Yes, we know. For most of us, Cinco de Mayo is a day of dubious relevance bordering on cultural appropriation. Nonetheless, restaurants, bars and their patrons have adopted this box on the calendar as an excuse for merry-making. And we'll play along as a service to you, dear readers. Here's a sampling of what's going on around town:
The Georgetown taco spot will offer two beer and wine cocktails ($7 each) for the day: the 'Michaialada,' a take on a michelada made with Port City Optimal Wit, and a Mexican sangria made with a California sangiovese, local strawberries and citrus. Of course, the full vegetarian taco menu will be available as well. 3207 Grace St. NW.
On Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m., you'll find beer, food trucks, live music and... racing chihuahuas (?) on the Southwest Waterfront. 600 Water St. SW.
Specials include $20 endless Mexican food, $6 margaritas and $5 beers. 1819 14th St. NW.
Beginning at noon, there will be festivities such as a photo booth, ice luge and mariachi band, plus $6 margaritas, $6 shots of Sauza Blue tequila and $7 shots of Tequila Corralejo. 919 U St. NW.
Craft beer, flight specials and fried oyster tacos starting at 5 p.m. Cerveceria Allende Golden Ale and Cerveceria Allende Brown Ale will be available for $5, along with an Allende Special for $10, which includes a beer and a one-ounce pour of Fidencio Clásico mezcal. 1250 Ninth St. NW.
Traditional margaritas, guacamole and selected drafts will be available all day for $5, beginning at noon. 2800 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington.
Food and drink specials all night (5 p.m. to midnight), with DJs Jahsonic and Singh Slim. 1358 H St. NE.
Festivities begin at noon, with specials including $4 Tecates, $7 Mission margaritas, $6.50 El Jimador shots and $25 Mission margarita pitchers. 1606 20th St. NW.
The bar offers $5 margaritas and quesadillas all night. 801 E St NW.
Spirits specialist Dan Searing's Lexicon event (7 p.m. to midnight) focuses this week on the book "A Lime and a Shaker" by Paul Tanguay and Tad Carducci, which highlights Mexican cocktails. 829 Upshur St. NW.
From 11:30 a.m. to close, expect drink and food specials, including spit-roasted al pastor ($2) and roast suckling pig ($3) tacos. 4000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington.
This pop-up beer garden will feature live music, beer, wine and the El Chilango food truck from 4 to 8 p.m. 1901 N. Fort Myer Dr., Arlington.
The taqueria will serve a $3 cochinita pibil taco (pork braised in an achiote-bitter orange marinade) all day. 2190 Pimmit Dr., Falls Church.
Happy hour all day and night, including a mezcal Smokehouse margarita ($12) and $1 off various other drinks, along with food such as chilaquiles ($12) and nachos ($12). 1356 Okie St. NE.
All tacos on the menu will be $5 in the bar and dining room from 3 p.m. to close. Three $10 margaritas (spicy orange, hibiscus and classic) will be on offer as well. 1926 14th St. NW.
Through Thursday, there will be $4 mini tacos, $5 queso and $7 tot-chos to snack on. Drinks: $4 draft Dos Equis and Corona and Corona Light bottles, $5 frozen margaritas and $7 Milagro Silver margaritas. 400 First St. SE; 1460 P St NW.
This week's cocktail menu features such drinks as the Wangy Tangy Margarita ($14), made with blanco tequila and Gordy's Pickle Jar brine, and the Koopa Beach ($14), made with mezcal, green chartreuse and ginger beer. 1800 14th St. NW.
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