Where to Get Your Cinco de Mayo Party on in LA

Photo Credit: Sean Locke Photography/Shutterstock
Los Angeles is a master city for Cinco de Mayo—a holiday celebrating Mexican heritage and pride—given that our city is rich in Mexican culture. That’s one of the reasons that there are so many stellar celebrations in store for the City of Angels come May 5. Here are some of the best places to get your Cinco de Mayo party on this year in L.A.

• THE BUNGALOW be hosting a party on Thursday, May 5^th for guests to escape to the Baja-inspired retreat in Santa Monica. Featuring a menu of refreshing cocktails including their signature margarita and a specialty-cocktail for the night, a Michelada (beer, lime juice, and assorted sauces, spices, and peppers), The Bungalow will also have exclusive bites including carnitas, nachos, churros, and some Bungalow favorites such as tacos, chips and guacamole, and more.  Performing for patrons throughout the venue, special musical act Mariachi Mi Jalisco will be serenading guests throughout the night while DJ Max Vanville keeps the music going on the turntables. 101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica 
• BORDER GRILL, SANTA MONICA Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken’s fun-filled eatery is offering a plethora of drink specials at its Santa Monica location. Among the best: Ginger Not Maryann Margarita: ginger infused reposado, tamarind, fresh lime and tamarind salt; Kentucky Maggie: Knob Creek bourbon, ferrand dry curaçao, fresh lime and simple syrup; Route 43: jalapeño infused blanco, liquor 43, passion fruit, fresh lime and agave syrup and $4 Coronas all day. 1445 4th St, Santa Monica
• PLAN CHECK KITCHEN + BAR Proving that variety is the spice of life, LA’s modern American hotspot Plan Check + Kitchen + Bar offers plenty of fiery options on its menu of reimagined comfort food such as its Cheeseburger Machismo: beef patty, habanero cheese, bacon, spicy mayo, jalapeno escabeche, and battered fried onions and its Oaxacan Sour:  mescal, egg white, lime, cointreau and sugar. 351 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles 
• BOA STEAKHOUSE Chef Melendez is serving up a Grilled Chicken Torta as a new steakhouse-inspired take on the traditional Mexican sandwich. The most authentic part of the sandwich is that it’s served on a bolillo roll, however the chicken is grilled instead of fried. For texture, Chef Melendez adds a pickled vegetable escabeche, and black bean chips, instead of a spread of black or refried beans. The panela cheese is also charred for added smoky flavor. The dish pairs nicely with a Sunset Heat (Patron Silver tequila, serrano pepper, pomegranate, lime, islay elixir) or Oaxaca Smoke (El Silencio Mezcal, Grand Marnier, orange, lime) cocktail. 9200 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood 
• DEUS EX MACHINA is the location for Tequila Don Julio’s Cinco de Mayo celebration. Master Distiller Enrique de Colsa is hosting a fun-filled evening featuring specialty cocktails served from the Airstream Speakeasy, a 1967 vintage Airstream that has been retrofitted into a mobile bar, alongside authentic Mexican fare from Chef Ray Garcia and sounds by DJ Politik. Artist duo The Fortoul Brothers will be in attendance with custom painted Tequila Don Julio bottles, the sales of which will be combined with a donation made by Tequila Don Julio to Generosity.org to support clean water across the globe at this invite-only event. 1001 Venice Blvd., Venice
• SAUSAL Guests who join El Segundo’s Nuevo Rancho eatery on Cinco de Mayo can enjoy margarita snow cones and Chef Anne Conness’ Mexican hot dogs wrapped in bacon and topped with spicy mayo, guacamole and fancy picot both available as specials for the day. Tequila enthusiasts can also look forward to Calle 23 tequila flights for $15. 219 Main St., El Segundo 
• SPRINKLES Sprinkles as teamed up with Casamigos Tequila—a small batch, ultra-premium tequila made from the finest, hand selected 100% blue weber agaves, grown in the rich red clay soil of the highlands of Jalisco, Mexico that was created by George Clooney and Rande Gerber—to reinvent its classic Margarita cupcake.This key lime cake is loaded with Casamigos Blanco Tequila and topped with key lime frosting. All Sprinkles locations