7 Great Places to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Laguna Beach

By Lori Ke

Cinco de Mayo is on a Saturday this year, so remember to drink extra-extra responsibly. Also, Laguna Beach cops will be stepping up patrols, just so you know. And now for our list of seven great places in town to celebrate the day ... salsa, anyone?

Are you the kind of person looking for a surprise? Well, Asada Laguna is where you need to be. The restaurant is a Mexican steakhouse with a tequila bar. An employee told me there’s going to be a big party on this day, but the manager has surprises in store for everyone. Even the employees don’t know! Come celebrate with Asada Laguna and find out for yourself!

It’s going to be a big party all day at Avila’s El Ranchito. With a great ocean view, you can enjoy the delicious recipes Mama Avila has brought from Guanajuato, Mexico. This family-owned Mexican bistro is offering you a $5 menu in honor of the holiday, which includes taquitos, chicken flautas, nachos, and other fun small plates. They’ve also got drink specials on margaritas, Patron, and more. Enter their raffle and you might win one of the many prizes, from gift cards to t-shirts.

This “locals” spot offers flavorful Baja-style Mexican food with plenty of Catalina ocean views. On Saturday, they'll have a happy hour menu starting at 11:30 a.m. If you’re craving some drinks, you can get $4 house margaritas, $3 domestic beers, $3.50 imported beers, $4 house wines, and $4 well drinks. There will be appetizers from tacos and mini ceviches to tostadas and buffalo wings, ranging from $3-$4. You can also indulge in a delicious combination plate that comes with rice and beans for $8.75. You also won’t want to miss their giveaways. Win a custom Cinco de Mayo tee, key chains, shot glasses, and more!

At Hennessey’s, you’re in for a whirl of Cinco de Mayo fun. The Irish pub will be offering $7 jumbo Pacificos, and if you’re feeling wild, take three Cazadores tequila shots for $15! Throughout the evening, you can enjoy earlybird dinners, like smothered porkchops and bacon blue sirloin for $10.95 a plate, while listening to a great DJ playing the hottest hits. Not only will there be music, but at 5:30 p.m., the Pacifico girls will take the stage!

House of Big Fish & Ice Cold Beer is an energetic fish house that has great seafood and great drinks. We also can’t forget that ocean view! For Cinco de Mayo, they have all-day specials for you—we’re talking $2 fish and chicken tacos. For drinks, you can get a bucket of Corona Lite Pacificos for $20, $3 small Pacifico drafts, $4 tequila shots, $5 house margaritas, and $10 Coronados. It’s drinks galore! Need I say more?

Get your taste buds ready for Las Brisas' new $8 jalapeno margarita. It’s gonna be a spicy one! The restaurant will also host a taco bar where you can design your own tacos with meat selections of beef, carnitas and chicken. Once the clock hits 4 p.m., a mariachi band will bring traditional Mexican folk music to your ears.

OK, probably not your first choice to spend Cinco de Mayo. There certainly won't be alcohol here. But this is a good alternative for families, and also because customers will be able to sample the $2.99 EnCHEESElada, an exclusive, Laguna-Beach-Taco-Bell-only item created by members of the and sold this day only, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Proceeds from today's sales will also go to the Boys & Girls Club, so it's all for a good cause. Click here for more info.