It’s time to celebrate Cinco De Mayo!
The holiday, which is sometimes considered a minor holiday in Mexico, has become widely celebrated here in the U.S. over the years, making for a fun time at bars and restaurants around Tucson. If you’re not sure how to celebrate it this year, there’s plenty of food, beer, bloody marys, and good old-fashioned family fun happening on Friday, May 5.
There are a few options out there so take a peek if you need help making a decision.
The Barnyard Crafthouse & Eatery
11011 E. Tanque Verde Rd.
The Barnyard is serving up a special menu on Friday, May 5.
- Street Tacos ($5 each) – choice of chorizo and potato, carne asada, barbacoa, and chicken tinga
- Sonoran Dog ($10)
- Mexican Street Corn ($8) (add Flaming Hot Cheetos crumbles for $2)
- Mexican Fruit Cups ($8)
- Assorted Mexican beers ($5)
For more information, visit barnyardaz.com.
Blanco Cocina + Cantina
2905 E. Skyline Dr.
Why not celebrate Cinco de Mayo all week long? From Monday, May 1 – Sunday, May 7, all Blanco Cocina + Cantina locations will celebrate the Mexican holiday complete with a special cocktail menu, plus live music from mariachis and DJs during various times of the day.
For your amigos, order up some specials like Mi Casa Su Casa ($25), which is a round of four mini margaritas and a bucket of four cold Dos XX Lagers; Lightning Round ($25), Blanco’s signature guacamole and a bucket of four cold Dos XX Lagers or Beer Buckets ($25), mix and match five beers (Dos XX Lager, Amber or Tecate). Belly up to the bar with limited-edition cocktails including a Cerveza Ritz ($12.50), Maestro Dobel silver, salted lime, Dos XX Lager, or a Paloma Rosa ($12.50), Maestro Dobel, sparkling grapefruit, fancy salt. Good times and good Mexican food will always go together.
For more information, visit blancococinacantina.com.
Casa Marana
8225 N. Courtney Page Way #191
“Come on in and celebrate your Cinco de Mayo with Casa Marana! We will have margarita specials, Mexican pizza, and a local artist to dance the night away. Let’s taco ’bout a party.”
For more information, follow Casa Marana on Instagram.
Catalina Brewing Company
6918 N. Camino Martin
Join Rock 102.1 KFMA for Beef Vegan’s Tappy Hour, Friday, May 5 from 4 – 6 p.m. at Catalina Brewing Company. Catalina Brewing Company serves a wide range of award-winning craft beer, wine, bloody marys, jello shots, and guest beers in cans/bottle and has won Best Brewery of the Northwest three years running.
For more information, visit kfma.com.
Cinco De Mayo En El Barrio
Downtown, 61 E. Congress St.
The three-day party is happening on Friday, May 5 – Sunday, May 7. There’s going to be live music, DJs, food trucks, bars, live music and so much more.
For more information, visit tucsonfiesta.com.
The Frozen Cactus
5769 E. Speedway Blvd.
The details for this event are still pending but they’re definitely having some sort of celebration.
For more information, follow The Frozen Cactus on Facebook.
HighWire Tucson
30 S. Arizona Ave.
From 5 – 9 p.m., HighWire is inviting you to join them for “an unforgettable Cinco de Mayo celebration! Enjoy $2 tacos, win some awesome Patrón giveaways, and dance the night away to the sounds from DJ Raquel!”
For more information, follow HighWire on Facebook.
Hotel Congress
311 E. Congress St.
Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers will be hosting a two-night stand at Club Congress on Friday, May 5 – Saturday, May 6.
For more information, follow Hotel Congress on Facebook.
Monkey Bar
1120 S. Wilmot Rd.
“Come celebrate Cinco De Mayo with us! $1 off all Mexican beers and tequila all day long. Free nacho bar while supplies last with a drink purchase.”
For more information, follow Monkey Bar on Facebook.
Playground
278 E. Congress St.
Playground’s Cinco de Mayo features live music from Mariachi Luz de Luna on the rooftop from 7 – 9 p.m. Specials include $5 Dos XX, $8 Tamarindo Margarita, and $5 Mango Mexican Candy Shots and our special Carne Asada Tacos (Guajillo sauce, pico, fresco, lime, served with black beans and rice – $12) or Vegan Jackfruit Tacos (Red chili braised, citrus brined cabbage, pickled onions, radish, served with black beans and rice – $12). No cover!
For more information, playgroundtucson.com.
Poco & Mom’s Cantina
7000 E. Tanque Verde Rd. #34
From 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., the restaurant is offering a taco plate (excludes carne asada) and a beer of your choice (16-ounce draft or a bottle) for $15. Plus, the house margaritas are $3.50 all day.
For more information, follow Poco & Mom’s on Facebook.
REVEL
416 E. Ninth St.
“…yes…there will be tacos.” The party is from 5 – 7 p.m.
For more information, follow REVEL on Instagram.
Si Charro! Concepts
Multiple Locations
Si Charro! Concepts, which include El Charro Cafe, The Monica, Charro Vida, Barrio Charro, and Charro Steak & Del Rey, are offering half-off margaritas, Coronas, and Modelos.
For more information, visit sicharro.com and follow each of the concepts on Instagram and Facebook.
St. Philip’s Plaza
4280 N. Campbell Ave.
“Join us for Cinco de Mayo in St. Philip’s Plaza! We have partnered with Estrella TV, Leticia Ortiz, and Dos XX to bring you the biggest Cinco party in town.”
They’ll also be serving drink specials with live entertainment starting at 4 p.m.
For more information, follow St. Philip’s Plaza on Facebook.
Thunder Canyon Brewery
220 E. Broadway Blvd.
There will be food, drinks, prizes, and live music. Plus, there’s no cover to get in and they’ll be giving out $100 to the person who’s wearing the best luchador mask.
For more information, follow Thunder Canyon Brewery on Facebook.
Article written by:
Matt Sterner
More about MattAt a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.
He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.
If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.
