Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with DTLA’s Craft Tequilas & Rare Mezcals
Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, many popular eateries near THEA are safely reopening their doors. DTLA is home to some of the city’s most iconic and award-winning Mexican restaurants and cocktail bars, serving chef-driven cuisine and a dazzling array of craft tequilas and rare mezcals. Mezcal is rising in popularity in American bars, and tequila lovers are taking note.
While the two Mexican spirits are both made from agave, there are key differences. In a nut shell, all tequilas are mezcals, but not all mezcals are tequilas. That is because mezcals and tequilas are made from different agaves, produced in different regions, and distilled differently. Now that we’ve piqued your interest, It’s time to round up your crew and discover DTLA’s best craft tequilas and rare mezcals. Check websites for hours, reservations and health guidelines.
Ready to make an authentic margarita at home? The Original Margarita was created when Dallas socialite Margarita Sames mixed her two favorite spirits, Cointreau and tequila, together with lime juice while on vacation in Acapulco back in 1948. This original recipe has stood the test of over 70 years’ time – all you need is 1 oz. Cointreau, 2 oz. Blanco Tequila, and 1 oz. fresh lime juice. Discover the Original Margarita recipe and more delicious cocktail ideas HERE
Olvera Street El Pueblo de Los Angeles 125 Paseo de la Plaza Los Angeles, CA 90012
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the birthplace of Los Angeles – El Pueblo de Los Angeles. Founded in 1781, El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles (the Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels) is now a historical monument, home to free museums, exhibits, and the world famous Olvera Street marketplace. Olvera Street is now open for shopping and take-out dining. Make sure you visit Casa La Golondrina Mexican Cafe, a historic landmark offering authentic Mexican cuisine and fresh margaritas made with real fruits including strawberry, cucumber, mango, and more.
Las Perlas 107 E 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014
Las Perlas is happy to announce that they are open for patio service. The nation’s first mezcal bar, Las Perlas was established in 2010 in the historic Sante Fe building in the DTLA Arts District. This Oaxacan style cantina exists as a living tribute to Mexico’s native spirit, mezcal, with the finest selection of more than 400 premium agave spirits in the United States. Las Perlas cocktails arrive garnished with everything from wild hibiscus flowers to the Oaxacan delicacy of spicy, roasted chapulinas, while also offering ice cold Mexican cerveza.
LA Cha Cha Chá 812 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013
The sister location of Terraza Cha Cha Chá in Mexico City, LA Cha Cha Chá recently opened in a chic outdoor rooftop space in the Arts District. The restaurant offers gorgeous views of DTLA and a notable menu by Mexico City-born, LA-raised chef Alejandro Guzman. There are traditional starters, such as aguachile and ceviche, as well as some surprises, like chicharos de sierra with fresh peas, serrano aioli, and crispy potato – a revamped family recipe. The restaurant also has a tacos and tostada menu, along with grilled fish, charcoal roasted chicken, and a pork shoulder confit carnitas with braised beans and pico de gallo.
Cinco de Mayo with Trejos Tacos Pez Cantina 401 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071
Join Pez Cantina for an exclusive event with Trejos Tacos on May 6th. Your ticket Includes a three course meal created by Pez Cantina and Trejos Tacos. There’ll also be a Taco Eating Contest judged by Danny Trejos, along with live music, prizes and giveaways. Pez Cantina is a sustainable Coastal Mexican-style restaurant and bar serving the freshest sea-to-land dishes in an oasis-type atmosphere. The menu focuses on dishes from the many distinct regions of Mexico, from Baja, to Oaxaca and the Yucatan Peninsula. A fine-tuned selection of bright and eclectic cocktails, California-focused wine list and craft beers, round out the Pez Cantina menu.
Broken Shaker Freehand Hotel 416 W. 8th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014
An oasis in the heart of Downtown LA, Broken Shaker, located on the Freehand Hotel rooftop pool deck, offers an eclectic menu of handcrafted cocktails and small bites. A James Beard Award finalist and winner of Tales of the Cocktail’s Best American Hotel Bar award, Broken Shaker serves up delicious cocktails, infused with homemade elixirs and exotic ingredients, bringing the flavors of the beach to the center of the city. Reservations for pool and Broken Shaker are required.
Guerilla Tacos 2000 E 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90021
In honor of Cinco de Mayo – a celebration that has some connection to Mexico but is in its modern form a largely American creation – Guerrilla Tacos is offering a menu of recipes inspired by another American reinvention of Mexican traditions, Taco Bell. The one-day menu will include versions of the Doritos Locos Taco, Crunch Wrap Supreme, Cinnamon Twists, and a spirits-infused play on the Baja Blast. Proceeds from the special menu items will be donated to Save the Children.
Veranda Al Fresco Hotel Figueroa 939 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015
Step into an Oaxacan oasis atop Hotel Figueroa this Cinco de Mayo, with a dreamy poolside patio and re-opened Veranda Al Fresco. Chef AJ McCloud is serving up a mouthwatering menu of classic Mexican dishes, such as ceviche, carne asada tacos and elote. Pair your plate with a great selection of craft coctails. Salud y buen provecho!
Mezcalero 510 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90013
The name that says it all. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Mezcalero, a small, laid-back joint in the heart of DTLA. These homey digs present a dizzying selection of mezcal. tequila and other agave spirits, along with craft beer and Mexican street food. The down to earth staff, lead by mixologist Nathan McCullough, loves sharing and shaking up the cocktails, while generating a welcoming environment for all. Mezcalero offers daily happy hour specials, Open for dine-in, delivery and takeout. Salud!
Bar Amá 118 W 4th St. Los Angeles, CA 90013
This Tex Mex hot spot will tingle your tummy with specialities like fideo and borracho beans with cilantro and pork belly, simmering on the stove. Chef Josef Centeno created Bar Amá as his interpretion of the food he was nurtured on by the women who raised him, and the menu reflects that comfortable sense of home. The bar offers a great selection of tequilas and mezcals, along with absinthe, whiskey, gin, beer, wine, and more. Open for pickup, delivery and patio dining.
Photo credits:
Photo #1: Casa La Golondrina Mexican Cafe
Photo #2: Las Perlas
Photo #3: Cointreau
Photo #4: Olvera Street
Photo #5: Las Perlas
Photo #6: LA Cha Cha Chá
Photo #7: Pez Cantina
Photo #8: Broken Shaker
Photo #9: Guerilla Tacos
Photo #10: Veranda Al Fresco
Photo #11: Mezcalero
Photo #12: Bar Amá