Cinco de Mayo is the best time to celebrate Mexican pride and culture, and one the foremost days to get down and party in Boston. This year, the May 5 holiday happens to fall on a Saturday, making it an even more ideal evening to celebrate. Whether it’s dancing, drinks or simply indulging in some delicious Mexican cuisine, here are five Bostonian destination ideas that are simply “fantastico.”

La Verdad Taqueria Mexicana
1 Lansdowne St.
Boston, MA 02215
(617) 421 9595
www.laverdadtaqueria.com

Hours: Daily – 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m.

Numerous accolades follow Chef Ken Oringer’s La Verdad Taqueria Mexicana, including “Best Mexican Food in the U.S.” by Bon Appetit magazine. Secured in a prime traffic location on Lansdowne Street, La Verdad celebrates Mexican Lucha Libre wrestling culture. With its colorful decor, it proves to be a popular Fenway Park destination for those seeking quality grub and spirits in between Red Sox games. That being said, it’s a no brainer that La Verdad will be a hoppin’, happenin’ place come the 5th of May. Before you visit, be sure to brush up on your tequila facts so that you know what you’re doing when it’s your turn at the bar.

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Tico
222 Berkeley St.
Boston MA 02116
(617) 351 0400
www.ticoboston.com

Hours: Mon to Fri – 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., Sat to Sun – 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Do you like drinking tequila? As in lots and lots of tequila? So do the owners and staff of Tico, located on Berkeley Street in Boston. They’ve even implemented a Tequila Club for their most passionate, tequila-loving customers. Drink 88 tequilas within the span of an eight-month period and voila, instant access. Esteemed Tequila Club members enjoy such varied privileges as tastings, seminars, an etched tequila glass, a tasting dinner for four, as well as exclusive Tequila Club apparel and merchandise. While we’re not advocating that you dive right in head first into a couple rounds of tequila right away, but Cinco de Mayo would be an excellent place to start.

Papagayo
283 Summer St.
Boston, MA
(617) 423 1000
www.papagayoboston.com

Hours: Mon to Sat – 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sun 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Looking for yet another tequila club which also can service your post-Cinco de Mayo hangover? Look no further than Papagayo, one of Boston’s hottest tequila bars and Mexican restaurants. The bar’s exposed brick mixed with authentic ceramic tiles gives the place a great, soothing vibe in which to nurse your headache. Not only does Papagayo offer the discriminating tequila taster several levels, titles, and rewards all based upon how many of Papagayo’s 150 different tequilas are imbibed over a year’s time-varying from “El Bandito” (25 tequilas), “El Conquistador” (50 tequilas) and “El Presidente” (ay caramba! 100 tequilas)-but this hot holiday destination also offers a Bloody Mary Brunch for those out there nursing a Presidente sized headache the morning of May 6th.

Zocalo Back Bay
35 Stanhope St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 456 7849
www.olerestaurantgroup.com

Late Night Taco Hours: Thurs to Sun 11 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

Three words: late night tacos. If that simple, little phrase doesn’t get your mouth watering, we don’t know what will. Zocalo Back Bay offers a contemporary take on classic Mexican cuisine and decor, while also holding claim to a number of impressive critical accolades. Need another reason to visit? The outdoor patio will ensure the best view of all of the city’s Cinco de Mayo celebrations, not the least of which is Zocalo’s own traditional bash. In years past the Cinco de Mayo festivities have included Mexican party favors, specialty cocktails and, of course, copious amounts of Dos Equis and Tequila Cazadores.

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Lolita Cocina
271 Dartmouth St.
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 369 5609
www.lolitaboston.com

Hours: Mon to Sat – 5 p.m. to 2 a.m., Sun – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Also located in Boston’s Back Bay, Lolita Cocina should prove to be a solid last call bet for adventurous Cinco de Mayo maniacs, particularly those with a fetish for the sweet ‘n spicy. Try cotton candy sprinkled with Pop Rocks. Yes, Pop Rocks. It’s only one of the main fixtures here at Lolita Cocina, a super-cool Bostonian destination which prides itself on high end Mexican fare with a dark, hip and edgy decor. Deep reds and opaque blacks await customers who set foot within Lolita’s walls, while the Tequila Bar’s flavored dry ice dish is a must-see delight. Speaking of tequila, Lolita Cocina has over 200 styles of the Cinco de Mayo spirit; an essential aspect of any nighttime holiday celebration. Although Lolita Cocina’s eclectic menu may not exactly prove ideal for those watching their wallet, this chic and sinful destination spells out pure indulgence for a holiday all about excess.

George Pacheco has been writing professionally about arts and entertainment for over a decade. A graduate of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, George currently resides in a humble New England home with his wife, cat and massive music and film collection. His work can be found at Examiner.com.