WHERE TO DRINK AND EAT FOR CINCO DE MAYO IN AUSTIN

Cinco de Mayo — the day that observes the Mexican army’s win over France in the Battle of Puebla in 1862 during the Franco-Mexican War, and has grown into a huge American holiday — rolls around soon. In Austin, this means plenty of celebrations with drinks and food.

Everything below is listed alphabetically and takes place on Sunday, May 5, unless otherwise noted. For those looking for more, check out the city’s best margaritas, best tacos, and best Mexican restaurants.

• Sibling alfresco bars and venues Armadillo Den and Dainty Dillo are offering specials on drinks for the day. Armadillo will have margaritas, tequila cocktails, and Mexican candy shots, along with a pinata and a live Tejano band. Dainty will have the same drinks, plus mezcal popscicles and a pinata as well. (Armadillo: 10106 Menchaca Road, Far South Austin; Dainty: 3201 East Cesar Chavez Street, Govalle)
• Sour beer brewery Blue Owl is hosting a Cinco party full of slushie palomas, slushie spicy-pickle-y beer-based margaritas, DIY micheladas, and discounts on its Limetastico beer packs. It runs from noon to 8 p.m. (2400 East Cesar Chavez Street, Holly)
• All locations of Austin-born Tex-Mex chain Chuy’s is offering specials on its frozen margaritas, one-dollar tequila floaters for margaritas, and $5 chips and dips for dine-in services. (multiple locations)
• Restaurant/bar De Nada will be hosting a multi-day party with details to come. It’ll run from Thursday, May 2 through Sunday, May 5. (4715 East Cesar Chavez Street, Govalle)
• Both locations of Mexican restaurant Gabrielas are offering specials on margaritas, palomas, tequila shots, and paleta shots all day. FInd similar drink specials at the group’s other restaurants and clubs (Taquero Mucho, Sereainas, Mala Vida, and Mala Fama). (multiple locations)
• Bar Kitty Cohen’s is hosting local French sandwich shop Austin Rotisserie for a Cinco de Mayo pop-up. The Kitty de Mayo menu will include dishes like chicken tinga tostadas, torta ahogada made with baguettes (!), and more. Chef Eric Nathal actually was born and grew up in Guadalajara, Jalisco. It runs from 2 to 8 p.m. (2211 Webberville Road, East Austin)
• Pizza restaurant La Volta is teaming up with taco truck Discada for its Cinco de Mayo party. This means discada-topped pizza, drink specials, and a DJ from 4 to 9 p.m. (900 West 10th Street, Downtown)
• Mezcal bar Las Perlas’s Cinco party includes cocktail specials, tacos from on-site truck Asador, and DJ sets. It starts at 3 p.m. (405 East Seventh Street, Downtown)
• Mexican restaurant Ma’Coco is hosting mezcal tastings, drink specials, and DJ sets, and lots of margaritas from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. (501 Comal Street, East Austin)
• Mexican restaurant Nomade’s first Cinco de Mayo will be full of discounted mezcals, beers, margaritas, palomas, boozed-up Jarritos, appetizers, and crudos. It runs from 5 to 9 p.m. (1506 South First Street, Bouldin Creek)
• Korean American restaurant Oseyo is highlighting Korean and Mexican cuisines courtesy of chef Mike Diaz and owner Lynn Miller through a Cinco party. Dishes included grilled Korean barbecue short ribs with pineapple-serrano pepper-cabbage kimchi and Korean Mexican elotes, and all sorts of margaritas and kimchi micheladas. Brunch service begins at 11 a.m. with the day party food and drinks at 1 p.m. and fried chicken dinner at 5 p.m. (1628 East Cesar Chavez Street, East Austin)
• Mexican bar Seven Spirits’ Cinco party includes discounted palomas, beer/shots, and margaritas, alongside a live DJ from noon to 8 p.m. (1411 East Seventh Street, East Austin)
• Bar and restaurant the Cavalier’s Cinco party includes a DJ set starting at 4 p.m. Expect related food and drinks too. (2400 Webberville Road, East Austin)
• Veracruz All Natural’s standalone Mexican restaurant Veracruz Fonda is offering a whole bunch of drink specials for the day, including bandera shots, micheladas, frozen margaritas, and more, plus DJ sets. (1905 Aldrich Street, Mueller)

Update, May 3: This guide, originally published on April 26, has been updated to include additional events.

2023-05-01T16:46:38Z dg43tfdfdgfd