Celebrating Mexico’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, Cinco De Mayo marks the ultimate celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. The name translates to the ‘fifth of May’ and it’s a major event celebrated across the globe. To mark the occasions, London’s venues offer up all sorts of special meals, deals, and parties to enjoy. Here’s our rundown of ways to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in London this year:
1. Try an authentic taste of Mexico
If you want to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a Michelin-starred taste of authenticity, Marylebone’s KOL is the place to go. The restaurant champions Mexican flavours and spirits with a sustainable focus on wild, seasonal British ingredients, and the result is truly special.
Downstairs from the restaurant is the KOL Mezcaleria. Here, you can try special drinks from small-scale producers and independent distillers from Yucatán to Jalisco. They boast “one of London’s most unique collections of mezcals, tequilas, and other Mexican spirits“. Settle in for a bold and exciting night out.
2. Celebrate a new opening
The cult Mexican restaurant in Dalston, Corrochio’s, has been quietly undergoing a full-on transformation that will bring their subterranean eatery up to a much larger ground-floor restaurant. They’ll launch the new site on May 5 with an expansive menu of regional specialities and contemporary Mexican bar food. (And plenty of their delicious cocktails and Mexican spirits!) It’s the perfect spot to enjoy the new offerings and kick off your Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
3 – 6. Enjoy a special Cinco de Mayo meal
Start your day of Cinco de Mayo celebrations with some moreish food and delicious drinks. After all, is there any better way to ring in any ocassion than great food? There’s everything from limited-tie menus to bottomless brunches. Which will you pick?
😋 The Standard, London’s Spanish Mexican restaurant, Decimo, is celebrating Cinco de Mayo a day early (May 4) with a Mexican-Spanish-fusion brunch curated by Michelin-starred Chef Peter Sanchez-Iglesias.
🌞 Mezcalito Chelsea is bringing Mexico to London with a lively bottomless brunch that includes “a delicious Mexican feast [and] 90 minutes of bottomless drinks, including Frozen Margaritas, Prosecco, and Coronas, or bottomless Whispering Angel wine”.
🍹 Novikov’s Lounge and Bar are partnering with Patrón Tequila for a weekend (May 3 – 5) of special Mexican delights, vibrant cocktails, and even traditional dancers on the day itself! Sip on a ‘Tropical Paloma’ (Patron Reposado Tequila, Pineapple Liqueur, Lime, and Pineapple Soda) or a ‘Mangorita’ (a frozen, mango-ey twist on the classic Margarita) while munching on Wagyu Tacos, Chimichurri Beef Skewers, and more.
🌶️ Madera at Treehouse London is partnering up with Mexican brands Tajín and Ojo de Dios Mezcal on a limited edition menu available all through the (long) weekend, from May 4-6. Enjoy everything from traditional Mexican snacks to the Taco Board and the Amanté Picante cocktail (spicy Margarita riff).
7. Try out some fusion
Los Mochis, the beloved Notting Hill Mexican-Japanese fusion restaurant, is celebrating Cinco de Mayo for a whole week, from May 2 – 9. Head on over for elevated tacos, luxurious sushi, and expertly crafted cocktails. For the ocassion guests can also taste their way through an exclusive flight tasting of either Patron or Lost Explorer Agave Mezcal.
8 – 11. Bring the celebrations home
Want to celebrate at home? There are plenty of delicious options available for you to cook up a Mexican feast, or imbibe on delicious drinks, for an at-home Cinco De Mayo celebration. Check these out:
🍹 Enjoy a bunch of Margaritas without the damage by making the switch to the non-alcoholic ‘Mockarita‘ from Mocktails Beverages.
🌮 Have a Mexican feast with the Cool Chile Co’s ‘Ancho Barbacoa Taco Kit‘. Take the hassle out of the cooking with a delivery of authentic ingredients, and enjoy restaurant-quality barbacoa at home!
🍉 Add a fruity (and spicy) twist to your Cinco de Mayo celebrations with Spicy Melons – a watermelon-infused twist on a Margarita from Mixtons. Bring on the heat!
🥃 Splash out for the ocassion with a bottle of ultra-premium mezcal from Bandida, the Mexican-born mezcal brand that is hand-crafted from 100% agave plant.
12. Sip on some small-batch Margaritas
The Duke of Greenwich pub is kicking off a season of summer BBQ popups with a Margarita pop-up bar from Too Easy Beverages. From May 3-5, guests can enjoy refreshing and delicious small-batch Margaritas in the sunshine alongside the new summer BBQ menu. Fingers crossed for some gorgeous weather!
13. Save big with cut-price margs
For Cinco de Mayo, temper is slashing their prices to ensure we all have a good time. On May 5, at their Covent Garden site from 5-10:30pm, diners can enjoy £5 Margaritas alongside a menu of temper specials. They’ll add a dose of fun to the affair with a classic Mexican Mariachi band playing on the terrace and in the restaurant. temper will also slash the price of their ‘Momma’s Margarita’ to just £5 at their Paddington, Soho, and Shoreditch restaurants. We love a good deal!
14. Go JUMBO with your drink
The Hard Rock Cafe is getting in on the spirit with a selection of over-the-top oversized Margaritas. They come in flavours like mango, blackberry, and more, and are available from May 2 – 8.
15. Or grab one for free!
Smirnoff is popping up on London’s Southbank this May Bank Holiday weekend with a chance for a FREE Margarita! They’re showing off their latest product, the Smirnoff Spicy Tamarind Flavoured Vodka, by simply giving it away in the form of free Smirnoff Spicy Margaritas. To grab a free drink, head on over to Observation Point, Southbank over the weekend. They’ll be serving them up between 12-8pm on Friday and Saturday (May 3-4), or 12-6pm on Sunday (May 5).
So there you have it – a roundup of the best things to do this Cinco de Mayo. Get ready for a real fiesta with plenty of Mexican festivities!