Tequila and Tacos

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo 2025 at these Houston bars and restaurants

Picos has margaritas for $10 all day on Cinco de Mayo.

By Becca Wright

It’s Cinco de Mayo weekend in Houston, and this city knows how to celebrate Mexico's victory at the Battle of Puebla. From sizzling street tacos and refreshing margaritas to live mariachi music and cultural festivities, there’s no shortage of ways to join the fiesta. We’ve compiled a few of the festivities happening around the city. So, pour yourself a shot of tequila, grab a taco, and enjoy a reason to celebrate with friends.

Axelrad
This beloved Midtown beer garden is keeping it chill with all-day margarita specials on Monday, May 5. From 2 pm to midnight, enjoy house margaritas for $5 (add a flavor for $1). Then, settle into a comfy hammock in Axelrad’s spacious backyard to relax.

Candente
Cinco de Mayo celebrations at the Michelin-recognized Tex-Mex restaurant will span three days, from May 3–5. On Saturday and Sunday, enjoy all-day festivities including tequila tastings, a DJ, and a photo booth. On Monday, a traveling mariachi band will set the mood while diners feast on Tex-Mex favorites, paired with margaritas, micheladas, and other cocktails from multiple satellite bars. Seating is first-come, first-served.

Cyclone Anaya
All six Houston-area Cyclone Anaya’s locations are marking Cinco de Mayo with food and drink specials and live music. Stop by for $5 margaritas, two tacos for $5, and mariachi band performances throughout the day. Whether you’re in the mood to sip, snack, or dance, this classic Houston Tex-Mex joint is ready to party.

Late August
For Cinco de Mayo, executive chef Sergio Hidalgo presents a special three-course Taco Omakase menu, offering a refined take on tacos through an Afro-Mexican lens. Each course can be paired with wines selected by Level 3 Sommelier Danny Davis. This exclusive dining experience is available for dinner only on May 5. Reservations are highly recommended.

Maximo
This West U. Mexican restaurant from the team behind Local Foods and Milton's is going all out on Monday. From 5-8 pm, the restaurant's Cinco de Mayo Pachanga will feature a one-night-only collaboration menu from chef Adrian Torres and guest Joseph Boudreaux of Boo's Burgers, live painting by Houston artists Donkeeboy and Donkeemom, a market with local vendors, tequila tastings, and music by DJ Mexican Blackbird.

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Molina’s Cantina
Premium margs are just $8 at Molina’s all weekend. On Monday, mariachis will serenade guests at every outpost from 6-8 pm, while happy hour is on all day, including Molina’s margaritas for $9.50 and Mexican beers for $4.50.

The Original Ninfa’s
At Ninfa’s Uptown, the Tex-Mex favorite is partnering with Don Julio tequila for a twist on the Uptown Mezcal cocktail or the Ninfarita, Uptown, or Navigation margaritas. Don’t miss the Aguasol Tequila Jello shots for $3. Enjoy mariachi music Saturday from 5–6 pm, with a photo booth and giveaways from 5–7 pm.

At Ninfa’s on Navigation, celebrate with Patron-based cocktails and the same festive Jello shots. Sunday’s mariachi is from 2–3 pm, with a photo booth and giveaways from 2–4 pm.

Picos
Get your groove on at this restaurant in Upper Kirby with a live DJ mixing up music on Sunday from 12-3 pm outside, and a mariachi band performing inside from 12-4 pm. Feast on the Cinco de Mayo brunch buffet from 10 am-4 pm. On Monday, order $10 house margs from 11 am-3 pm, while an all-you-can-eat pastor cart will be available for $21 a person.

State Fare Kitchen and Bar
On Cinco de Mayo, all three locations (Memorial, Sugar Land, and The Woodlands) will serve up festive specials, including $5 State Fare margaritas (frozen or on the rocks) and oversized eats like the Big Tex Taco with a 12-inch puffy flour tortilla. Bring friends and dig into the Big Cinco Platter ($45), which includes the Big Tex Taco, quesabirria, guacamole, salsa, and tortilla chips.

Toca Madera
This stylish steakhouse is known for its lively vibes, and Cinco is no exception. The restaurant will be alive with music all weekend, with a DJ, guitarists, and baile folklorico performances. You won’t want to miss the fire dancers. On Cinco de Mayo, happy hour is extended from 2-6 pm, with a live mariachi band. Reservations are recommended.

Verde Garden
The Harlow District is pulling out all the stops with three days of Cinco de Mayo festivities. On Saturday, May 3, enjoy a lively lineup featuring a mariachi band at 2 pm, Folklorico dancers at 7 pm, and a DJ set starting at 10 pm. A paloma bar and photo booth add to the fun. On Sunday, May 4, customers can sip from a michelada bar and unwind at the unique cumbia and coffee bar. Then on Monday, May 5, enjoy food and drink specials all day long.

the rustic returns

Pat Green's massive bar and live music venue begins building new Houston home

Courtesy of Houston First

A rendering previews The Rustic's new location.

One of downtown Houston’s most popular venues for eating, drinking, and enjoying live music has taken the next step in its comeback. Construction has begun on the new downtown location of The Rustic, the bar, restaurant, and live music venue that counts Texas country star Pat Green as one of its owners.

The Rustic’s original downtown location at 1836 Polk St. closed at the end of 2025 to make way for the expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center. At the time, The Rustic's owners, Dallas-based hospitality group Free Range Concepts, and Houston First Corporation, which owns the land and leases it to FreeRange, announced it would move to 1718 Jackson St., a parking lot that’s approximately two blocks south of the original location.

With construction underway, the new location is expected to open in March 2027. When it does, it will contain more than 18,000 square feet, including both indoor and outdoor spaces. Like its predecessor, it will have plenty of room for private events.

“Houston has always embraced The Rustic in a big way, and we’re incredibly excited to begin this next chapter downtown” FreeRange Concepts co-owner Kyle Noonan said in a statement. “This new location allows us to create an even bigger gathering place for great food, great music, and remarkable memories while continuing to be part of the energy and growth of Houston’s future.”

First opened in 2018, the Rustic features a wide-ranging menu of Texas-inspired dishes such as tacos, burgers, and steaks paired with cocktails, beer, and wine. Free Range opened a second location of the Rustic in Uptown Park in 2020. A scaled-down version opened at Hobby Airport in 2024.

The move is part of plans to expand the George R. Brown Convention Center. Slated to open in time for the Republican National Convention in 2028, the facility will add 700,000 square feet in a space adjacent to the existing building and a 100,000-square-foot pedestrian plaza that will be used for festivals and other events.

“Houston First is proud to continue our relationship with FreeRange Concepts and The Rustic by bringing the venue to the heart of what will be a new entertainment district downtown,” said Michael Heckman, President and CEO of Houston First. “This new location will energize the area by creating a vibrant gathering place for visitors and Houstonians alike, while strengthening the connectivity between the convention center, area hotels and other venues. The Rustic is exactly the kind of experience-driven concept that continues to elevate Houston as a premier destination.”

downtown news-you-can-eat openings