Cinco de Mayo in the DMV: Five Days of Choose-Your-Own Fiesta
Cinco de Mayo in the DMV is always a choose-your-own-adventure kind of holiday, and this year it’s a full-on five-day fiesta.
With Cinco falling on a Tuesday this year, the party kicks off early and rolls right through the weekend, giving you plenty of time to get your Cinco on, whether that means tacos and a margarita at your go-to, a mezcal tasting, or a full-on day party.
To make it easy, we’ve done the work for you. We’ve rounded up where we’re going for the best margaritas and Mexican cuisine across the region, plus Nycci’s must-hit Cinco de Mayo events, from multi-day fiestas to margarita crawls and mariachi moments.
There are plenty of ways to mark Cinco without going overboard (or maybe just a little), as always, make good choices.
Where We’re Sipping Margaritas
No Cinco celebration is complete without a margarita in hand. At its best, it’s simple: tequila, fresh lime, orange liqueur, balanced and not a sour mix in sight. Whether you like it classic, spicy, smoky, frozen, or over-the-top, here’s where we go for some of our favorite pours south of the border:
-Apapacho
-Amaparo Fondito
-Cielo Rojo
-dLena
-HiFi Tex Mex
-La Tejana
-Mi Vida
-Paraiso
-Pascual
-Oyamel
-Santa Rosa Taqueria
-Taco Bamba
-Taqueria Xochi
-Vera Cocina
Nycci’s Cinco de Must-Do’s
Friday, May 1 – Sunday, May 10
Elegancia - Multi-day celebration featuring four specialty margaritas, esquites dip, and a “Margaritas That Pay You Back” promotion. Don’t miss: Day party on Saturday, May 2 (2–5 PM) with DJ + giveaways.
Friday, May 1 – Tuesday, May 5
-The Roost - Five-day fiesta with margarita flights, build-your-own ranch waters, and dishes like lamb barbacoa, tortas, and walking tacos.
-dLeña + dLeña ROJA
Dinner specials all weekend long (think scallop aguachile, ribeye tacos) plus live music on May 1 & 2 (8–10 PM).
-Taqueria Xochi
Weeklong celebration with:
- Friday: Latin heartbreak karaoke
- Saturday: DJ Melina
- Tuesday (Cinco): DJ Yani
Plus all-day Xochi Hour and the debut of the Sinaloa Dog.
Saturday, May 2
-DC Margarita March (12th Annual) - Start at Public Bar and make your way through eight bars across Dupont/Chinatown with margarita tastings at each stop. A full-on, all-day margarita crawl.
Saturday, May 2 – Tuesday, May 5
Apapacho Taqueria - Mariachi, DJs, $10 margaritas, taco trios, elotes, and esquites.
Entertainment highlights:
- May 2: Mariachi (1:30 PM)
- May 3: DJ (5–8 PM)
- May 5: DJ (6–9 PM) + Mariachi (9–10 PM)
Saturday, May 2
-Running of the Chihuahuas at The Wharf
A fan favorite: Chihuahua races, beer garden, costume contest, and adoptable dog parade. Equal parts chaos and joy.
-Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival – Manassas
A full day of tastings, live music, and BBQ (hello “Shrine of Swine”). If your Cinco leans smoky, this is your move.
Tuesday, May 5 (Cinco de Mayo)
-Mi Vida - $4.50 tacos (3–6 PM) + $8 house margaritas.
-Liberty Tavern - Special menu with fajitas, dips, Mexican chocolate cookies, and festive cocktails.
-Hi/Fi Tex-Mex BBQ - Tex-Mex BBQ fiesta with $8 margaritas, tostadas, burritos, and a special Mexican lager.
-Colada Shop - $8 margaritas all day long across DC, Maryland, and Virginia locations.
-From 801 Shaw to Madhatter, Shaw’s Tavern, and Vagabond—expect $5 margs, taco specials, pitchers, and late-night energy.
-Lulu’s Winegarden - 4th Annual all-day fiesta with tacos, queso, margaritas, tequila shots, and a beer tasting.
But wait there’s more! Here’s where to celebrate Cinco de Mayo across D.C., one salt-rimmed sip at a time. Que tengas un feliz Cinco de Mayo! And, always, make good choices.
