Where to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo 2015 in Philadelphia

Cinco de Mayo, commonly mistaken for Mexico’s Independence Day, is a celebration held to remember El Día de la Batalla de Puebla, or The Day of the Battle of Puebla. On May 5, 1862, the Mexican army defeated the French army in an unlikely victory, and now the holiday is celebrated all over Mexico and in the United States.

To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, bars and restaurants in the city are serving up authentic Mexican cuisine and plenty of tequila and margaritas. Grab your sombrero and head to one of these spots to fiesta like there’s no mañana!

Bainbridge Street Barrel House
Head down to this Queen Village restaurant and bar for a special tapping of Bruery's Or Xata. This special 7.2% ABV blonde ale is a take on the traditional Mexican rice milk beverage of the same name. Brewed with rice, cinnamon and vanilla bean, this is definitely a not to miss brew. In addition to the special tapping, enjoy $3 Tecate cans all day along with taco Tuesday specials and quizzo at 8 PM. (625 S 6th St.; 267-324-3553)

Bridget Foy’s
$3 Coronas and Dos Equis, $5 glass/$20 pitcher Margaritas, plus specials on chips and guacamole, chicken tortilla soup, pulled pork taquitos, fish tacos, chorizo burgers and churros. (200 South St.; 215-922-1813)

Cafe Ynez
3 Cochinita Pibil tacos for $10 with a complimentary shot of mango infused tequila. (2025 Washington Ave.; 215-278-7579)

Cantina Dos Segundos
$3 Tecate, $4 Dos Equis, $5 Sangria, $6 Watermelon Margaritas, $7 Milagro Margaritas. (931 N 2nd St.; 215-629-0500)

Cantina Feliz
This Fort Washington bar has over 50 kinds of tequila on the menu, cervezas, sangria and specialty Margaritas. (424 S Bethlehem Pike; 215-646-1320)

Cantina Los Caballitos
Cantina Los Caballitos is having a joint Cinco de Mayo and May the Fourth celebration with $3 Dos Equis, $4 Milagro, $6 Darth Vadorade. (1651 E Passyunk Ave.; 215-755-3550)

Copabanana
On South Street, the tropical tavern is celebrating the holiday with $5 Margaritas and all you can eat tacos for $7.95. (344 South St.; 215-923-6180)

Interstate Draft House
Celebrate indoors or out with $1 tacos, $2 Tecate cans, $4 Margaritas and $4 drafts from 4–11 PM. (1235 E Palmer St.; 267-455-0045)

Johnny Mañanas
From 3–10 PM, Johnny Mañanas will have a live DJ and Corona giveaways. You can also get $6 Coronaritas, $4 Dos Equis Lager and Amber drafts and $8 Hornitos City Wides (a shot and a Corona). (4201 Ridge Ave.; 215-843-0499)

Loco Pez
The Fishtown cantina is collaborating with Helm chefs Michael Griffiths and Kevin D’Egidio to make the “fanciest tacos ever.” Look for cocktail specials by Jesus and sombrero giveaways. (2401 E Norris St.; 267-886-8061)

Lolita
$6 Blood Orange Margaritas, half-priced nachos and two fried chicken tacos for $5 from 3–5 PM. The “Mexico City Wide” will also be on special from 10 PM–12 AM featuring Tecate, tequila and a Carnitas taco for $10. (106 S 13th St.; 215-546-7100)

Mad Mex
The Mex-y Cinco de Mayo party starts at 9 AM with breakfast Mex and goes all day long with $5 Big Azz Dos Equis drafts and $1 off all Mexican bottles and cans. (3401 Walnut St.; 215-382-2221)

Manny Brown’s
$3 bottles of Corona and Corona Lite, $5 Margaritas, $3 shot specials at the bar all day until 10 PM. (512 South St.; 215-627-7427)

Matyson
The Rittenhouse BYO’s Monday-Thursday tasting menu is all about Cinco de Mayo. For $55, you get five courses complete with chicken tamales, ancho rubbed kobe asada and chocolate tacos. (37 S 19th St.; 215-564-2925)

McGillin’s Olde Ale House
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with an Irish twist. Try one of McGillin’s specialty drinks named after celebrities who are half Mexican and half Irish. McGillin’s will also be serving Irish versions of Mexican classics, such as Corona Beer Battered Fish and Chips, and of course, plenty of Margaritas. (1310 Drury St.; 215-735-5562)

Nick’s Roast Beef
Join Nick’s for its first ever Cinco De Mayo party with $3 pints and $4 bottles of Dos Equis, $4 Sol bottles, $5 Margaritas and $5 Tequila shots. Munch on $2 tacos, and other festive snacks. Don’t miss a special visit from “The Most Interesting Man in the World,” and giveaways all night. (16 S 2nd St.; 215-928-9411)

Positano Coast
Enjoy $5 margaritas all day at this beautiful Old City spot. (212 Walnut St., 2nd Floor; 215-238-0499) 

Sancho Pistola’s
Head to Sancho Pistola’s for traditional Mexican dishes, plus $17 pitchers of Margaritas and Sangria and $2 Tecate cans during happy hour. (19 W Girard Ave.; 267-324-3530)

Taproom on 19th
Taproom on 19th will host a Barbacoa pop-up to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, featuring beers from Brooklyn's Sixpoint and Tequila por mi Amantes. Chef Martinez and Ben Miller from South Philly Barbacoa return for their 3rd appearance at Taproom on 19th with slow-cooked lamb and pancita steamed in maguey leaves with fresh tortillas, consomme and salsas for $3.  Sixpoint tap takeover will include Abigale, Crisp, Resin, Sweet Action and Bengali. There will also be $2 Tecate cans, $5 Margaritas and $7 Tequila por mi Amante. (2400 S 19th St.; 267-687-7817)

Union Taco
This Manayunk BYO will be serving up $2 tacos all day, including cactus tacos and oxtail tacos. (4229 Main St.; 267-766-6193)

Verdad
Out in Bryn Mawr, Verdad is hosting a Cinco de Mayo street food mashup with Chef Nick Farina introducing South Philly Gorditas, which he describes as “the perfect combination of beloved Latin and Philadelphia street food ingredients.” The Gorditas will be on special for $5, as well as $2 firecracker chicken tacos and $3 house Margaritas. (818 W Lancaster Ave.; 610-520-9100)