Cinco de Mayo falls on Saturday in 2012, and Los Angeles offerings do not disappoint. The tequila starts flowing early while mariachi music takes LA revelers late into the night. Check out our roundup of the best Los Angeles Cinco de Mayo events:Lucha VaVoom
May 4-5. Ridiculously fun performance featuring masked Mexican wrestlers, comedy, and burlesque acts all rolled into one wacky and entertaining evening. Also expect Aztec and folkloric dancers, tequila, tamales and a dance party. Mayan Theatre, 1038 S Hill St., downtown. luchavavoom.com
El Carmen
The Hollywood tequila standby opens early at noon to give you an extra seven hours to swig classic margaritas and 400+ tequilas, to the tune serenading Mariachis and a surprise visit from a Luchador. Hit it early for happy hour specials from noon-3 p.m. 8138 West 3rd St., L.A., 323.852.1552. elcarmenrestaurant.com
El Chavo
This Los Feliz hotspot never disappoints with its annual Cinco de Mayo party. Find a fiesta that takes over the entire restaurant and back patio. Expect live entertainment, drink specials, taco cart on the patio and more. Extra klout for anyone who tweets us a pic of the Dolly Parton poster from the inside bar. 4441 Sunset Blvd., L.A., 323.664.0871. elchavorestaurant.com
Public School 612 Tequila Tasting Class
Spend your afternoon tasting tequila and dining on traditional Mexican food. The event includes a a four-course food and drink pairing that includes campechana with tostada and saltine crackers, lengua gordita with salsa quemada, leeches and al pastor spare rib with blanco, repesado, anejo and mezcal style of tequilas. 2 p.m. $40/pp (advanced ticket purchases receive a $10 promotional card to be used at a later date). 612 S. Flower St., downtown, 213.623.1172. publicschool612.com
Seis de Mayo Brunch at Casa Vega
May 6. Take your Cinco de Mayo celebrations to the next level by continuing them during Sunday brunch at Casa Vega. The day-after fiesta features the restaurant’s signature Bloody Marias and Absolut Marys for the special price of $5. Indulge in authentic Mexican brunch dishes, including huevos rancheros and chilaquiles, as well as Casa Vega favorites such as the chopped guacamole, lobster enchiladas, and tres tacos chicos. Casa Vega also offers happy hour daily from 2:30-7 p.m and again at 10:30 p.m.. where you can sip on $4.95 house margaritas and enjoy specials on bar selections and appetizers. 13301 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, 818.788.4868. casavega.com
Pink Taco
Hit up either Pink Taco location to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in true Mexican rock ‘n’ roll fashion with Luchadors, Mariachis, DJs and giveaways. Drink specials are decided by fate, using a custom drink wheel which will be spun every hour. This is also your first chance to take a sneak peek at the Sunset Blvd. location. 11:30-2 a.m. $20. 8225 Sunset Blvd. (buy tickets at the door); Westfield Century City Mall, 10250 Santa Monica Blvd. (tickets). pinktaco.com
Red O’s Street Food Social Hour
Grab a seat in Red O’s tequila lounge or outdoor patio to enjoy a selection of specially priced items from Chef Rick Bayless’ California-inspired Mexican menu and sip a variety of their specialty margaritas and cocktails for $8, as well as a selection of wines for $7 and craft beers for $5. 3-6 p.m. Dinner continues post-party for those who want to check out the entire Red O menu. 8155 Melrose Ave., L.A., 323.655.5009. redorestaurant.com
Olvera Street
LA’s festive open-air Mexican marketplace with restaurants, shops at historic El Pueblo de Los Angeles feels like Cinco de Mayo all year long. Expect a celebration of food, live music, performances, margaritas and more. Alameda Street between Main and Los Angeles streets, downtown, 213.628.1274. olvera-street.com
Peligroso Tequila Cinco de Mayo Poolside Bash
Peligroso Tequila takes over poolside Tropicana Bar at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel to celebrate its third birthday and Cinco de Mayo with an afternoon bash that includes three DJs spinning, Peligroso margaritas and giveaways. noon-6 p.m. 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.466.7000. thompsonhotels.com
Calle Tacos
The new Mexican food truck parks permanently in a Hollywood Blvd. storefront, and throws an opening party on Cinco de Mayo that features a mariachi band, signature jalapeno margaritas and eats like tacos, burritos, tortas, flautas, nachos, and more–not to mention photo pops with a live donkey. noon- 10 p.m. 6508 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. calletacos.com
The Churchill
The West 3rd St. hotspot serves up specials like $6 house margaritas, $5 Peligroso Tequila shot, $8 Honeydew Melon/Chili Infused Margaritas and $5 Micheladas. Also find homemade chips and guacamole, chorizo quasi dip and carne asada tacos. 8384 West 3rd St., L.A. the-churchill.com
Gladstones
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with your toes in the sand, a plate of garlic shrimp tacos and Corona in your hand for just $16.95. Or, opt for $20 pitchers of original or blackberry margaritas, $5 Coronas and $5 fish and beef tacos. 17300 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, 310.454.3474. sbe.com/gladstones
Tortilla Republic
One of LA’s newest modern Mexican restaurant marks the holiday with a fiesta that includes three bars, including two outdoor patio bars, serving $12 “Corona familiar” and specially priced margaritas, along with a live DJ and a Cinco de Mayo menu of Mexican small plates and bar snacks. At 6p.m., dinner service will commence with optional tequila pairings and feature a DJ spinning ambient music. noon-5 p.m. 616 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood, 310.657.9888. tortillarepublic.com
LA Creamery
With only 50 pints made of each of their special Cinco de Mayo signature flavors, you better andalé to get a couple scoops of LA Creamery’s artisan ice cream. Available at Farmshop, 800 Degrees, The Oaks Gourmet and more, LA Creamery will be serving up Single Barrel Reposado Tequila Ice Cream made from Casa Noble, Chocolate Churro Ice Cream, and Spicy Watermelon sorbet. lacreamery.com
Big Cheese Patio Party
Blue Cow Kitchen & Bar gives Cinco de Mayo a different approach by throwing a party featuring the lates creations and classics from the Grilled Cheese Truck, paired with cocktails and rare micro brews on draft. 350 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.621.2249. bluecowkitchen.com
The Hudson
Stop by the neighborhood favorite for $5 Peligroso tequila shots, $6 house margaritas, $8 mango/chili-infused margaritas, and $5 pineapple-infused Svedka vodka. Soak up all the drinks with chorizo, poblano and jack cheese quesadillas; chicken flautas; and nachos with short rib or chicken. 1114 North Crescent Heights, L.A. thehudsonla.com
El Coyote
At one of LA’s oldest and most festive Mexican spots celebrate over their traditional cuisine and large selection of frozen margaritas (strawberry, melon, peach, banana, mango and pear), or opt for their house margarita. Mariachis show up in the evening to continue the party. 7312 Beverly Blvd., L.A., 323.939.2255. elcoyotecafe.com
La Velvet Margarita
Hollywood’s hottest Mexican cantina marks the occasion by throwing a celebrity charity poker tournament that includes entertainment like DJs, Mariachis, hosted tequila bar, food, Cuban cigar lounge and ore. RSVP mandatory: siri@platformpr.net 1612 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, 323.469.2000. velvetmargarita.com