Pose (detail) by Philo Nordlund
Tired of the same old, same old for Cinco de Mayo? It doesn’t have to be about another margarita, another mariachi, another hangover. Here are five unusual ways to celebrate Mexico’s victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla, or as it’s commonly called, Cinco de Mayo.
25 Degrees’ Sonoran Hot Dog: 25 Degrees in Hollywood Roosevelt is not only offering free chips and salsa all day long and tequila and Mexican beer specials during 5-7pm happy hour but a special treat. The Sonoran hot dog seems like a random food not at all related to Mexico but it does have some chili and refried beans, as well as caramelized onions, tomatoes, queso fresco, mustard and garlic aioli AND it’s wrapped in bacon. A perfect way to fortify your stomach for the drinking ahead.
Mexico Restaurante y Barra All Day Specials: For the hard-core partyers there are lots of specials going on at this West Hollywood Mexican restaurant starting at noon and going til 2am; where to begin? For a fiver you get your choice of Dos Equis and Tecate Beer Drafts, tacos (pollo, carnitas or veggie) or appetizers like tamales or taquitos. Naturally margaritas are involved. Take your pick of traditional or strawberry for $8 a glass or $22 pitcher. Good thing designated driver service, Y Drive LA, will be on hand to take your drunk ass and your car home.
Rush Street Mexican Beer Pong and “Break the Pinata” Contest: This Culver City barestaurant is where you’ll want to go for some fun and games. Not only will they have Mexican beer pong, slurball and flip cup but a “Break the Pinata” contest. For sustenance, they’ll be rolling out their own dollar taco stand from 5-7pm. Mariachi band ?Los Imperiales? will keep you on your feet while you imbibe from a selection of 20 tequilas and five Mexican beers. And then it’s a dj and dancing from 9pm to close.
Spanish Kitchen Drink Wheel and Mustache Airbrushing: This fiesta at Spanish Kitchen on La Cienega sounds like a blast, especially since they’ll be doing free mustache airbrushing (choose from six different styles). Will make for some fun pictures to look at the next day when you’re sober. And why just order off a menu when you can spin a drink wheel for your chance of winning one of 12 different top-shelf tequila shots and margaritas for five bucks? Masked luchadores from Lucha Va Voom as well as the Las Chicas Cazadores will be providing the entertainment and Tecate will be $3 all day and night.
Umami Burger presents… Dinner and a Movie: Three Amigos: The only sombreros you’ll see at this Cinco party are the ones on the screen. I never liked this movie with three formerly funny comedians but I do like Umami and beer. And this Cinco kicks off a Wednesday night movie series at Space 15Twenty where you can enjoy a free flick with a sample of craft beer and your order of Umami burger. The house ale of the evening will be Nakhon Lager, which is brewed with jasmine rice.
OK, I know I said only five ways but, come on, I had to include cupcakes. Sprinkles Cupcakes has a holiday Choco Loco cupcake made with Belgian dark chocolate cake with bittersweet chocolate and Mexican cinnamon frosting. Or check out Yummy Cupcakes’ unusual Chocolate Chili cupcake, a chocolate cupcake with a light blend of chilies frosted with a chocolate/chili buttercream. Yummy!
But whatever trouble you get in tomorrow, above all, be safe: 4 Ways To Be Safe on Alcoholidays.