Top 5: Cinco de Mayo Events in LondonBy Angelica Malin
Spanish for the 5th of May, Cinco de Mayo marks the anniversary of the Battle of Puebla in 1862, in which Mexico’s underdog army overran the occupying French. Usually taking place in Mexico and America – the celebration has crossed the Atlantic and has landed on our shores, with London fully embracing the party bangers, drinks and good times. Grab your sombrero and prepare for an onslaught of Mezcal – here’s the best Cinco de Mayo events in the capital:
1. For a Fiesta: Discount Suit Company
What: Throughout May, Petticoat Lane speakeasy Discount Suit Company will be serving a Quiquiriqui Mezcal based Cocktail Of The Month – ‘Luchador’ (Spanish for wrestler). Quiquiriqui’s Mezcal are all single estate handcrafted spirits produced in Mexico, partnering directly with families who have been producing traditional Mezcal in their communities for generations. Think smokey and floral, with the perfect balance of sweet to bitter.
The Details: To mark the occasion on Friday 5th May (6pm – 1am) it’s time to dust off your sombreros and raise a glass – Discount Suit Company are hosting a Mexican Fiesta to commemorate Cinco de Mayo. On the decks, there will be Latin Boogaloo specialist, Eli Silverman, keeping the spirits high with Latin flavours alongside some fiery Mexican bites and plenty of Mezcal shots.
Where: 29A Wentworth St, London E1 7TB
The Event: On Friday 5th May Latin American hot-spot, MNKY HSE, will be hosting the ultimate Cinco de Mayo party. Guests that attend will enjoy dinner alongside a live performance of Latin American classics and feel good beats.
The Details: Appetisers from the a la carte menu will include dishes such as trio de guacamoles, yellow tail aquachile, and octopus and chorizo tostadas. Main courses will also include dishes with a Mexican influence such as short rib served with avocado hummus and chimole, and Pipian Verde sea bass on a bed of pumpkin seeds and Mexican herb sauce. Midnight will arrive with a bang as several MNKY HSE themed pinatas will explode above the larger tables, and sombrero wearing servers will be on hand to offer complimentary tequila shots to all. As dinner comes to an end and the party picks-up, DJ Smokin Jo will take to the decks and the banquette style seating will be moved to encourage table-hopping, dancing and some real monkeying around.
Where: 10 Dover St, Mayfair, London W1S 4LD
3. For Tacos and Tequila: Café Pacifico
The Event: Situated in the heart of Covent Garden, the Café Pacifico team is throwing a huge party with support from tequila partners 1800 Tequila on Friday (5th May). Get ready to bust a move, and drink heaps.
The Details: The night will kick off with a special taco and tequila menu, designed for diners to pick out their favourite tacos (choose from pulled pork, beef and cactus, or seabass and prawn) and pair them with either an 1800 Tequila flight or one of the bar’s iconic Margaritas. To add even more agave love to the meal, guests can choose to add one of the specially created 1800 Tequila sauces to their tacos, the selection includes tomatillo verde and 1800 Blanco Tequila sauce, blackberry and smoked chilli 1800 Añejo Tequila sauce, and mango, coriander and chilli 1800 Coconut Tequila sauce. All this with a live soundtrack from a five piece Mariachi band to keep everyone la bamba’ing late into the night.
Where: 5 Langley St, London WC2H 9JA
4. For Plenty of Mezcal: Sin Gusano
The Event: This Thursday (4th), London’s only dedicated mezcal tasting room and taqueria Sin Gusano will open in Dalston, East London for a six week residency, offering up signature mezcal discovery tasting flights, tacos and entertainment. And they’ll be celebrating Cinco de Mayo this Friday too, as part of their launch weekend.
The Details: Launching with an evening residency (6pm – midnight, Wednesday – Saturday) in popular Dalston café/bar space Brunswick East, the Sin Gusano Mezcal Tasting Room, Bar & Taqueria will be a celebration of all-things mezcal. On a mission to raise the increasingly-popular artisan Mexican distillate to the level of connoisseurship it deserves, Sin Gusano will give visitors the chance to learn as much, or as little, as they choose about the traditions that surround the drink. On Friday, specially for Cinco de Mayo – expect mezcal tasting flights, a limited edition mezcal based cocktail and tacos cooked up in the traditional Mexican style; all flavour no frills.
Where: Brunswick East cafe, 3D Stamford Works, Gillet St, Dalston. London N16 8JH
Photo Credit: Anna Bruce
5. For Margaritas and Maracas: Barts
The Event: On Friday 5th May, to celebrate the festival of pride and heritage Cinco de Mayo, late night Chelsea hangout Barts is hosting the ultimate Mexican fiesta sponsored by Patron.
The Details: In honour of the iconic South American celebration, Barts is offering an evening of Mexi-mania with a piñata full of candy, maracas and plenty of sombreros. Guests can sip on drinks such as the Perfect Patron Margarita and snack on nachos whilst they enjoy London’s most vibrant Cinco de Mayo party this year. Doors open at 6pm, and a host of live entertainment will perform throughout the night.
Where: Chelsea Cloisters, 87 Sloane Ave, Chelsea, London SW3 3DW
