Las Palmas (7356 Manchester Road; 314-645-3364)
Las Palmas in Maplewood will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo over the long weekend --Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday -- with giveaways, t-shirts, a live DJ, margarita specials and Dos Equis, Modelo and Corona specials. This is one of only two bars in town serving one of Gut Check's hands-down favorite tequilas, Clase Azul Reposado -- a smooth, yet flavorful tequila aged in oak barrels that is perfect for sipping.
Rosalita's Cantina (1229 Washington Avenue; 314-621-2700)
As is now tradition on Cinco de Mayo, Rosalita's closes Washington Avenue to car traffic all weekend to make way for live entertainment and a multitude of food and beverage tents. Outside events run from 11 a.m. to midnight on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday's highlights include Clave Sol (Latin Jazz Fusion), a petting zoo, a magician, caricaturist, DJ Emilio Hernandez and Mariachi Fiesta from 5 - 8 p.m. Sunday will also have the petting zoo and circus performers, Clave Sol and Samba Bom (Brazilian Samba) from 2 - 5 p.m. Monday's entertainment takes place in the evening, Samba Bom from 4 - 7 p.m. and Clave Sol from 7 - 10 p.m.
Gringo (398 N Euclid Ave; 314-449-1212)
Gringo will be going large for Cinco de Mayo with a whole pig roast and an agua fresca (Spanish for "fresh water," it's usually fruit- and flower-infused sugar water) station outside all day on Saturday, May 3. Be one of the first to try Gringo's new spring menu, featuring dishes such as the "Cheeseburguesa Torta," barbacoa taco (lamb roasted slowly in banana leaves) and the "Mexican Cola Cake." An inspired list of margaritas and cocktails offer a first-rate journey through tequila blanco, reposado and anejo, and all shots are served with the traditional chaser of a spicy housemade chile de árbol sangrita.
