What’s happening: Cinco de Mayo 2016
Ready to get your Cinco de Drinko on? Here’s our lineup of Latin and Hispanic-themed celebrations around the island, plus a roundup of what Mexican restaurants are rolling out for the big holiday!
Cinco de Mayo Cantina Crawl in Chinatown
When: Thursday, May 5 from 6-11 p.m.
Where: Bar 35, Downbeat Lounge, NextDoor, Manifest, Square Barrels, J.J. Dolan’s, Smith & King’s, Scarlet Honolulu, Proof Public House, The Dumb Coq, Ferguson’s Irish Pub
From the presenters of the ever-popular Zombie Crawl comes this Cinco de Mayo event celebrating all things Hispanic and Latin. Highlights this year include live music and DJs, a hot chili pepper eating contest at Ferguson’s at 8 p.m., loteria bar-hopping bingo at 11 p.m. and a costume contest at Bar 35 at 11:30 p.m.
Begin the Cantina Crawl by picking up your FREE Loteria Card, sombrero, mustache and poncho at Manifest, NextDoor, Downbeat, Bar 35, J.J. Dolan’s or Scarlet, and then head out for some FUN!
More info: www.cantinacrawlhawaii.com
Cinco de Mayo Latin Dance Party & Hispanic Block Party at Hawaii Events Center
When: Thursday, May 5 from 8 p.m.-4 a.m. and Saturday, May 7 from 5 p.m.-4 a.m.
Where: Hawaii Events Center, 985 Dillingham Blvd.
Get out your salsa shoes for a sexy Latin dance party on Thursday with Eddie Ortiz & the Son Caribe Band & Agua Dulce Salsa Band and DJ Da Lion of Judah.
Then, on Saturday, OOSpot, in association with Alma Latina Productions, hosts the Hispanic Heritage Celebration “Block Party” Festival for the whole family, with live entertainment, DJs, Mexican dancers, low-rider cars, bull riding, food vendors and a keiki corner. The block party is free, the after-party from 11 p.m.-4 a.m. is a $10 cover, $5 w/Festival wrist band. 18+.
More info: cincodemayohawaii.com
The Big Buho
When: Thursday, May 5, 11 a.m.-close
Where: Buho Cocina y Cantina, 2250 Kalakaua Ave., Rooftop
Waikiki’s classy rooftop cantina celebrates with live Latin music all day and all night, free fiesta sombreros, a taco eating contest, hot chili pepper eating contest, and more fine tequila than you can shake a maraca at. $5 cover after 4 p.m., $10 after 10 p.m.
More info: buhocantina.com
Cinco de Mayo @ Hula’s
When: Thursday, May 5 during regular business hours
Where: Hula’s Bar and Lei Stand, 134 Kapahulu Ave, 2nd Floor
Hula’s gets it on with live music by Jason Laeha from 6-9 p.m., and food and drink specials all day, with happy hour running from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. All day, get specials like $4 Corona and $5 Margaritas, Jose Cuervo and 1800 tequila shots.
More info: hulas.com
Eat the Street presents Cinco de Mayo-a-go-go
When: Thursday, May 5 4-9 p.m.
Where: Makers & Tasters Kewalo, 1011 Ala Moana Blvd.
This weekly event differs from the monthly Eat The Street with a smaller, rotating vendor count. It’s perfect for families or for those that don’t like dealing with the huge crowds and long lines at the end of the month. For Cinco de Mayo, expect tamales gisu from Chamorro Grindz, agua frescas from Waimanalo Lemonade, taco pizza from The Garden Oven and more!
More info: Eat the Street’s Facebook Event
Other food and drink especials
12th Ave Grill
When: Thursday, May 5 5:30-10 p.m.
Where: Kaimuki, 1120 12th Ave
On special: Smoked Maple Leaf Farms duck tamales with chimichurri rice, and charred tomatillo and corn salsa and Big Island cinnamon dusted apple churros with sea salt cajeta and a special tequila cocktail
Avenues Bar & Eatery
When: Thursday, May 5 5:30 p.m.-12 a.m.
Where: Kaimuki, 3605 Waialae Ave
On special: Spicy Korean pork and grilled fish tacos ($3.50 each) and $3 Tecate, $4 Sierra Nevada Otra Vez, $6 margaritas and $5 tequila shots
Mexico Cantina
When: Thursday, May 5 during regular business hours
Where: 1200 Ala Moana Blvd., 320 Ward Centre, 3rd floor
On special: Food specials and $4 Corona, Corona Light, Modelo Draft and Pacifico beer
Entertainment: Live Mariachi Band 3-5 p.m. and Late Night DJ 8 p.m.-close.
Mexico Lindo
When: Thursday, May 5 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Kailua, 600 Kailua Rd.
On special: Happy Hour all day, $6 Patron shots, $3 off margaritas, $3 Dos Equis
Oahu Mexican Grill
When: Thursday, May 5 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.
Where: University, 2633 S King St.
On special: Beer, wine & margaritas 11 a.m. – 12 a.m., full menu until 10 p.m., late night quesadillas 10 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Surf N Salsa
When: Thursday, May 5 11:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Where: Haleiwa, 66521 Kamehameha Hwy.
On special: Mole, tamales, chile rellenos & street-style elotes (corn)
Taco Del Mar
When: Thursday, May 5 during normal business hours
Where: Various participating locations
On special: 5-pound burrito challenge, catering and food specials vary by location
Wahoo’s
When: Thursday, May 5 during normal business hours
Where: Ward Village, 940 Auahi Street
On special: All-day $3 Mexican draft beers, $5 margaritas & $6 Corona-ritas; $3 tacos
Entertainment: Eric Ho Duo from 6-8 p.m., Simple Souls from 8 p.m.-close
