National Tequila Day has finally arrived! Time to reconnect with your ole’ pal – Patron! I am sure he is definitely looking forward to messing up your tomorrow. How sweet.
LA always has something going on and If you’re like me, and you hate being around crowds or waiting 1.5 hours to get a drink, then the below spots are PERFECT for you. I included a few well known festivities as well in case you get boozy enough to tolerate people in large sums.
Best Places for Margarita Madness
Las Perlas in DTLA
Good for: The psychedelic wall art and hip scene lends themselves to a great Downtown stop for pre-dinner cocktails or weekend drinks with a group, especially if someone in your party is an amateur pool-playing enthusiast with a penchant for Oaxacan libations.
The scene: DJ’s and dancing give way to lines at the bar and a bit of a wait for your drinks, with a rowdy Downtown crowd mingling with curious Silver Lake and Echo Park Oaxacan-spirits seekers.
The playlist: With drink in-hand, make a go for the old-school jukebox. Anything from the 90’s will do, then let yourself sink into that proverbial rabbit hole.
The bartender says: The well-dressed bartender can talk you through the intricacies of mescal and tequila or, if you name a flavor preference and price point, take care of a selection for you.
Drink this: Try the signature cocktail, The Spiced Daisy ($13), which, though a touch sweet, is perfectly accented with zippy jalapeño, refreshing cilantro, smoke and the right amount of lime. If tequila’s not in the cards, there are plenty of draft and bottled cervezas from local brews to foreign imports. Go for a “featured beer” if you’re unsure of where to start.
Petty Cash Taqueria on Beverly Blvd
Eat this: The pig ear nachos ($12) are delicious, with crispy strips of pig ear layered with the tortilla chips, a subtly spiced crema poblana and a perfectly soft-boiled egg ties this ultimate party food together. And while you probably can’t go wrong with any of the tacos, the tacos dorados ($4)—potato tacos, rolled, fried and served with avocado, tomatillo and cotija cheese—will satisfy carnivores and vegetarians alike.
Drink this: The cocktail menu was developed by mixologist Julian Cox (Rivera), so it’s no surprise that the drinks here are as delicious as they are creative. Try the strong Oaxacan Old-Fashioned ($8), with reposado tequila, Oaxacan mezcal, housemade agave and orange oil. For times when only a cold brew will do, there are also a handful of craft beers on tap.
Sit here: For groups, the communal tables are fun and lively
Gracias Madre in West Hollywood
What to Eat: The guacamole con tortillas ($8). The quesadillas de calabaza ($10). The sopes con piña ($13). The spiced pumpkin cake ($9).
What to Drink: It comes as no surprise that tequila and mezcal are taken quite seriously here, especially by beverage director Jason Eisner (formerly of Drago Centro). There are more than 100 tequilas and mezcals available, including flights of each for those who want to sample a few options. For tequila fans, the Lavanda ($11) is a beautiful libation. Made with both lavender syrup and bitters, the potential for a too-sweet drink is cut by tequila blanco and lime, resulting in a fresh, clean cocktail that proves Eisner’s talent. And Margarita heaven can be found with The Purista – the restaurant’s house margarita, is a refreshing blend of tequila reposado, lime, agave and orange bitters, rimmed with a sweet orange salt. (Going with a group? Order it by the pitcher.) But you can also bump your drink up a notch with Gracias Madre’s premium margaritas, which use baller-status tequilas like Fuentaseca Reserva and Clase Azul Ultra Extra Añejo.
Where to Sit: While the atmosphere inside is convivial enough, it can get a bit too loud. Better to sit outside on the dreamy patio, where 80-year-old olive trees, table umbrellas and twinkling lights make it ideal for both a romantic dinner and a lunch date with friends.
Conversation Piece: As of yet, Eisner’s greatest hit at Gracias Madre is a boozy popsicle—the Paleta del Dia ($7). The popsicles vary in flavor (look forward to a spicy pineapple version soon) but are made with enough mezcal to pack a punch; come summer, they’re the perfect alternative to a glass of cerveza.
Festivals
Cinco de Mayo Celebration
Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Dr
La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
(818) 949-4200
www.patinagroup.com
Dates: May 5, 2017 at 6pm
Join Descanso Gardens for a festive Cinco De Mayo celebration this year! Located in La Canada, Descanso Gardens features beautiful botanical gardens to explore. As you take in the surroundings, enjoy a Mexican buffet in honor of Cinco de Mayo along with a live mariachi performance and a dancer. Menu items include drunken beans, or slow cooked pinto beans with brown sugar, beer and chili, as well as cheese enchiladas, homemade chicken tamales, a taco station and much more! When you’re done, bite into delicious churros and a caramel flan for dessert. It is $50 for adults and $25 for children.
Cinco de Mayo Pub Crawl In Santa Monica
Circle Bar
2926 Main St
Santa Monica, CA 90405
(310) 450-0508
www.californianightlife.com
Dates: May 5, 2017 from 6pm to 2am
Looking to throw back a few cerveza or margarita’s for Cinco de Mayo? Circle Bar in Santa Monica will be the starting point for an exciting pub crawl. At registration, you will be provided with a map with all the participating bar locations as well as drink specials. Show up and celebrate! 21 and over.
Fiesta Broadway
N. Broadway & W. 1st St
Los Angeles, CA
(310) 914-0015
www.allaccess.la/fiesta-broadway
Date: April 30, 2017
This event celebrates its 28th year in Los Angeles, taking place along Broadway from 4th Street, at the southend, to Grand Park, which spreads on both sides between First and Temple. Tabbed as the “The Super Bowl of Festivals,” Fiesta Broadway is coordinated yearly by All Access Entertainment and is the largest Cinco de Mayo festival in the country. The event typically draws some 300,000 plus people who delight in performances by well-known Latin American artists and authentic food from local-area vendors. Carnival-style games and rides are also part of the day. While the event is free, there are paid parking lots and structures outside the street closure area for vehicles.
content curated from TimeOut.com
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