Make room for margs, tacos and mariachi music—Cinco de Mayo is coming, and Arlington restaurants are getting ready to party. Here are several local options to help you celebrate.
Assembly
May 1-5 | Hours vary
Why celebrate for just one night when you can have a whole week of fun? This Rosslyn food hall has a different menu special or live event each evening: On Monday, flex your brain power with trivia night, benefiting Fairfax CASA. Snag deals on tacos and beer on Taco Tuesday, and come back Wednesday for salsa night. Sip tequila drinks on margarita night Thursday, and save room for a few more on Friday, Cinco de Mayo, when discounted tacos and ‘ritas will be served all day. // 1700 N. Moore St., Arlington (Rosslyn)
Banditos Tacos & Tequila
May 5 | 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Head to this Westpost taqueria for an all-day party with games, live music, kid’s activities, food and drink specials, and a limited-time margarita. The entertainment includes acoustic group Maria and the Sacred Hearts and Spanish language rock outfit Los Novios de Martita. And feel free to take your beverage on the go, as the shopping plaza (formerly known as Pentagon Row) has a “sip-and-stroll” policy. // 1301 S. Joyce St., Arlington (Westpost)
Buena Vida Gastrolounge
May 5-7 | 4 p.m.-11 p.m. Friday & Saturday, 4 p.m.-1o p.m. Sunday
Take advantage of drink deals or dive into a four-course meal at this Clarendon hotspot for Mexican fare. The classic margarita (tequila blanco, lime, orange liqueur, agave), house wine and select beers are all available for $7 each on each of the restaurant’s three floors. If you’re looking for a substantial meal to celebrate the occasion, consider the Cinco Fiesta Feast ($44.99 per person), served on Buena Vida’s rooftop. Highlights include crab queso, corn ribs, Baja fish tacos and house-made churros. // 2900 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Clarendon)
Cinco de Mayo Festival at Mosaic
May 5 | 4-10 p.m.
Get ready to dance in the street. Tex-Mex destination Urbano is presenting this Cinco de Mayo outdoor block party at Mosaic, complete with live tunes, a taco and fajita bar, and plenty of margs. The stage lineup features 123 Andres, the Quimbao Latin Band, a mariachi band and a DJ. // 2985 District Ave., Fairfax (Mosaic)
Inca Social
May 5 | Noon-9 p.m.
Take the party from day to night with $5 traditional margaritas and $5 tacos at this Peruvian concept known for ceviche and pisco in Rosslyn. Additional specials include $8 Inca margs, $9 Mexican mules and $8 coconut tequila shots. // 1776 Wilson Blvd Unit 1, Arlington (Rosslyn)
Rosa Mexicano
May 1-5 | 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. (Open till 10:30 p.m. on Thursday and 11 p.m. on Friday)
The Arlington location of this Mexican hot spot opened in December with a sizeable patio and a bar, boasting 100-plus types of tequila and related spirits. Pop by May 1-4 for half-price tacos and indulge on May 5 in Fiesta Fuel ($65), a pitcher of frozen pomegranate and lime margaritas infused with Grand Marnier. // 1100 S. Hayes St., Arlington (Westpost)
Taco Bamba
May 5 | 3-6 p.m.
Score $5 select beers and cocktails during Taco Bamba’s happy hour. The taqueria known for spicy ‘shroom tacos and esquites-style corn in a cup will also feature special menu items at each location. // 4000 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston) and 2190 Pimmit Drive, Falls Church
Taco Rock
May 5 | 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (Rosslyn) & 11 a.m.-11 p.m. (Falls Church)
If you love a menu with a lot of options, Taco Rock has it. Choose from more than two dozen type of tacos, from fried avocado and pollo poblano to shake-down shrimp (flash-fried shrimp, pickled cabbage, pico de gallo, chipotle mayo, cilantro, pickled fresno chiles). Wash them down with $5 Jose Cuervo ‘ritas, $4 house margs, $7 colada crushes and other drink specials (including the $6 happy hour michelada available daily from 4-7 p.m.) // 1501 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Rosslyn), and 1116 West Broad St., Falls Church City
Whino
May 5 | 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
For a vibey holiday, head to this Ballston bar and gallery space for “lowbrow” art and cocktails. DJ Mike Rodriguez will spin tunes at the five-hour party while you whet your whistle with special margaritas featuring Casamigos tequila and your choice of salt, sugar or TajÃn on the rim. Hungry? Snack on specials from the taco bar, nachos, carnitas torta or chips and guac. // 4238 Wilson Blvd., Arlington (Ballston)
But wait, there’s more …
Arlington Margarita and Mimosa Fest
May 6 | 2-8 p.m.
If you’re looking to extend the party into the weekend, make a date with this Saturday fest. Bar hop from Arlington Rooftop Bar and Grill to Mexicali Blues to Ragtime and enjoy $4 mimosas, $6 Milagro margaritas, DJ-crafted tunes and more. // Multiple locations. Register at Arlington Rooftop Bar and Grill from 2-4 p.m. Tickets $27.99+.