Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Denver with your Favorite Local Spots
Cinco de Mayo is one of Denver’s most-celebrated unofficial holidays and a reason to remember and revel in Colorado’s deep connection with Mexico. Although Cinco isn’t celebrated widely in Mexico, we know how we love it here in Denver, so I’ve rounded up a couple spots, some with deep cultural connections, I wanted to share with you.
Stanley Marketplace Dancing
Cinco de Mayo is more than just enjoying a Mexican-inspired drink; stop by Stanley Marketplace (2501 N. Dallas St., Aurora) to take in a performance from Ballet Sol De Mi Tierra on Stanley’s West Patio. The performance is from 5 – 5:30 pm and is a celebration of life, Mexican heritage, and shares aspects of Mexican culture to new audiences. Ballet Sol de Mi Tierra is a not-for-profit children’s dance group founded to share dance and culture while providing a safe haven for children with a love for dance. Visit Stanley’s site online to learn more about this free cultural event.
Bellota
Monterrey, Mexico born-and-raised Executive Chef Manny Barella at Bellota (3350 Brighton Blvd, Denver), is celebrating Bellota’s return to life with a Cinco de Mayo event at the restaurant to raise funds for Mi Casa Resource Center as Bellota will donate $1 for every Milagro beverage sold that day. The event will feature a satellite bar on the patio and frozen beverages to-go; they’ll have a DJ onsite from 3-9pm spinning tunes and the $35 ticket includes a Bellota t-shirt, two drink tickets with Milagro and chips & salsa for the table. The event will have two seatings, the first at 2:30 pm and the second at 5:30pm. Tickets available online; food specials from Chef Manny Barella are inspired by his Mexican roots and include:
- Crispy chicharrón fried taco en salsa verde with crispy pork belly, salsa verde, Corn masa and cotija; this is a recipe directly from Chef Manny’s uncle who used this as his star recipe for family gatherings.
- Birria de borrego (Goat birria) with goat, guajillo pepper, and goat consommé; instead of the more trendy beef Chef Manny is going traditional with goat as is the custom in Jalisco for a quesabirria tacos; he will also use chihuahua cheese for a unique finish.
- Popsicles: Bellota will be featuring traditional Mexican popsicles: Pineapple, Lime-cucumber, Mango, served with fruity smoky traditional chamoy for dipping.
- In a nod to the extensive agave-spirits selection, Bellota’s Max Alicea created a version of a Tequila Sunrise special cocktail for the event; his version is a grown up reimagining that includes ojo santa, Nardini, and notes of hibiscus, pomegranate and balsamic vinegar.
Cheluna
Latin-inspired craft brewery Cheluna is hosting a Cinco de Mayo 5k that starts and ends at the Latinx-owned brewery. Weave through the neighborhood streets and trails at your own pace, enjoy the sites and sounds and enjoy a beer at the end. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased online; includes your craft brew at the end, your choice collector’s pint glass or seasonal swag item; chance to win sweet door prizes from the Colorado Brewery Running Series; live music, food trucks, local vendors, fun with our partners and sponsors, goodies, and giveaways. 10% of proceeds will go directly to a partner charity; since the first event in 2016, Cheluna has donated over $65,000 back to local Colorado nonprofits.
Comida
At Comida Rayme Rossello and her team are pulling out all the stops throughout the Cinco weekend: from Wednesday 5/5 – through Sunday 5/9 they’re offering drink specials including:
- Blackberry Margarita with Altos Reposado tequila, Comida’s own margarita mix, agave, and blackberry orange peel shrub;
- Or try the Strawberry Lemonade with Grey Goose strawberry lemongrass vodka, strawberry jalapeno hibiscus shrub, lemon, and a soda float
- Other specials include a pineapple daiquiri with rum, pineapple, and a fresh squeeze of lime and of course a refreshing classic Comida frozen margarita.
Comida will keep the celebrating going with live music from Tito from 5 – 7pm, tequila tastings and giveaways from Olmeca Altos, and of course the full menu of soulful Mexican food all day long.
Steuben’s
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at either Steuben’s location (Uptown or Arvada) with creative cocktails. Visit the Uptown local for the Modelo and Espolon Blanco Boilermaker, Spicy Margaritas (specially priced at $10) or Paloma’s, (specially priced at $11). On the go? Order a $40 Margarita Bottle (serves 8). At Steuben’s Arvada try the Lunazul shot and Cerveceria Venga Mexican Lager for $10, a Margarita Flight: strawberry, regular, and spicy for $15 or the Large format Tequila Sunrise – Orange Juice, Lunazul, house-made grenadine – $40 serves 6-8.
Hope you enjoy these fun, local Cinco de Mayo options! Cheers!
