The Essential LoDo Tequila Trail: Where to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Style

Cinco de Mayo—which commemorates the Mexican army’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862—is a holiday worth honoring with a little intention. And what better way than with one of Mexico’s most remarkable contributions to the world: agave spirits.

LoDo is home to some of Denver’s most serious tequila and mezcal programs, and we’ve gathered eight very different bars and restaurants, each worth visiting in its own right. For the sake of your well-being, we recommend hitting one or two of these on May 5th—but keep the rest in your back pocket for future LoDo adventures. 

1. Emerald Eye

1403 Larimer St. (Larimer Square)

Descend the staircase at 1403 Larimer, pass through the emerald-green tile entry, and you’ll suddenly find yourself inside Emerald Eye—a dark, tropical cocktail bar inspired by the Caribbean, circa the mid-1950s. Emerald Eye is run by Pouring with Heart, the same group behind Seven Grand, and the agave program here is thoughtfully curated alongside an equally serious rum list. 

Order This: Ask the bartender for seasonal agave cocktails—or try the Mangonada: mezcal, suerte, mango, tamarind, Aperol, and lime.

2. Tamayo

1400 Larimer St. (Larimer Square)

Richard Sandoval opened Tamayo in 2001, and for a quarter century it has been Denver’s go-to spot for modern Mexican cuisine and agave spirits (the collection consists of more than 200 bottles). Ask your server to help you build a tasting flight—blanco, reposado, añejo, side by side—and sip slowly, taste the differences, and appreciate the work that went into what you’re drinking.

Order This: A curated agave flight—your server will guide you through Tamayo’s offerings.

3. Terminal Bar

1701 Wynkoop St. (Denver Union Station)

It’s a short walk from Larimer Square to Union Station, and tucked inside the historic ticketing office of the Great Hall you’ll find Terminal Bar. The menu is displayed like a train station departure/arrival board above the bar, and the cocktail program is considerably more ambitious than the setting might suggest. Grab a booth or a spot at the bar, and take it all in.

Order This: Terminal Bar Espresso Martini—Cortada reposado tequila, Cazcabel tequila coffee liqueur, house-Made cold brew, agave, and walnut bitters.

4. Rio on Wazee

1745 Wazee St.

You know this spot as Rio Grande, but last year it was rebranded as Rio on Wazee, with an updated menu, an expanded tequila list of around 60 bottles, and a bar team that travels to Mexico each year for hands-on research into agave spirits and traditional distilling methods. The margaritas are still legendary—and still limited to three per person—making this a worthy stop on a day like Cinco de Mayo.

Order This: Agave Martini—Don Julio Reposado, Grand Marnier, orange liqueur, fresh citrus, and green olive.

5. Run for the Roses

1801 Blake St., Suite 10 (Dairy Block) 

Find the alley at Dairy Block, locate the nondescript door, take the elevator one floor down, and follow the corridor to the rose-etched glass entrance of Run for the Roses. This subterranean cocktail bar is one of Denver’s most distinctive drinking experiences: jewel-toned décor, plush seating, and a menu presented as a deck of playing cards. Ask if they can make a Shoulda Coulda—a signature tequila cocktail with blanco tequila, cucumber, lime, and Fruition Farms sheep skyr that’s been a favorite since opening—or let your bartender guide you through their current agave selection.

Order This: The Shoulda Coulda, or the bartender’s current tequila or mezcal recommendation.

6. Kachina Cantina

1890 Wazee St. (Dairy Block) 

Kachina Cantina draws its inspiration from the Four Corners region and Baja Mexico, and the cocktail program matches the kitchen’s culinary ambition. The mezcal selection is strong, and the bar team builds drinks with genuine creativity. The space is lively and free-spirited, and on Cinco de Mayo it will be exactly the kind of room—lively, bright, and fun—you’ll want to be in. 

Order This: Ask for the bartender’s current mezcal cocktail recommendation, but we like the Cabana Boy: Union Mezcal, mango, chamoy (a Mexican condiment), and lime.

7. La Loma McGregor Square

1601 19th St. (McGregor Square) 

La Loma has been one of Colorado’s most celebrated Mexican restaurants since 1980, and the bar program at the McGregor Square outpost holds its own against any newcomer. Order something from the kitchen if you haven’t eaten—the green chile alone is worth the trip—and pair it with a thoughtful tequila drink.

Order This: A premium tequila—La Loma’s bar stocks plenty of options worth sipping neat—or try the Old Fashioned De 1942: Don Julio 1942 tequila, cocoa bitters, and agave.

8. Call Me Pearl

1600 20th St. (McGregor Square) 

Call Me Pearl is the perfect place to end your evening: cocktails designed to delight, warm hospitality, and an atmosphere that feels like a close friend’s elegant dinner party. The cocktail list blends reboots of classic libations with modern concoctions, and you’ll certainly want to explore the agave program. Order something beautiful and raise a glass to a well-spent evening in LoDo.

Order This: Ask for the bartender’s favorite tequila or mezcal cocktail—the menu is constantly changing and rewards curiosity.

Before You Go

Book ahead. Cinco de Mayo is one of the busiest evenings of the year for Mexican restaurants in Denver. It’s smart to make a reservation at places like Tamayo, La Loma, Kachina Cantina, and Rio on Wazee—especially if you’re planning to eat.

Note the hours. Run for the Roses is open Tuesday through Sunday, evenings only. On a Tuesday Cinco de Mayo, you’re good—just plan to arrive after 5 p.m.

Use public transportation or rideshare. All eight stops on this trail are within comfortable walking distance of each other, loosely tracing a path from Larimer Square through Union Station and up to McGregor Square. You won’t need a car—and be sure to take light rail or call a rideshare at the end of your revelry.