With Cinco de Mayo falling on Saturday this year, the celebration of Mexican culture has extended from one day to a whole weekend. Whether you’re looking to enjoy some classic food and drinks or take in some music and dancing, these 21 spots are gearing up for a fantastic fiesta.
Antique Taco
1360 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-687-8697
Feast on three types of tacos, house-made chips with salsa, guacamole and queso dip, three flavors of paleta, and a margarita or 5 Rabbit beer for $28 at the Wicker Park restaurant. Reservations are available at 3 or 7 p.m. Saturday. Tickets: eventbrite.com
Bistronomic
840 N. Wabash Ave., 312-944-8400
The Gold Coast spot is usually focused on French fare, but they’re incorporating Mexican flavors with a special brunch menu offered from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday including roasted poblano veloute with queso fresco, creme fraiche and coriander ($10) and a chorizo skillet made with cilantro, avocado and eggs ($15). You can also come for dinner from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday through Sunday and try a $39 three-course menu featuring scallop ceviche, maple leaf duck breast and tres leches profiteroles.
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Broken English
75 E. Lake St., 312-929-3601
The Loop restaurant celebrates its second anniversary from 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday with mariachi performances, giant piñatas, $5 Wansas reposado shots and swag giveaways.
Carnivale
702 W. Fulton Market, 312-850-5005
The West Loop Latin-fusion restaurant puts its focus on Mexico Saturday, hosting a mariachi band starting at 5 p.m. and offering specials including a $24 taco platter and $11 pomegranate margaritas.
Center on Halsted
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3656 N. Halsted St., 773-472-6469
Miss Gay Illinois Vivian Dejour hosts a Fiesta de Baile celebration from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday featuring a performance by the Lakeside Pride Latin Band, dance lessons and drinks. $5-$10. Tickets: eventbrite.com
Cerise Rooftop
203 N. Wabash Ave., 312-940-4774
The spot on the 26th floor of Virgin Hotels Chicago opens for the season with a free bash from noon to 8 p.m. Saturday featuring piñatas filled with prizes, ’80s music from DJs Brock and Greg Corner, and drink specials including $12 margaritas and mezcal cocktails, $10 Tecate with a shot of tequila, and $45 bottomless rosé. RSVP: eventbrite.com
Cork & Kerry
10614 S. Western Ave., 773-445-2675
The Beverly pub hosts a bash benefiting the Chicago Memorial Fund from 7 to 10 p.m. Saturday where $35 gets you domestic beer, wine and well drinks. Tickets: eventbrite.com
The Dawson
730 W. Grand Ave., 312-243-8955
The River West spot offers food and drink specials all day Saturday including $12 margaritas, $16 tuna ceviche and $12 chorizo fondue with Chihuahua cheese, pickled jalapeño and tortillas.
Duet Dance Studio
2412 W. North Ave., 312-823-8199
Take a beginner salsa lesson, watch instructors perform and practice your moves during open dancing at a BYOB Cinco de Mayo Latin dance party in Bucktown from 9 to 10:30 p.m. Friday. $25. Tickets: duetdancestudio.com
Emporium Popups
2367 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Try tacos from two chefs and vote for your favorite at 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, when $15 gets you both bites along with a Tequila Correlajo cocktail. Additional tacos are also available to purchase at the Logan Square space.
Headquarters Beercade
213 W. Institute Place, 312-291-8735
Avoid the cultural appropriation of wearing a serape or sombrero and instead dress up as Guy Fieri for a Cinco de Guy-O party from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday featuring roasted corn quesadillas, smoked chicken wings and other fare based on the Food Network star’s recipes plus specials on beer and tequila cocktails Admission is $25-$35 and includes three drinks. Tickets: hqrivernorth.com/cincodeguyo
Heaven Gallery
1550 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Running from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday, the Wicker Park gallery’s 18th annual Latinx Nation benefit features music from Future Rootz, an Aztec dance performance, a mural unveiling, food from Flash Taco and a silent art auction. $20. Tickets: eventbrite.com
Highline Bar & Lounge
169 W. Kinzie St., 312-533-2742
Crawl to four River North spots serving up tequila drinks and Mexican food from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday. $15-$20. Tickets: eventbrite.com
IO Godfrey Rooftop Lounge
127 W. Huron St., 312-374-1830
Network with members of the Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Loyola University Latino Alumni Board and other organizations while enjoying Mexican fare, drinks and Latin music from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at the annual River North mixer hosted by HispanicPro. $25. Tickets: 2018-cincodemayo.eventbrite.com
La Catrina Cafe
1011 W. 18th St., 773-517-1616
Walk or take a trolley to 10 Pilsen spots and have a mezcal cocktail at each during the fifth annual Pilsen Cantina Crawl, which raises money for Pilsen Fest. Running from noon to 6 p.m., the event also features DJs, live music and drink specials. $35. Tickets: brownpapertickets.com
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Moe’s Cantina
155 W. Kinzie St., 312-245-2000
The River North spot’s Day Party de Mayo includes a Mexican brunch buffet from noon to 2 p.m. and beer, bloody marys, mimosas and margaritas until 3 p.m. Saturday along with a DJ and giveaways. $35-$50. Tickets: eventbrite.com
Octavio Cantina & Kitchen
5310 N. Clark St., 773-293-1223
The Andersonville Mexican restaurant celebrates its first Cinco de Mayo by hosting performances by all-female mariachi band Mariachi Sirenas from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday and 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday.
Old Town Pour House
1419 N. Wells St., 312-477-2800
Mexican and American favorites come together with a brunch buffet offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday including chilaquiles, adobo chicken taquitos, pancakes and scrambled eggs with pepper jack cheeses and pico de gallo. The $35-$40 package includes bloody marys, margaritas and Corona, and you can stick around later for drink specials including $8 tequila cocktails and $6 Corona Light drafts. Tickets: eventbrite.com
Spin
344 N. State St., 773-635-9999
Love tacos? See how many you can eat in two minutes for a shot at winning a $150 gift certificate. The competition runs at 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday and costs $15 via eventbrite.com, with all entrants also receiving a tequila shot. If you just want to watch, you can take advantage of all-day specials including $8 margaritas, $4 Modelo and $10 nachos.
Standout Style Boutique
3353 S. Morgan St., 773-565-4885
Elevated Occasions hosts a craft cocktail party from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday featuring ceviche shooters, elote bites and other Mexican-inspired appetizers, a demonstration of how to make three types of margarita, and chance to win a $25 gift certificate for the Bridgeport shop, which will be showing off its spring collection. $48. Tickets: elevatedoccasions.com/experiences
Weather Mark Tavern
1503 Michigan Ave., 312-588-0230
Feast on an all-you-can-eat buffet featuring nachos and other Tex-Mex favorites as part of a $50 package including margaritas, beer, wine and call drinks from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday. Tickets: eventbrite.com
Samantha Nelson is a RedEye freelancer.