Cinco de Mayo technically commemorates the Mexican Army's victory over the French in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. In the United States, it's also a day to celebrate Mexican American culture. Below, we've compiled all of the Seattle events that cost less than $15 to go to (though we're not responsible for the number of margaritas you drink), ranging from a Pop-up Mercado and live musical performances at El Centro de la Raza to a Tunes & Tequila Takeover at Frolik to Tacos Guaymas' 14th Annual Cinco de Mayo Block Party. You'll also find the full range of options (including more expensive options like Waterways Cruises's boat party and the Fiesta 5K Ole!) on our Cinco de Mayo calendar.
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A1 Hop Shop
Party with nachos, Mexican beer buckets, and margaritas at both the 104th and 144th locations.
Greenwood
Canterbury Ale and Eats
Stop by the Capitol Hill alehouse for all-day tequila and beer specials and live sets from DJ Heartthrob.
Capitol Hill
Corner Spot Ballard
This recently opened neighborhood spot will serve agave-based drink specials like palomas and Latin food specials like roasted elote, shrimp ceviche, and street tacos with carne asada or al pastor.
Ballard
Cuff Complex
Groove to Latin jams with Jesus Montañez.
Capitol Hill
Dexter Brewhouse
Enjoy special lamb chilaquiles at brunch, or stop by any time of day for spicy margaritas, micheladas, or a pint of Chukis Obscura Dark Mexican Lager.
South Lake Union
El Centro de la Raza
In addition to a special Pop up Mercado, a market featuring over 30 vendors, El Centro de la Raza's Cinco de Mayo celebration will celebrate Mexican culture with live musical performances by José Iñiguez, Banda Vagos, Juan Gabriel Imitator, Los Folklore Mexicano Tonantzin, and others.
Beacon Hill
El Chupacabra Alki
The punk-rock cantina will pour tequila drinks and serve Mexican food with a view of the beach and tunes from DJ Fred Edison. Their new upstairs space will also be open.
West Seattle
El Chupacabra Greenwood
At the Greenwood location of the punk-rock cantina, take advantage of Espolòn specials all weekend and check out the new patio.
Greenwood
El Chupacabra South Lake Union
The Mexican punk-rock cantina will feature Patrón specials all weekend.
South Lake Union
Esquin Wine Merchants
Taste an array of tequila and Mezcal (either on their own or mixed into a margarita) on Cinco de Mayo.
Georgetown
The Factory Luxe
Observe the holiday with day-drinking and music curated by DJ Blast.
Sodo
Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails
The downtown restaurant and bar will go all out for Cinco de Mayo with a special happy hour menu and a live DJ. Shovel in Baja tacos, asada tater tots, churros, and more, and sip $5 Altos Blanco tequila, $7 Paloma, $8 mezcal margaritas, and more.
Downtown
Geo's Bar and Grill
"Cuba meets Mexico" at this Cinco de Mayo celebration, which will offer traditional Mexican fare (such as Birria tacos and savory beef stew) and specialty cocktails like blood orange margaritas and La Palomas. While you eat, enjoy live music from Alfredo Polier and Mijo & Diego. Finally, DJ Baracoa will spin Latin jams for you to dance to until the night is over.
Greenwood
Gold Bar
You're invited to "rock out with your guac out" at this bash, which will feature an all-you-can-eat nacho bar, "Gold Bargaritas," and Mexican beer specials. DJs Zapan and Introcut will provide the tunes.
South Lake Union
Hale's Ales
The brewpub rings in the holiday with margaritas, sangria, and Mexican fare from the ever-popular authentic El Camion food truck.
Ballard
Hard Rock Cafe
It's Cinco de Mayo and Derby Day on the same day. Don a festive topper, be it a Derby Day hat or a sombrero, and you'll be entered into a contest with first, second, and third place prizes for best hat. Plus, watch the race and enjoy happy hour prices all day.
Downtown
Highland Park Improvement Club
Sip aguas frescas in your Derby attire to kill two special occasions with one stone (or, we should say, one equestrian margarita).
West Seattle
Little Water Cantina
The cantina will celebrate both Cinco de Mayo and their seventh birthday at this all-day fiesta. Sip Leguas and Exotico tequilas and dance to Latin jams from KEXP DJ Chilly.
Eastlake
The Lumber Yard
Local queen Dolly Madison will put a Cinco de Mayo spin on her recurring show, with music and videos of Latin artists, drink specials, and more.
White Center
Mission Cantina
Sip bottomless mimosas at brunch, feast later in the day at an "Almost-Famous Pig Roast," and enjoy special deals on margaritas and Dos Equis.
West Seattle
Navy Strength
Think of tropical lands and enjoy tepache and Pueblo Viejo margaritas on Cinco de Mayo.
Belltown
North Star Diner & Shanghai Room
Slurp hibiscus margaritas and superchevelas, feast on chicharones, taquitos de papas, and fresh ceviche, enjoy a live mariachi performance, and get on stage for karaoke at this Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Greenwood
Ora Nightclub
Spend Cinco de Mayo oscillating between two rooms of Latin beats. The main room will supply reggae, mambo, salsa, merengue, and hiphop, while the lower room will feature special sets from DJs Mike Honcho, Marco Valencia, and Randall Glen.
Belltown
Perihelion Brewery
On Cinco de Mayo, the Beacon Hill brewery will serve up pints of Barrel Aged Prickly Pear Saison and food specials like Pan Relleno de Pollo and Quesadillas Pepian.
Beacon Hill
POCO
Celebrate "Mexico beating the French" with $8 margaritas and mojitos.
Capitol Hill
Queen Anne Beerhall
This Derby Day/Cinco de Mayo hybrid will mash up the two holidays with juleps, margaritas, smashes, and palomas, made with Noble Oak bourbon and Partida tequila. Come in your finest derby hat or seersucker suit, watch the races, and meet mini horses.
Queen Anne
Red Star Taco Bar
The communist-themed taco bar will serve drink specials, including $5 Corona-Ritas, $5 Arette Margaritas, $5 shot of Pasote blanco, and $6 shots of Pasote with a 12 oz can of Ecliptic Espacio Lager with lime zest.
Fremont
The Royal Room
Latin rhythm duo Alma y Azúcar will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with this evening of cha cha, bossa nova, Latin jazz, rumba, son, and salsa with contemporary influences, and a support set by Cuban son experts SuperSones.
Columbia City
Seattle Center
After the Seattle Urban-X scavenger hunt, enjoy live music from Kitten, the Hollers, and Duke Evers while you lose yourself in a sea of tacos from over 20 local food trucks.
Seattle Center
Seamonster Lounge
The Buena Vibra Sextet will invite Kiki Valera to join them on stage for an evening of salsa and Afro-Cuban jazz.
Wallingford
Super Six
Giving churros a run for their money, the Asian-Hawaiian-American fusion restaurant from the owners of Marination will prepare ice-cream filled malasadas (Portuguese fried yeasted doughnuts) dusted with cinnamon sugar. Wash them down with mezcal tamarind margaritas and passionfruit pineapple margaritas. If the weather is nice, their beer garden will be open.
Columbia City
Tacos Guaymas
Over-indulge in copious authentic Mexican food and libations with a margarita bar and an outdoor beer garden, and enjoy lucha libre and live music performances throughout the day. The truly masochistic/daring can rise to the challenge of a jalapeño-eating contest.
Green Lake
Taqueria Cantina
Enjoy Cinco de Mayo food and drink specials, including $4 margarita shots and all-day brunch. They promise "lots of tequila and lots of guacamole."
Downtown
Tim's Tavern
Enjoy Mexican drink and taco specials while you dance around to cheery local pop-rockers Everson Pines, the After Midnight Cabaret, Garrett and the Sheriffs, and Snowday.
Greenwood
W Seattle
Get festive with $5 tequila shots and $3 Coronas while you dance to a live DJ.
Downtown
