Cinco De Mayo In NYC 2022: Deals, Margaritas, Tacos And More
NEW YORK CITY — Cinco de Mayo is here — and New York City is primed to fulfill all our your margarita, taco and party cravings.
This year’s celebration is the first since the pandemic struck in 2020 that the city won’t be under stringent coronavirus restrictions. But want-to-be-rowdy New Yorkers should still take precautions — and, no, not just against tequila-related hangovers.
The city is under a “medium” COVID-19 risk alert — new, highly contagious variants have caused the case count to rise — and the Health department recommends unvaccinated New Yorkers avoid crowds.
But New Yorkers still have plenty of fun options, even if they follow that health advice.
Patch has a compiled a by-no-means-complete list of recommendations for Cinco de Mayo fun.
Take a moment to appreciate Mexican history
No, Cinco de Mayo does not celebrate Mexican independence.
The holiday itself commemorates the 1862 victory of the Mexican Army over French forces at the Battle of Puebla. Mexican Independence Day itself is celebrated on Sept. 16 and marks the start of another war, this time against Spain.
Read more about the history here.
Grab A Margarita
The sweet, salty tang of a margarita is no doubt familiar to many New Yorkers year-round, but in this Patch reporter’s experience, the classic cocktail tastes even better on Cinco de Mayo.
The Margarita Mobile — which is exactly what it sounds like — will be rolling up to Domino Park from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. to offer music, snacks and two free margaritas.
The margarita will be the centerpiece of another waterfront party hosted at Time Out Market.
From 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., thirsty New Yorkers can grab special “Margarita Madness” margs from the bar for $12 for a regular size or a $24 two-person fishbowl, according to the event’s page.
Or perhaps a bar crawl is more your speed? Plenty of margaritas will be available during a Cinco de Mayo bar crawl that starts 6 p.m. at Black Ant in the East Village.
And what would a margarita be without tequila?
Taj Lounge in Flatiron will offer Patron Tequila, along with two-for-one drinks and $5 shots from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the event’s page states.
Want all the tequila, but don't want to pay?
The Free Tequila For Cinco de Mayo event at Katra NYC in the Bowery could be just the ticket. Free drinks will be offered from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., along with two-for-one premium drinks from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
And Astral House Bar in Soho is serving tequila for a good cause.
Dive Into Some Tacos
Tacos are another quintessential part of a Cinco de Mayo celebration.
This one's a two-fer: Tacos and Tequila at Blue Midtown. The event offers free tequila from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., along with two-for-one drink specials. And, yes, tacos will be served.
The Ready Rooftop Bar in the East Village is offering $1 Tacos and $5 margaritas.
Head over to The Bronx for a Cinco de Mayo Fiesta thrown by CitiChefEatz food truck. A general admission ticket of $25 will get you three tacos, one frozen drink and a ticket to redeem one free hookah.
Hungry for tacos and also tall? Well, there's an event for you.
Tall People & Tacos at La Avenida in East Harlem is a meetup for The Vertically Gifted, which organizes events for men 6 feet and taller, and women 5 feet 9 inches tall and up.
Or maybe you're just hungry for some of New York City's best taco, no matter whether there's a Cinco de Mayo deal attached.
Los Tacos No. 1 in Chelsea Market, Times Square and more is renowned for being atop New York City's taco scene. And the $4.95 for a carne asada taco is worth every penny.
Parties. Dancing. Or maybe a yacht?
Dirty Thursday Cinco at the House of Yes! in Bushwick has it all: dance, music by Dirtyfinger, Mickey Perez and Milagro Verde and a special drink called the "Quince-rita." The event is free with an RSVP, or $10 without.
If open air — and free — is more of your thing, head over to Bryant Park at 6 p.m.
The Bryant Park Dance Party’s Cinco de Mayo offering will have instruction in polka and jarabe tapatío, as well as live music by Mariachi Real de Mexico featuring José Adán Pérez, according to the event’s page.
Perhaps you want to get off the beaten path this Cinco de Mayo. So far, in fact, that there’s no path at all.
The Cinco de Mayo New York City Yacht Party cruise will depart from Skyport Marina Cabana Yacht along FDR Drive at 6 p.m. As the cruise advertises on its site: "There's nothing better than Tacos & Tequila right by the Statue of Liberty."
Outdoor fun under sunny skies
Maybe you’re feeling extra cautious this Cinco de Mayo — after all, the coronavirus is spreading.
So why not make this day at the park or waterfront? The weather certainly will comply.
The National Weather Service’s forecast calls for sunny skies and highs near 67 degrees.
Cinco De Mayo In NYC 2022: Deals, Margaritas, Tacos And More originally appeared on the New York City Patch
