Cinco de Mayo in London means a load of Mexican merriment and one too many margaritas. Here’s where we’ll be heading to join the fiesta this weekend
By Helen Brown
Where to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in London
Margarita Rumble
This fun festival sponsored by Jose Cuervo pits top bars and mixologists against each other to find the UK’s best tequila cocktail. Split into two hour sessions, guests can enjoy bottomless margaritas and vote on their all-time favourite. Look out for Chef James Cochran who will be serving up top notch food, while liberations will be served by a number of bars including Caban Brasil, Tequila Mockingbird, Nine Lives, Cafe Pacifico, Benito’s Hat, The Bootlegger and London Glass Cocktail Club. There’ll also be live DJ’s, cocktail masterclasses and lots of other surprises.
5 May; londonmargaritarumble.com
Passport Agave
New York’s Passport Agave initiative heads to London for the first time this year. Over the course of six weeks, 15 of the city’s bars will come together to take tequila lovers on their very own cocktail discovery. Guests buy a “passport” booklet for £19 which entitles them to a special complimentary tequila cocktail from each bar on the route. Bars involved include Cafe Chula, Bootlegger, Randy’s Wing Bar, Cafe Pacifico, Lost & Found, Simmons Liverpool Street, Simmons Fitzrovia, Simmons Soho, Fontaine’s Bar, Three Little Bird, Tequila Mockingbird – with more to be announced!
1-15 May; passportagave.com
Pop Brixton
This Cinco de Mayo, Pop Brixton is hosting a Mexican-inspired fiesta with a mix of international live music, female mariachis, DJs, traditional dance, delicious food and a vibrant colourful decor with a Mexican twist.
Don Julio Cinco de Mayo Brunch
Luxury tequila brand Don Julio has joined forces with Mexican fine dining restaurant and bar, Ella Canta to host a fabulous brunch in celebration of Mexico’s national holiday. On offer is a bespoke three-course menu featuring a host of delicious Mexican brunch dishes including fried eggs over corn tortillas, quesadilla with corn and oaxaca cheese and Mexican churros to finish. Each dish will be paired with Don Julio cocktails, highlighting the brand’s range of premium variants.
4-5 May; ellacanta.com
A Mariachi Band at MNKY HSE
MNKY HSE is turning up the heat in Mayfair to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, latin style. The contemporary Latin American restaurant is inviting the mariachi band El Mexicano to set a spicy mood throughout dinner, where guests will discover five exclusive dishes created for the occasion, including MNKY fajitas, decadent nachos and an interactive Spnk the Mnky Piñata dessert. Accompanying this will be three fabulous and unique margaritas.
Patron and Pinatas at Barts
Prepare for an en fuego fiesta as legendary hidden cocktail bar Uncle Bart teams up with Patron Tequila to throw the ultimate ode to Mexico this weekend. The party will begin at 7pm and feature the very best bits of a Mexican shindig such as a fancy dress box full of stylish sombreros, shots of sangria, a trio of limited edition Patron Tequila cocktails and of course, a Pinata. Prepare to salsa late into the night and enjoy a variety of mariachi music throughout the evening, as well as a fun and informative tequila masterclass.
Celebrations and Sombreros at TT Liquor
In honour of this year’s Cinco de Mayo, Kingsland Road bar TT Liquor will be dusting off their sombreros and celebrating with a boozy tequila cocktail, available throughout the week. Available in the intimate cellar bar, TT Liquor will be serving the ‘Eighth Battalion’, a boozy mix featuring Tequila Ocho as its base, a small batch Mexican tequila made using traditional methods, along with cacao infused triple sec, lime and ancho chilli and hibiscus infused pomegranate.
£5 Margaritas at Wahaca
Wahaca is on hand to make the bank holiday weekend go off with a bang. From Friday to Monday, they’ll be serving £5 margaritas to wash down the likes of Wahaca’s delicious Pork Pibil Tacos, Grilled Cheese and Chargrilled Steak Taco and seasonal special, Corn Fritters.
Bluebird Café White City’s Summer Fiesta
Dust off your maracas for Bluebird Café White City’s summery fiesta. Taking place on Friday 3 May on their terrace, guests can expect live music, Mexican-inspired snacks and fruity Patrón cocktails. Sushi Samba’s resident DJ will also be turning up the tempo to kick off the bank holiday weekend.
Bottomless Brunch at COYA
COYA in Mayfair will be treating Londoners to a one-off Mexican-inspired fiesta brunch to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in London. Taking the same form as their sellout weekend brunch, the outstanding bottomless three-hour affair will see guests sip on slushy Pisco SourÂ’s and Bloody MariaÂ’s while tucking into Mexican dishes. The restaurant will rival the streets of Mexico City as the DJ plays Latino tunes alongside special performances.
