Celebrate Cinco de Mayo In DTLA

Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner. Time to round up your crew and head out for some soul satisfying Mexican food, washed done with a frosty Margarita or two, along with a shot of premium tequila or rare mezcal. Not far from Circa, you’ll find El Pueblo de Los Angeles, the birthplace of Los Angeles, which is now a historical monument, home to museums, exhibits, and the world famous Olvera Street marketplace. DTLA is also boasts some of the city’s most iconic and award-winning Mexican restaurants, rooftop oases, and craft cocktail bars, serving everything from traditional cuisine to chef-driven menus. Reservations for Cinco de Mayo are highly recommended.

Circa Cinco de Mayo Party at Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Join the fiesta! Circa residents are invited to our Cinco de Mayo celebration this Thursday at the 8th Floor Lounge. We’ll be serving tacos & margaritas from 5:30PM to 8:30PM. 

Olvera Street near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Olvera Street El Pueblo de Los Angeles 125 Paseo de la Plaza Los Angeles, CA 90012

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the birthplace of Los Angeles – El Pueblo de Los Angeles. Founded in 1781, El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles (the Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels) is now a historical monument, home to free museums, exhibits, and the world famous Olvera Street marketplace. 

Casa La Golondrina Mexican Cafe near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Casa La Golondrina Mexican Cafe W-17 Olvera St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Established in 1924, Casa La Golondrina Mexican Cafe is a historic landmark in the heart of the Olvera Street marketplace. This iconic restaurant offers authentic Mexican cuisine and fresh margaritas made with real fruits including strawberry, mango, cucumber and more.

LA Cha Cha Chá near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

LA Cha Cha Chá 812 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

The sister location of Terraza Cha Cha Chá in Mexico City, LA Cha Cha Chá is located in a chic outdoor rooftop space in the Arts District. The restaurant offers gorgeous views of DTLA and a notable menu by Mexico City-born, LA-raised chef Alejandro Guzman. There are traditional starters like aguachile, ceviche, chicharos de sierra with fresh peas, and crispy potato – a revamped family recipe. Cha Cha Cha also offers a tacos and tostada menu, along with more substantial dishes like grilled fish, charcoal roasted chicken, and pork shoulder confit carnitas.

Las Perlas near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Las Perlas 107 E 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Las Perlas, the nation’s first mezcal bar, opened in March 2010 in the historic Sante Fe building at Sixth & Main in DTLA. This Oaxacan style cantina exists as a living tribute to Mexico’s native spirit, mezcal, with the finest selection of more than 400 premium agave spirits in the United States. Las Perlas cocktails arrive garnished with everything from wild hibiscus flowers to the Oaxacan delicacy of spicy, roasted chapulinas, while also offering ice cold Mexican cerveza. Get your fill of tacos, taquitos, mulitas, and more – available on the patio daily.

Pez Cantina near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Pez Cantina 401 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Pez Cantina is celebrating Cinco de Mayo with live music, dancing and great food. Pez Cantina is a sustainable Coastal Mexican-style restaurant and bar serving the freshest sea-to-land dishes in an oasis-type atmosphere. The menu focuses on dishes from the many distinct regions of Mexico: from Baja, to Oaxaca, to the Yucatan Peninsula. A fine-tuned selection of bright and eclectic cocktails, California-focused wine list and craft beers, round out the menu.  

Mezcalero DTLA near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Mezcalero 510 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90013

The name that says it all! Mezcalero is a small, laid-back joint in the heart of DTLA, presenting a dizzying selection of mezcal. tequila and other agave spirits, along with craft beer and Mexican street food. The down-to-earth staff, lead by mixologist Nathan McCullough, loves sharing and shaking up craft cocktails while generating a welcoming environment for all. Mezcalero offers daily happy hour specials, Taco Tuesdays, and Cocktail To Go. So come on by any day of the week and experience the local love and dedication. Salud!

Bar Amá near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Bar Amá 118 W 4th St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

AMÁ is chef Josef Centeno’s homage to the Tex-Mex cooking he grew up on – casual, inventive, delicious dishes inspired by four multi-cultural generations of Tejanos and their love of food. The menu will tingle your tummy with specialities like fideo and borracho beans with cilantro and pork belly, simmering on the stove. The bar offers a great selection of tequilas and mezcals, along with absinthe, whiskey, gin, beer, wine, and more.

El Cholo near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

El Cholo 1037 S. Flower St Los Angeles CA 90015

Since first opening their doors at the original site on Western Avenue in 1923, El Cholo has operated as a family-owned business. Today, this popular restaurant has expanded to seven locations, run by Ron Salisbury, grandson of the founders. Enjoy traditional favorites like blue corn chicken enchiladas, green corn tamales, enchiladas suiza, tortilla soup, burritos, carne asada, and combination plates. They also offer an array of margaritas and specialty tequilas.

Guerilla Tacos near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Guerilla Tacos 2000 E 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90021

From a popular food truck, Guerilla Tacos has evolved to a contemporary restaurant and bar specializing in great margaritas and other craft cocktails, along with world-class dishes inspired by the flavors of the city, made with local ingredients and served on a tortilla. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in their dining room or festive outdoor patio. 

Photo Credits:

Photo #1: Mezcalero 

Photo #2: Circa LA

Photo #3: Olvera Street

Photo #4: Casa La Golondrina Mexican Cafe 

Photo #5: LA Cha Cha Chá

Photo #6: Las Perlas

Photo #7: Pez Cantina

Photo #8: Mezcalero

Photo #9: Bar Amá

Photo #10: El Cholo

Photo #11: Guerilla Tacos

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Downtown Los Angeles

Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner. Time to round up your crew and head out for some soul satisfying Mexican food, washed done with a frosty Margarita or two, along with a shot of premium tequila or rare mezcal. Not far from Circa, you’ll find El Pueblo de Los Angeles, the birthplace of Los Angeles, which is now a historical monument, home to museums, exhibits, and the world famous Olvera Street marketplace. DTLA is also boasts some of the city’s most iconic and award-winning Mexican restaurants, rooftop oases, and craft cocktail bars, serving everything from traditional cuisine to chef-driven menus. Check website for opening hours, reservations and health & safety guidelines.

Casa La Golondrina Mexican Cafe near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Olvera Street El Pueblo de Los Angeles 125 Paseo de la Plaza Los Angeles, CA 90012

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in the birthplace of Los Angeles – El Pueblo de Los Angelest. Founded in 1781, El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles (the Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels) is now a historical monument, home to free museums, exhibits, and the world famous Olvera Street marketplace. Olvera Street is now open for shopping and take-out dining. Casa La Golondrina Mexican Cafe, a historic landmark, offers authentic Mexican cuisine and fresh margaritas made with real fruits including strawberry, mango, cucumber and more.

Las Perlas near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Las Perlas 107 E 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Just in time for Cinco de Mayo, Las Perlas is happy to announce that they will be reopening for patio service on May 3. The nation’s first mezcal bar, Las Perlas was established in 2010 in the historic Sante Fe building the DTLA Arts District. This Oaxacan style cantina exists as a living tribute to Mexico’s native spirit, mezcal, with the finest selection of more than 400 premium agave spirits in the United States. Las Perlas cocktails arrive garnished with everything from wild hibiscus flowers to the Oaxacan delicacy of spicy, roasted chapulinas, while also offering ice cold Mexican cerveza.

Pez Cantina near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Cinco de Mayo with Trejos Tacos Pez Cantina 401 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90071

Join Pez Cantina for an exclusive event with Trejos Tacos on Thursday, May 6th from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm. Ticket Includes Three-Course Meal created by Pez Cantina and Trejos Tacos. There’ll be a Taco Eating Contest judged by Danny Trejos, along with live music, prizes and giveaways. Pez Cantina is a sustainable Coastal Mexican-style restaurant and bar serving the freshest sea-to-land dishes in an oasis-type atmosphere. The menu focuses on dishes from the many distinct regions of Mexico, from Baja, to Oaxaca and the Yucatan Peninsula. A fine-tuned selection of bright and eclectic cocktails, California-focused wine list and craft beers, round out the Pez Cantina menu. 

Broken Shaker near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Broken Shaker Freehand Hotel 416 W. 8th St., Los Angeles, CA 90014 

An oasis in the heart of Downtown LA, Broken Shaker, located on the Freehand Hotel rooftop pool deck, offers an eclectic menu of handcrafted cocktails and small bites. A James Beard Award finalist and winner of Tales of the Cocktail’s Best American Hotel Bar award, Broken Shaker serves up delicious cocktails, infused with homemade elixirs and exotic ingredients, bringing the flavors of the beach to the center of the city. Reservations for pool and Broken Shaker are required. 

Guerilla Tacos near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Guerilla Tacos 2000 E 7th St. Los Angeles, CA 90021

From a popular food truck, Guerilla Tacos has evolved to a contemporary restaurant and bar specializing in great margaritas and other craft cocktials, along with world-class dishes inspired by the flavors of the city, made with local ingredients and served on a tortilla. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo on their festive outdoor paito. All of the proceeds from select items on May 5 will go to Save the Children.

LA Cha Cha Chá near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

LA Cha Cha Chá 812 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

The sister location of Terraza Cha Cha Chá in Mexico City, LA Cha Cha Chá recently opened in a chic outdoor rooftop space in the Arts District. The restaurant offers gorgeous views of DTLA and a notable menu by Mexico City-born, LA-raised chef Alejandro Guzman. There are traditional starters like aguachile and ceviche, but also chicharos de sierra with fresh peas, serrano aioli, and crispy potato – a revamped family recipe. Cha Cha Cha ioffers a tacos and tostada menu, along with more substantial dishes like grilled fish, charcoal roasted chicken, and a pork shoulder confit carnitas with braised beans and pico de gallo.

Veranda Al Fresco near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Veranda Al Fresco Hotel Figueroa 939 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Chef AJ McCloud is serving an authentic Mexico City-inspired menu, befitting the tropical vibe at Veranda Al Fresco, DTLA’s urban oasis at Hotel Figueroa. Discover a tasty, simple street taco menu paired with an intriguing selection of craft cocktails. Salud y buen provecho!

Mezcalero near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Mezcalero 510 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90013

The name that says it all. Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Mezcalero, a small, laid-back joint in the heart of DTLA. These homey digs present a dizzying selection of mezcal. tequila and other agave spirits, along with craft beer and Mexican street food. The down to earth staff, lead by mixologist Nathan McCullough, loves sharing and shaking up our cocktails while generating a welcoming environment for all. Mezcalero offers daily happy hour specials, Open for dine-in, delivery and takeout. Salud!

Bar Ama near Circa residences in Downtown Los Angeles

Bar Amá 118 W 4th St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

This Tex Mex hot spot will tingle your tummy with specialities like fideo and borracho beans with cilantro and pork belly, simmering on the stove. Chef Josef Centeno created Bar Amá as his interpretation of the food he was nurtured on by the women who raised him, and the menu reflects that comfortable sense of home. The bar offers a great selection of tequilas and mezcals, along with absinthe, whiskey, gin, beer, wine, and more. Open for pickup, delivery and patio dining.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Casa La Golondrina Mexican Cafe

Photo #2: Casa La Golondrina Mexican Cafe

Photo #3: Las Perlas

Photo #4: Pez Cantina

Photo #5: Broken Shaker

Photo #6: Guerilla Tacos

Photo #7: LA Cha Cha Chá

Photo #8: Veranda Al Fresco

Photo #9: Mezcalero 

Photo #10: Bar Amá 

Discover DTLA’s Craft Tequila & Mezcal Bars

Mezcal is rising in popularity in American bars and tequila lovers are taking note. While the two Mexican spirits are both made from agave, there are key differences between these two beverages. Essentially, all tequilas are mezcals, but not all mezcals are tequilas. Tequila is a type of mezcal, which is defined as any agave-based liquor. However, tequila and mezcal are made from different agaves, produced in different regions, and distilled differently. Vive la difference!

Getting thirsty? Now that we’ve piqued your interest, It’s time to discover DTLA’s craft tequila and mezcal bars!

Las Perlas

Las Perlas 107 E 6th St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Las Perlas, the nation’s first mezcal bar, opened in March 2010 in the historic Sante Fe building at Sixth & Main in DTLA. This Oaxacan style cantina exists as a living tribute to Mexico’s native spirit, mezcal, with the finest selection of more than 400 premium agave spirits in the United States. Las Perlas cocktails arrive garnished with everything from wild hibiscus flowers to the Oaxacan delicacy of spicy, roasted chapulinas, while also offering ice cold Mexican cerveza.

broken shaker

Broken Shaker Freehand Hotel 416 W. 8th St., Los Angeles, CA 90014

An oasis in the heart of Downtown LA, Broken Shaker, located on the Freehand Hotel rooftop pool deck, offers an eclectic menu of handcrafted cocktails and small bites. A James Beard Award finalist and winner of Tales of the Cocktail’s Best American Hotel Bar award, Broken Shaker serves up delicious cocktails, infused with homemade elixirs and exotic ingredients, bringing the flavors of the beach to the center of the city.

Rosa Mexicano

Rosa Mexicano 800 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Rosa Mexicano offers a wide array of tequila and mezcals. With close to 100 varieties, you’re certain to find something to quench your thirst. From the signature pomegranate margarita, to your favorite classic cocktail reimagined with mezcal, you’ll enjoy a truly unique experience in every glass. Enjoy your cocktail at the bar, with a selection from the botanas menu (bar snacks), or imbibe in the dining room. Let the cocktail menu be your guide or bring your own spirited inspiration. The bartenders will not disappoint!

Pez Cantina

Pez Cantina 401 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Pez Cantina is a sustainable Coastal Mexican-style restaurant and bar serving the freshest sea-to-land dishes in an oasis-type atmosphere. Inspired by his travels to Loreto, a sleepy fishing town in Baja California, Mexico, and his marriage into a Mexican family, Chef Bret Thompson captures the complexity and spirit of the food he has developed a strong love and passion for. Pez Cantina’s menu focuses on dishes from the many distinct regions of Mexico: from Baja, to Oaxaca, to the Yucatan Peninsula. A fine-tuned selection of bright and eclectic cocktails, California-focused wine list and craft beers, round out the menu.   

Love Song Bar

The Love Song Bar 450 S Main St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

This charming, cozy bar offers eclectic decor, vinyl records spinning cool music, friendly bartenders, and solid craft cocktails. Adjacent to the Regent Theatre and next door to Prufrock Pizzeria, you can order pizza from the bar and they’ll bring it right over. Whether you’re catching a show at The Regent or bar-hopping in the area, Love Song Bar is a great spot to stop and chill.

broken spanish

Broken Spanish 1050 S Flower St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Following the evolution of its chef, Ray Garcia, a classically trained chef born and raised in Los Angeles, Broken Spanish offers an amalgamation of new ideas with the powerful influence of his Latin upbringing. Drawing inspiration and flavors from a diverse community, Broken Spanish presents a distinct culinary perspective with an elevated contribution to a bountiful culinary history.The cuisine is expressed in bold yet refined flavors, demonstrating elements of long-established traditions, while finished dishes are showcased with modern appeal. The bar offers an aromatic selection of tequilas, mezcals, and intriguing craft cocktails.

Veranda

Veranda Hotel Figueroa 939 S Figueroa St #500 Los Angeles, CA 90015

Just in time for summer, Chef Adrian Garcia is serving an authentic Mexican popup menu, befitting the tropical vibe at Veranda, DTLA’s urban oasis at Hotel Figueroa. Cocktelier Dushan Zaric has created an agave program that spotlights some of Mexico’s finest tequila and mezcal distillers and their unique takes on the craft. Mixed with house-made ingredients, such as grapefruit and hibiscus cordials, and mango sangrita, the cocktails complement Chef Garcia’s cuisine. Kick back poolside and toast this season with a fresh fruit margarita or snifter of Tequila. Salud y buen provecho!

Mezcalero

Mezcalero 510 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90013

The name that says it all! Mezcalero is a small, laid-back joint in the heart of DTLA, presenting a dizzying selection of mezcal. tequila and other agave spirits, along with craft beer and Mexican street food. The down to earth staff, lead by mixologist Nathan McCullough, loves sharing and shaking up our cocktails while generating a welcoming environment for all. Mezcalero offers daily happy hour specials, Taco Tuesday parties, and Sunday brunch. So come on by any day of the week and experience the local love and dedication. Salud!

Bar Ama

Bar Amá 118 W 4th St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

This Tex Mex hot spot will tingle your tummy with specialities like fideo and borracho beans with cilantro and pork belly, simmering on the stove. Chef Josef Centeno created Bar Amá as his interpretation of the food he was nurtured on by the women who raised him, and the menu reflects that comfortable sense of home. The bar offers a great selection of tequilas and mezcals, along with absinthe, whiskey, gin, beer, wine, and more.