It’s Cinco de Mayo in Tampa Bay once again, and while it’s a shame that most folks don’t celebrate Mexico’s win against the French in the 1862 Battle of Puebla, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a good time with your friends (or strangers.)
Here are 25 bar crawls, parties, and foodie events to help you celebrate Cinco de Mayo this weekend; all events take place on Friday, May 5 unless marked otherwise. And please put the sombrero and poncho away Chad, and stick to what you do best (drinking during the day.)
American Legion - Seminole Post 111 Seminole Heights’ resident punk hangout hosts an evening of acoustic tunes from Tampa Bay musicians like Mr. Davis, Nickole Hanna and Crash Mitchell alongside many more. Come for the music, or come for the cheap drink specials. 7 p.m. $5 suggested donation. 6918 N Florida Ave., Tampa. American Legion Seminole Post 111 on Facebook
Bar HWRD This South Tampa hotspot keeps the party bumpin’ until 3 a.m. with a schedule of rotating DJs, open bar, outdoor games and other holiday festivities. 5 p.m.-3 a.m. $10. 302 S Howard Ave., Tampa. barhwrdtampa.com
Bastet Brewing This popular Ybor City brewery teams up with Rene's Mexican Kitchen to host its “5 Moles for 5 de Mayo” event. It features 5 delicious courses chock full of the traditional Mexican sauce and marinade. 5 p.m.-9 p.m.$85.1951 E Adamo Dr. Suite B, Ybor City. eventbrite.com
The Blind Goat If tequila and cheap taco specials aren’t your thing, then maybe you can indulge in a little micro-wrestling. The Blind Goat says there will be tons of tasty food and drink specials, but they don’t compare to its beloved micro-wrestling event. 8 p.m. $25-45. 4106 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. Eventbrite.com
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Tampa Bay’s premiere theme park offers family-friendly fun for every holiday. Its Food & Wine Festival kicks its Latin flare up a notch while hosting its “Viva La Música” concert series through May 21. Included with park admission. 10165 McKinley Dr., Tampa. Buschgardens.com
Casa Tina This Dunedin gem hosts an annual Cinco de Mayo celebration that includes cultural performances, plus tons of food and drink specials. This year’s street fiesta includes traditional Mexican dances and free salsa lessons. 5 p.m.-midnight. Free. 365 Main St., Dunedin. Casatinas.com
Cinco de Mayo Block Party Park & Rec and The Avenue host a massive Cinco de Mayo party, which will take place on 1st Avenue S between 3rd and 4th Street. Other Hunger Thirst concepts like Dirty Laundry and Good Fortune will also offer Cinco de Mayo-themed drink specials. 4 p.m. $10 & up. 330 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg. Eventbrite.com
Common Dialect This newly-opened Seminole Heights brewery says its free-to-attend Cinco de Mayo fiesta will be full of “delicious food, refreshing drinks, and festive vibes.” noon. Free. 5023 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. commondialectbeer.com
The Exchange Kitchen + Bar This bar and restaurant promises “the biggest Cinco de Mayo party in Tampa,” with stiff drink specials and bumpin’ tunes. 5 p.m. Free. 100 E Madison St.,Tampa. eventbrite.com
Floridian Social This beloved venue teams up with tequila brands Cazadores and Patron for its holiday event. Guests can expect a live mariachi band, Latin-influenced tunes and aerial performances alongside a slew of margarita specials. 1 p.m. Free. 687 Central Ave. N, St. Petersburg.thefloridiansocial.com
Herban Flow St. Pete’s newly opened, zero-proof drink dealer hosts a clear-minded fiesta, complete with a mocktail workshop featuring some of the nation’s leading non-alcoholic tequilas. 7 p.m.-9 p.m. $20. 6848 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg. herbanflow.co
LOKO Cusine While this Tampa pop-up is widely known for its Eggs & Kegs brunches, it also honors holidays and other special events. Its Cinco de Mayo dinner at 7venth Sun Brewery features beef barbacoa, chicken tinga and pork carnitas tacos. 6 p.m. $43. 6809 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. Lokocuisine.com
Mad Beach Cantina This all-day block party features live music, $20 Corona buckets, and deals on tequila shots.11 a.m.-midnight. Free. 13205 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach. Madbeachcantina.com
No Vacancy This tiki-inspired bar offers $3 street tacos, $5 Coronas and $7 frozen margaritas at its exclusive Cinco de Mayo party. Noon. Free. 937 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. novacancystpete.com
Nueva Cantina This St. Pete favorite dishes out prized Mexican eats and ice cold margaritas every day, but its Cinco de Mayo party includes live music and face painting, too. Reservations are encouraged.11 a.m.-10 p.m. Free.1625 4th St. S, St. Petersburg. Nueva Cantina on Facebook
Peepaw’s Alaskan Tacos A Tampa food truck hosts an exclusive Cinco de Mayo pop-up, which it describes as an “Ybor nostalgia bomb.” This Little Pig will honor the long-gone Mema’s Alaskan Tacos by offering a variety of beef, pork, tofu, fish and alligator tacos at this Friday night pop-up. 4 p.m.-9 p.m. Free to attend. 3800 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. followtheflyingpig.com
Salty Lime Cantina The city of Safety Harbor blocks off Florida Avenue for its annual Cinco de Mayo block party. The celebration will be chock full of tequila samples, live entertainment and a spread of Mexican fare from Salty Lime Cantina and other neighboring restaurants.4 p.m. Free. 1019 Florida Ave., Palm Harbor. saltylimecantina.com
Salty Nun This Grand Central bar and restaurant offers food and drink specials and drag performances during its “Cinco De Drink-O” party. 4 p.m. Free. 2501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Saltynun.com
St Pete Tacos & Margs Crawl National event organizers Bar Crawl Nation hosts its annual Cinco de Mayo event in The ‘Burg, which features unique taco and margarita specials from some of downtown St Pete's best bars. Participates must check in at Where’s Jubes by 2 p.m. Saturday, May 6. 2 p.m.-7 p.m. $24.99 - $59.99. 277 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. barcrawlnation.com
RiverFiesta While this Cinco de Mayo-themed event is just a small part of Tampa’s annual Riverfest, it will honor the Mexican holiday by offering a spread of expected eats. Folks can enjoy a variety of tacos, bowls and nachos, which can be purchased in sets of three for $15 or sets of 5 for $20. Saturday, May 6. 10 a.m.-9:30 p.m. $15-$20. thetampariverwalk.com
The Wheelhouse This west St. Pete staple dishes out a holiday menu of Mexican-inspired eats and specialty cerveza to match. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Free. 7220 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. Thewheelhousestpete.com
World of Beer Expect a wide selection of margaritas and cerveza, plus live music, dinner specials and family-friendly fun at Westchase Town Center’s holiday-themed, First Friday party. 5 p.m.-9 p.m. Free. 9524 West Linebaugh Ave., Tampa. Worldofbeer.com
Yacht Starship This local yachting company provides a laid-back, waterfront experience for literally every holiday there is on the calendar. Its Cinco de Mayo cruise features a complimentary open bar and three course dinner. 7 p.m. $79.95. 603 Channelside Dr., Tampa. Yachtstarship.com
Zydeco Brew Werks Party with a cause at this Ybor City mainstay. Zydeco Brew Werks hosts a fiesta fundraiser benefiting local organization Young Angels—which helps Tampa Bay’s elderly folks—complete with a taco bar and margarita specials.
7 p.m. $35 & up. 1902 E 7th Ave.,Ybor City. eventbrite.com
49th Annual Cinco De Mayo Annual Golf Weekend Parc Center for Disabilities is a local organization that's been serving children and adults with developmental disabilities for the better part of 70 years, and it hosts its annual fundraiser in St. Pete this weekend. This Cinco de Mayo-themed event features casino games and prizes, Mexican food, an open bar, live music and silent auction items. 6:30 p.m. $95. 150 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. Give.parc-fl.org
