Gaslamp Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl
Cinco de Mayo, or Cinco de Drinko, as it is known to many college-age students, is a time to get loose, forget about midterms and celebrate. If you’re tired of PB Bar and Grill and if the historical Cinco de Mayo celebration in Old Town does not spark your interest, then head downtown for the Gaslamp’s annual and world famous pub crawl.
The crawl starts on Saturday, May 4 from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. and continues on Sunday, May 5 from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Pub-goers start at Taste & Thirst on Fourth Avenue and then move around to 12 more locations. This is where you will check in and get a map of all the bars participating and the bar’s special drink deals. Each location has its own deals, but all bars will have $2 cervezas, two-for-one margaritas, and $5 shots of tequila for a minimum of three hours. Other drink specials vary by bar, day and time. There will be an after party free of cover charges hosted by a bar each night. Each location will be revealed 24 hours before the crawl. A tip to remember: You must register before 2 p.m on May 4 at californianightlife.com to get a spot in the crawl.
— Nichole Perri
Cultura Urbana Cinco de Mayo
Dust off your old sombrero and celebrate “Cinco de Drinko” at the La Cultura Urbana arts and music festival in Balboa Park this Sunday, May 5. The event is put on by event promoters FYC and Twenty Five Stripes and hosted by Saul Q and J40. It will feature live music and DJs from San Diego’s local band AZUCAR, along with Los Hollywood, Sonidero Travesura, Iabide, Saul Q, Beto Perez, V-Rock, Office Twins and Pablo Stanley. There will be crafted cocktails available from El Dorado Bar. Presale tickets are online for $10 and $15 at the door. The events benefit Centro Cultural de la Raza, the Chicano Community Cultural Center, which functions as an artistic growth area for cultural interchange in the San Diego/Tijuana region. The event goes from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and is located at 2004 Park Blvd. in San Diego. Make sure to bring ID, a receipt (for presale tickets only) and a designated driver so that you’ve not a care in the world as you’re tossing back tequila shots — just the way Jose Cuervo intended.
— Shelby Newallis
Cinco de Mayo in TJ
Despite the craze of Cinco de Mayo festivities in the states, most of Mexico doesn’t make a big fuss about throwing a big celebration. It’s more of a regional holiday in Mexico, specifically in the state of Puebla, where the Mexican army defeated French forces on May 5, 1862. The day is also known as “El Dia de la Batalla de Puebla.” Other parts of Mexico outside of Puebla save the real celebrations for Mexican Independence Day on Sept. 16, the country’s biggest and most patriotic holiday. However, there are fiestas to be found on Mexican soil every day of the year; this May 5 is no different than any other for our neighboring hotspot, Tijuana. There are countless things to do in TJ to fulfill proper party cravings.
Tijuana has renowned nightlife, so bars are definitely not limited in number. Check out the modern, hipster-approved La Mezcalera on Calle Sexta (Sixth Street) between Avenidas Revolucion Y Madero, or head across the street to El Dandy del Sur for a more old-school vibe. Both are close to TJ’s tourist-friendly shopping destination, Avenida Revolucion. Though Avenida Revolucion has arguably seen a decline in business quality with many shops being forced to close down, the street has more than a few bars and clubs to visit.
— Jean Lee
