Tacos, drink deals + more: These Charlotte restaurants are partying on Cinco de Mayo
It’s almost time to celebrate Cinco de Mayo — and once again, several Charlotte-area restaurants and businesses will be hosting special events in honor of the holiday.
The May 5 holiday marks an annual celebration of Mexican American culture. While Cinco de Mayo falls on a Sunday this year, multiple spots around town are kicking off their celebrations a little early with drink specials and taco deals.
Here’s a guide to Cinco de Mayo events happening around Charlotte:
Angry Ale’s
Location: 1518 Montford Dr, Charlotte, NC 28209
Date: May 4-5
Time: Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 a.m.
In honor of Cinco de Mayo, Angry Ale’s will be offering several drink and food specials this holiday weekend. Stop by the restaurant Saturday or Sunday to enjoy discounted beers, margaritas and tacos.
Canteen
Location: Camp North End, 300 Camp Rd, Charlotte, NC 28206
Date: May 4
Time: 3-10 p.m.
Canteen is bringing back its annual Cinco de Mayo celebration at Camp North End. The free event will feature authentic Mexican food, live performances, vendors and more.
Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Symphony Park
Location: Symphony Park, 4400 Sharon Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
Date: May 5
Time: 12-6 p.m.
Spend Cinco de Mayo with an afternoon of performances, arts and crafts and more at Symphony Park. Check out the free festival and enjoy local bands playing Mariachi music, Latin Reggae, Mexican Cumbia and Electronic-Banda fusion music.
Monarch Market
Location: 101 N. Tryon St., Charlotte, NC 28202
Date: May 2-5
Time: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
This weekend, several spots at Monarch Market will be hosting Cinco de Mayo celebrations and specials. Lanai will be hosting Cantina Popup with a mariachi band, a Latin DJ and Mexican-inspired cocktails. You can also grab a bite to eat with special discounts at Rolled AF and Brooklyn Dumpling Shop.
Optimist Hall
Location: 1115 N. Brevard St., Charlotte, NC 28206
Date: May 4-5
Time: All day
Optimist Hall is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with a party at El Thrifty. The restaurant’s “Extravaganza” will include margarita and beer specials, live music and DJs, street food stations and giveaways.
Elsewhere in at the food hall, you’ll find drink specials at Billy Sunday and the Spindle Bar, too.
Paco’s Tacos & Tequila
Location: 6401 Carnegie Blvd #8a, Charlotte, NC 28211
Date: Now-May 5
Time: Sunday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
All week long, Paco’s Tacos & Tequila is offering daily drink deals on specialty cocktails ahead of Cinco de Mayo. The local restaurant is also offering special party packs of chips and dip, tacos, fajitas or enchiladas for those who want to have a taste of Paco’s Tacos at home.
Palace on 4th
Location: 309 W 4th St, Charlotte NC 28202
Date: May 5
Time: Noon-2 a.m.
On Sunday, the newly opened Palace on 4th lounge will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with $3 Coronas and $10 margaritas while DJ Bezzie Beats spins tunes.
Que Fresa Taqueria + Bar and Que Onda Tacos + Tequila
Location: Multiple
Date: May 5
Time: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sister restaurants Que Fresa and Que Onda are bringing the fiesta to all of its locations across Charlotte with margarita specials, giveaways and live DJs. There will also be a special menu of dishes exclusively for Cinco de Mayo.
State of Confusion
Location: 3500 Dewitt Ln, Charlotte, NC 28217
Date: May 1-5
Time: Thursday, May 2, 11 a.m.-midnight; Friday, May 3, 11-1 a.m.; Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m.-1 a.m.; Sunday, May 5, 10 a.m.-midnight
State of Confusion is keeping the Cinco de Mayo celebration going all week. As part of its Cinco Dias de Mayo event, State of Confusion will be offering birria tacos, $10 micheladas and margaritas, beer specials and more.
Sycamore Brewing
Location: 2151 Hawkins St, Charlotte, NC 28203
Date: May 5
Time: 2-8 p.m.
Sycamore Brewing is hosting a Cinco de Mayo party with $3 tacos, half-price margaritas and more. The South End brewery will also have a live performance from artist Austin Smith.
Taco Boy
Location: 3700 South Blvd, Ste. 100, Charlotte, NC 28217
Date: May 5
Time: 12-10 p.m.
Taco Boy’s Cinco de Mayo festival won’t just be a time to party with good food and live music, but also a chance to give back. The South End restaurant will have drink specials, a live DJ and more, with a portion of proceeds going toward Embrace all Latino Voices, a local nonprofit organization which supports and empowers the Latin community in Charlotte.
