8 ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in London this month
iAle, London! Cinco de Mayo is back for another year. If you weren't aware, May 5 commemorates the Mexican army's victory over France at the 1862 Battle of Puebla (not to be confused with Mexican Independence Day on September 16). More than 160 years later, it remains a major day in the Mexican calendar and is the ultimate opportunity to relish in the best of the country's culture and heritage, in case you needed an excuse.
So, this early May bank holiday, be prepared for more tacos and tequila than you can shake a maraca at, and then some. These are some of the best Cinco de Mayo events happening across the city this month. Keep an eye out for special May 5 deals at our favourite Mexican restaurants, too.
Cinco de Mayo at the Standard
Ascend to the 10th floor of the Standard for a 48-hour fiesta. Sweeties will be hosting a Cinco de Mayo soiree in collaboration with famous Parisian taqueria Candelaria, promising DJs and 'bar classics with a twist', then celebrations will continue into next day at Decimo's boozy brunch with an offering of the tequila-based 'Bloody Maria' to soothe the hangover. Once that banging headache has passed, head back across the corridor to Sweeties to do it all over again.
10 Argyle Street, WC1H 8EG. May 2-3. Book online here.
Hackney Church Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
Sounds of salsa, bachata and reggaeton will be floating out of the arches of Hackney Church Brewery from noon till midnight for Mexico's big day. The east London taproom will be serving up spicy birria tacos from its resident kitchen Lagom and two for one frozen margs from 8pm 'til 10pm.
16-17 Bohemia Place, E8 1DU. May 3. Tickets available here.
Mexico Vivo Festival at Hackney Bridge
Latin American party orchestrators Movimentos are bringing an huge celebration of all things Mexicano to Hackney Bridge. We're talking Mexican street food from some of London's top Latino food vendors, live mariachi music from Mariachi el Mexicano, traditional Mexican dance performances from This Is Mexico and a market of handmade goods from Mexican artisans. On Sunday night, a collection of Latin American DJs will round off the fiesta with sets of psychedelic cumbia, retro tropical rhythms, guaracho and more.
Units 1-28, Echo Building, E15 2SJ. May 4-5. Find out more info here.
Cinco De Mayo at Corrochio's
Dalston cocktail bar and taquería Corrochio's is celebrating 1 year in its new home over the bank holiday weekend with a Cinco de Mayo (technically a Quatro de Mayo!) party featuring a Mexican-inpired barbecue, plenty of piñatas and a Mariachi band serenading guests at 4pm. Book a spot for lunch or dinner to enjoy 'volcanes', crispy grilled tortillas with cheese and a range of traditional toppings including beef picanha and prawns zarandeados, and margarita slushies made with Ocho tequila.
70-74 Stoke Newington Road, N16 7XB. May 4. Book here.
Cinco De Mayo Party Brunch at Madera
What better way to mark Mexico's historic victory over France than sinking into a Latin-themed brekkie at Madera, eh? The Cali-Mexican restaurant on the fifteenth floor of The Treehouse Hotel will be bringing live DJs, flowing margaritas and tacos galore to celebrate May 5 from £45 per person.
14-15 Langham Place, W1B 2QS. May 5. Book here.
Cinco De Mayo Fiesta at Oriole
Latin American-themed subterranean cocktail bar Oriole has a host of food specials on the menu for its Cinco de Mayo fiesta. Guests can enjoy live Latin music from 3-6pm courtesy of Colombian band Zona Vallenata, while tucking into tacos al pastor and crab chilaquilas followed by churros with dulce de leche and chocolate dip for dessert. And there's also a trio of Cinco de Mayo cocktail specials on. We especially like the sound of the Toreador, a heady blend of Volcan Blanco Tequila, Gunpowder rum, apricot brandy, lime juice and fig leaf soda. Que empiece la fiesta!
7-9 Slingsby Place, WC2E 9AB. May 5. Book here.
Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl
Beginning at the Munster Tavern in Leicester Square, for the fifth of the fifth, London Party Pub Crawl has curated a Mexican-themed crawl across five bars. Punters will get to spend around 50 minutes in each drinking hole (with free tequila shots) and enter the final club at midnight, where you can stay until the early hours of the morning.
18 Bear Street, WC2H 7AX. May 5. Get your ticket here.
Tequila Tasting at Jeroboams
Get better acquainted with one of Cinco de Mayo's main characters at Jeroboam's tequila tasting event. Agave aficionados will introduce you to different varieties of the liquor, from blanco to añejo, and its smokier sister spirit, mezcal. As you sip, they'll clue you in on how the drinks are made, their historic significance and how to spot their distinct characteristics.
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Check out our full Bar des Prés review here Bar du Port Credit: Bar du Port Perhaps one of the liveliest restaurants and bars in Dubai, Bar Du Port is a perfect spot to celebrate your birthday, especially if you're looking to dance to hit after hit when you're done eating dinner. Here you can enjoy its Mediterranean-inspired menu with dishes like slow-cooked short ribs, grilled marinated artichokes, seafood paella and more. End the meal with a sparkler-filled birthday dessert. Mon-Wed 4pm-2am, Thurs-Fri 4pm-3am, Sat 1pm-3am. Dubai Harbour Pier Club, Dubai Marina, (04 332 4868). Check out our full Bar du Port review here En Fuego Credit: Brandon Barré If you're looking for a more laid-back birthday dinner that's still full of fun, then make your way down to En Fuego. With a circus-themed tented roof, an array of decorative pieces that feature a vintage giant car hanging from the ceiling, neon signs, piñatas, llamas, and a chandelier shaped like a flamingo's head, your birthday Insta posts will definitely be next-level if you choose to party here. On the entertainment front, you can expect fire performers, aerial hoop artists, and gravity-defying aerial acrobats. It won't be a night you'll forget easily. Mon-Tues 5pm-1am, Wed-Fri 12.30pm-1am, Sat -Sun 1pm-1am. Atlantis The Palm. (04 426 2626). Check out our full En Fuego review here Gitano J1 Beach Dubai. Tulum-inspired eatery GITANO is a Mexican-themed spot that features traditional dishes as well as a 'Gypsy Disco' experience for guests. Founded by British-born James Gardner, the venue is kitted out with a modern jungle feel, branded with neon signs and of course, the iconic disco ball – a nod to its New York flair. Looking out over the beach and also with views of the Burj Khalifa, you can expect Latin American cuisine with a twist. Open Sun-Thu 11am-1am; Fri-Sat 11am-2am. J1 Beach, Jumeirah 1, (058 566 2320). Josette If you want your birthday dinner to come with a side of live cabaret dancing, Josette is the spot for you. The Parisian-inspired restaurant is not only beautiful to look at, but it also serves up authentic French dishes with a twist. When the sun sets, Josette's stage comes alive with an expanded roster of acts, including burlesque dancers, singers and cabaret performances. Shows takes place from 8pm to 9pm before a brief intermission between 9pm and 10pm. A late-night show will then take place from 10pm until after midnight. So pick your preferred time and celebrate a year around the sun the French way. Sun-Thurs 9am-1am, Fri-Sat l (shows Wed-Sat 8pm-2am). ICD Brookfield Place, DIFC (04 275 2522). Check out our full Josette review here La Cantine du Faubourg You cannot go wrong with a birthday celebration at La Cantine Du Faubourg. The French restaurant and lounge is always buzzing, whether it's the DJ, the live singer or the stylish crowd chatting away. Sway to chart-topping tunes at this hotspot that's renowned for its music offering. In-house DJs or live bands play an eclectic mixture of top hits and chic Parisian street beats as you enjoy your meal and drinks. Mon-Thurs noon-2am, Fri noon-3am, Sat 12pm-5pm (brunch) and 7pm-3am (dinner), Sun 1pm-2am. Jumeirah Emirates Towers, (04 352 7105). Check out our full La Cantine du Faubourg review here MayaBay This Jumeirah Al Naseem spot makes for a bougie birthday celebration with friends. Perfect for large groups, the menu at MayaBay is basically a coffee table book full of Japanese and Thai dishes, ensuring that everyone on the table will have something to love on the menu. You can enjoy a Thai meal with a side of sushi while your friends dig into a steaming tower of dumplings. Daily noon-3am. Jumeirah Al Naseem, (04 275 2500). Check out our full Mayabay review here Mimi Kakushi Cool. That's the first thing that will come to mind when you step inside Mimi Kakushi. What better way to celebrate your birthday dinner than with top-notch Japanese cuisine? Expect chic 1920s vibes, as the space pays homage to the modern swinging jazz age in Osaka, with rich textures, hand-painted walls, beaded curtains and seriously Instagrammable stained glass windows. As for the food, you'll have a tough time choosing between gyoza, sushi, black cod, wagyu beef and everything in between. This is a more sophisticated birthday dinner that's all about great food and jazz music. Mon-Thu 6pm-2am, Fri noon-2am, Sat-Sun noon-4pm and 6pm-2am. Four Seasons Resort, Jumeirah 2. (04 379 4811). Check out our full Mimi Kakushi review here Miss Lily's Want to dance the night away while munching on some of the best Caribbean food in Dubai? Then let us break it down for you – go to Miss Lily's. This isn't a party for the faint of heart though, so be ready to get down to some seriously cool music. It is an unmissable late-night Jamaican spot that has (rightfully) been drawing in crowds for years. So put on your trainers and jam to Afro beats, hip-hop, R&B and more. Mon 7pm-2am, Tues-Wed 7pm-1am, Thurs 7pm-2am, Fri 7pm-3am, Sat 2pm-6pm (brunch) 8pm-3am, Sun 6pm-midnight. Sheraton Grand Hotel Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, (04 356 2900). Check out our full Miss Lily's review here Nobu Dubai Credit: Nobu Dubai Despite what feels like a continuous stream of Japanese restaurants opening in Dubai, Nobu remains among the best. That you'll get an extensive choice of quality dishes fusing fine Japanese cuisine with the Peruvian influences Nobu is famous for is a given. What you'll also get here is great service, incredible mixed drinks and stellar views from its vantage point on the 22nd floor of Atlantis The Palm. In fact, when the weather is cool enough, ask for a table on the terrace. Impressive whatever the occasion. Licensed. Atlantis, The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, (04 426 0760). Check out our full Nobu Dubai review here SUSHISAMBA For a birthday dinner that's got stunning views of the Palm, you should be looking at SUSHISAMBA as your next birthday party destination. It is one of the most talked about restaurants in the city and perfect for when you want to treat yourself. f you're there at night, you'll see the brightly-lit Palm crescent stretching around at either side, while the rest of the area from Ain Dubai to Burj Al Arab glows beneath you. The menu features dishes from Japan, Peru and Brazil that you will love. Mon-Fri noon-3pm and 6pm-2am, Sat-Sun 1pm-3.30pm and 6pm-3am. The Palm Tower, Palm Jumeirah, (04 278 4888). Check out our full SUSHISAMBA review here In other foodie news… A fancy new licensed restaurant is now open in Dubai Hills DUO Gastrobar serves up European cuisine with an Asian touch 10 outdoor brunches with pool and beach access in Dubai Because what could be better than brunch followed by a refreshing dip? 105 stunning outdoor restaurants and bars in Dubai From rooftops to lush garden terraces, here's your list of top outdoor spots in Dubai
