15 places to celebrate Cinco de Mayo across Alabama

Reading time: 6 minutes

Sol Y Luna
Get ready for a Mexican food extravaganza around Alabama? Photo via Hannah Chambley for Bham Now

In case you haven’t checked your calendar, Cinco de Mayo is coming up. Across our state, there are a myriad of ways to celebrate this day that honor Mexican culture. Keep reading to see some of the events taking place on May 5.

What is Cinco de Mayo?

Primarliy, Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican heritage. The date itself, May 5, is the day the Mexican Army defeated the French at the 1862 Battle of Puebla. It is important to note that Cinco de Mayo is not Mexican Independence Day, but rather a day to honor Mexican culture. In fact, the holiday is celebrated more in the US than Mexico.

North Alabama

Hops N Guac
Check out the mouthwatering tacos at Hops N Guac. Photo via Hops N Guac

Here’s what’s happening in North Alabama this Cinco de Mayo:

1. Hops N Guac

Huntsville’s favorite Mexican fusion spot is hosting a full day of Cinco de Mayo events. With food and drink specials, a taco eating contest, live DJ and more, Hops N Guac is a great spot to celebrate.

  • Where: 2620 Clinton Ave, Huntsville, AL 35805
  • When: 4PM
  • Learn more
2. The Camp

The Camp is one of Huntsville’s newest outdoor recreation spaces and this Cinco de Mayo they’re throwing one heck of a fiesta. Expect margaritas, Mexican beer and deals on food and drinks.

3. Cinco de Metal at Sidetracks Music Hall

Try out a new vibe this year with Cinco de Metal at Sidetracks Music Hall in Huntsville. The music you can expect is called “Southern metalcore” which I can’t say I’ve heard before but I’m very intrigued.

  • Where: 415 Church Street NW Suite 12-13, Huntsville, AL 35801
  • When: Wednesday, May 5, 8PM-11PM
  • Learn more
4. Buenavista Hampton Cove

The Buenavista in Hampton Cove is upping their game this Cinco de Mayo with drink specials and live music from Groove.

5. Limons Mexican Restaurant

Limons in Henegar will be hopping on Cinco de Mayo, with live music, food and drink deals and a mechanical bull for the brave of heart.

Central Alabama

Unos Tacos
Unos Tacos is so good, it sold out last year. Photo via Matthew Niblett for Bham Now

Central Alabama is a bit vaguer in region than North and South Alabama since it’s nestled inside two state regions, so this list is a little loose geographically.

6. Sol Y Luna

Get ready to partaaaay at Sol y Luna for Cinco de Mayo with live music from DJ Ides, March margarita specials and swag from sponsors. Wednesday’s celebration will also kick off Sol Y Luna’s newly announced Wednesday lunches.

  • When: Wednesday, May 5, 11:30AM-9PM
  • Where: 920 Lane Parke Ct, Mountain Brook, AL 35223
  • Check out the menu
7. Young Professionals of Birmingham Cinco De Mayo Social

Hosted by YP Birmingham and Rotaract, the Cinco de Mayo Social is a great way for the young professionals crowd to network over margaritas, tacos and music. Everyone is invited to attend and there is no admission fee.

  • When: Wednesday, May 5, 5:30-8:30PM
  • Where: Pizitz Food Hall, 1821 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35205
  • Register
8. Unos Tacos

Last year, Unos Tacos Cinco de Mayo’s curbside celebration was so popular they actually ran out of food. This year’s in-person event is expected to be even more fun with the 3 G’s: good music, good food and good drinks.

  • When: Wednesday, May 5, 5:30-8:30PM
  • Where: Unos Tacos, The Pizitz Food Hall, 1821 2nd Ave N, Birmingham, AL 35203
  • Learn more
9. The Gridiron

The Gridiron in Oxford is ready to fiesta with food and drink specials and live music from Tim Cannon. The restaurant recently released a new menu, too, and it’s guaranteed to blow your taste buds away.

10. GTSouth Geek and Gaming Tavern

Looking for a different kind of vibe for Cinco de Mayo? GTSouth Geek and Gaming Tavern in Montgomery is throwing their own kind of fiesta, with margaritas specials. If you haven’t checked out the tavern yet, it features tons of video game consoles and other kinds of games for patrons.

11. “Keeping It Spicy” Cinco de Mayo Celebration

This celebration is raising money for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Alabama. One ticket gets you a mixology demonstration where you can sample three cocktails and get a full version of your favorite, plus a cooking demonstration.

  • Where: 320 Paul W Bryant Dr, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
  • When: Wednesday, May 5, 5-7PM
  • Learn more

South Alabama

Big Beach Brewing
What better way to kick off Cinco de Mayo with a new beer from Big Beach Brewing. Photo via Big Beach Brewing Company

Get ready South Alabama, because there are tons of events going on this week to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.

12. El Kamino Bay

To celebrate Cinco de Mayo, El Kamino Bay is hosting Roman Street for a night of acoustic music on the water. El Kamino Bay has stunning views of the bay, so it’s a great place for your Cinco de Mayo dinner.

13. Cinco de Mayo Job Fair

A little different than the usual dinner of tacos and margaritas, Advanced Technical Staffing Solutions is hosting a job fair on May 5. Bring a resume and find your next career.

  • Where: 456 Civic Center Dr, Mobile, AL 36602
  • When: Wednesday, May 5, 12PM-2PM
  • Learn more
15. Big Beach Brewing Beer Release

Anothe cool event happing down south this Cinco de Mayo is Big Beach Brewing‘s official release of Holas Olas Mexican Lager. If you want to get a headstart, head over at noon on Wednesday when they open to get a pint.

  • Where: 300 East 24th Ave, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
  • When: Wednesday, May 5, 12PM-10PM
  • Learn more
15. Cinco de Pub-o at the RiverPub

Bay Minette’s RiverPub is giving an Irish twist on Cinco de Mayo with “nacho ordinary party.” If you want to see Irish and Mexican drinking collide, this is your place to be.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, and sign up for the Bama Buzz newsletter to get stories like this from around Alabama delivered right to you.

Claire Hancock
Claire Hancock
Articles: 26