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Yes, Cinco de Mayo falls on a Monday this year—but don’t worry. Despite it being the start of the workweek, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the rich food, culture, and community that Mexican New Yorkers have cultivated across the city, including a number of special culinary deals that we've been eyeing for months.
From free margs and tacos to the first-ever Cinco de Mayo gala, here are a few ways to celebrate the holiday in NYC his year.
If you want to party with a salsa master…
Earlier this month, James Beard Award-winning author, chef and recipe developer Rick Martinez released his second cookbook, Salsa Daddy: Dip Your Way into Mexican Cooking, as a love letter to the cornerstone of Mexican cuisine: salsa. As part of Martinez's cookbook tour, the chef will be stopping in New York to throw a Cinco de Mayo party to remember. On Monday, May 5, you can find him at Ridgewood's Hellbender for a special meet and greet. Recipes from his book will be passed around alongside plates made in tandem with Hellbender's chef Yara Herrera. Reserve your spot here.
If fine dining is more your speed…
Chef Javier Plascencia of Michelin-starred Animalón is credited with reinvigorating Tijuana's dining scene. In celebration of the coming holiday, the chef is heading to Enrique Olvera’s ATLA in NoHo for a three-day takeover. On Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3, chef Plascencia and Animalón's executive chef Oscar Torres will prepare a special five-course meal featuring crudos and other sustainably sourced dishes. The restaurant’s sommelier Lauren Plasencia (who received Michelin’s “Sommelier of the Year” recognition in 2024) will also be in attendance, pouring regional bottles from Mexico’s wine country, Valle de Guadalupe. If you can’t make either dinner date, pop over during the morning of May 3 to enjoy some a la carte brunch selections. Dinner is priced at $80 per person, with beverage pairings available for an additional fee. Reserve your spot here.
If someone picked up your shift on Monday…
First of all, congrats! You don’t have to work one of the busiest, margarita-fueled nights of the year. Instead, you can celebrate with fellow industry members at Mission Ceviche. Oscar Valle of Mexico’s Licorería Limantour will be tending bar at the Union Square location, shaking up bottomless margaritas al pastor and mezcalitas. In addition to the three-hour open bar, the restaurant will host a live mariachi performance and serve Mexican-inspired bites paired with its signature Peruvian and Nikkei flavors. The Upper East Side location is getting down as well, throwing its own open bar fete with live music and specials from the menu. Tickets are $100 per person, you can reserve them here.
If chilling at home sounds like a party…
The idea of eating tacos? Yes! The idea of going out on Cinco de Mayo to go get them? Hard pass. Alta Calidad hears you, so they are bringing the party to you with a special taco platter. Perfect for a four-person party, the $120 platter includes 12 tacos with four different options—carne asada, chicken tinga, pescado a la plancha and shrimp gobernador—plus a 16-ounce bottle of margarita cocktail. If that isn’t enough to satisfy your crew, you can tack on guacamole, queso fundido and even decorations for an additional cost. Keep in mind, the platter is for pick-up only at the Prospect Heights eatery between May 2 and 5. So order it ahead of time here.
If free tacos sound like the gospel…
Free tacos? Need we say more? On Friday, May 2, various Rosa Mexicano locations across the U.S. are offering free tacos from noon to 2pm with the purchase of the “Organic Margarita” made with Pantalones organic tequila. If you can’t make it in on Friday, celebrations continue all weekend long with beer, jello shot and taco specials. The party on Monday goes all out with margarita specials, giveaways and swag.
If spirit-free is more your speed…
Just because you don’t imbibe doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate. The first non-alcoholic spirit made from blue agave, Almave is offering refreshing, spirit-free margaritas at participating restaurants around NYC on the holiday, including Nomad Tea Parlour, Dead Rabbit, Arlo Hotel Williamsburg, The Roxy and Soho Grand Hotel. And, if you order two margaritas, you get $10 back, which we recommend putting toward an order of guac. All you have to do is submit your receipt here.
If free margaritas sound like a better get…
Cointreau implores you to drink better margaritas. According to the liqueur brand, better raelly means free. On Monday, May 5, head to 14th St Passage on The High Line to find the Cointreau MargaRight Vault. From 2 to 7pm, the pop-up bar will be shaking up free margaritas while doling out exclusive merch. Thirsty guests will also get the chance to win $500... which you will hopefully invest in more margaritas.
If you missed your chance at walking the carpet at the Met Gala…
Yes, the biggest and most exclusive night in fashion is falling on May 5 this year. Hornitos Tequila will celebrate all of the day's occasions by launching its first-ever Hornitos Mex Gala. Held at The Supply House (1647 2nd Avenue), the Upper East Side gala invites all fashionistas to walk the red, yellow, green and blue carpet. Once inside, guests can groove to tunes by a live DJ, nosh on bites and, naturally, cheers with margaritas and tequila. So, how do you get in? All you have to do is RSVP.