Cinco de Mayo Parties in Honolulu, 2013

While the fact that Cinco de Mayo falls on a Sunday this year is a bummer, it’s actually a good thing. It means there will be parties all weekend, starting with First Friday.

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Friday, May 3

If you haven’t stopped by Café Che Pasta for its weekly Ritmo Latino parties, this is the time to check it out. Be prepared to dance, as couples bachata and salsa their way around the dance floor (or you can just watch and admire their dancing skills from afar, like we do). 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., $5 cover till 11:30 p.m., $10 after. 1001 Bishop St., Downtown Honolulu.

Stop by Rakuen Lounge in-between bar-hopping First Friday for $5 1800 tequila shots. Live DJs will be playing from 7 to 2 a.m., and there will be food specials all night. 1153 Bethel St., Chinatown.

Saturday, May 4

The downtown Cinco de Mayo street festival is a no-brainer. Hotel Street and Nuuanu Avenue will be shut down so you can drink, eat, and enjoy art and music. Wear your biggest sombrero. There’s a $5 drink wristband and a $10 multiple-club entry wristband available for purchase. Free, 5 to 10 p.m., Chinatown, cincodemayohawaii.com.

Just Tacos Mexican Grill and Cantina will be celebrating at its Ko Olina and Mililani locations. Both will have mariachi bands and walls of booze. Ko Olina Resort & Marina, 92-1046 Olani St., kitchen closes at 10 p.m., bar open till midnight. Mililani, 95-1249 Meheula Parkway, kitchen closes at 10 p.m., bar open till 2 a.m.

Sunday, May 5

Get your Cinco de Drinko on at Tiki’s Grill and Bar with the island’s favorite Latin music band Son Caribe. No doubt this place will be busy, so get there early to grab a seat and settle in for the evening. There will be live bands from 1 to 11 p.m., but it's open until midnight (kitchen closes at 10:30p.m.). 2570 Kalakaua Ave., Waikiki.

Wahoo’s Fish Taco is the perfect place to drink, eat $2 tacos and listen to live music (from 3 to 9 p.m.). Drink specials include $3 Pacifico draft, $5 margaritas, $3 El Jimador shots at both Ward and Kahala locations. Wahoo’s Ward, 940 Auahi St., open till 11 p.m.; Wahoo’s Kahala, 4614 Kilauea Ave, open till midnight.

For restaurant suggestions, read Biting Commentary's Honolulu Cinco de Mayo Hotspots.

This article appears in the May 2013 issue of HONOLULU Magazine.