Where to Celebrate Cinco De Mayo in Shanghai 2017

Cinco de Mayo is around the corner and the ah-May-zing weather is getting us in the party mood. Show your love for everything Mexican in the celebration of the Mexican army’s victory over Napoleon III in 1862. Or admit that it's just an excuse to feast on spicy food, tortillas, margaritas and tequila.

Mayita

Shirley Maria’s Latin band will perform and Kathryn Robbins will give you a Mexican make-over with her Mexican face paintings on Mayita’s rooftop terrace. DIY lovers can drink their hearts out at the ‘make your own’ Margarita station and feast on the Olmeca Altos Tequila Trolley. 

Early birds get 6 tickets for RMB150 or 12 tickets for RMB250. Tacos for RMB25, main dishes with Pueblan moles for RMB75 and churros for RMB50. 11am. Mayita, 6/F, 98 Shouning Lu, by Xizang Nan Lu 寿宁路98号6楼，近西藏南路

Zapata's

This Mexican favorite celebrates with a taco buffet from 6-10pm. Dress up with their free sombreros, ponchos and get ready for hourly free shots. Word on the street is there will be a Piñata as well. Not sure what's inside though. 

RMB138 entry including free flow of Carlsberg and Margarita. 6pm. Zapata's, 5 Hengshan Lu, by Dongping Lu 衡山路5号，近东平路

El Luchito and El Santo

More a 'Cinco de Meses' than 'Cinco de Mayo' as this is a party on the 5th of every month. But these are Mexican joints so... here they are.  

24 hours of half price drinks from midnight to midnight. 

El Luchito, 45 Yongkang Lu, by Jiashan Lu 永康路45号，近嘉善路；

El Santo, B/1, Found 158, 158 Julu Lu, by Ruijin Yi Lu 巨鹿路158号地下1楼，近瑞金一路

UNICO Shanghai

This one is looking like the classiest Cinco De Mayo party this year, if there is such a thing. The top Latin joint on the Bund celebrates with DJ Tuto, who'll be keeping the exotic beats with percussions by Toby Senior and live mariachi by Felix Lopez. MVP handles this party.

Two bottles of Mumm Champagne + one bottle of Tequila Altos for RMB2,500. Free until 12.30am by RSVP to [e-mail], or RMB100 cover otherwise. Goodie bags at the door. UNICO Shanghai, 2/F, 3 Zhongshan Dong Yi Lu, by Guangdong Lu 中山东一路3号2楼，近广东路

Pistolera (Hengshan Lu)

Mexican restaurant Pistolera on Hengshan Lu pulls out all the stops on their most special day of the year (we're guessing) with a street food fiesta. Can't go wrong with an all-you-can-eat buffet and deals on Mexican drinks. 

All-you-can-eat buffet, snacks and taco bar for RMB150, RMB150 Corona buckets (five bottles) and RMB25 tequila shots. 5pm. Pistolera (Hengshan Lu), The New Hengshan Cinema, No. 838-2 Hengshan Lu, by Zhaojiabang Lu 衡山路838-2号, 近肇嘉浜路

The Rooster, Dogtown, After Work, Daliah and Wonderland

The folks living on Shaanxi Bei Lu are either super chill or have impaired hearing, because here's yet another excuse for a block party on the Jing'an bar street. Expect rowdy laowais in fake mustaches and selfies with cops. 

A purchase of any sponsored drink gets you a stamp in your 'tequila passport' that will entitle you to a free drink at any of these participating bars: 

The Rooster, 455 Shaanxi Bei lu, by Bejing Xi lu 陕西北路455号，近北京西路；

Dogtown, 409 Shaanxi Bei Lu, by Beijing Xi Lu 陕西北路409号，近北京西路；

After Work, 549 Shaanxi Bei Lu, by Xinzha Lu 陕西北路549号，近新闸路；

Daliah, 408 Shaanxi Bei Lu, by Beijing Xi Lu 陕西北路408号，近北京西路；

Wonderland, 1311 Xinzha Lu, by Shaanxi Bei Lu 新闸路1311号，近陕西北路

Tepito (Cantina Agave)

Exactly a year after changing their name to Tepito, they're Cantina Agave again in honor of Cinco De Mayo. Head on over here if you're feeling nostalgic.

Margaritas and Sangria for RMB30, Coronas for RMB20 a pop. Snacks are complimentary. 7pm. Tepito, 291 Fumin Lu, by Changle Lu 富民路291号，近长乐路

Windows Scoreboard

It's Cinco De Cheapo at student hangout Windows Scoreboard. That is all.

Any two Mexican foods for RMB40, buy-one-get-one-free on any Mexican drink, RMB35 Coronas, RMB20 Tequila Sunrise and tequila pops, and RMB10 tequila shots. Offer ends at 9pm. Windows Scoreboard, 11/F, 527 Huaihai Zhong lu, by Chengdu Lu 淮海中路527号11楼，近成都路

Daliah

Though Daliah is part of the aforementioned Shaanxi Bei Lu block party, they're throwing their own Cinco De Mayo shindig with a pop-up Zumba workout on the night (random) followed by a Latin-themed party in the bar. Sure, why not.

RMB200 for the sweaty Zumba workout with margarita and nachos, no cover for the party. 10pm. Daliah, 408 Shaanxi Bei Lu, by Beijing Xi Lu 陕西北路408号，近北京西路

The Spot

These guys are throwing a two-day Cinco De Mayo party on Friday and Saturday with special offers on Mexican food. They have a live band and entertainment from 9.30pm onwards. Ole!

Choose either Mexican Burger, chicken quasadillas or nachos with a choice of Olmeca Tequila Sunrise or Sol beer, for RMB99. 6pm. The Spot, 255 Tongren Lu, by Nanjing Xi Lu 铜仁路255号，近南京西路

[Cover image via моряк]

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