Cinco de Mayo is bringing the flavor to Lakeview East, and our neighborhood spots are ready with festive specials, margaritas, tacos, snacks, and plenty of reasons to gather your crew. Whether you’re looking for a casual happy hour, a full dinner out, or just an excuse to enjoy a specialty marg on a patio, Lakeview East has you covered. Check out the local Cinco de Mayo specials below and make your fiesta plans deliciously easy.

Because why limit the fiesta to just one day?

Barcocina | 2901 N Sheffield Ave

Barcocina is where you go when the group chat finally stops saying “we should get together soon” and actually makes a reservation. Expect tacos, shareable plates, margaritas, and a lively atmosphere that basically begs for a long dinner that turns into one more round.

Big Star | 3640 N Clark St

Big Star is a Wrigleyville classic for tacos, margaritas, and that “we were just going to stop in for a quick bite” energy. It’s casual, fun, and dangerously easy to make part of your pre-game, post-game, or no-game-at-all plans.

Buena Vista | 3147 N Broadway
Buena Vista is your cozy, satisfying, no-fuss Mexican food moment. It’s the kind of spot that always sounds good when you want tacos, enchiladas, burritos, and something saucy enough to fix your whole mood.

Cesar’s Killer Margaritas | 2924 N Broadway
Cesar’s Killer Margaritas is not being subtle, and honestly, we respect that. Come for the famous margaritas, stay for the festive plates, big group energy, and the very real possibility that your “one drink” plan becomes a full dinner situation.

Chilam Balam | 3023 N Broadway
Chilam Balam is for the person who wants their Mexican food with a little extra main character lighting. It’s cozy, intimate, flavorful, and perfect for a dinner that feels a little more special than your average chips-and-salsa sprint.

El Jardin | 3335 N Clark
El Jardin has neighborhood staple written all over it. It’s the kind of place made for margaritas, Mexican favorites, patio hangs, and meeting friends for “just a casual dinner” that somehow becomes the highlight of your week.

El Nuevo Mexicano | 2914 N Clark St
El Nuevo Mexicano brings color, comfort, and a whole lot of “yes, we should absolutely order queso” energy. It’s warm, welcoming, and perfect for a sit-down dinner, a margarita date, or a cozy neighborhood meal that hits the spot.

El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill | 3906 N Broadway

El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill is a festive neighborhood favorite for bold Mexican flavors, handcrafted margaritas, and a lively night out. Whether you’re stopping in for brunch, dinner, patio drinks, or a proper chips-and-salsa situation, this spot brings big “grab your friends and make it a fiesta” energy.

El Mariachi Restaurant | 3420 N Broadway

El Mariachi Restaurant is one of those classic Lakeview spots that always feels like a good idea. Come for Mexican favorites, margaritas, and a warm, easygoing atmosphere that works for casual dinners, group outings, or those nights when tacos simply need to be part of the plan.

El Taco Cart | 3207 N Halsted

El Taco Cart understands the assignment: tacos, flavor, and no unnecessary drama. It’s quick, delicious, and exactly where you want to be when the craving hits and you need something handheld, saucy, and deeply satisfying.

Esencia Urban Kitchen | 3351 N Broadway

Esencia Urban Kitchen is a bright little gem for brunch, lunch and some seriously delicious breakfast tacos & chilaquiles. Think fresh flavors, feel-good plates, and the kind of neighborhood charm that makes you want to become a regular immediately.

Hacienda D’Suarez | 3466A N Clark St.
Hacienda D’Suarez brings the festive, bring-your-friends, order-the-margaritas kind of energy. It’s an easy pick when you want Mexican favorites, good drinks, and a meal that feels like a little celebration, even if it’s just Tuesday.

La Biznaga | 3555 N Broadway

La Biznaga is cozy, casual, and full of the kind of comfort food energy that makes a neighborhood better. It’s a great stop when you want Mexican favorites without overthinking it, which, frankly, is often the best kind of plan.

Moe’s Cantina Wrigleyville | 3518 N Clark St

Moe’s Cantina brings big Wrigleyville party energy with tacos, margaritas, cocktails, and plenty of room for the whole crew. It’s the kind of spot that works before a Cubs game, after a Cubs game, or on a totally random Tuesday when you need chips, salsa, and a drink that feels like a decision well made.

Taco Max Cantina | 2808 N Halsted St
Taco Max Cantina is your easygoing taco-and-drinks stop when the vibe is casual, the craving is real, and nobody wants to make things complicated. Grab a bite, order something festive, and let the cantina energy do its thing.

Hacienda D’Suarez | 3409 N Clark St

Hacienda D’Suarez is making Cinco de Mayo a full weekend celebration in Wrigleyville, with festivities kicking off Friday, May 1 and rolling through Sunday, May 3. Expect drink specials, tacos, delicious food, music, dancing, and plenty of high-energy fiesta vibes all weekend long. They’ll also be streaming the Cubs game live, making it an easy pick for anyone who wants to mix Cinco de Mayo celebrating with full Wrigleyville game day energy. Grab your crew, bring your appetite, and settle in for a weekend of food, drinks, music, and good company.

Chicago Theater Works | 1113 W Belmont Ave

Chicago Theater Works is keeping the Cinco de Mayo weekend going with a Sunday Party on May 3 from noon to 7 PM. The party features free entry, food by Champ Tacos, and music from DJ Stix, DJ Trilogy, and DJ Extreme spinning Latino sounds, reggaeton, bachata, house, and hip hop. Guests can also enjoy $10 margaritas, $5 Coronas, and $6 Patron specials throughout the event. It’s a fun pick for anyone looking for a daytime party with music, tacos, drinks, and plenty of Sunday energy.

ROCKS Lakeview | 3463 N Broadway

ROCKS Lakeview is going all in for Cinco de Mayo with a festive lineup of food and drink specials on Tuesday, May 5. Guests can dig into jalapeño cheddar nalgas gigantes pretzels, Cinco nachos, and a Crunch Wrap Supreme, because subtle was simply not invited. The drink specials are also ready for the occasion with specialty margaritas, cervezas, and shots. Grab your friends, settle in, and celebrate with a neighborhood favorite that knows how to keep things fun.

Trader Todd’s | 3216 N Sheffield Ave

Trader Todd’s is keeping Cinco de Mayo simple, festive, and very easy to say yes to with $5 margaritas all day. Stop by on Tuesday, May 5, grab a marg, and settle in for a fun neighborhood celebration with plenty of Trader Todd’s energy. Whether you’re starting your night there or making it your full Cinco de Mayo game plan, this is a solid pick for anyone looking to toast the holiday without overthinking it.

Lark | 3441 N Halsted St

Lark is throwing a full Cinco de Mayo fiesta on Tuesday, May 5 with food, drinks, and live entertainment. Guests can enjoy $10 8 oz 1800 and Jose Cuervo Devil’s Reserve margaritas, plus $6 Corona and Modelo specials. For dinner, Lark is offering a 3-taco special with chicken, pork, or steak tacos served with rice and beans for $18.99, along with their famous taco pizza. The celebration also includes Latin favorites and performances by Venus Carangi and Duina Eriz, making this a festive stop for anyone looking to turn dinner into a whole night out.

El Nuevo Mexicano | 2914 N Clark St

El Nuevo Mexicano is celebrating Cinco de Mayo all weekend long from May 1 through May 5 with great energy, food, and cocktails. Guests can enjoy $30 bottomless mimosa brunch throughout Cinco weekend, plus drink specials to keep the celebration going. On Cinco de Mayo, they’ll also have live mariachis, because obviously the vibes needed a soundtrack. Reservations are available, but walk-ins are welcome too, so grab your friends, make a plan, and join the party.

El Mariachi Tequila Bar & Grill | 3906 N Broadway

El Mariachi is turning Cinco de Mayo into a full weekend fiesta, starting with complimentary margarita sampling on Friday, May 1 and Saturday, May 2 from 6 PM to 8 PM. On Tuesday, May 5, guests can celebrate with a special Cinco de Mayo brunch, bold Mexican flavors, handcrafted margaritas, and extended hours from 11 AM to 11 PM. Bottomless mimosas are available for $19.99 with the purchase of an entrée, and guests can upgrade to bottomless margaritas for just $10 more. The patio will also be open for reservations, so grab your amigos and book early before tables fill up.

Vaughan’s Pub | 2917 N Sheffield Ave

Vaughan’s Pub is keeping the Cinco de Mayo celebration rolling on Tuesday, May 5 with festive food and drink specials. Guests can enjoy $10 taco platters, $7 margaritas, and $20 Corona buckets, making it an easy stop for anyone looking to snack, sip, and hang with friends. Whether you’re popping in for a quick marg or settling in for the night, Vaughan’s has the low-key neighborhood party covered.

Istmo Chicago | 3231 N Clark

Istmo is celebrating the spirit of Oaxaca on May 7th with an exclusive Mezcal Tasting experience in collaboration with Mezcal Amarás. For $110 per guest, attendees will enjoy a guided sensory journey through the Isthmus, led by a Mezcal Amarás Educator who will share the history, terroir, and craftsmanship behind each agave species. Chef Carlos Lopez and the Istmo team have created a paired menu featuring dishes like Tostada de Mariscos, Ensalada de Primavera, Pescado Empapelado, and Avococo. With only a few spots remaining, this ticketed event is a beautiful pick for anyone looking to celebrate Cinco de Mayo week with something a little more intimate, elevated, and deeply rooted in Oaxacan tradition.