By now you should know that Cinco de Mayo isn't Mexican Independence Day. The holiday honors the Mexican army's victory over French intervention at the Battle of Puebla, but that's still a fine reason to celebrate with the smooth after-burn of tequila shots (right?). Next week, Tampa Bay will offer plenty of ways to spend the day, so follow this working guide to street parties, bar hops, deliciously stuffed tacos and other festivities.
All events take place May 5 unless otherwise noted.
2016 Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl The Rotary Club of Tampa Westchase's ninth annual pub crawl will feature 12 stops. Pick up your passport in West Park Village, then venture onto the Avenue at Westchase for drinks and appetizers. But be sure to deck out your sombrero to compete in a contest for cash; the 8 p.m. sombrero judging will happen at Tijuana Flats. The funds raised will benefit Hope Children's Home, The Spring of Tampa Bay, and Florida Hospital's Sharing Smiles. Tickets are available online. $30. Sat., April 30, 6-9 p.m. 10115 Montague St., Tampa.
Cantina de Mayo Weekend Cincopalooza! Tequila samplings, special cocktails and food specials are a few things that will help Red Mesa Cantina go all out for Cinco de Mayo. The restaurants four-day event will also have live music and free raffle tickets for a prize. Thu., May 5-Sun., May 8. 128 Third St. S., St. Petersburg, 727-896-8226, redmesacantina.com.
Casa Tina's 24th Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Those seeking a large celebration should head to the biggest street fiesta in Pinellas. This yearly Casa Tina-hosted soiree will highlight thousands of pounds of rice, beans and tamales, plus various fresh salsas and drinks. Expect folkloric crafts, art, mariachi music and dancing, too. 11 a.m.- 11 p.m. 369 Main St., Dunedin, 727-734-9226, casatinas.com.
Cinco de Bingo A $9.99 all-you-can-eat taco bar, $4 margs, $2 coronas and $2 Landshark are the highlights of this Old Key West Bar & Grill holiday-themed bingo night. Reservations are encouraged, as seating is limited, and cash prizes will be awarded. 7 p.m. 2451 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-623-0969.
Cinco de Drinko Hidden Spring Ale Works' party has a special limited release on draft, costume contest and donkey piñata in store. Elite Events Catering will provide the Mexican-inspired eats. Guests donning the best Cinco wear will land brewery prizes. 5 p.m. 1631 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-226-2739.
Cinco de Mayo Acro Drink a couple Green Bench Brewing Co. beers, do some yoga, wear your sombrero and relax the night away. 5-7 p.m. 1133 Baum Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-800-9836.
Cinco de Mayo Extravaganza! The new Fuzzy's Taco Shop has promised a fiesta you'll never forget — though there's a chance you might not remember it, either. Drink specials include $7 beers, a taco tent outside, live music from Brandon band Green Light Go, and a DJ playing well into the night. 11 a.m. 2874 Providence Lakes Blvd., Brandon, 813-324-717, fuzzystacoshop.com.
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta! At Yard of Ale in downtown St. Pete, an open $15 Dos Equis bar, along with $5 Milagro Tequila, $2 tacos and a live band. 6 p.m. 260 First Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-822-2027.
Cinco de Mayo Patrón Pairing Dinner The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's Council Oak will feature a Patrón-centric cocktail reception, followed by live music and a four-course feast paired with Patrón tequilas. Every guest will land a commemorative bottle of Roca Patrón Silver. $222. 5223 Orient Road, Tampa, 813-627-6630, seminolehardrocktampa.com.
Cinco de Mayo Porch Party Live mariachi sounds and a special Cinco de Mayo menu at South Tampa's Boca. Chicken, beef and fish tacos, guacamole, and drinks are in store throughout the celebration. The first 50 guests will snag a free cocktail. $20. 6-9 p.m. 901 W. Platt St., Tampa, 813-254-7070.
Cinco de Mayo Run, Tamales & Tequila! All are welcome to join St. Pete Running Company for a new tradition. You'll walk or run a 5K, then chow down on tamales and margaritas. 6 p.m. 6986 22nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-800-5043.
Cinco de Mayo Tequila Fest This inaugural festival plans to become a new annual tradition in downtown Tampa. Great entertainment, cocktails and fun will be served up at the trendy Aloft hotel in celebration of Cinco de Mayo. Food and drink specials in the form of $1 Desperados (a lager flavored with tequila, FYI), $3 Dos Equis, $5 margaritas and $5 appetizers will be featured. Plus, the live music lineup from a band and DJ at this 21-and-up event will include top 40s to 90s tunes, hip-hop and island vibes. $15. 7-11 p.m. 100 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-444-9322, tampatequilafest.eventbrite.com.
The Brass Tap Throughout the holiday, The Brass Tap in Ybor will offer $2 tacos, $1 off margaritas and beer queso. (If you weren't sure what could be better than queso, there's your answer.) Noon. 1600 E. Seventh Ave. #113, Tampa, 813-241-000, brasstapbeerbar.com.
Brew Thru SRQ: Cinco De Mayo Half Pint Tour Tequila isn’t your thing, and that’s okay. Instead, drink your way through Sarasota, downing half pints of craft beer at three stops. Complimentary craft beer will be served on the Siesta Trolley as well. Check in at Calusa Brewing Co. between 5:30 and 6 p.m.; the trolley departs at 6:30. $35-$50. 5:30-9:30 p.m. 5701 Derek Ave., Sarasota.
GameTime Get happy with $10 in Timed Play while enjoying favorites like the strawberry margarita, Tex-Mex rolls, queso skillet and nachos. 7 p.m.-midnight. 1600 E. Eighth Ave. #A147, Tampa, 813-241-9675.
Krewe Rugby Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl 2016 Kick off the revelry early with a bar hop through SoHo and its neighborhood bars. At 6 p.m., registration kicks off at MacDinton's, and the proceeds will help support Krewe U19's trip to the Boys National Rugby Championship in North Carolina. $20. Sat., April 30, 6 p.m. 405 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-251-8999, macdintons.com.
Mad Beach Craft Brewing Company Here you'll score $3 Snakebites (a mix of lager and cider) and Mexican food specials throughout the day, including chorizo enchiladas and a trio of churros served with warm dipping sauces. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. 12945 Village Blvd., Madeira Beach, 727-362-0008.
MacDinton's SoHo This Irish pub is set to go Mexican for Cinco de Mayo with $15 all-you-can-drink Corona from 4 to 7 p.m., $6 Patron margaritas, $7 Milagro tequila shots, and a jalapeño-eating contest. 4 p.m. 405 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-251-8999, macdintons.com.
Mexicali Jalapeno Lime Pale Ale Release Party Pair O' Dice Brewing Co. will ring in the holiday with the return of its Mexicali Jalapeño Lime Pale Ale and the release of its next Hop Streak beer. Several Mexicali variations will be featured on tap, including the Coconut Jalapeño Lime Pale Ale and Rum-Soaked Oak Jalapeño Lime Pale Ale, and only five gallons of each version will be on hand. Tacos and tamales will come from Out of the Pot, too. Fri., May 6, 4 p.m. 4400 118th Ave. N. #208, Clearwater, 727-755-3423.
Nikko Mussolini's Dog Barrrrrr Bring Fido along to Nikko Mussolini's for $1 seven-ounce coronas while supplies last. 11 a.m. 9524 Blind Pass Road #17, St. Petersburg, 727-201-4487.
