Next Monday is May 5, which elbow benders everywhere know translates in Spanish to Cinco de Mayo. The holiday is not, as popular misconception has it, Mexico’s Independence Day, but rather, a commemoration of the Mexican army’s victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
Increasingly, Cinco de Mayo in New York has become a multi-day extravaganza, with the festivities beginning well in advance of May 5. One mini-chain — the two locations of Mad Dog & Beans Mexican Cantina — is in the midst of celebrating “the 12 days of Cinco” with complimentary tequila and beer tastings and daily raffles and giveaways. The prizes, which include a trip to Mexico and $1,000 in cash, are nothing to sneeze at. Mad Dog & Beans Mexican Cantina, 83 Pearl Street, 212-269-1177, and in Midtown at 5 East 38th Street, 646-998-5722.
The veteran La Contenta Oeste will keep “party hours,” remaining open from noon till 3 a.m., tomorrow and Saturday, and until 1 a.m. on Cinco proper (Monday). A live mariachi band will be on hand on Cinco, and frozen margaritas will be available for $12 — $5 off the menu price. The restaurant will be partnering with Herradura Tequila and will be offering a special Herradura-branded cocktail shaker that the customer may keep as a souvenir after dispatching the two watermelon margaritas inside. La Contenta Oeste 78 West 11th Street (at Sixth Ave.), 212-533-2233.
At Casa Bond NoHo, the restaurant will embrace tradition with a menu of botanas — authentic Mexican snacks and small plates meant to be enjoyed with family and friends. The holiday mood will be captured by a live mariachi band, piñatas, and surprises. Drinks designed to be shared include a cantarito, a tequila-based highball similar to a paloma but with a greater concentration of citrus fruit. Casa Bond NoHo, 334 Bowery (bet. Great Jones and Bond Sts.), 917-639-3009.
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