Best Bars For Cinco De Mayo In Sacramento

Cinco De Mayo is a day that commemorates Mexico's victory over France at the Battle Of Puebla in 1862. In the United States, we use it as an excuse to fill up on Mexican food and tequila. Luckily for us, Sacramento has no shortage of good Mexican restaurants and bars. Cinco De Mayo is the day when you'll find the best specials in town for Mexican food and cocktails. From small and traditional to big and trendy, we have the best places for you to get your Cinco on. Part of the challenge this year is the holiday falls on a Monday.

Vallejo's Restaurant
1900 4th St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 443-8488
www.vallejosrestaurant.com

This family-owned restaurant is a Sacramento favorite with two locations to choose from. For the purpose of this article, we will talk only about the restaurant located on 4th street in Sacramento. This year, Vallejo's will be hosting a block party on the Friday before Cinco De Mayo. On the Monday itself, it will have a DJ and drink specials. This place has a great energy and tops the list as far as authenticity goes. The menu includes tasty and generous portions of classic Mexican favorites.

Zocalo
1801 Capitol Ave.
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 441-0303
www.zocalosacramento.com

Zocalo is still working out the fine details on the extended version of what is being offered this day, says front of the house manager Josh. Drink specials will be featured and Zocalo is guaranteed to be packed. Satellite bars will be set up throughout the restaurant to help better serve the masses. Since this year the holiday falls on a Monday, the mariachi music will be heard throughout the day and not so much during the evening. Stay posted to its Facebook page for updates on other Cinco happenings at both the Midtown and Roseville locations.

Azul Mexican Food / Tequila Bar
1050 20th St., Suite 140
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 447-4040
www.azuldowntown.com

Azul is located in a fun part of town not far from all of the local gay bars. Live mariachi music starts at 6 p.m. on Cinco De Mayo this year. Azul is known for having over 80 tequilas all made from 100 percent blue agave as well as a few Mezcals. Be sure to check out the tequila girls walking around the restaurant. Tequila and food specials will be going on the entire day as part of the celebration.

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Ernesto's Mexican Food
1901 16th St.
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 441-5850
www.ernestosmexicanfood.com

Ernesto's has quite a bit going on for Cinco De Mayo. Operations manger Dani said the celebration at Ernesto's starts on Friday with a mariachi band from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. On Saturday, you can enjoy live music from local musician Edson Ortica. On Sunday and Monday, the party continues. Monday there will again be a mariachi band from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., beer girls and possibly an extended patio to better serve the crowds.

Mayahuel
1200 K St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 441-7200
www.tequilamuseo.com

Mayahuel is truly a unique gem on this list. Part restaurant/bar and part museum, this places screams of history and Mexican pride. Mayahuel will have drink, margarita and tequila specials all day long. The restaurant will also have music in the form of a DJ on Cinco De Mayo. Take a look at the website to get a peek at Mayahuel's amazing menu and check out its Facebook page for Cinco updates.

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As a hospitality professional Andy Soto has worked every facet of the industry. He currently leads the team at Spectrum Restaurant Consulting. He started writing a hospitality blog in 2009 and restaurant writing for Sacramento Press in 2010. In 2011 Andy became a Sacramento Restaurant Examiner for Examiner.com. His work can be found on Examiner.com.