Tacos, Tequila & Live Music: Celebrate Cinco De Mayo in the D

By: Toni Cunningham | May 2, 2014
In the D placeholder image

The fifth of May isn’t until Monday, but Cinco de Mayo is taking place all weekend long in Metro Detroit. Get your party pantalones on and get ready to head to the following fiestas for tequila, Mexican grub and more.

Tequila Blue will host a Dos de Mayo Party on, you guessed it, Friday, May 2. The restaurant, located at 526 S. Main St., Royal Oak, will feature drink specials including $3 Coronas, $4 margaritas and $3 Cuervos. Dance the night away courtesy of music from DJ William Novah, and head downstairs to 526 Main for dueling pianos beginning at 8 p.m.

Imperial, 22828 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, is hosting a Cinco de Mayo event that rivals last year’s “El Dia de La Batalla.” On Saturday, May 3, Ooh La La Lucha will feature lucha libre wrestling, burlesque dance and, of course, Imperial’s out-of-this-world food. Pole dancing, fire spinners, wrestlers in masks and live music? This will be a Cinco de Mayo to remember. Or, maybe not.

And, of course, tacos, Sonoran hot dogs and burritos will be on the menu. Did I forget the tequila? There will be tequila, in the form of a bar with a margarita station.

family loading backpacks in a blazer

With ample space and advanced safety features, the Blazer ensures every journey is as enjoyable as the destination.

One Under Bar & Grill, 35780 5 Mile Rd., Livonia, is teaming with Channel 95.5.’s Mojo in the Morning to host the 3rd Annual Cinco de Mojo party on Saturday, May 3. The event will be hosted by radio personalities Spike and Slim, and features DJ Chuck D and DJ Riccnasty.

The party starts at 5 p.m. and includes live music by the Killer Flamingos (beginning at 8 p.m.), an outdoor tent and complimentary valet parking. There will be plenty of dancing and the Corona will be flowin’. Be there or be square.

Woody’s, 208 W. Fifth St., Royal Oak, is hosting three bashes this weekend, the first of which takes place on Saturday. Pre Cinco de Mayo includes a live broadcast with 98.7 AMP Radio, as well as plenty of drink specials including $4 margaritas, $3 Coronas, $4 bombs and $3 Miller Lite pints.

Royal Oak’s biggest fiesta celebration takes place on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. The 21 and up Cuatro de Mayo party includes free salsa dance lessons from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., as well as $2 grande tacos, $3 Coronas, $4 light draft beer and $5 margaritas. It’s a wonderful day for day drinking!

It wouldn’t be very festive to not celebrate on the actual holiday, so Woody’s is hosting a rooftop party on Cinco de Mayo (Monday, May 5 for you non-Spanish speakers). All day and night long, $1 domestics, $2 Coronas, $4 margaritas and $3 Corona Light pints will be on special.

If parades are your favorite way to celebrate a holiday, you’re in luck! Head to the Cinco de Mayo Parade in Southwest Detroit on Sunday, May 4. The parade will run along W. Vernor from Woodmere to Clark and begins at noon. The parade lasts until 3 p.m., and you can either stand off to the side as a spectator or walk in it yourself!

Should you be a fan of Detroit baseball (and if you live Metro Detroit, who isn’t?), head to the ballpark on Monday, May 5 for ¡Arriba Tigres!. Your ticket to the game includes a special Cinco de Mayo t-shirt, lower baseline box or mezzanine seats and a donation to Centro Multicultural La Familia.

The ball game begins at 7:08 p.m. and live pre-game entertainment will be held at the park’s Brushfire Grill from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tickets cost $24 to $39, depending on where your seats are.

If you’re looking for all out fun at a variety of venues, just head to Southwest Detroit for Cinco de Mayo. You’ll find all the excitement and food you can handle (and then some) at some of Mexicantown’s greatest eateries, including Armando’s, 4242 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit and Taqueria Mi Pueblo, 7278 Dix St., Detroit.

At the latter, you can grab a Detroit Cinco de Mayo t-shirt to wear throughout the day’s festivities. They come in black or white and cost a measly $11. Get one before they’re gone!

El Nacimiento, 7400 W. Vernor Hwy, Detroit is another great choice in the Mexicantown area, but what if you’re not able to make it there during the day or after work? Try one of the following Mexican eateries on Cinco de Mayo instead, where you’ll find amazing cuisine and an authentic atmosphere fit for the day:

Grab a sombrero and get ready to shake your maracas all throughout the Motor City for Cinco de Mayo. Be sure to enjoy responsibly!

RELATED STORIES