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Where to find Cinco de Mayo food and drink specials

May 4, 2016 at 3:10 p.m. EDT
Mike Isabella's Pepita in Arlington is among the many spots offering food and drink specials for Cinco de Mayo. (Bill O'Leary/The Washington Post)

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:

Chaia

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.

Cinco de Mayo at the Wharf

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.

El Centro D.F.

Specials include $20 endless Mexican food, $6 margaritas and $5 beers. 1819 14th St. NW.

El Rey

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.

Espita Mezcaleria

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.

Fuego Cocina y Tequileria

Traditional margaritas, guacamole and selected drafts will be available all day for $5, beginning at noon. 2800 Clarendon Blvd., Arlington.

Impala Cantina y Taqueria

Food and drink specials all night (5 p.m. to midnight), with DJs Jahsonic and Singh Slim. 1358 H St. NE.

Mission

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.

Penn Social

The bar offers $5 margaritas and quesadillas all night. 801 E St NW.

Petworth Citizen

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.

Pepita

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.

Rosslyn Cinco de Mayo Beer Garden

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.

Taco Bamba

The taqueria will serve a $3 cochinita pibil taco (pork braised in an achiote-bitter orange marinade) all day. 2190 Pimmit Dr., Falls Church.

The Tavern at Ivy City Smokehouse

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.

Tico

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.

Tortilla Coast

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.

2 Birds 1 Stone

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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