By: Christina Nicole

Cinco de Mayo is just around the corner, a holiday that oftentimes is more synonymous with drinking excessive tequila than what its truly stands for: a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. Whether you’re one of those people that have passionately renamed the holiday “Cinco de Drinko” or are headed out to celebrate the true meaning of the holiday, I’ve put together a list of 8 spots hosting some of the best Cinco de Mayo parties in Jersey:

1. Cinco de Mayo Pre-Party @ Bliss
When:  Thursday, May 3, 2012
Location: 955 Allwood Rd. Clifton, NJ
Time: 9:00pm until 3:00am
Featuring: Male/Female “Hot Tamale” Body Contest, Pinatas, sombreros, maracas, tequila and more
Music by: Breakdown, Lugghead & Gary Rabbit
*Specials: $2 drinks til 11:30pm

2. Cinco de Mayo Celebration!! @Eurolounge
When: Saturday, May 5, 2012
Location: 185 River Rd. North Arlington, NJ
Time: 8:00pm until 2:00am
Music by: DJ Frankie Vazquez
*Specials: $3 Coronas/Margaritas/Shots of Cuervo

3. Cinco de Mario @ 118 Lounge
When: Saturday, May 5, 2012
Location: 118 Stockton St. Newark, NJ
Time: 9:00pm until 3:00am
Featuring: Exotica Fashions, RR Nightlife, Local Celebrities, Red Carpet
Music by: Mario Callegari & Polyrhythm

4. Cinco de Mayo Celebration @ Metropolis
When: Saturday, May 5, 2012
Location: 583 Main Ave. Passaic, NJ
Time: 10:00pm until 3:00am
Music by: DJ Flaz, DJ Daone
*Specials: $5 house mix drinks, $1 Tequila shots, $10 beer buckets

5. Cinco De Mayo Weekend @ Hell's Kitchen Lounge
When: May 4, 2012 – May 6, 2012
Location: 150 Lafayette St., Newark, NJ 07105
Time: 10:00pm until May 6 at 3:00am
Music by: DJ Richie Britt, The Party Monster and Menace
*Specials: $10 buckets Bud Light Lime (5 per bucket), $3 shots of Jose Cuervo Silver, $5 Margaritas

6. Cinco de Mayo @46 Lounge
When: Saturday, May 5, 2012
Location:  300 Route 46 East, Totowa, NJ
Time: 10:00pm until 2:00am
Featuring:  Live Mariachi Band, Free Mexican Buffet, Drink Specials

7. New Jersey's Largest Cinco De Mayo Party @Clifton Chevys Fresh Mex
When: Saturday, May 5, 2012
Location: Clifton Commons, 365 Route 3 East, Clifton, NJ
Time: 3:00pm
Featuring:  mechanical bull-riding, Red Bull MXT mobile party truck, Summer fashion, taco-eating contest, first annual “Miss Cinco” contest
Music by: The Flying Mueller Brothers, The Replicants & Nine Deeez Nite, DJ Denny Tsettos, DJ Cruel 1

8. Cinco De Mayo at VIVO!
When: Saturday, May 5, 2012
Location:  167 Ferry Street, Newark, NJ
Time: 10:00pm
Featuring: Robbie Wilde & Realm
*Specials:$1 Wine & Champagne till 1130pm.

For more information on Cinco de Mayo events happening around NJ, contact me at christina@greekflix.com.