Where to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in NYC and DC

Cinco de Mayo is a huge celebration across the United States, commemorating the military victory of the Mexican army against invading French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. 

Not only is it a celebration of a victory of the underdogs, but it has grown to be a celebration of Mexican culture and Latino history more generally. Over 500 cities in the US have annual Cinco de Mayo celebrations, with parades, food, music, dancing, and battle reenactments.

With so many people looking to celebrate, we’ve outlined the top spots in NYC and DC.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in NYC

New York City is home to over 2 million Latino residents, the largest Latino community in any city in the US, making it a great place to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Check out our top picks below.

Swingers NoMad 

Why not celebrate Cinco de Mayo with a fun activity where you can get together with your friends for some healthy competition? 

Swingers NoMad is offering a margarita special from May 2 – May 5 in partnership with Cointreau, so be sure to check out the bar or Player’s Menu on course once you’ve booked in your session of crazy golf.

 Get into the Cinco de Mayo spirit by indulging in some delicious tacos or tortas at Tacos Fonda. Choose from slow braised pork shoulder, chipotle chicken, or slow braised brisket tortas, or opt for one of the six tacos options (or mix and match to get the chance to take a bite of everything!)

Dos Caminos

Credit: Dos Caminos 

With locations all over the city, Dos Caminos presents a classic Mexican menu, with eight taco options, and specializing in mole short ribs, Oaxacan shrimp quesadillas, and pollo ranchero. 

Cinco de Mayo is a staple in Dos Caminos calendar, celebrating with a party with live music and face painting. Enjoy sizzling fajitas, specialty tequila drinks, and dance the night away!  Make sure you try their signature margarita made with fresh lime juice and agave nectar!

The Black Ant

Credit: The Black Ant

A unique experience that you won’t forget, The Black Ant puts an unusual twist on traditional Mexican dishes – the name of the restaurant may be a hint. A prominent feature in The Black Ant’s menu is bugs – that’s right, bugs!

This restaurant presents expertly crafted dishes with a creative menu, offering their famous black ant guacamole (seasoned with salt made from, you guessed it, ants), grasshopper croquettes, and grasshopper tlayuda. If you’re wanting a decidedly insect-free meal, don’t worry, The Black Ant also serves delicious tacos sans bugs.

Claro

Credit: Claro 
Looking for a taste of Oaxaca in the heart of New York? – Look no further than Claro!

Chef/owner TJ Steele’s passion for Oaxacan food and culture is evident in the restaurant’s hand made offerings – everything from the masa, cheeses, chorizo, and moles are all made in house or sourced from non-GMO farms. All meat and produce on the menu is organic and entirely gluten free.

The restaurant doesn’t just proudly display Mexican heritage through the food – the bar tiles were designed by internationally acclaimed Oaxacan artists Francisco Toledo and Dr. Lakra, who also designed the Claro logo and painted the murals. The woodcut prints decorating the interiors were created by TJ’s neighbor in Oaxaca, Daniel Salazar.
Make the most of the warmer weather by sitting in the restaurant’s backyard, with a front-row seat to tortilla pressings, and ingredients cooked on the wood-fired comal.

Walk around Stone Street’s Cinco de Mayo Street Festival

Add some community spirit to your Cinco de Mayo celebration at Stone Street’s Cinco de Mayo block party. From Friday, right across Cinco de Mayo weekend, head to Stone Street for Mariachi bands, Margaritas, and entertainment. 

If all of the festivities have got your stomach rumbling, there are plenty of food options to choose from – most of the restaurants and bars on the street will be participating in the event, so you can expect special offers with lots to choose from.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in DC

Credit: Stone Street

Cinco de Mayo is a huge celebration in Washington DC too! With plenty of local food and activity options in the area, here are our favorites for celebrating Cinco de Mayo.

Swingers Dupont Circle

Swingers Dupont Circle is an ideal spot for those in the DMV area for celebrating Cinco de Mayo with mini golf, live DJs, and delicious food and drinks.

At our location in Dupont Circle, you’ll find the flavorful TuTaco to add to the celebrations. Choose from the six taco offerings – including chorizo and steak, spicy cod, and a classic fajita option – or mix and match!

This year’s Cinco de Mayo falls on a Sunday, which is the perfect timing to check out our Weekend Set offering – mix and match bottomless drinks for up to 2 hours, alongside unlimited mini golf, live DJs, and epic street food.

Mi Vida

Credit: Ma Vida

From the chef that brought you the delicious TuTaco (available at Swingers Dupont Circle), Mi Vida has three locations across DC (District Wharf, 14th Street, and Penn Quarter), so there’s plenty to choose from!

Presenting a menu inspired by traditional Mexican street food and traditional home cooking in an elevated fashion, Chef Roberto Santibañez offers a seemingly endless choice of plates, from tacos trios, to carne asada, to enchiladas. 

Candlelit by night and open and airy by day, this spot is ideal for your Cinco de Mayo celebrations.

Agua 301

Credit: Auga 301

Chow down on some modern Mexican cuisine at Agua 301, found at The Yards on the Capitol Waterfront.

Proudly disclaiming that its offering is NOT Tex Mex, this restaurant provides twists on traditional Mexican ingredients with a waterside setting.

Agua is famed for its $7 happy hour, so be sure to book ahead to make the most of the delicious Margaritas and Sangrias on offer!

Let the celebrations run away with you

Credit: Chander R

If you’re a keen runner, or looking for an excuse to celebrate Cinco de Mayo away from alcohol, why not seize the opportunity to run a Cinco de Mayo 5K virtual race?

Not limited to just May 5th, you can sign up to this 5K and run it any time in May – great if you need a bit of practice or want to have the whole weekend to rest up afterwards! With a month’s notice, you could even try to get some friends to sign up with you, so you can celebrate while running together.

A percentage of the registration fees will be donated to the Global Lyme Alliance, so not only are you out getting some exercise, but you’re doing good by doing so!

On registration, you’ll be rewarded with a unique Cinco de Mayo race medal and bib, so you’ll really feel part of the event, even if it’s being completed virtually.

Cinco de Mayo Sunday Funday Fiesta at THRōW Social DC

Credit: THRōW Social 

THRōW Social is a lively, tropical venue based on Okie St. known for its cocktails, cabanas, and games. On Sunday May 5th from 11:30 am, THRōW Social is throwing a Cinco de Mayo Sunday Funday Fiesta, where you can enjoy food and drinks specials – Margaritas and Coronas, and Tacos and chips – and live DJs throughout the day.

Reserve a VIP cabana to share with up to 20 friends, which includes bottle service and welcome shots, or chill out on the rooftop deck and bar. Put a spin on proceedings by hopping on a Margarita bike – choose your flavor and pedal to mix!