Though Cinco de Mayo falls on a Monday this year – hardly the best party night – there’s no reason not to celebrate the day. Whether you’re after cheap food, discounted drinks or live entertainment, San Luis Obispo offers everything you need to celebrate the fifth of May this year.
Cinco de Mayo, the day when 4,000 Mexican troops beat back the French army more than 8,000 strong, is usually celebrated by propping up the alcohol economy of Mexico, not to mention the tortilla industry.
If food is what you’re after, Mexican favorite Vallarta’s is here to help. Vallarta’s will open at 6 a.m. for those early risers and offers discounted appetizers all day long.
Chino’s Mexican Bistro will be offering $1 tacos all day as well. If you like a little entertainment with your food, WILD 106.1 FM will broadcast live from the restaurant from 4 to 6 p.m.
But as much as we love fajitas, enchiladas and burritos, we all know the real reason Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican holiday, is so highly celebrated here in the United States; yes, it’s for the alcohol.
Cabo San Luis will sell Corona beer for $1.25 while supplies last. The restaurant’s brother business, JD Boone’s Smokehouse, is offering the same promotion.
San Luis Obispo-favorite Downtown Brewing Co. will be doing its part to ensure that Monday night is no time to stay sober, offering specials on Corona, Miller Light and Budweiser beers.
Vallarta’s will be contributing as well. Swing by for one of its famous 60-ounce margaritas and discounted tequila. If you’re lucky, you might even be helped by one of the famous “Jagermeister girls,” who server Ryan Ulanch said “basically run around in skimpy outfits and give out alcohol.”
Only those of legal drinking age should plan on taking part in the festivities, though. A worker will be posted at the door, checking IDs and handing out wristbands. If you lack a wristband, it’ll just be burritos and tacos for you.
The premier event in San Luis Obispo today, however, will be taking place at The Graduate. Starting at 8 p.m., reggae bands SOJA, Rebulution and Resination will hit the stage. Tickets are $17 in advance and $20 at the door.
Dan Sheehan, a promoter for Good Vibes Entertainment, the organization putting on the show, expects it to be a sell-out. “Pre-sales are going fast, so by show day it should be pretty filled up,” he said.
When asked why they chose to book a reggae band on Cinco de Mayo, Sheehan explained, “these bands are party reggae, and Cinco de Mayo has become known as a party day. The two just went hand in hand. Plus, reggae is huge in Latin markets, so it all seemed to fit.”
Rebulution is the No. 1 selling reggae band on iTunes.com, increasing the probability of a sold-out show. As of May 3, approximately 500 tickets had been sold.