NYC's 5 Best Tequila Bars To Celebrate Cinco De Mayo
If you're in the mood to celebrate Cinco de Mayo with tequila and tacos, we've narrowed down the best bars and restaurants in New York City to do just that. By Carly Petrone.
Stop by Horchata starting at 5 p.m. for a taco and tequila fiesta. Enjoy $25 pitchers of margaritas and $25 buckets of beer as well as plenty of $5 snacks including nachos, tacos, corn, and flan. Make sure to try their Fig, Blood Orange, or Cucumber Jalapeno Margarita while you're there. They're too tasty to pass up! Other $5 menu items include their seasonal frozen margarita, a Tecate & a shot, as well as their fruity sangria. Call to make your reservation before it books up.
Rocco's in Brooklyn will be celebrating the Mexican victory Battle of Puebla in 1862 with signature dishes, cocktails, and beers. Nibble on items that feature ingredients originating from the state of Puebla, including Chile Rellenos, Molcajete Seafood, and Enchiladas Mole Poblano. Wash it all down with one of their twelve different kinds of margaritas – may we suggest the Strawberry Basil or Rocco Rita (Patron Silver, Citronge Orange Liqueur, and Rocco's Housemade Sour Mix)? If you want to try and avoid a hangover, try the Antioxidant Margarita, made with Maestro Dobel, Cedilla Acai Liquer, agave nectar, and fresh squeezed lime juice. Bottoms up!
Feeling adventurous? Stop into The Black Ant in the East Village and try their Grasshopper Tacos. Pair them with one of their contemporary Mexican tequila-based cocktails like their Yum Kaax – tequila, homemade corn juice, wild Mexican herbs, and sal de hormiga. You've probably never had anything like it! Start out your night by ordering the Black Ant Guacamole ($13) – avocado, grilled scallion, tomato, cilantro, chile pasilla, and Black Ant salt. Share a bunch of sides with friends, like the Cactus Fries, Grilled Garlic String Beans, or Homemade Tortillas with a variety of fresh salsas.
If you live or work in Jersey City, stop by Orale Mexican Kitchen and check out their guacamole bar. Yep, we said guacamole bar. Choose from traditional guacamole or Black Bean Hummus and add a topping like Tomato & Red Pepper Chutney, Blue Demon (Cabrales Blue Cheese, Toasted Pumpkin Seeds), El Naco (Crisby Braised Pork Belly), or Pulpo Picante (Spicy Braised Octopus). The bar will be serving up plenty of agave-based cocktails, classic margaritas, sangria, and of course, micheladas. Their tequila menu is also quite expansive with great options ranging from Silver to Reposado, to Anejo.
Louro is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with the return of their pop-up taqueria. Chef Davis Santos is once again serving up a selection of tacos, tequila, and margaritas from 5 p.m. – midnight. Choose from a wide range of taco choices including short rib, shrimp, chicken, pork belly, or huitlachoche – all topped with lettuce, pickled onion, cilantro, sour cream, housemade salsa, guacamole, and tomatillo sauce. Sip on $8 glasses of margaritas ($28 pitchers) and for those who'd rather have a few sips of tequila, $5-$6 shots will also be available.
Carly Petrone is a freelance writer living in New York City.
