The first weekend of May is always fun when it comes to celebrations around town. Whether you’re big on horses or just trying to swill a margarita or five, these Derby and Cinco de Mayo parties have fun for everyone.
Bonus: Sunday is a day for the nerds. May the Fourth be with you. (see events at bottom)
*This list is not exhaustive but it should get you started on your weekend plans.
Derby Saturday
Important! The race starts at 6:57 p.m. Saturday and is, as we know, the fastest two minutes in sports, so plan accordingly.
Hutson Alley will host a ticketed ($30/per person) Derby party from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with mint juleps, hors d’oeuvres and a screening of the race, of course.
Head to Hotel Bennett’s Fiat Lux rooftop bar for an all-day Derby party with specialty cocktails, a 360-degree photo booth and best-dressed contests.
The Charleston Place’s Thoroughbred Club will host an “elevated” Derby celebration with a guided bourbon tasting by Woodford Reserve from 4:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Watch the race on the big screens and enter the annual hat contest.
Lillian’s Petite Market & Eatery will host a ticketed ($25/per person) Derby party from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in its upstairs Jackalope Bar & Dining Room. Guests can enjoy Southern small bites, Derby-inspired cocktails and prizes for best dressed.
Striped Pig Distillery will host a ticketed ($20/per person) Derby party with live music, vendors, prizes, drink specials and a food truck.
Partake in Summerville’s “Talk Derby to Me” pub crawl from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. May 3. Check in (tickets are $50/day of) begins at Ice House where participants will receive a map of the route through downtown Summerville. Head back to Ice House by 6 p.m. for the watch party. Proceeds from this event benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
Check out what Tavern & Table is calling “the swankiest Kentucky Derby party” at the Shem Creek restaurant May 3. Participate in a hat contest and enjoy live music from the Purple Magnolia Duo.
The fun starts at 4 p.m. at Prohibition for this watch party which includes signature cocktail specials, complimentary Derby snacks, music from DJ Obsidian and prizes for best dressed attendees.
Sip on drinks at happy hour prices at Mount Pleasant’s Bohemian Bull during this watch party. Wear your best hat for the chance at a prize.
Celebrate Derby de Mayo at Ritual’s rooftop starting 3 p.m. May 3 with live DJ sets all day, mint juleps and margs. RSVP (for free) online.
Cinco de Mayo
Yes, the actual day for celebration is Monday, but with the weekend here, folks are getting an early start.
If you’re whipping up Cinco fun at home, Bittermilk Bottling Co. has the margarita mixer for you. Bittermilk No. 8 or “Otto” is a non-alcoholic Bittermilk Margarita Rosato with Italian Blood Orange mixer. Find it online.
This Cinco de Mayo season, order margaritas at a select number of local bars and restaurants that serve Astral Tequila and know that you’re supporting Habitat for Humanity. You can find Astral margs at BLU Beach Bar & Grill, Legami, Little Palm, Ritual and Taco Boy.
Cinqo Saturday
Head to the Hanahan Amphitheater from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. May 3 for Hanahan’s 18th annual Cinco de Mayo festival featuring live music from the likes of Vallenato Flavor, Savannah Latin Swing and DJ Luigi; food from Cachita’s Kitchen, Las Aguas Charleston and more and drinks by Jose Cuervo, Tito’s and 1800 Tequila. Buy tickets ($10/general admission) online.
Moncks Corner’s Añejo Tacos & Tequila will host three days of Cinco fun starting at 11 a.m. May 3. Enjoy live music each day and on Monday be sure to take part in $1 ground beef hard tacos and $5 Jimador Blanco tequila shots.
Did someone say Cinco de Mayo line-dancing? Honkytonk Saloon sure did. Pair your tequila, Corona and Modelo with line dancing for a big time starting 8 p.m. May 3.
Cinco Sunday
MESU Charleston encourages Charleston to celebrate Cinco de Mayo a day early with a Sunday Funday party from noon to 4 p.m. May 4. Enjoy Astral margs, a tequila ice luge and tunes from DJ Geli.
While Taco Boy will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo all weekend, the real fun starts at all locations on May 4, with live DJs, drink specials and donations to a local nonprofit.
Cinco Cinco
The Matador will host an upstairs and rooftop celebration May 5. Head to the Meeting Street restaurant’s Mezcaleria (the upstairs event space and rooftop patio) from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. for Don Gato tequila specials and live music starting at 7 p.m. Diners will find additional specials and the full food menu available downstairs all day.
La Hacienda on International Boulevard will host a party with DJ Tuxxi starting at 5 p.m. May 5. Enjoy discounted tequila shots and free T-shirts.
The fun starts at 5:30 p.m. at New Realm Brewing Co.’s Cinco de Mayo party. The restaurant will be serving Mexican dishes and specialty margs and tequila shots. Guests can look forward to Latin hits from a live DJ.
Santi’s downtown will host a Cinco block party from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. May 5. Enjoy music from DJ Soto, $20 marg pitchers, $18 Mexican beer pitchers, a $16 buffet and giveaways. Entry is $15 at the door.
It ain’t over ‘til it’s over — Trio, in conjunction with Santi’s, hosts a Cinco afterparty starting at 9 p.m. May 5. Grab your ticket ($5) online.
Sunday Bonus: Star Wars Day, May 4
Edmund’s Oast Brewing Co., which will host May the 4th Be With You beer run in collaboration with the South Carolina Brewery Running Series, starting at 11 a.m. May 4.
Snafu will host a Great Galactic Derby de Mayo from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. May 4. Look forward to a variety of local vendors, special beers on tap and a Cinco de Mayo food menu.
The Whale splashes in with the aptly titled “May the 4th Beer With You” event from noon to 10 p.m. May 4. Check out back-to-back screenings of your favorite Star Wars movies and sip on specialty beers inspired by characters from the franchise.
Get your Star Wars trivia on at Frothy Beard Brewing Co. at 5 p.m. May 4.
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