The sun is shining, the office is warming, and we’re all eagerly sitting around, planning our future summer-y outings. Of course, the first stop in our minds is that holiday we all, for whatever reason, feel the need to celebrate — Cinco de Mayo! Luckily, there are many Philadelphia area spots for us to stop by and pay tribute to whatever it is that we’re actually celebrating. (Mexican hats? Mexican food? The invention of margaritas?)

• One Cinco de Mayo isn’t enough for Phoodie crush Jose Garces’ Univeristy City spot Distrito. On Tuesday, April 28 at 7PM they’ll be kicking off the celebration with a four-course Don Julio Tasting Dinner, which will comprise Chef Garces’ incredibly delicious Mexican fare (Morita-Cured Cobia, Huitlacoche Tamale, Artisan Colorado Lamb Loin) paired with Don Julio’s award-winning 100% blue agave tequilas. And that’s just to get everyone in the mood. Beginning at 11:30AM on Tuesday, May 5th, you can hang out at two distinct Distro parties: the first floor, featuring DJs all day and both $5 drink and food specials, and the second floor, which will offer a $35 dinner menu including Costillas, Huitlacoche Tamale, and Coctel de Mariscos. Distrito. 3945 Chestnut Street. 215-222-1657.
• Another Phoodie fave, Xochitl, will be holding it down with its own authentic Mexican fare on Cinco de Mayo with a Street Food from Puebla Menu, four courses for $35. The menu will feature Sopa Poblana, Chalupas con Carnitas de Pato, Huarachitos con Queso, and other things that sound delicious and maybe hard to pronounce after you have a few half-price margaritas, which will be offered at the bar from 5 to 1 am! Xochitl. 408 S. 2nd Street, 215-238-7280.
• Beginning on May 1st, the most definitely non-Mexican McGillin’s Olde Ale House will be offering what they call “a Cinco de Mayo celebration with an Irish twist.” They’re featuring two drinks: The Martin Sheen Margarita Beer (Margarita mix, Tequila and McGillin’s Ale garnished with lime) and The Anthony Quinn’s Shot & Beer Special (a shot of Petron Tequila with a chaser of O’Reilly’s Stout). I guess because both of those actors are Irish as well as Mexican as well as “pretty decent.” They’re also offering some weird food hybrids like the “Irish Chimachanga.” Whatever, sounds good to us! McGillin’s. 1310 Drury Street. 215-735-5562.
• If you’re into bowling while celebrating the Battle of Puebla, and who isn’t, you can hop on down to North Bowl for quite possibly the best bowling experience you’ve had since your 10th “cosmic bowling” birthday. From 8-11PM they’ll be hosting a freaking mariachi band, holding a taco eating contest (for both meat-eaters and vegetarians), and offering $2 beer specials and $5 sauza, hornitas, mixed palomas, and margaritas.  North Bowl. 909 N 2nd St. 215-238-2695.