Whether you’re royalist or republican, this weekend promises to be a party; of pageantry, of patriotism, of bunting and of bootlicking.
But if you’re not keen on celebrating the King’s Coronation, then why not turn your focus instead to Mexico, and its cherished Cinco De Mayo celebrations?
This year, Cinco de Mayo falls on a Friday. In other words, you have every excuse to enjoy an excellent evening of many margaritas and mountains of guacamole.
Cinco de Mayo is of course much more than just an excuse to make merry on mezcals and margaritas. Meaning ‘May the Fifth’ in Spanish, Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Battle of Puebla, a remarkable victory for the Mexican army against the French forces on May 5, 1862.
Under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza, the Mexican army, consisting of around 4,000 under equipped soldiers, managed to defeat the relatively well-armed French troops, who were nearly double in number. This unexpected triumph served as a symbol of Mexican resistance and unity against foreign invasion.
Today, Cinco de Mayo is celebrated with great enthusiasm outside of the homeland, particularly by the Mexican diaspora in the United States, where it has evolved into a righteous, joyous celebration of Mexican culture and heritage. Festivities include parades, traditional music, dancing, and delicious Mexican cuisine, all aimed at honoring the bravery and resilience of the Mexican people.
In the spirit of camaraderie, here are 5 ways to celebrate Cinco De Mayo in London.
A Night Of Celebration at Mezcaleria El Colmillo, El Pastor Soho
Ideal for tequila and dancing…
Named after the nightclub that El Pastor co-founders Sam and Crispin ran in the 90s and 00s in Mexico City, there’s no better place in Soho to drink mezcal and Mexican inspired cocktails than Mezcaleria Colmillo.
This dimly lit bar found in the basement of El Pastor’s Soho branch is the spot for tacos, tequila and dancing. It’s a place where you can get your margs frozen, spicy or straight-up, classic style, and for this unpretentious approach, we love it so much more.
Come Friday, El Pastor are launching ‘Sonidos’, which is billed as ‘’a monthly night of extraordinary tequila and music to make you dance’’. The first party in the series is celebrating Cinco de Mayo… Rejoice!
El Pastor Soho’s festivities will be graced by the presence of Seb Chew, a renowned London-based DJ and founder of the illustrious club night YOYO, which saw successful runs in both London and New York for over a decade. Tickets cost £20 here.
Address: 66-70 Brewer St, London W1F 9UP, United Kingdom
Website: tacoselpastor.co.uk
A Bottomless Brunch at Santo Remedio, London Bridge
Ideal for ninety minutes of free-flowing margaritas with terrific tacos and tostadas to boot…
Getting loose on margaritas while smashing sinful amounts of guacamole? Go on then, you twisted our arm…
If you’re looking for a good time this Cinco De Mayo, the bottomless brunch at Santo Remedio is one of the best things you can do to celebrate the festivities; a boisterous, beautiful place serving some of the capital’s finest Mexican food. This is a restaurant where big groups congregate, converse animatedly, and get stuck into some fantastic tacos. What more could you want from a Friday?
A supplement in the region of £30 (depending on location), on top of ordering either one plate from their ‘Regional Dishes’ or two dishes from their ‘Tacos and Tostadas’ sections of the menu – decisions, decisions – will get you ninety minutes of free-flowing classic margaritas, cava, Mexican wines, sangria and Mexican beer. As we said, you twisted our arm!
You can let go now, you’re hurting us…
Website: santoremedio.co.uk
Address: Shoreditch + London Bridge
Dancing At Doña
Ideal for a night of music and mezcal… Need we say more?
Music and mezcal? Where do we sign up? Going down in the ever happening Hackney, Doña is a hot pink music and mezcal cocktail bar that has established itself as a must-visit spot for anyone seeking a night of dancing and fun in Stoke Newington.
This ‘’pink den of empowered femininity’’ guarantees a good night, and the venue’s curated shelf of the best artisanal mezcals behind the bar is a smokin’ success of a line-up.
Address: 92 Stoke Newington High St, London N16 7NY, United Kingdom
Website: Bardonalondon.com
Mexican Street Food Class at The Avenue Cookery School
Ideal for learning how to prepare a full-blown Mexican feast….
What better way to celebrate Mexico than by learning to cook some of its most celebrated street food dishes?
The Avenue Cookery School offers Mexican Street Food Classes where willing participants can learn all about the ingredients, techniques and flavours of traditional Mexican street food, including tacos, burritos, nachos, churros, and more.
Of course, you’ll get to sample all the delicious dishes you make during the course. Oh, and there’s also free-flowing throughout the course of the evening… What’s not to love (except the hangover, of course)?
The class costs £110 for a fun evening of learning, all with as much wine as you can consume, and of course the bountiful Mexican spread you’ll enjoy. Feels like a steal to us.
Website: theavenuecookeryschool.com
Feast At A Top Mexican Restaurant
Ideal for the best Mexican food in the capital…
London’s Mexican restaurant scene has gone from good to great and then some over the past few years. If you’re looking to feast on the very best Mexican fare in London, let us direct you to our post on the best places to eat Mexican food in London here.
