Release Date: Wednesday, May 4th 2011
Top 10 Cinco de Mayo parties in Greater Phoenix
A lick of salt, shot of tequila and a bite of lime. Repeat.
You know what that means: Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner.
With an abundance of Mexican bars and cantinas around the Valley, the growing popularity of gourmet taco shops and an increase of high-end, 100-percent blue agave tequilas on the market, celebrating Cinco de Mayo in the Valley is getting better and better. And, with six Arizona-based tequilas out there, the holiday is a great way to support local businesses.
These booze-filled bashes will help you get your "Cinco de Drinko" on in the right way.
Here are our picks for the best Cinco de Mayo bashes in the Valley.
May 5: El Mexcellente Cinco de Mayo Block Party
ASU Tempe students won't have to travel far for this big block party. Canteen Modern Tequila Bar and Fat Tuesday are teaming up for a block party that will feature live bands during the day, and DJs at night. There's going to be a pig roast, as well as $2 Corona beers and $3 margaritas until 6:30 p.m. There will also be a cornhole competition for teams of two with a $500 grand prize, and spots are filling up quickly so call soon to lock down a spot.
Details: Noon-2 a.m. Canteen Modern Tequila Bar and Fat Tuesday, corner of Sixth Street and Mill Avenue, Tempe. 480-773-7135. canteentequilabar.com, fattuesdaytempe.com.
May 5: Cinco Celebration at Bonfire Grill & Bar
Bonfire Grill & Bar, a relatively new spot that replaced Furio in Scottsdale, is hosting a special Cinco de Mayo fiesta 
filled with delectable bites and refreshing margaritas. The party is sponsored by California-based Peligroso Tequila that is celebrating its one-year anniversary since its launch, so there will be $5 margaritas and shots all day. Food specials inside $5 items such as Charred Jalapeno Poppers and Schreiners Brat Sliders. The restruaunt will also extend the party out into the parking lot so guests can have more room to party.
Details: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Bonfire Grill & Bar, 7210 E. Second St., Scottsdale. Free. 480-945-6600, thebonfireaz.com.
May 5: Cinco De Mayo 7th Anniversary Bash
The hip, laidback spot Padre's Modern Mexican Cuisine celebrates its seventh anniversary appropriately on Cinco de Mayo. The restaurant will be offering $3.50 margaritas 4 and samples of the 100 percent blue agave tequila brand 1800, 4 and there will also be free swag from other liquor companies. At 7 p.m., get ready to shake your hips to the sound of Latin band Projecto Clave.
Details: 3 p.m. Padre's Modern Mexican Cuisine, 1044 E. Camelback Road, Phoenix. 602-277-1749, padresmexican.com.
