Celebrate the Battle of Puebla on Tuesday, May 5, this year. That’s better known as Cinco de Mayo here in the states. On May 5 each year, Denver’s South of the Border flavors come out to play. While Cinco de Mayo falls mid-week this year, we expect to find Mariachi and margaritas all week long. Ole!

Arta Tequila at La Biblioteca and Zengo
A Colorado-owned spirit, Arta Tequila, is releasing a specially aged tequila on May 5 in Denver. This special spirit is the Arta Extra Anejo. It is a 5-year aged, triple barreled, premium tequila and will only be available in a limited supply. There were only four batches made with 1,000 bottles produced from each batch. Arta Extra Anejo can be found at select stores and establishments throughout Colorado, including Denver’s Zengo Restaurant and its next door neighbor La Bibioteca, Denver’s tequila library. (1610 Little Raven St.; 303-572-3000 and 720-904-0965)

Blue Bonnet Mexican Café
There will be drink specials a plenty all weekend at the Blue Bonnet in Denver. From May 2-5, enjoy a Cinco de Mayo Corona Bucket (mix and match, regular or light) for $18. Dos XX Amber and Dos XX Lager will be $3.50 all day, get a shot of Herradura Silver or Sauza Hornitos Anejo for $5 or put that shot in a tasty margarita for $5.50. (457 S Broadway; 303-778-0147)

Cherry Cricket
Celebrate Cinco with a Corazon Tequila shot and Colorado’s own Ska Mexcican Lager for only $7. Guests can also enjoy the $10 burger deal all weekend long. May 1 is the Sancho Burger, May 2 is the Veracruz, May 3 is the Cantina Burger, May 4 is the Jalapeno and Cinco de Mayo is the Ay Chihuahua. (2641 E 2nd Ave.; 303-322-7666)

Hard Rock Café
On the 16th Street Mall, the Hard Rock Café is offering a special cocktail curated by rock legend Carlos Santa. The Black Magic Press features Casa Noble Crystal Tequila, Hard Rock’s made-from-scratch margarita mix, fresh blackberries, blueberries, lime wedges and mint leaves. This unique cocktail is served in a coffee press-style vessel that infuses the fruit into the cocktail through the drinking process. The Maria Maria Coronita features Casa Noble Crystal Tequila, orange liqueur, mango puree, lime juice and garnished with a Coronita Extra. These special beverages are available now through Tuesday, May 5, and a portion of the beverages’ proceeds will benefit Santana’s charity, The Milagro Foundation. (500 16th St.; 303-623-3191)

Jose O’Sheas
This Lakewood favorite will celebrate with a Cinco de Mayo fiesta all weekend long, May 1-5. The fun starts on Friday with complimentary tastings of George Clooney’s Casamigos Tequila and Negra Modelo from 6-8 PM.  Saturday and Sunday offer Sangria Brunch with a Mariachi band from 11 AM to 3 PM and complimentary Sauza 100% Blue Agave and Dos Equis beer tastings from 6 to 8 PM. Monday is free Corona tasting from 6 to 8 PM, and on the big day, Tuesday, enjoy a Mariachi band from 5 to 8 PM, a Sauza snowboard giveaway at 4:30 PM, a jalapeno eating contest for all kinds of prizes at 7 PM with free beer and t-shirt for participants and complimentary tastings of Sauza and Dos Equis. (385 Union, Lakewood; 303-988-7333)

Kachina Southwestern Grill:
While Kachina celebrates its favorite holiday, you get the goodies. Enjoy happy hour in the bar and on the patio all day long. That evening, Kachina will also have a cooking class featuring instruction and tasting of a delicious traditional Mexican meal including Molcajete Guacamole and Pork Adovado Tamales. The class also includes a complimentary tequila flight. Class starts at 6:30 PM and is $25 per person. (10600 Westminster Blvd.; 303-410-5813)

La Loma:  One of Denver’s oldest Mexican restaurants is also a city fave. Celebrate Cinco with the Happy Hour menu all day long along with $5 house margaritas, La Loma’s special Barrel-aged Tequila for $6 per shot and 1800 Reposado for $4 a shot. (2527 W. 26^th Ave.; 303-433-8300)

Punch Bowl Social:
Patrons at Punch Bowl on Broadway can enjoy happy hour all day long on May 5. Enjoy $2 happy hour street tacos, and wash them down with $2 Tecate beers or happy hour margaritas for $6. Hang out and try some bowling, ping pong or sing some karaoke while you celebrate. (65 Broadway; 303-765-2695)

Stout Street Social
Drink a little bit of Mexico at Stout Street with a special featuring a can of Corona and a shot of Milagro Tequila for just $5 all day long. (1400 Stout St.; 720-214-9100)

Tamayo
What better place to celebrate Mexico then a bar with over 100 crafted tequilas? Tamayo in Larimer Square will have specials all weekend long, May 1-5. Enjoy all five flavors of the bar’s signature margaritas - Serrano, strawberry, mango, tamarind or traditional - for only $5. Guests can go top shelf with $10 shots of Richard Sandoval’s Patron Select Barrel Anejo tequila or put the shot to good use in a $10 margarita. Pair the drinks with traditional Mexican fare such as lamb belly carnitas or spicy shrimp tlayuda. (1400 Larimer St.; 720-946-1433)

Photo via Tamayo