Where to Celebrate Mexican Flavors this Cinco de Mayo

Ina Mae Tavern

Ina Mae Tavern will celebrate Cinco de Mayo with $5 Mamitas, $7 Hornitos Palomas and $15 Blackened Shrimp Tacos (3 per order). There will also be live music. Reservations are available via Tock.

Frontier Chicago

Specials will include $7 Hornitos Palomas, $6 Hornitos Shots and $12 Smokehouse Tacos (3 per order). Reservations are available via Tock.

Lottie's Pub

Lottie's will be kicking off Cinco de Mayo with a happy hour from 6 to 7:30 PM. Guests can sip on $4 Dos Equis Pints, $6 Mamitas Seltzers, $6 Dobel Shots, and $7 Jose Traditional Margaritas. Festive food specials will include $3 Tacos (Steak, Chicken or Shrimp), $5 Elotes, and Craft Winchester Chips & Salsa Flights; which include a selection of 4 delicious salsas- Charred Shishito Pepper, Peruvian Chili & Cumin, Chipotle & Huitlacoche, and Classic Roja.

Mamitas, Dos Equis and Dobel samplings & giveaways will be running all happy hour long.

Tables can be reserved by emailing lotties@pioneertaverngroup.com; walk-ins are also welcomed.

Burrito Beach

Starting on Monday, May 2nd, Burrito Beach is offering a variety of $5 specials, including a selection of breakfast, lunch, and dinner deals through Friday, May 6th. At the Lincoln Park location, guests can enjoy 16oz Modelo for $5 Monday through Friday for in-store purchases only. The week-long celebration is available at all locations in the Chicagoland area except the O’Hare airport. 

• Monday - $5 Miguel’s Breakfast Burrito (available until 10:30am)

  • $5 Miguel’s All Day Breakfast Burrito available at Lincoln Park location

• Tuesday - $5 Tacos

• Wednesday - $5 Nachos

• Thursday - $5 Burritos

• Friday - $5 Bowls

*$5 price point excludes Carne Asada and Cabo Shrimp Build Your Own Recipes, Rosarito Beach & Playa del Carmen Tacos, and the LoCal burrito Bowl. Extras are extra. Limit one per person per day.

FireLake Grill House & Cocktail Bar

From May 5-7, stop by the American grill to try out their Mexican-inspired specials, For breakfast, try offerings such as Capirotada (Bread Pudding, Panela Syrup, Rum-Soaked Raisins, Candied Pecans, Queso Fresco) or Carnitas Skillet Carnitas Skillet (Oven Roast Pork Carnitas, Fried Egg, Fire Roasted Poblano, Caramelized Onion, Potato Hash, Serrano Salsa). In the afternoon, opt for lunchtime items such as Cosecha Salad (Blackened Romaine Heart, Butternut Squash, Sweet Potato, Mushrooms, Mexican Calabacita, Tomato-Garlic Confit, Roasted Panela, Crispy Onions, Grilled Chicken, Spring Onion Vinaigrette) or a Torta Pibil (Pulled Pork, Chorizo, Chihuahua Cheese, Pickled Jalapeno Aioli, Yucca Fries). Pair it with a Mangonada Ahumad, in other words, a Smoked Mango cocktail, featuring Espadín Mezcal-Mango, Chamoy, Tajin, Blackberry, Ancho Chili, and Tamarind. 

Hoyt’s

Hoyt’s has partnered with the Calirosa tequila to bring you a special new tequila-centric cocktail menu throughout the month of May. Sip on summery drinks such as Strawberry Mint Tequila Smash (Calirosa Blanco, muddled strawberry, mint, agave nectar, lime) cool down with a Cool Cucumber Margarita (Calirosa Anejo, cucumber puree, agave nectar, lime, or spice things up with a Mexican Mule (Calirosa Blanco, lime, ginger beer). On May 5, Calirosa will be on-site to conduct a tasting of their tequila’s from 4-8pm, complimentary with a purchase of one of the signature Calirosa cocktails or for hotel guests of the Royal Sonesta Chicago Downtown. 

Stan’s Donuts & Coffee 

Stop by any of the 16 Stan’s Donuts & Coffee locations in downtown Chicago and the surrounding suburbs for a breakfast burrito. 

ROOF on theWit

This Cinco de Mayo, head to ROOF on theWit for a night of music, elevated bites, and tequila-fueled specials. Celebrate the holiday on the hotel's 27th floor with $7 Don Julio tequila shots and 50% house tequila cocktails and bottles. 

Gaijin

Gaijin by Chef Paul Virant is Chicago’s first okonomiyaki restaurant, offering both Hiroshima and Osaka styles of the savory Japanese pancake. For the week of Cinco de Mayo (May 2-9), Gaijin will offer the Carnitas Osaka (Crispy pork shoulder, taqueria carrots, bonito flake) for $20, while supplies last. 

Hewn

Cinco De Mayo special items can be ordered on Tock for pick up on Thursday, May 5th only. Special items include: 

• Meat Empanadas (Empanada with pork, chorizo, eggs and diced potatoes - a collaborative effort from our pastry and savory teams) - $6.75

• Veggie Empanadas (Roasted poblanos, beans and Chihuahua cheese - a collaborative effort between our pastry and savory teams.) - $6

• Dulce de Leche Whoopie Pies (Pack of 4) - $12.50

Pilot Project Brewing

Pilot Project will launch a new cocktail menu featuring ROVM Hard Kombucha on Cinco De Mayo:

• Boocharita (ROVM Passionfruit Citrus Hard Kombucha, Lime Juice, Orange Juice, Agave Nectar, Salt Rim) - $8
• Booch on the Beach (ROVM Hibiscus Berry Hard Kombucha, Cranberry Juice, Orange Juice, Vanilla Simple Syrup) - $8
• Pineapple Boochmosa  (ROVM Passionfruit Citrus Hard Kombucha, Pineapple Juice, Pomegranate Concentrate, Simple Syrup) - $8

Velvet Taco

As a part of the WTF (Weekly Taco Feature), Velvet Taco will be offering a special Steak Milanese Taco ($5.95) from May 4 – May 10. The Steak Milanese taco features breaded steak, avocado, red chile aioli, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo crema, and pickled fresnos in a flour tortilla. Pair the taco with any of Velvet Taco's signature boozy libations, including:

• Kick Ass Margarita | Lunazul premium blanco tequila, orange liqueur, fresh lime juice, agave nectar. Rocks or Frozen
• Ranch Water | Lunazul premium blanco tequila, lime juice, agave nectar, lime. Select your flavor: Topo Chico regular, lime or grapefruit
• Paloma | Lunazul premium blanco tequila, Jarritos grapefruit soda, lime juice, agave nectar, grapefruit

The WTF special and boozy libations are available at all Velvet Taco locations with the exception of its food hall spots. The WTF and beverage menus may vary by location.

Additionally, Velvet Taco will host a Kick Ass Margarita Party Giveaway on its Instagram taking place on Thursday, May 5. Three lucky winners will receive a Gallon Kick Ass Margarita and a Velvet Taco Party Pack — 24 count taco box, 3 different tacos, Elote Corn, Red Curry Coconut Queso or Queso Blanco & Chips, and Red Velvet Cake. To enter, guests must tag a friend in the comments. Each comment counts as an additional entry. The giveaway will be closed 11:59 p.m. CST on Thursday, May 5. Winners will be chosen at random and will be announced on Friday, May 6.

Tortazo

At Tortazo’s Willis Tower location, Chef Rick Bayless and his crew celebrate this year’s holiday festivities with a variety of elements like live music and all day happy hour (7a-8p). Happy hour consists of $30 margarita pitchers (serves 4, any flavor), $4 Tecate canned beer, $4 shots of Espolón Blanco Tequila, $2 Spicy Churro Bites, and $1 Chile Relleno Flautas. Plus, they’ll be featuring their Puebla Spritz (a Mexican inspired Aperol Spritz) as a specialty cocktail - which is only on the menu for Cinco de Mayo.

Old Town Pour House

This year, Old Town Pour House has partnered with Chicago Sports and Social for an evening of food, drinks, and music.

From 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., guests will be offered food and drink specials, along with live DJ entertainment and “Mexican Bingo” (more commonly known as Lotería.) Tickets are $20 and include two drinks (drinks over $15 not included), a chips and salsa station, plus access to the DJ and bingo.

Food feature for the day: 

• $4 off all tacos (like Chicken Tinga or Fish Tacos); all-day

Drink features for the day:

• $4 Corona Extra
• $5 Corona Seltzer
• $6 Tito’s cocktails
• $6 Screwball Whiskey

Tickets available via Eventbrite.

The Hampton Social

A complimentary margarita shot with an order of their Shrimp Tacos.

Chop Shop x El Bandido Yankee Tequila

Mix up these Mexican-inspired cocktails from El Bandido Yankee Tequila at home or leave the work to the pros by visiting Chop Shop in Wicker Park on Cinco de Mayo. 

- White Peach & Raspberry Margarita

• 2 oz El Bandido Yankee Blanco Tequila
• 1.5 oz white peach syrup
• 4-5 muddled raspberries 
• 1 tsp of sugar 1/2 oz lime juice   

Mix ingredients in a pitcher filled with ice. Pour over a full glass of ice. 

- Cactus Table

• 2 oz El Bandido Yankee Blanco Tequila
• 1 oz Lime Juice
• 3 Cucumber Wheels
• Tajin
• .75 oz Prickly Pear Syrup
• 2 Dashes of Fire Water Bitters

Combine all the ingredients into a shaker and shake vigorously for 8-10 seconds. Strain into an ice filled rocks glass and garnish with a cucumber wheel topped with a pinch of tajin.

- Jalisco Sunset

• 2 oz Habanero-Infused El Bandido Yankee Tequila Blanco (seeds removed before infusing)
• 3/4 oz Blood Orange Cordial (Liber & Co)
• 3 oz Fresh Squeezed Orange Juice
• 1/2 oz Lime Juice 
• Garnish: Rosemary, Dehydrated blood orange, & Habanero 

Pour tequila, orange juice, and lime juice into glass over ice. Slowly add the blood orange cordial which will sink to bottom. Garnish and serve.

The Bar at Hotel Zachary x Don Papa Rum

Not a tequila drinker but love rum? These recipes, featuring Don Papa Rum, can be mixed up at home or you can imbibe in each of these cocktails on May 5th at The Bar at Hotel Zachary across from Wrigley Field. 

- Papa Mayo

• 1 oz Don Papa Rum
• 1 oz Mezcal
• 1 oz Grapefruit
• 1/2 oz Lime
• 1/2 oz Triple Sec

Served in a Collin’s with ice and soda. Topped with cherry Heering. Garnished with burnt grapefruit wedge. 

- Diablo en la Pista de Baile

• 1 1/2oz Don Papa Rum
• 1/2oz Reposado tequila 
• 3/4oz Guava juice
• 1 thin disc of Serrano Chili
• 1/2oz Lime
• 1/2oz Agave.

Muddle chili disc in shaker. Pour in Don Papa, tequila, guava juice, lime and agave. Add ice and shake. Strain into rocks glass with fresh ice. Garnish with lime wheel. 

KINGS Dining & Entertainment

KINGS Dining & Entertainment, with two Chicagoland locations - Lincoln Park (1500 N. Clybourn at NEWCITY) & Rosemont (5505 Park Place)   - is featuring a trio of margaritas available for the holiday that pair with its selection of tacos and entertainment options. 

Margarita selections include: 

• Mango Margarita – Azule Plata Tequila, Mango Puree, Fresh lemon & Lime juice with a sugar rim
• La Vida Fumada – Cazadores tequila, Mezcal, agave, fresh lemon & lime juice with a tajin rim.
• Spicy Pineapple Habanero – Ghost tequila, fresh lemon and lime juice, agave with a salt rim.

  Taco selections (Rosemont Only):

• Chicken Tinga – Adobo sauce, salsa verde, queso fresco
• Old School – Seasoned ground beef, lettuce, pico de gallo, queso fresco.
• Carnitas – Citrus pulled pork, roasted corn salsa, lime crema.
• Boom Boom Shrimp – Sweet & savry sauce, shredded cabbage.
• Fish Tacos – Pico de gallo, shredded cabbage, lime crema.

Robert's Pizza & Dough Co. 

On Thursday, May 5th, Robert's will be celebrating with $24 buckets of Modelos (6 beers), $10 Margaritas, and a special Carne Asada Pizza ($28) featuring grilled steak, queso fresco, black beans, and fresh guacamole. While Robert's mixes up a variety of margaritas, the Blood Orange Margarita - tequila, orange curacao, fresh lime, ginger syrup, blood orange, and citrus salt, is the restaurant's signature drink. 

Mustard Seed Kitchen

Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner and Mustard Seed Kitchen, the takeout and delivery concept by James Beard Nominated Chef Erick Williams, is supporting and celebrating for the entire month of May with a special promotion.

Beginning Monday, May 2nd, the restaurant, located at 49 E. Cermak, will honor Cinco de Mayo as well as show support for the team’s Mexican brothers and sisters with its “Taco Today” offering including Three Steak Tacos with salsa borracha, rice, and beans for $16.99. 

aliveOne

On Thursday, May 5, aliveOne will offer a $6 Spicy Margarita and $5 Pacifico special. Half-price happy hour will also be available from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Later in the evening, guests can enjoy FREE live music during “Resident Band Night” with Chicago’s Bonzo Squad in aliveOne’s famed back room from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. 

Cody's Public House

Cody’s Public House in Lakeview West will feature a FREE Walking Taco Bar on Thursday, May 5 at 7 p.m. (while supplies last). Additional specials will include $3 Cuervo Tradicional Margaritas, $5 Dos Equis and $4 Dobel and Tradicional shots. Cody’s will also feature Dos Equis and Dobel samplings and giveaways throughout the night.

Easy Bar

Chicagoans who visit Easy Bar on Cinco de Mayo will be offere a $10 Margarita special and half-price happy hour from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Weather permitting, guests can drink al fresco on Easy Bar’s patio. Located at the corner of Division and Damen in Wicker Park, the dog-friendly sidewalk patio features seating for 15 to 20 guests. 

The Graystone Tavern

The Graystone Tavern in Wrigleyville will serve up a $5 Taco Menu with options like Carne Asada, Cheeseburger, Fried Chicken and Baja Fish. Festive drink specials will include $4 Modelo Drafts, $4 Margaritas and $4 Freshie Tequila Seltzer.

The Rambler Kitchen + Tap

Guests can toast the Cinco de Mayo holiday with $3 Margaritas at The Rambler in North Center with flavor options including lime, spicy, mango and strawberry. Free Cinco de Mayo-themed Team Trivia will begin at 7 p.m. with prizes including cash and a Dos Equis cooler. The evening will also feature a free sampling from Dobel and Dos Equis. Additional food and drink specials will include $3 Steak and Chicken Tacos, $5 Fresh Homemade Elotes, $8 Steak or Chicken Nachos, $4 Dos Equis and $6 Dobel Shots. 

Oaken Bistro + Bar

Oaken Bistro + Bar will be holding a Tequila Tasting event in partnership with Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila on their outdoor patio from 6:30pm - 8:30pm. An 818 representative will be on-site guiding guests through a myriad of flavors from the brand’s selections. In addition to party favors, an on-site photo station will be present for the evening allowing guests to capture the highlights of the night. Tickets are on sale now on Oaken’s website.

Carnivale

Carnivale, 702 W Fulton Market, is celebrating Cinco de Mayo May 5 from 4pm-9pm. The dining room will be filled with Mariachi style entertainment as handcrafted margaritas flow throughout the space and guests select from Cinco de Mayo options on the menu. To make a reservation visit Carnivale’s website.

Kennedy Rooftop

Kennedy Rooftop will be offering free orders of their freshly made chips and salsa with any purchase of an alcoholic beverage. The rooftop is open Monday through Saturday atop the Hyatt Place Wicker Park. To make reservations visit Kennedy’s website.

80 Proof

Located in Old Town, 80 Proof provides three full bars and an approachable menu of vegan bar bites and 4C classics.  

Specials: 

·       $9 Margaritas All Night 

·       $20 Unlimited Taco & Nacho Bar (6PM – 9PM) 

Reserve your table at 80ProofChi.com  

Gaslight

A neighborhood bar in Lincoln Park with three full bars, food menu and a year-round patio that is open seven days a week for brunch, lunch and dinner.   

Specials:  

·       $6 Classic Margaritas 

·       $40 Jumbo-Ritas (jumbo margaritas) 

·       $5 Walking Taco 

Reserve your table at GaslightBar.com  

Highline

For lunch, happy hour and dinner throughout the week, Highline offers upscale bar fare and a FREE arcade with classic games.   

Specials: 

·       $6 Classic Margaritas 

·       $40 Jumbo-Ritas (jumbo margaritas)  

Reserve your table at HighlineBarChi.com

Kirkwood

A neighborhood sports bar in Lakeview with food, drinks and a spacious beer garden.

Specials:  

·       $25 Corona Light Buckets 

·       $5 El Jimador Shots 

 Federales

An open-air tequila and taco concept centered around drinks, tacos and an urban-industrial vibe. On Thursday, March 5, doors will open at 11 a.m.  

Reserve your table at FederalesChicago.com  

Chikatana

Chikatana's drink menu focuses on agave-based spirits (from classics like mezcal and tequila to lesser-known spirits like sotol and raicilla) and Chef Reyes put together some fun specials for Cinco de Mayo day-of!

• Snacks: Guacamole, Shrimp Ceviche, Hummus with salsa macha, and caesar salad.
• Tacos: Cochinita, Carne Asada, Cauliflower Chorizo, and Chicken
• Drinks: Margarita, Paloma, and Sangria specials.
• Live Music: Live Marimba music from 7-9 pm
• Happy Hour: a new happy hour on Mon, May 9th from 3-5pm!
• Pitchers: Pitchers of the Chikatana Margarita and Paloma are available at dinner ($58, open at 5pm), and Mimosa and Jamaica Mimosa pitchers ($40, Fri-Sun 11, 10-3pm)
• Cocktails: In addition to the Chikatana Margarita (with orange blossom water) and Paloma with housemade grapefruit soda, is the Oaxacan on Broken Glass with mezcal, chile poblano, lme, angostura and habanero bitters, the Pantera Rosa with sotol, blueberry vodka, lime, egg white, and absinthe, and Bitter Smoke with mezcal, Campari, agave nectar, and lime.