Margs, Music, & Major Fiesta Vibes

No Cinco de Mayo celebration is complete without a Margarita in hand, but what makes a great one? At its core, the classic margarita is a simple but perfectly balanced mix: tequila, fresh lime juice, and orange liqueur (usually Cointreau or triple sec), shaken with ice and served in a salt-rimmed glass. Want to impress? Skip the sour mix and go fresh - it makes all the difference.

Whether you like it on the rocks, frozen, spicy, smoky, or fruity, the Margarita is endlessly customizable and delicious. Here at TheListAreYouOnIt.com, here is where we go for our favorite tastes from South of the Border:

-Apapacho
-Amaparo Fondito 
-Cielo Rojo
-dLena
-HiFi Tex Mex 
-La Tejana 
-Mi Vida 
-Paraiso
-Pascual
-Oyamel
-Santa Rosa Taqueria 
-Taco Bamba
-Vera Cocina

AND, from all-day fiestas to rooftop margarita bars, here’s where to celebrate Cinco de Mayo across D.C., one salt-rimmed sip at a time.

-Press Club Cocktail Bar x Bar Las Brujas
World’s 50 Best Bar from Mexico City lands in DC for one night only. A four-course cocktail tasting led by an all-women team blending mixology and Mexican herbalism.

-Apapacho Taqueria
Grilled tacos on the patio, mariachi, Mexican karaoke, and conchas? Chef Alam’s party stretches all weekend long.

-The Roost
Four days, four vendors, endless tacos. Hi/Fi Taco, Red Apron, Linda’s, and more are slinging specials alongside Show of Hands' tequila & mezcal cocktails.

-Taco Bamba
Salsa & bachata lessons, free margaritas, patio parties, DJs, and Espolon-fueled fun — each location has its own vibe (and killer drinks).

-Paraíso
Four days of $9 frozen margaritas, $55 pitchers, and lunch specials like burritos, nachos, and more. The Frida Room becomes your personal margarita paradise.

-Pascual
Award-winning bites and frozen margaritas in every flavor. Don’t miss Chef Isabel Coss’ Tlayudas, taco al pastor, and that shareable guac & tostada lazy Susan.

-Mi Vida
La Fiesta Dorada hits all locations with a limited-time golden margarita crafted with Tres Generaciones and tamarind — only $13.

-The Margarita Mile Bar Crawl
Dupont goes loco with all-day drink specials ($5 margaritas, $6 tequila shooters), DJs, and taco deals galore. Don your sombrero and let the crawl begin.

-The Running of the Chihuahuas @ The Wharf
Yup, it’s exactly what it sounds like — 100+ Chihuahuas racing for glory, a dog costume contest, DJ, and Pacifico beer garden. All the fun, zero cover.

-Beer Bourbon & BBQ Festival (Manassas)
For a Cinco twist with a smoky finish: endless bourbon tastings, BBQ bites, bacon bars, bluegrass bands, and good ol’ Southern spirit.