Cinco de Mayo is nearly here, so we’ve handpicked our top picks to kick off the fiesta! With venues offering specials like free sombreros, margarita specials and DJs, you’re sure to have a good time!
Mavericks Beach ClubCelebrate Cinco de Mayo at Pacific Beach’s newest hotspot, Mavericks Beach Club. The 15,000 sq.-foot indoor outdoor venue will be turning up the heat but keeping your drinks cool with their Mavericks Six Packs of Pacifico and Modelo. Carry your cooler around while you check out the dance floor, upstairs DJ or play games like cornhole or Giant Jenga. Nosh on puffy tacos, quesadilla crisps piled high with guac, pico, lime crema, and queso, or their Wahoo tostadas!
barleymashThe downtown iconic restaurant and bar is hosting a one-of-a-kind Cinco de Mayo and Kentucky Derby Party, as the two both fall on Saturday, May 5th this year. Come in early and grab a table to catch all the action of the horse race and sip on Mint Juleps and Mumms Champagne. Afterwards, barleymash will be serving specialty Espolòn Tequila Margaritas in celebration of Cinco de Mayo! There will be live music throughout the day and prizes for the best dressed and the best hat.
Del Sur Mexican CantinaFiesta over to South Park for a special Cinco de Mayo celebration at Del Sur Mexican Cantina. The lively and vibrant bar and eatery will be offering drink specials on their one-of-a-kind margaritas, which will pair nicely with any of Del Sur’s authentic Mexican dishes including taco plates, enchiladas and burritos, among others. After a few margaritas, let loose and dance the afternoon and evening away to beats spun by a live DJ. Specials include: $6 house margaritas, $6 red or white sangrias, $7 mules and palomas, $4 select Mexican draft beers. If you’re celebrating early, come between 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. for a delicious brunch menu along with $20 bottles of champagne with choice of juice: watermelon, pineapple, OJ or grapefruit.
The Smoking Gun
This retro cocktail bar and eatery will transform into The Smoking Pistola on Cinco de Mayo! Come for all-day tasty taco specials and Patron drink specials, starting at 11:00 a.m. Party-goers can don their free sombreros and fiesta the day away!
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in San Diego’s energetic Gaslamp District with a trip to Union Kitchen & Tap Gaslamp. This downtown location will feature $5 Pacificos all day in addition to their brunch specialty, Mole Chicken Enchilada Plate, served from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dinner specials will be served from 2 p.m. to close and will include a Carnitas Taco Plate and TJ Dogs served with fries. Follow this with a live DJ from 10 p.m. to close!
If ocean-front dining is on the docket this Cinco de Mayo, Waterbar in Pacific Beach will be offering $7 Don Julio Margaritas, Homemade Churros, featured taco specials such as one for $2, three for $5, and six for $9, a blended margarita bar, and their Street Taco Special made with your choice of grilled rockfish, chipotle-braised beef, shredded chicken, veggie or shrimp, salsa roja, ancho crema, shredded cabbage and salsa vinaigrette.
Get hoppy this Cinco de Mayo at Pacific Beach AleHouse and enjoy $5 14-ounce Pacificos all day, $13.95 Fish Tacos, and $11.95 Gringo Tacos. Pair this with the restaurant’s stunning ocean views from their second-story patio, and you won’t regret spending the day at this local gem!
If Encinitas is closer to your usual stomping grounds, Union Kitchen & Tap Encinitas is geared up to celebrate the occasion with a slew of specials including their Mezcal el Chappo specialty margarita, $5 Pacifico/Tequila Flights and live music from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Quell your cravings with a specialty brunch until 2 p.m., featuring Mexican Chorizo Huevos Ranchero, in addition to all-day food specials such as Crawfish Popcorn Tacos with Habanero Crema, Guajillo-Rubbed Carne Asada with Fire-Roasted Tomato and Serrano Salsa, and Achiote Marinated Chicken Tacos with Salsa Verde. Shared plates include Carne Asada Fries, as well as Opah Belly & Ono Ceviche.
The Taco Stand
Looking for a low-key celebration filled with the best tacos in town? Head to The Taco Stand (4 locations around San Diego) to indulge in Tijuana-taco inspired menu items, including their Al Pastor, filled with rotisserie-marinated pork, cilantro, onions, cilantro sauce, and pineapple strips. Don’t forget to end your Cinco with something sweet; Hot Churros, made fresh each order, are available at some locations, or locally made paletas from La Palmita Paleteria.
Curb your south-of-the-border cravings with a seafood escape at Fishmonger’s Market, San Diego’s European-style seafood market and dining destination. Home to a multicultural flavor experience through delicate crudo plates and fresh-from-the-case fish, Fishmonger’s Market is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with a special of 12 Local Baja Oysters coupled with an ice-cold Corona or Pacifico beer for only $20 at their crudo bar, transporting you to a Mexican beachside cabana without ever leaving San Diego!
Raise a glass to the vibrant Mexican culture at Jalisco Cantina, Oceanside’s first popularly-acclaimed tequila bar! Named for the home region of the magnificence blue agave plant, Jalisco carries an exclusive selection of some of the finest tequilas and mezcals in the world – and what Cinco de Mayo is complete without tequila? Sip on tasting flights of tequila and mezcal or toast with house specialty margaritas including the Cilantro Smash, the Mango Serrano, and the Pineapple Jalapeno, served with unmatched flavor and flair all day and night to take your Cinco de Mayo to the new heights!
Think outside the box with your Cinco de Mayo celebrations at Wokou Ramen & Yakitori! Urban and unexpected, this ramen spot is making waves in San Diego for their distinctive SoCal flair, bringing together a culture shock of two diverse dining favorites with the Spicy Carnitas Ramen. Combining a tasty Asian-inspired dish with slow-braised carnitas, shredded chili, green onion, soft egg, and a wedge of lime, this unique dish will be offered for only $10 for your one-of-a-kind Cinco de Mayo feast!
Lazy HippoLet’s taco ‘bout the signature staple of a Cinco de Mayo celebration – the tacos! The Gaslamp’s newest brunch spot boasts an organic menu bursting with cultural flavors, featuring an extensive selection of taco plates for every discerning palate. Take your choice of the Fish Tacos, the light Jicama Tacos, the vegetarian-friendly Veggie Tacos, and even the vegan-friendly Jicama Soyrizo Tacos, all offered at 20% off all day on Cinco de Mayo!
After a full day of Cinco de Mayo festivities, skip the siesta and cap off your evening with a visit to The Rail, Hillcrest’s iconic nightlife destination. Dishing up modern versions of artisanal cocktails to pair with their post-Prohibition era décor, The Rail will be celebrating the holiday with a Cinco de Mayo themed City Royals Drag Showcase. Starting at 8:00 P.M., a $5 cover will earn you access to the best show in town, complete with drink specials all night long for a fiesta that’s loud and proud!
Coasterra
Cruise on down to the waterfront and experience the breathtaking views of the San Diego Harbor and downtown skyline while enjoying an all-you-can-eat modern Mexican spread. Executive Chef Deborah Scott has prepared Chili Rubbed Tri Trip and Chorizo and Potato Quesadillas, Seafood Paella, and as many Street Tacos as you can take. Specialty margaritas will also be available, along with Coasterra classics like Deb’s Coconut Marg. $35 per person | Includes unlimited access to food + 2 drink tickets. For tickets, please visit here.
Hotel Republic
Derby devotees can post up at Hotel Republic’s casual California-inspired Trade to keep tabs on races while enjoying Bulleit Bourbon Julep specials all day long; meanwhile, a full-fledged Cinco de Mayo fiesta with a Mariachi Brunch fiesta will be taking place at Topside Terrace Kitchen + Bar with a signature Cinco bar alongside food and drink specials. For more information, visit here.
SEA180 Coastal Tavern
This Cinco de Mayo, SEA 180 guests can enjoy live entertainment from Latin Jazz Band Tjaderized while indulging in a grande buffet display including Slow Roasted Whole Pig, a Ceviche Bar, Swordfish Skewers, Mexican Hot Chocolate, Margarita Cheesecake, and so much more. $64.95 per person | tax, gratuity + surcharge additional
For more information, visit here.
Uptown Tavern 
Hundred Proof
‘ritas Cantina at Harrah’s Resort Southern California
Cheers to Cinco de Mayo with specials on pork belly tacos, Blood Orange margaritas and Oyster Tequila Shooters at ‘ritas Cantina. Continue the fun at Courtyard with live entertainment by Los Chicos del 512 (Selena Tribute Band) at 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 5 (tickets are $10).
Rancho Bernardo Inn Celebrate this Cinco de Mayo at Rancho Bernardo Inn located in quintessential North County, San Diego. Signature restaurant, AVANT will be offering a Double Barrel Margarita made with Avant’s exclusive double barrel reposado tequila by Herradura for $10. Guests can also enjoy a delicious house margarita at Veranda Fireside Lounge & Restaurant for $7. Meanwhile, the Spa at Rancho Bernardo Inn will be offering special frozen watermelon basil Margaritas with house made lemon citrus churros for $16 all day long.
Nason’s Beer Hall at Pendry San Diego
Celebrate this Cinco de Mayo at Nason’s Beer Hall located at The Pendry Hotel in Downtown San Diego. On Saturday, May 5 Nason’s will be partnering with Volcan Tequila and offering guests a fiesta to remember with live music from The Mariachi Divinas, a taco stand, salsa bar, dessert specials including choco tacos and churos, and Volcan Tequila cocktail specials from 3-10 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling 619-738-7060.
Volcano Rabbit Grab your amigos and head to Volcano Rabbit for a Disco de Mayo celebration on Saturday, May 5. Beginning at noon, DJ La Croix will spin to the tune of a $20 all-you-can-eat brunch buffet and $20 bottomless mimosas and bloody marys. The celebration continues with sets from Erick Diaz, Gabe Vega and Adam Salter beginning at 2 p.m. and Boys Don’t Disco, Hood Politics and Camron beginning at 6 p.m. Once night falls, Volcano Rabbit assumes its role as San Diego’s favorite nighttime locale for mischief and music, hosted by Lucky Lou and Friends.
