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Excellent news, Londoners It’s the fifth of the fifth today, which means Cinco de Mayo celebrations are happening all across the city. Cinco de Mayo, for the uninitiated, is a holiday marking the anniversary of the Mexican army defeating the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 during the Mexican-French War. But it’s also a great excuse to feast on Mexican food and smash a couple of margaritas, something which us gringos are more than happy to do at the slightest opportunity. And to help you do just that, we’ve rounded up five cracking Cinco de Mayo events happening in London over the next few days.
Practise your Spanish at a Mexican mezcal tasting
Fancy brushing up on your Español? This Cinco de Mayo celebration is a great way to learn a few key phrases. Language class Stripey Spanish is hosting a night of mezcal-fuelled fun where you’ll get to try a selection of artisanal varieties of the agave spirit from small Mexican producers. And you’ll also learn a variety of alcohol-related Spanish phrases in the process, which — let’s be honest — are probably some of the key parts of the language to master if you’re ever going to head off on a Mexican holiday. The event is suitable for beginners and all with up to 6 months of learning. And if you mess up, everyone will just blame it on the a-a-a-a-a-alcohol.
The Impact Hub, EC1V 8BR. Thu 5 May. £30. Tickets available online here.
Hear some mariachi magic while feasting on enchiladas
Covent Garden barbecue restaurant temper is putting on a Cinco de Mayo fiesta complete with one off Mexican specials, banging cocktail offers and a Mariachi band to get you out of your seat. Head down to be serenaded with traditional Mexican rancheras, cumbias while chowing down on delicious specials including spicy crab and corn enchiladas, smoked brisket and corn chilaquiles and a rich poussin mole poblano. And then wash it all down with temper’s smoky signature margaritas, which are just a fiver each all night. Arriba!
temper, WC2H 9FA. Thu 5 May. Book online here.
Feast on tacos at the launch of a new supper club
Kings Cross market complex Goods Way is launching a new monthly supper club this week, starting with a Cinco de Mayo celebration headed up by Breddos Tacos and Casamigos (that’s George Clooney’s tequila company didn’t you know!) It features arrival cocktails in the speakeasy-style Nolas bar, DJs playing throughout the night and an opportunity to sample delicious tacos and Mexican-inspired small plates from Breddos before a tasting of Casamigos’ entire range of premium tequilas. Yum.
Goods Way, N1C 4DP. Thu 5 May. £60. Tickets available online here.
Learn how to make the perfect margarita
Cazcabel brand ambassador and top mixologist Dami Whitfield will be schooling patrons in the art of margarita-making at Camberwell restaurant Cornerstone’s Cinco de Mayo celebration on Friday, where guests will be treated to a tequila cocktail on arrival before shaking up some margs and enjoying a tutored tasting of Cazcabel’s full range of tequilas. Can’t make it on Friday evening? Head down any time on Thursday or Friday for 3 for £10 tacos and margaritas for just six quid a go.
Cornerstone, SE5 5SB. Fri 6 May. £16.76. Tickets available online here.
Head to an entire agave festival this weekend
If there’s one spirit that’s seriously hot right now, it’s anything made from agave. To celebrate all things agave and Mexican culture, La Piñata is a one day takeover of Tobacco Dock featuring the finest tequila and mezcal producers around. Artisanal makers like The Lost Explorer and Quiquiriqui will be on hand to guide you through the various complexities of the spirits, meanwhile talks and panel discussions will offer a rich insight into the hot topics of the industry. As well as a bar serving up Margaritas, Palomas and Micheladas, free samples of spirits will be available, in addition to markets, food stalls and (as the name rightly suggests), piñatas.
Tobacco Dock, E1W 2SF. Sat 7 May. £20. Tickets available online here.