The weekend leading up to Cinco de Mayo calls for plenty of live music and libations across Arlington.
Margaritas, dancing and deals on Latin and Tex Mex food are all on the schedule this weekend and Monday in honor of the annual May 5 celebration — which, historically speaking, commemorates Mexico’s 1862 victory against French forces in the Battle of Puebla.
Events
Guapo’s Restaurant festival
When: Saturday, starting at 11 a.m.
All-day Cinco de Mayo celebrations are happening at Guapo’s locations across the D.C. area, including in Shirlington. The party features live music, a DJ, giveaways and outdoor dining specials.
4028 Campbell Avenue (Shirlington)
Margarita Festival
When: Saturday from 3-9 p.m.
This street festival hosted by the Clarendon Ballroom includes DJs, Tex Mex eats, piñatas, giveaways and margarita flights. During a happy hour from 3-5 p.m., drinks including margaritas, rails, beers, seltzers and tequila sunrise shooters are all $5 to $6.
Wilson Blvd and N. Irving Street (Clarendon)
Cinco de Mayo ‘Springo’
When: Monday from 1-3 p.m.
This game of spring bingo for Arlington seniors features a “colorful twist” for Cinco de Mayo with vibrant cards, music, prizes and an additional game of loteria. Participants must be age 55 and up.
300 N. Park Drive (Arlington Forest)
Banditos Tacos & Tequila party
When: Monday, starting at 3 p.m.
Banditos’ celebration includes a DJ, games of loteria, a sombrero giveaway and an outdoor salsa and bachata dance contest, weather permitting. Guests will also receive swag bags with T-shirts and other merchandise.
1301 S. Joyce Street (Pentagon City)
Dining specials and more
Don Tito $1K raffle and party
When: Now through Sunday; drawing and party on Monday
Don Tito is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with a $1,000 giveaway raffle. Customers can make an entry by purchasing a $25 gift card between now and Sunday. The winner will be selected during the venue’s Cinco de Mayo party from 6-9 p.m. on Monday, which includes free tacos and drink specials.
3165 Wilson Blvd (Clarendon)
Ballston Local
When: Today through Monday
A “cinco dollar drinko” menu includes Lunazul tequila shots, Modelo drafts and Corona bottles. Classic, strawberry and blackberry margaritas will go for $10 each. The restaurant is also offering street tacos for $2.50 apiece, as well as quesadillas, chicken nachos and churros.
900 N Glebe Road (Ballston)
Dogwood Tavern
When: Today through Monday
This Little City mainstay is offering special $15 chicken taquitos, $16 carnitas tacos and margaritas for Cinco de Mayo. Its kitchen will stay open until 1 a.m. on Sunday and Monday.
132 W. Broad Street (Falls Church)
Punch Bowl Social
When: Today through Monday
Punch Bowl is offering drink specials all weekend, including $12 Patron margaritas and $15 “Stone & Patron” drinks, which come with a beer and a shot. The venue will also play a selection of salsa, merengue and reggaeton. Customers who reserve a free spot on Eventbrite can get free chips and salsa.
4238 Wilson Blvd (Ballston)
Sabores Tapas Bar
When: Today through Monday
Live Latin music, giveaways and dining specials are all part of Sabores’ weekend Cinco celebration. Specials include $8 margaritas, $5 Mexican drafts, $10 Altos tequila and $16 Codigo tequila.
The restaurant is also offering prix fixe $25 lunch and $40 dinner menus for D.C.-area Latin Restaurant Week, starting today.
2401 Columbia Pike
The Board Room
When: Today through Monday
All-weekend specials include $8 Milagro margaritas, as well as $16 flautas and $18 chimichangas and chilaquiles.
925 N. Garfield Street (Clarendon)
Hyde Social
When: Today through Monday
Drink specials all weekend will celebrate both Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby. The lineup includes $12 Codigo coolers and margaritas, as well as $7 for two chicken or beef tacos. For Derby Day, Hyde is also offering mint juleps and whiskey smash cocktails.
3100 Clarendon Blvd (Clarendon)
Rhodeside Grill
When: Today at 4 p.m. through Monday
Tacos, flautas, Mexican beers, margaritas and churros will be available all weekend as part of the restaurant’s Cinco de Mayo dining specials.
1836 Wilson Blvd (Rosslyn)
Mexicali Blues
When: All weekend
The restaurant has decorated its outdoor patio with colorful garlands to mark the occasion. Customers can order from its Sunday brunch menu and try a margarita tower or the special birria tacos.
2933 Wilson Blvd (Clarendon)
Inca Social
When: Specials on Saturday and Sunday; “Happy Hour blowout” on Monday
The Peruvian restaurant will offer $5 tequila shots, $6 Cuervo margaritas, $7 spicy margaritas and $10 for two tacos all weekend. A celebratory happy hour from 3-8 p.m. Monday will offer $6-$9 margaritas.
1776 Wilson Blvd (Rosslyn)
Westover Taco
When: New brunch on Saturday and Sunday
The popular spot for tacos and margaritas just launched a new brunch menu last week. Breakfast tacos, burritos, chilaquiles, huevos rancheros and more are now available from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on weekends.
5849 Washington Blvd (Westover)
Makers Union
When: Saturday and Monday
The pub is hosting live music from noon to 3 p.m. and 5-8 p.m. Saturday, and from 5-8 p.m. Monday in Arlington and Reston. Food specials include quesadillas, chips and guacamole, fish tacos and “plenty of tequila, margs and cervezas.”
1450 S. Eads Street (Pentagon City)
Texas Jack’s Barbecue
When: Sunday and Monday
Cinco de Mayo dining specials feature smoked brisket birria tacos and barbecue chicken quesadillas. For drinks, there will be $8 margaritas and mezcalitas, and $5 Modelo and Corona drafts and cans.
2781 Washington Blvd (Lyon Park)
Crystal City Sports Pub
When: Monday
The pub is offering raspberry lime margaritas, spicy ranch waters and other libations, along with Tex Mex starters like chicken lime nachos. Cinco de Mayo entrees include beef chimichangas and a fajitas trio, and three tacos start at $8.99.
529 23rd Street S. (Crystal City)
Whino
When: Monday from 4-10 p.m.
The Ballston bar is offering $10 margaritas with Hornitos Plata or Banhez Mezcal to celebrate.
4238 Wilson Blvd (Ballston)
William Jeffrey’s Tavern
When: Monday from 5-10 p.m.
The tavern is offering a $20 all-you-can-eat taco bar on Cinco de Mayo, as well as $5 tequila shots. Pour House Trivia starts at 7 p.m.
2301 Columbia Pike
