Two festivities will be unfolding on Saturday, May 5: Cinco de Mayo and the Kentucky Derby. Looking for a spot to celebrate one or both of these exciting events? Here are our top picks in Philly and the ‘burbs where you can sip margaritas, watch the horse race, or do both!
Derby Day at Saint Benjamin Brewing Company
The folks at Saint Benjamin Brewing Company in Philadelphia are inviting guests into the brewery for the big race on Saturday, May 5. Starting at 11 a.m., head to the brewery for the Kentucky Derby festivities. In addition to watching the race later in the day, there will be spectacular Derby specials taking place all day long on the following Kentucky Derby essentials: mint juleps, Kentucky hot browns and fried Kentucky bourbon ball sundaes. Plus, come in wearing a your fancy hat and receive $5 off your tab! 1710 N. 5th St., Philadelphia; (215) 232-4305
Kentucky Derby Party at aMuse
From 3–8 p.m. on Saturday, May 5, aMuse will be celebrating Derby Day with a curated menu, a julep bar and live music. There will also be a series of games and contests for Best Hat, Best Bow Tie and the Best Dressed Couple. The event is free to attend and food and drinks will be available for purchase. RSVP for this spectacular horse race-themed event! 1421 Arch St., Philadelphia; (215) 422-8222
Kentucky Derby Outdoor Viewing Party at The Twisted Tail
Head to The Twisted Tail on Saturday, May 5, from 2–8 p.m., for the annual Kentucky Derby outdoor viewing party. Watch the races outside on a giant 18-foot TV screen while sipping a $6 mint julep in true Southern style. Every guest receives an entry into the Derby Draw for the winning horse, and the lucky raffle winner will receive a commemorative Woodford Reserve Kentucky Derby bottle. Plus, additional prizes will be awarded for the Best Hat and Bow Tie. 509 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia; (215) 558-2471
Kentucky Derby Festivities at Red Owl Tavern
March of the Sombreros Bar Crawl in Philadelphia
Don’t miss the 2018 March of the Sombreros on Saturday, May 5. This Philadelphia Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl unfolds from 4 p.m.–2 a.m. with more than 40 Philadelphia and Manayunk top spots participating. The March of the Sombreros will give you access into all of the participating locations until midnight with no cover charge, plus great drink specials from 4 p.m. until midnight, with your wristband.
For those seeking out a VIP experience, upgraded access tickets are available and include three Modelo beers at select locations, a mixed drink, a taco and a basket of nachos and dumplings from Humpty’s Dumplings.
Buy your tickets online today. General admission tickets are $9.95 per person and VIP tickets are $19.95 per person. While supplies last, grab your free sombrero at check-in, along with a coupon book offering some amazing deals.The event map includes a coupon for a free 13″ pizza from Porta, a mini-chicken cheesesteak from Slack’s Hoagie Shack and a snack-size order of wings from Buffalo Wild Wings!
Cinco de Mayo Celebrations at P.J. Whelihan’s
All 16 P.J. Whelihan’s locations, conveniently located in spots across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo with $5 drink specials throughout the entire day, including the Espolon Watermelon Margarita, made with fresh watermelon puree; the Espolon El Diablo, a margarita-julep hybrid of blanco Espolon mixed with Chambord and topped with ginger beer; and classic mint juleps (for a little Kentucky Derby-themed flair!). For those looking to sip more conventional brews, P.J.’s is offering Modelo Especial on draft and Corona or Corona Light bottles for $3 each. Find all 16 locations here.
Landmark Americana Celebrates Cinco de Mayo (and the Sixers)
Landmark Americana at the City Line location is helping to make your Cinco de Mayo celebration even more spectacular by offering $3 margaritas, $4 Corona bottles, $4 Pacifico and Modelo drafts and $4 Cuervo shots. While sipping your drink of choice, enjoy DJ entertainment from 1 p.m. until close and the Sixers game showing on all TVs with sound. 2481 N. 54th St., Philadelphia; (610) 660-2100
For those who are closer to the Landmark in West Chester, this spot will be an official location in the Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl happening from noon–8 p.m. Bar crawl participants will enjoy $3 beer, $4 mixed drinks and $5 margaritas-on-ice specials. 158 W. Gay St., West Chester; (610) 701-9900
Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl in West Chester
Cinco de Mayo revelers in West Chester can take part in the Cinco de Mayo Bar Crawl throughout town from noon–8 p.m. The $20 admission price ($10 for early bird tickets) will gain participants no-cover access into participating West Chester bars, drink and food specials, entertainment and free swag!
- Cinco de Mayo food and drinks feature photo: Landmark Americana
- Watermelon margarita photo: P.J. Whelihan's
- Mint juleps photo: Pixabay
- Woodford Reserve photo: The Twisted Tail
- Red Owl Tavern Julep Jawns photo: Red Owl Tavern
