where to celebrate cinco

16 buzzy bars and restaurants to toast Cinco de Mayo in Houston

Original Ninfa's cinco de mayo margaritas

Ninfa's will feature a trio of margaritas on Cinco de Mayo.

Photo by Becca Wright

This year’s Cinco de Mayo could be one to remember. While most Houstonians probably don’t have many opinions about Mexico’s victory at the Battle of Puebla, we do love a good deal on margaritas.

Bars and restaurants all over the city have responded at a range of price points — from $5 house margaritas all the way to a $75 bash at one of the city’s most elegant eateries. Head out and enjoy what could be the last night weather before the summer heat really kicks in.

The Annie Cafe & Bar
The Galleria-area restaurant’s Cinco de Mayo party takes place on its patio from 4-6 pm. For $75, attendees can chow down on snacks such as crab toastaditas, mini campechana, and chicken flautas while sipping on beers and cocktails like the ranch water, margarita, and an Old Fashioned made with tequila. Live entertainment also included.

Candente
The Montrose Tex-Mex favorite’s party will take place from 5 - 6:30 pm on its spacious outdoor patio that recently received upgrades like a 100-square foot fountain. In addition to a live mariachi band, dine on street tacos and get $3 off margaritas until 6 pm.

Caracol/Hugo’s/Xochi
All three of Hugoo Ortega’s Mexican restaurants will celebrate the day with three-course, $60 menus that come with agave cocktail pairings. In addition, house margaritas will be discounted to $8, and the restaurants’ signature “Greatest Margarita Ever Sold” — made with premium tequila and 25-year aged Grand Marnier — will be half-off.

Eight Row Flint
Agricole Hospitality’s patio may be known for tacos and whiskey, but it serves plenty of agave spirits as well. On Wednesday, get $10 house margaritas on the rock, frozen blood orange margaritas, palomas, and the Ricky Tanner, a less-sweet alternative to the Ranch Water. Live music begins at 5 pm.

8th Wonder Brewery
The EaDo hot spot will feature performances by by Bombón and DJ Gracie Chavez from 4-9 pm along with a michelada special. In addition, the Eatsie Boys food truck will take $1 off their signature elote fries.

El Big Bad
Downtown’s margarita emporium will offer $5 house margaritas and other specials.

El Patio
Get $5 blue margaritas and $8 frozens made with Patron Barrel Select Reposado at this Briargrove restaurant. In addition, mariachis will serenade the crowd from 5-11 pm.

Feges BBQ
Houston’s best food court barbecue will served smoked barbacoa tacos on Wednesday. They’re served with refried beans and choice of one additional side.

Henderson & Kane
The modern general store in the Old Sixth Ward will feature a collaboration menu created by chef Jesse Gallegos with special guest chef Victoria Elizondo of Cochinita & Co.

Jax Grill
All three locations of the popular burger joint will offer $2 frozen margaritas, $2 Dos Equis, $2 shots of Cuervo Tradicional, and $2 street tacos.

Molina’s Cantina
Known for introducing the frozen margarita to Houston, the Tex-Mex stape will serve $6.50 Molina’s margaritas all day and offer live mariachi music from 6-8 pm at all three locations.

The Original Ninfa’s
Both locations will feature roast pig tacos along red (watermelon), white (cucumber mint), and green (jalapeno) margaritas.

Pistolero’s Tequila and Taco Bar
The Montrose tacos and tequila spot will offer $7 El Jimador Margaritas all night.

Revelry on Richmond
The Montrose sports bar will utilize Cinco de Mayo as the opportunity to introduce its new fajitas Wednesday promotion of a half-pound of beef or chicken fajitas with rice and beans for $15 (add a frozen margarita for $5 more). Day-of specials include a build-your-own taco bar; $5 palomas and ranch waters; $20 buckets of Mexican beer; and $3.50 domestic and $5 craft and import big beers.

Space Cowboy
The tropical-inspired, poolside patio bar at the Heights House Hotel will host a Cinco party that features a special menu by chef Lyle Bento, boozy Mexican raspas, paletas by Popston, churros by Planet Churro, loteria, piñatas, CBD vendors, and a night market, 7-11 pm.

The Taco Stand
The recently opened taqueria from the owners of the Burger Joint will sell its single-sized canned margaritas and frozen margaritas for $5 all day. Available for dine-in, to-go, and drive-thru.

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a new chapter

New permit brings the party back to Third War Sunday Funday hotspot

Courtesy of Almeda Hospitality Group

Outdoor parties are returning to Bar 5015.

Sunday Funday is back on at Bar 5015. The Almeda Avenue hotspot recently regained the City of Houston permit that allows it to use amplified sound on its outdoor patio.

“[Losing the permit] affected our ability to play any amplified sound on our patio,” Bar 5015 owner Steve Rogers tells CultureMap. “The footprint is maybe 80 percent outdoor seating. Not being able to play amplified sound affected the business.”

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According to Rogers, Bar 5015 lost its permit when it was convicted of two violations of Chapter 30 of the City of Houston’s sound ordinance within 36 months. When the older conviction became more than 36 months old, Rogers was able to reapply for the necessary permit. While the process has been disruptive, Rogers is ready to move forward.

“We’re not blaming anybody or any particular person. We know we have to coexist with our neighbors and figure out a way not to disrupt their quality of life,” he says.

Towards that end, Bar 5015 has implemented a number of changes designed to help it stay in compliance with the ordinance. Insulated materials under the stage will help prevent bass from throbbing beyond the bar’s footprint. Any DJs the bar books will be required to sign contracts that they won’t turn up the volume past a certain level. “If they go beyond that, it could result in suspension or termination,” Rogers says.

In addition, the bar has purchased the same decibel readers that the Houston Police Department uses. Employees will take hourly sound readings throughout the night and enter them into a log.

“We’re staying in contact with the neighbors, also,” Rogers says. “If you hear something, tell us, so we can correct it in real time. Even if we’re below the number, let us know, so we can fix it.”

With the new procedures in place, Bar 5015 can get back to doing what it does best — showing Houstonians a good time

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