Police turn out in force for Cinco de Mayo in Bethesda (Photos)

Montgomery County police were highly visible and very active in downtown Bethesda last night, responding quickly to drunken or disorderly conduct among those celebrating Cinco de Mayo. Several people were restrained or taken into custody, as seen on Fairmont Avenue here. The effort was separate from a Maryland State Police all-hands-on-deck patrol aimed at cracking down on drunk drivers this weekend.  The result was the most uniformed officers seen in downtown Bethesda since the civil unrest of 2020.

Casa Oaxaca to host soft opening Cinco de Mayo event today in Bethesda

Full menu grand opening

scheduled for May 10

What better way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo than with an early preview of Bethesda's newest Mexican restaurant? Casa Oaxaca, located at 4905 Fairmont Avenue, will host a soft opening preview event for the Mexican holiday today. They will be selling tacos and margaritas only today, May 5, 2019.

The official opening with full menu (see pictures here) is currently scheduled for May 10. Casa Oaxaca's space was previously home to TacoArepa and Fresh Grill.

Cinco de Mayo in Bethesda 2016

Today is Cinco de Mayo, and there are quite a few places to celebrate in Bethesda.

Guapos

Longtime readers know that Guapos always goes all-out for the biggest Mexican restaurant holiday of the year, and 2016 is no exception. Their nachos were voted among America's ten best by the Wall Street Journal in 2006. Enjoy those and several chef and bar specials today, as well as giveaways and prizes. They will also have a tiki bar. They don't mention it this year, but in past years they've also had a live mariachi band.

8130 Wisconsin Avenue

301-656-0888  

Uncle Julio's

Uncle Julio's is the Mexican destination at Bethesda Row. Once again, they have not advertised any specific specials for Cinco de Mayo, but I can tell you they do have a new, must-try Chocolate Pinata dessert. A trip to Uncle Julio's is not complete without ordering their famous Swirl frozen margarita.

4870 Bethesda Avenue

301-656-2181

Tia Queta

For those seeking the authentic, it doesn't get more authentic than a restaurant whose owners are actually Mexican. Tía Queta is tucked away on Del Ray Avenue, next to the Gallery Bethesda apartment tower. They've added a new soft taco menu, and will have food and drink specials all day on Cinco de Mayo.

4839 Del Ray Avenue 

301-654-4443

California Tortilla

The Mexican fast casual chain got its start in downtown Bethesda. Any purchase today will get you a coupon for a free taco, which you can redeem between May 6 and May 13.

4871 Cordell Avenue

Paladar

In North Bethesda's Pike District, Paladar will be offering $3 Dos Equis drafts, $4 Margaritas and $5 Palomas all day long.

11333 Woodglen Drive

(301) 816-1100

Gringos & Mariachis

Gringos and Mariachis is earning a regional reputation as the destination for high-end Mexican cuisine and adult beverages. Tacos + high quality tequila and whiskey = a great Cinco de Mayo in Bethesda.

4928 Cordell Avenue

240-800-4266

+ + +

Helpful hint:

Don't be "that guy" who raises a toast to Mexican Independence Day today - Cinco de Mayo actually commemorates Mexico's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Mexican Independence Day is September 16.

Bethesda Cinco de Mayo 2015 specials at Mexican restaurants

Where to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Bethesda is the question to be answered here. Not all Bethesda bars and restaurants have made their plans public yet, but I will update or add any details they email to me at robert1999 [at] hotmail [dot] com.

Guapo's

Guapo's has pulled out the stops for Cinco de Mayo for the last several years, and they have another great one planned for this year. Once again, they will have what I think is a must for a Mexican holiday - a live mariachi band. For those preferring a more modern sound, they will also have a DJ in the evening. In addition, they'll have a tiki bar, food and bar specials, and prizes.

8130 Wisconsin Avenue

Tía Queta

For those seeking the authentic, it doesn't get more authentic than a restaurant whose owners are actually Mexican. Tía Queta is tucked away on Del Ray Avenue, next to the Gallery Bethesda apartment tower. For this Cinco de Mayo, they'll be serving the new Budweiser craft beer aged in tequila barrels, Oculto. According to the official Oculto website, you cannot buy this brew at retail in Montgomery County. Looking forward to trying that one, despite the 65 rating average on Beer Advocate. Tía Queta will also have food and drink specials all day on Cinco de Mayo.

They've also got a rooftop deck, which is perfect for the spring weather.

4839 Del Ray Avenue

Parva 

As a Mexican restaurant and tequila bar, Parva is not surprisingly ready to party tonight. DJ Leo Vega will be spinning until 9:00 tonight, when DJ Pootie will take over through the early morning hours. By then, you'll likely have partaken from the specials of $2 tacos, $3 quesadillas, $5 margaritas, and $6 Patron.

7904 Woodmont Avenue

Gringos & Mariachis

Mexican restaurant and tequila bar.

4928 Cordell Avenue

Uncle Julio's

Mexican restaurant, and home of the famous Swirl frozen margarita.

4870 Bethesda Avenue.

CINCO DE MAYO BETHESDA SPECIALS AND BAR CRAWL 2014

Where to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Bethesda on Monday, May 5, and on the weekend before it?

Fest Productions is hosting its first annual Bethesda Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl, this Saturday, May 3. Order your $7 ticket online, and then go to Union Jack's Bethesda at 4:30 PM Saturday, to pick up your wristband from the registration table. Your wristband will entitle you to a $3 special Cinco de Mayo drinks, $3 tequila shots, $2 Yuengling/Yuengling Lights, $4 Coronas, and $3 special rail drinks of your choice.

The following bars are participating in the crawl:

Union Jack's, Caddies on Cordell, Parva Lounge, Hanaro Restaurant and Lounge, 4935 Bar and Kitchen.

Of course, you'll want some food on Cinco de Mayo, too. So consider these Bethesda Mexican restaurants:

Gringos and Mariachis - Bethesda's newest Mexican restaurant is getting ready for its first Cinco de Mayo. Stay tuned for specials, which haven't been finalized as of this writing.

Gringos & Mariachis, 4928 Cordell Avenue. 

240-800-4266

Tía Queta - This longtime Bethesda Mexican restaurant's owners are actually from México - it doesn't get anymore authentic than that! Stop by for appetizer and drink specials on both May 4 and 5, and enjoy their newly renovated rooftop patio.

Tia Queta, 4839 Del Ray Avenue.  

301-654-4443.

Uncle Julio's - Bethesda Row's Mexican spot has fresh hand-shaken margaritas, new Tableside Guacamole, and their signature Swirl beverages for adults.

Uncle Julio's, 4870 Bethesda Avenue.  

301-656-2981.

Guapo's - This local chain usually goes all-out with live mariachi music, and more.

Guapo's, 8130 Wisconsin Avenue.  

301-656-0888.

Cheese fondue at Fish Taco

Fish Taco - On Cinco de Mayo, Fish Taco will offer several drink specials, including $5 frozen margaritas, and $4 draft beers. Order any taco or platter and enjoy a free order of Elote, a popular corn-on-the-cob street snack in México, which Chef Michael Harr has topped with queso cotija, and his signature sauce. There'll also be free cheese fondue with chips for kids on Monday.

Fish Taco, 7945 MacArthur Boulevard

Cabin John, MD

301-229-0900

Guardado's - All this weekend, Guardado's will serve special margaritas made with upscale tequilas, available in flavors like pineapple, mango, raspberry and sangria. They'll be $5.

Guardado's, 4918 Del Ray Avenue

301-986-4920

CINCO DE MAYO IN BETHESDA 2013 - BEST PLACES TO CELEBRATE (PHOTOS)

Where to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Bethesda?

Where else but at a Mexican restaurant, right?

I'm picking Guapo's as the top spot again this year. Once again, they are having an actual mariachi band perform, which means actual Mexican atmosphere.  There will be specials on food and adult beverages, and mystery giveaways. No word if the Budweiser Girls will appear again this year.

8130 Wisconsin Avenue.  301-656-0888.

There's also Tia Queta, whose owners are actually from Mexico. They'll have specials, including beer specials on Budweiser and Bud Light (not Dos Equis or Corona?!). The restaurant also features one of the only two rooftop patios in downtown Bethesda, should the weather cooperate. Let's hope construction at That 70s Building next door takes the day off Sunday!

4839 Del Ray Avenue. 301-654-4443.

Once again, Uncle Julio's at Bethesda Row is keeping quiet about its specials this year. But we already know they have great nachos, margaritas, and their house special Swirls. As well as outdoor seating.

4870 Bethesda Avenue. 301-656-2181.

Alas, Bethesda's newest Mexican restaurant, Plaza del Sol, has closed.

Everyone deserves a good margarita this Sunday. Except "that guy" at the table who proclaims Cinco de Mayo is "Mexican Independence Day!"

Check that history book!

BLACKFINN BETHESDA CINCO DE MAYO SPECIALS

Here are the specials for Saturday at BlackFinn.

CLICK HERE for my complete guide to the best Cinco de Mayo celebrations in downtown Bethesda!

CINCO DE MAYO TEQUILA CLASS IN BETHESDA

The most interesting Cinco de Mayo event in the DC area I've heard of so far, is right here in downtown Bethesda, at Freddy's Lobster.

Freddy's is hosting a Cinco de Mayo Tequila Class Saturday, May 5, from 1-3 PM.

Bartender Chris Cunningham will teach you about the wide variety of tequilas in the world.  And, most importantly, how to use them to make cocktails yourself.

Chef Jeff Heineman will serve up appetizers paired with each cocktail.

Your total cost will be $50.

Class size is limited, so hurry to snag your seat(s) before they're gone!

To reserve your spot, email lisa@freddyslobster.com ASAP.

Freddy's Lobster, 4867 Cordell Avenue.  240-743-4257.