is introducing an experience called “let’s get lucky.” On May 5, the first 300 guests at each bartaco location will receive a limited-edition token inviting them to come back for a chance to roll the dice at the bar. They can return anytime May 6-7 to roll, and if they hit the winning combo (a 1 and 5), their meal is free. Plus, the Mosaic District location will have a live DJ on May 5, 3-10 p.m. 2920 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic District)
Pike Happy Hour: Cinco de Mayo Trivia Night
Gather at Los Chamacos to test your knowledge of all things Columbia Pike while supporting one of the businesses on that stretch of road. The festivities happen May 7, 5-7 p.m. Get there early for free appetizers. It’s free to play. 922 S. Walter Reed Drive, Arlington