It’s going to be a crazy party weekend what with Cinco de Mayo kicking things off then George Clooney’s birthday, Kentucky Derby and Mother’s Day.
Wednesday, May 4
Quatro de Mayo at La Descarga
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Eve with a rollicking good time at La Descarga. The Camarena taco truck will be serving up food from 9:30p to 12a, free for early arrivals. There’s even talk of a nacho bar. Yum! And you can’t have a Cinco, er Quatro celebration without tequila and mescal drinks and shots. Drinks, which include the Wet Baquiri and Kraken Micheladas, will be specially priced from $8-$10. And getting the crowd moving will be none other than StreetGourmet LA blogger Bill Esparaza leading the band all night. Get there early cuz it’s going to go off.
- 8pm-2am. La Descarga, 1159 N Western Avenue, Los Angeles (map). (323) 466-1324.
Thursday, May 5
Cinco de Mayo
I don’t celebrate alcoholidays at bars but here are some lists of where to get your tequila on: Love Happy Hour and Thirsty in LA. And if you just want a quiet celebration, here’s my LA Weekly Squid Ink list of where to get your well-done margarita alternatives.
Friday, May 6
Sipping on The Clooney at Lago
In honor of the most handsome man in the world’s birthday (sorry, bf!), Locanda del Lago in Santa Monica created The Clooney cocktail. Sounds very bitter with its use of Oro Blanco grapefruit, blood orange, Aperol but maybe the No. 209 Gin and St. Germain will help. The cocktail, which will be available Friday through Sunday, is priced $8 a glass and $20 a liter. Could be just the thing to get Mom: Clooney!
- Friday-Sunday. Locanda del Lago, 231 Arizona Avenue, Santa Monica (map). (310) 451-3525.
Saturday, May 7
Kentucky Derby Viewing Party at the Los Angeles Athletic Club
Downtown’s storied athletic club will be throwing the ultimate Kentucky Derby screening party featuring a Southern food buffet, a Kentucky-inspired cocktail menu and a Maker’s Mark whiskey tasting. For those who can’t sit still there’s live music by Gypsy Jazz band Icy Hot Club, indoor horseshoes games and even a Derby.com room where you can log onto the Kentucky Derby site and place your bets. The $25 admission includes a free Mint Julep in addition to all of the above.
- 1-4pm. $25. Los Angeles Athletic Club, 431 W. 7th Street, Downtown (map). Reservations: (213) 630-5200.
Chocolate and Wine Tasting at Compartes
This would be an awesome Mother’s Day gift. For $18-$20 you get four specially made organic chocolate and wine pairings. The wines are provided by Moe’s Fine Wines down the street from the chocolate store in Brentwood. Reservations are recommended. You can email info [at] compartes.com or call (310) 826-3380.
- 7-9:30pm. $18 advance, $20 door. Compartes Chocolatier, 912 S. Barrington Avenue, Brentwood (map). (310) 826-3380.