Cinco de Mayo Parties in San Francisco

Cinco de Mayo, a holiday more closely associated these days with tequila, Mexican beer and tacos than Mexico’s independence after French occupation in the 1800s, is back with a weekend full of parties.

Here are a few highlights:

May 4: Ninth Annual Cinco de Mayo Festival at Dolores Park

The ninth annual San Francisco Cinco de Mayo Festival is an alcohol-free, family friendly cultural celebration that draws over 10,000 attendees. The event features food diverse foods, live entertainment and arts and crafts vendors. Performances include salsa music and Latin jazz band Edgardo & Candela, in addition to a Zumba-thon and a dance fitness-party.

May 4: Tres de Mayo Block Party at Taverna Aventine

Taverna Aventine kicks off the Cinco de Mayo weekend with block party featuring three outdoor bars, DJs and food trucks. Admission is free.

May 4: Hot Tamales at Danzhaus-Gingerbread Warehouse

This warehouse party celebrates Cinco de Mayo with two rooms with DJs spinning dirty bass and electro.

May 4: Cinco De Mayo Bash with DJ Guzie and DJ Eno at the Parlor

Party rocker DJ Guzie of the electronic and house duo Rock-it Scientists! headlines “Vintage” Saturday night festivities at the Parlor. San Francisco based DJ Eno, a regularat Mas Sake and Manor West, is also scheduled to perform. Complimentary guest list and discounted drink specials before 11 pm.

May 5: La Familia: Quantic, Blockhead and Locura at Public Works

Public Works’ lineup has the potential to be the most energetic and fun party on this list given the variety of genres covered by the evening’s performers. Quantic is an umbrella name for UK-born Will Holland, whose global new sound is a mixture of funk, jazz, electronic and folk with elements of reggae, dub and cumbia. Blockhead is trip-hop artist part of renown electronic label Ninja Tune, while Locura is an experimental Bay Area trio who blends salsa, funk, hip-hop and reggae melodies.

May 5: Hecho en San Francisco at the Ferry Building

San Francisco’s kitchen startup incubator, La Cocina, hosts its 3rd Annual Hecho En San Francisco: “Not your usual Cinco de Mayo Celebration.” The event takes place outdoors under the south arcade of the Ferry Building and since the celebration is presented by local hot spot, Tacolicious, attendees are encouraged to sample handcrafted tequila cocktails and tasty antojitos (Mexican street food). There will also be a charity raffle, with prizes such as premium tequila flights from Casa Noble & Herradura, cooking classes from La Cocina, and an expenses-paid trip for two to visit Casa Noble distillrey in Jalisco, Mexico. All proceeds from the event benefit Center for Urban Education about Sustainable Agriculture (CUESA) and La Cocina.

May 5: Baile en la Calle: The Mural Dances at Brava Theater Center

Take a guided walking tour of the landmark Mission District mural paintings hosted by performing arts company Epiphany Productions. Starting at Brava Theater Center, experience five mural site visits with live dance ranging from traditional to modern. Artists include the adult modern and folkloric Cuicacalli Dance Company, comparsa conga band Loco Bloco with stilts and dancers, culminating in a latin dance performance at Galeria de la Raza. Guided tours leave from Brava every 45 minutes starting at 11:30 am.

May 5: Cinco de May at Penthouse Club & Restaurant

For those looking for a more naughty option for Cinco de Mayo, Penthouse Club & Restaurant hosts drink special, live mariachi and other entertainment (*wink wink) for $5 admission all night.

May 5: Cinco de Mayo at La Mar

La Mar opens its waterfront deck for a Cinco de Mayo with DJs spinning Latin, Euro, Top 40, Brazilian,

Persian House and more. Tequila and pisco sours specials all day and free admission between 1pm and 2:30pm.

Written by Carlos Olin Montalvo

Follow me @carlosolin