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Need an excuse to party and get the weekend started early? It's Cinco de Mayo, a day that celebrates Mexican heritage, culture and pride as well freedom and liberty—and seems like it's a much bigger deal in the U.S. than down south. Chicago is a great place to whoop it up due to our rich Mexican population and the cultural influence it has on the city. Check out the following list and figure out where you need to get your next pitcher of margaritas. If you're late for work on Friday, don't blame us.
1) Where: Mercadito
What: Family-style dinner with live music, guac, salsa, tacos, sides, tequila and cerveza.
How much: $40 per person
2) Where: Zocalo
What: margarita and other drinks specials; a special taco and tortas menu; live music
How much: $5 drinks specials, food ranges from $3 to $7.
When: All day
3) Where: Salud Tequila Lounge
What: All-day street party with live music
When: Kicks off at 3 p.m. and moves inside at 10 p.m.
How much: $5 admission
4) Where: Nacional 27
What: Free apps (steak nachos, beef tacos, ceviche) in the lounge, $6 margaritas, $3 Victoria beers
When: 6 p.m.
How much: No charge for the lounge fiesta
5) Where: May St. Cafe
What: $5 margaritas and $5 appetizers
When: All month, actually
How much: Depends on how much you eat!
6) Where: Cafe 28
What: $7.50 margaritas; $5 cerveza (Dos Equis, Corona, Pacifico, Negro Modelo); $12 tequila flights; flautas, ceviches, guacamole
When: All day
7) Where: Hub 51
What: $6 prickly pear margaritas, $8 guacamole, $4 Coronas, pulled chicken nachos, various tacos
When: All day
8) Where: Moe's Cantina River North
What: Sones de Mexico Ensemble Chicago and traditional dancers, free Sol swag
When: 6 p.m.
How much: No cover
9) Where: Cactus Bar & Grill
What: $20 buckets of Dos Equis, $10 20-ounce margaritas, various plates (mini tacos, nachos grande, Baja shrimp cocktail, more) ranging from $4 to $13
When: 11 a.m. to midnight
10) Where: Carnivale
What: various food and drink specials
When: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
[Photo: Carnivale]
