Top Cinco de Mayo Parties In Philadelphia

While many mistake Cinco de Mayo for the Mexican Independence Day, the true celebration is rooted in the cause of freedom and democracy following the unlikely victory of Mexican forces over the French in a town called Puebla. Nowadays, the holiday commemorates the right to eat, drink and be merry, because even outside of Puebla these causes ring true. This Cinco de Mayo, these eateries will make it clear that celebrating Mexican heritage and pride is a nationwide event in the United States and a citywide party in Philadelphia.

Cinco de Manayunk 
Manayunk Brewery & Restaurant
4120 Main St
Philadelphia, PA 19127
(215) 482-8220
manayunkbrewery.com

Price: $20
Date: May 5, 2012
Hours: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Buy tickets here before they sell out

If you don't think it's necessary for a 40-foot Corona bottle to point the way to this Brewery's Cinco de Mayo party, you're probably right. However, starting May 1st, you'll be able to "follow the lime" from as far away as the Schuylkill anyway. The size of that bottle is only the tip of the very festive iceberg, because below the lime you will find a pig-roast, a Mexican buffet, live music from bands and DJs, giveaways, contests, and tons of beads and Corona-sponsored swag. The party ends as evening approaches, but for those who want to turn daytime drinks into nighttime shenanigans, cover band Karma comes on at 10:30 p.m.

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Art After 5's Cinco de Mayo Party
Philadelphia Museum of Art
26th St and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA 19130
(215) 763-8100
philademuseum.org

Price: Free after admission
Date: May 4, 2012
Hours: 5 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.

Experience a festive celebration at the Art Museum just one day before the real Cinco de Mayo extravaganzas begin. Crisol, a Latin ensemble that has been a Philadelphia performer for 15 years, will send you onto the dance floor with a blend of traditional and folk music. As the boleros, cumbias, sones, merengues and mariachi tunes inject your night with a shot of culture, enjoy cocktails, wine and beer supplied by Steven Starr Events that will help you rehydrate and get back to moving to the Latin beat. Attending this dance party will get you in the spirit of Cinco de Mayo before the fifth even arrives.

6th Annual Las Cantinas Cinco de Mayo Party
Cantina Dos Segundos
931 N 2nd St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(215) 629-0500
cantinadossegundos.com

Cantina Las Caballitos
1651 E Passyunk Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 755-3550
cantinaloscaballitos.com

Date: May 5, 2012
Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Not just a destination on Cinco de Mayo, this eatery offers delicious food and in May, a Cinco de Mayo party that will be raging from open to close in both the Northern Liberties and South Philly locations. Mexican spirits will be flying high as guests listen to Mariachi music, snack on cultural staples and sip on watermelon margaritas and sangria. The past five years have drawn a significant crowd, but this year is predicted to be the biggest yet. Get into the action by showing up early.

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Cinco de Mayo Bar Tours
Cinco De Mayo Pub Crawl
Philadelphia, PA
(212) 724-3900
pubcrawls.com

Date: May 4-5, 2012
Hours: Crawls start at 12 p.m.

Instead of limiting yourself to just a restaurant or two, celebrate your Mexican heritage or cultural appreciation with an assortment of Mexican and Texmex experiences. A ticket to a pub crawl on either the Friday or Saturday of Cinco de Mayo weekend gets you entry into various venues across Olde City, Midtown Village, University City, Northern Liberties and Rittenhouse Square, as well as access to drink specials on themed beverages such as Dos Equis, Coronas, margaritas, mojitos and of course tequila. Commemorate the fifth by diving into Mexican food deals, listening to live entertainment and participating in merrymaking contests or games.

Lindsay Lewis is a freelance writer living in Philadelphia. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.