A Las Vegas guide to Cinco de Mayo

By Allison Duck

Friday, May 1, 2009 | 3:05 p.m.

Since the government and the CDC are warning against trips to Mexico right now, it’s best to plan on spending your Cinco de Mayo right here in Las Vegas. Though you won’t be south of the border to celebrate the Mexican holiday, you can down enough margaritas and tacos to make you feel like you’re really there. As with most Vegas holidays, the party will extend over several days. Here are a few top picks to help you with your piñata-busting party planning:

Friday May 1

Tex Mex Fest at the Rio- part 1: The Rio is celebrating Cinco de Mayo a little early this year with Tex Mex Fest featuring performances by David Lee Garza y Los Musicales, Roberto Pulido Y Los Clasicos, Chente Barrera, Tobias Rene and Gabe Nieto & Jalapeno Express.

Dos Caminos Cinco de Mayo celebration: The Dos Caminos Cinco de Mayo celebration kicks off at 11 a.m., continuing with the official soundtrack release party for Sony Pictures' classic film Rudo Y Cursi. Confirmed entertainment includes: DJs Raul Campos, Cyber Kid, and Carlos Sanchez featuring Vibe Elevator Rico Delargo and percussionist Cayce Woody. Some of the featured specials include Chipotle BBQ Pork Belly Gorditas, Squash Blossom Empanadas, Black Angus Sirloin Alambre Tacos, Ancho Seared Tuna Tostaditas and Tortitas de Milanesa.

Cinco de Mayo at Gardunos: Gardunos at the Palms is celebrating Cinco de Mayo from the first through the fifth of May with $4.50 house margaritas and buckets of beer that come with a free shot of tequila.

Diablo's Cinco de Mayo party: Experience Cinco de Mayo, Diablo's style- with $5 margaritas, 20 oz. Tecates and Dos Equis plus live entertainment from May 1-May 5 at Diablo's Cantina at the Monte Carlo.

Saturday May 2

Tex Mex Fest at the Rio- part 2: The Rio is celebrating Cinco de Mayo a little early this year with Tex Mex Fest featuring performances by Little Joe Y La Familia, Flaco Jimenez, Augie Meyers, Charlie Rich, Jr. and Ruben Ramos & The Mexican Revolution.

Margarita tasting fundraiser at Agave Restaurant: Enjoy the finest margaritas on the west side at a special Margarita tasting at Agave Restaurant in support of Nevada Ballet Theatre, the state’s largest professional ballet company. Sample Agave’s award winning margaritas and tequilas, and enjoy live entertainment all while supporting the arts. To RSVP, call 702-243-2623.

Celebrate Dos de Mayo at PT's: Celebrate Dos de Mayo with a party at four locations of PTs (St. Rose and Eastern, Centennial and Losee, East Sahara and Sixth Avenue, and 215 and South Decatur) from 8-11 p.m. Drink specials include $2 Dos Equis and $2 Cazadores shots.

Border Grill's Cinco de Mayo specials: Border Grill, overlooking the pool at Mandalay Bay, will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo on Saturday May 2, Sunday May 3 and Tuesday May 5 with $3 Coronas, Don Julio tequila specials, authentic food specials plus prize giveaways and a mariachi band on Saturday.

Sunday May 3

DJ Vice at Rehab: Rehab at the Hard Rock pool will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo a few days early with DJ Vice spinning live poolside.

Jennifer Pena hosts the Cinco De Mayo Party at Piranha: Piranha presents a Cinco De Mayo Party (a little bit early) with a live appearance by Latin Grammy award winning musician, Jennifer Pena.

Monday May 4

Quarto de Mayo party at Hard Rock Pool: Relax Mondays at the Hard Rock Pool presents a Quarto de Mayo party with Hart & Huntington Tattoo Co. Get a head start on your Cinco de Mayo festivities poolside at the Hard Rock.

Tuesday May 5

Pink Taco's Cinco de Mayo celebration: Pink Taco at the Hard Rock will be offering 2 for 1 Corralejo Blanco Margaritas, 2 for 1 Pacificos, 2 for 1 Corona and Corona Lights plus a Corralejo / Casa Noble ice bar on the patio and DJ spinning live. Corralejo girls will be walking around with shots and prizes as you enjoy the piñatas and Cinco de Mayo décor.

Cinco de Mayo at Viva Michoacan: Viva Michoacan will be presenting Cinco de Mayo drink specials like a shot of Don Julio and a Corona for $5.55 and a Don Julio Margarita for $5.55.

Cinco de Mayo at Steiner's Pub: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Steiner's Pub and enjoy specialty dishes all day including pork carnitas burriots, chicken tostadas and chicken diablo plus ice cream nachos served with cinnamon sugared bunuelos, strawberry mango salsa and chocolate sauce for dessert.

Cinco de Mayo at Camacho’s Cantina at Aliante Station: Camacho’s Cantina at Aliante Station will offer a variety of promotions throughout the day and night. From 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., the cantina will feature a live mariachi band and will give away tickets to check out the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Camacho family created several special menu items in addition to its standard menu of traditional Mexican fare.

Cinco de Mayo specials at Guadalajara at Boulder Station: Guadalajara at Boulder Station will feature a giant, 45-ounce Margarita Grandisimo as well as its world-famous pitchers of margaritas for only $15 on Cinco de Mayo. The restaurant will also introduce its new Uno, Dos, Tres menu featuring more than 100 three-item meal combinations that start at only $9.95.

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at McFadden's: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at McFadden's with $3 Coronas, $5 1800 Tequila shots, $15 1800 Tequila margaritas-by-the-yard, $5 unlimited taco bar, which is included for those who purchase a margarita-by-the-yard.

The Sportsbook Bar & Grill's Cinco de Mayo specials: Enjoy the fun, festive atmosphere of The Sportsbook Bar & Grill at The Palazzo on Cinco de Mayo where a DJ will keep the tunes going on the outdoor patio. For only $10 you will get you a delicious margarita with chips and salsa or get a bucket of 6 Corona or Corona Light for $20.

The Pond season opener/Cinco de Mayo party: Green Valley Ranch's VIP pool, The Pond, opens for the season with a Cinco de Mayo bash with drink specials featuring $5 shots of Patron, and 2 for $5 Bud Light Limes, Corona and Corona Lights.

Rockhouse's Cinco de Mayo bash: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Rocdkhouse with $4 Cuervo margaritas, two-for-one Coronas, two-for-one Bud Light Lime Aluminums and a ‘buy four and get the cinco free’ shot special.

JRoc's Cinco de Drinko at Moon: Celebrate Mexico's independence with a margarita and mariachi. JRoc hosts the event at Moon.

Cinco de Mayo at the Las Vegas Hilton: Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at the Las Vegas Hilton with $1 margaritas inside The Tempo Lounge from 4 p.m. until midnight.

Wilmer Valderrama hosts Cinco de Mayo at Lavo: Wilmer Valderrama will be hosting the Cinco de Mayo festivities at Lavo in the Palazzo. Come throw back some tequila shots with the star from That '70s Show.

Cinco de Mayo at Paradise Cantina: Get your two tickets to Paradise ... Cantina that is, for Cinco de Mayo. Enjoy drink specials, food-eating contests and even luchadores wrestling.

Tacos and Tequila celebrates Cinco de Mayo: Tacos and Tequila in the Luxor presents 12 Hours of Mischieve on Cinco de Mayo featuring $5 Hornitos shots, $5 Tecates, $5 margaritas plus mariachi music, tunes from DJ Ernan and luchadores from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.

Cinco de Mayo at Diego at MGM: MGM's Diego restaurant presents drink specials on Cinco de Mayo including a Dos Equis with a tequila shot for $10, $20 buckets of beer and appetizer specials on chilaquiles and Diego sliders from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m.