What up what up, PARTY PEOPLE!! There is NO time for a first post quite like one of the heaviest drinking weekends of the year. Why is this, you ask? Well, every *tries to research how often this occurs, gives up* so many years, the Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo fall in the same weekend, and the crowds rejoice in what is known as "Cinco de Derby." I know, creative. Double the festivities, double the fun! While this is very exciting, taking in all of the events, drink specials, etc. can also be extremely overwhelming. So, I'm here to break it down for you. Below is a compiled list of EVERYTHING I've found to be going on; so sit back, relax, see what calls to you, and have the best weekend ever-- it's going to be a beautiful one!
The Kentucky Derby
Ross & Hall: Derby outfit contest ($100 gift card); $8 margaritas, $8 jalapeño margaritas, $7 milagro silver shots
HG Sply: Kentucky Derby themed cocktails; best dressed contest and raffle prizes
Circo Beach Club: 2-8 PM DJ on the Pool Terrace; best hat & best dressed contest; cigar rolling station, “Derby Themed” menu from 5pm-8pm, Step & Repeat for photos
The Rustic: 12-7 PM $100 gift card costume contest hosted by a panel of celebrity judges; featured Angry Orchard's Rosé cider, signature Mint Juleps, and Bourbon Glazed Baby Back Ribs; live music all day
Al Bernait’s: Happy Hour pricing from 4-7 PM, as well as $10 Bulleit Mint Juleps and$150 Al Biernat's gift card and 1 night stay at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek to the "Best Hat"
Taco Heads:12-6 PM Saturday; bring your big hats and drink up the Patron Juleps; DJ Viva LaTina 1-3 PM
Mama Tried: $15 Party with Dallas Love List (tickets on facebook) 2-6 PM; includes a classic mint julep or beer & shot of bourbon upon arrival; best dressed contests; dog friendly; tailgate style games; raffles for charity
Arlington Hall: 11th Annual Day at the Races 4-7:30 PM; $150 tickets include open bar and buffet with Southern-inspired cuisine; lawn games; Taylor Place Orchestra; best dressed contests; all proceeds benefit the care and beautification of Oak Lawn Park and Arlington Hall
Dallas Arboretum: Think Ahead Group (TAG) Annual Kentucky Derby Party 4-8 PM; $87 tickets include open bar, southern snacks, silent auction, DJ, lawn games, photo ops and more while watching the 145th Kentucky Derby at the beautiful Alex Camp House at the Dallas Arboretum; after party at Smoky Rose (one free drink + happy hour pricing with TAG Derby wristband); all proceeds from the event are donated to the research and programs at the Center for BrainHealth and Brain Performance Institute, which span various aspects of mental health from depression, addiction, PTSD, Alzheimer's, brain injuries/concussions, autism, healthy brain function and more
Cinco De Mayo
El Fenix: ALL WEEK $1 8 oz margaritas
Truckyard: Thursday Churros and Tequila tasting; Friday Mexican beer bucket specials; Saturday spicy drink flights; Sunday Chihuahua Races
Manny’s Uptown: Thursday $10.50 Coronaritas, Friday $10.50 Top Shelf Margaritas with Patron Silver, Saturday $6 Patron Silver Shots, Sunday 5 Coronaritas for $5
The Network Bar: Friday 4-10 PM; $7 Specialty Margaritas and Happy Hour pricing all night; $8 Bites; Live Mariachi from 7-8 PM
Trinity Groves: Friday 6-11 PM; Trinity Groves & Dallasites 101 Tacos and Tequila Walk sponsored by Avion Tequila; $10 tequila cocktail and taco combo at 12 participating restaurants; afterparty at Babbs BBQ till 11pm; DJ and live music; photo booth; $15 tickets available on eventbrite or Venmo to @dallasites101
The Statler: weekend full of Tequila, Mariachi, Live DJ's, food at all outlets (pretty much at all times between Waterproof, Scout, and Bourbon & Banter)
Taco Cabana: Saturday FREE salsa lesson from 8-9pm, followed by a salsa dance party with a live DJ from 9pm to midnight; all day happy hour prices and $5 6-Pack Flautas
La Duni Northpark: Saturday 5-9 PM; $10 tickets online of $25 at the door include premium margarita bar with $5 drinks, all you can eat street tacos, and a Latin DJ
Spice in the City: Saturday 5-9 PM; $1 house margaritas (on the rocks, blended to perfection); FREE tikka queso, prize giveaways throughout the night, music + more
Chilangos Tacos: Saturday *Grand Opening* $1 tacos & free beer all day
Urban Taco: Saturday 1-10PM; DJs, Lucha libra, photo wall by The Color Condition, $5 Casanoble Margaritas, $3 Modelos
Vidorra: Saturday brunch and dinner will be served as normal, plus a DJ from 10 PM - 2 AM Sunday$2 Street Tacos and $5 Margaritas; DJ 3-7 PM, Mariachi Band 6 - 9 PM; 'Donkey’ on site from 2-6 PM
TNT: Saturday & Sunday $15 cover includes an endless Street Taco Bar with grilled chicken, brisket, grilled rojo shrimp, BBQ pulled pork, chicken verde, picadillo, poblano mac ‘n cheese, salads, roasted veggies, homemade tortillas, a salsa bar and more; live DJ; mariachi; salsa dance contest
Sundown at Granada & Granada Theater: Sunday 12-5 PM; $3 Modelo USA Drafts; $4 Micheladas; $5 Margaritas; $7 Specialty Margaritas; food specials; live music
Frankie’s Downtown: Sunday $5 Frozen Margaritas or on the Rocks, Queso & Chips, Goza Silver Tequila, & Dos XX Lager
The Rustic: Sunday Tacos & Tequilas flights; live Music and a visit from Poncho the Miniature Donkey
Tacolingo: Sunday $5 classic margaritas all day Jose: Sunday 12-7 PM; outdoor Tlaquepaque market serving street style elotes, tacos, paleta's, guacamole chicharrones, face painting, a photo booth; live entertainment and much more
HG Sply: Sunday margarita and beer specials; $2 street tacos; and festive music from a guest DJ
Waterproof at The Statler: Sunday 2-6 PM; #SundaySociety Summer Series Launch Party brought to you by Bottled Blonde Dallas, Punk Society - Deep Ellum, Piña Loca - Tequila, Deep Ellum Distillery, and Pernod Ricard USA; wristbands include cocktail, shots, and bottle specials with Piña Loca - Tequila and Deep Ellum All Purpose Vodka; DJs; email events@sbbchospitium.com for wristbands
Four Corners Brewing: Sunday 1 PM; celebrating the launch of this year's Queen Bee Grapefruit Saison; Mi Campo Margarita Tastings; CocoAndre Chocolatier; El Norteno Elotes; Michelada Bar; Fresh Flower Crowns by Emma Caitlyn Creative; Pottery for sale by Terra Gal; Love and Thrive Boutique; Art by The Other Brennen and Color Snack; Photo Booth by Rumor Events; T-shirts: LIVE screen printing by PanEctor; dog and kid friendly
Mattito’s: Sunday live DJ, mariachi band, games, prizes, drink specials
The Lorenzo Hotel Relativity Pool Bar: Sunday 1- 7 PM; free event with curated summer cocktails, beer specials, specialized frozen drinks and a bistro menu
Texas Live: Sunday 5-8 PM; tickets $15 (includes souvenir glass, 5 margarita samples, and 1 full drink of your favorite)
CANVAS Dallas Pool/Gallery Rooftop Lounge: Sunday 1-5 PM; tequila and margarita flights by the pool to the electric sounds of DJ Lucio
La Ventana Downtown: Sunday Cinco de Mayo Block Party 2-10 PM; Live Music & DJ; Activities & Giveaways with Margarita Mile; Street Tacos; Margaritas; Cervezas; post your photos during the event and use #LaVaCinco19 for your chance to win a $50 Taqueria La Ventana gift card
Playground: Sunday 2-6 PM; Carajillo Stand; Mezcal Zunte Bar; Frozen Margaritas; Street Tacos; Elote Stand; Mexican Popsicles Cart; Baby Mango Shots
El Bolero: Sunday Donkeys, Photo Booth, Mariachi Band, $4 a la carte tacos, $5 house margs
Happiest Hour: Sunday $7 Altos Tequila USA Margaritas (Frozen & On the Rocks-- Classic, Hibiscus, or Strawberry); $8 Tequila Avion Tequila Shots; $5 Corona Premier Draft and $25 Corona Buckets