Fiesta! Vegas celebrates Mexican Independence Day

By E.C. Gladstone

Viva los héroes! Although this blog is of course written in English, esto es para mi amigos Mexicanos. Felicidades! It’s Mexican Independence Day Sept. 15-16 — a bigger holiday than Cinco de Mayo — and Las Vegas ("The Meadows" en español), which was once in the northern frontier of Alta Mexico, is throwing uno maximo celebracion!

No doubt the hottest ticket of the long weekend will be the MGM Grand Garden lightweight boxing match between Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez and Cuba’s Joel Casamayor on Saturday (9/13). For sure, MGM’s Diegowill be packed afterward during their weekly Vida club night (every Friday & Saturday). Diego is also serving a special tres colores meal on Monday and Tuesday including a shrimp tamale and pork two ways, in addition to their already impressive menu, 80-something tequilas (blancos, reposados and anejos), fantasic made-to-order margaritas and other tequila cocktails. Magnifico!

Every fiesta needs music, and of course, tenemos el ritmo en Vegas. Luis Miguel is performing every night from Friday (9/12) through Monday (9/15) at the Caesars Palace Colosseum (Check out Bobby Flay’s Mesa Grill — don’t hate him ’cause he’s gringo! — beforehand to try over 70 tequilas and some remarkable "single village" mescals, like Chichicapa, that recall excellent Scotch. The creative menu is seafood-centric); Enrique Iglesias and "kings of Bachata" Aventura share the stage at Mandalay Bay Saturday (9/13) while Jaguares play the much more intimate House of Blues across the casino floor (Border Grill, with patios overlooking the Mandalay Beach, is having drink specials and live music through the weekend — their organic/sustainable menu has particularly good taco and tamale choices for lunch). Also on Saturday, Latin legends Amanda Y Diego perform at the Las Vegas Hilton —  with tickets starting at only $34. And Circus Circus‘ regular Saturday night Latin club Luna Y Sol is also sure to be en fuego.

Monday, Alejandro Fernandez continues the fiesta at Mandalay Bay Events Center, while Mariachi Divas play House of Blues. On Tuesday, Dos Caminos — the place in the Palazzo with the addictive guacamole, extensive tequila list and creative margaritas — is having a fantastic night of DJs and live music, along with a special menu that’s definitely worth sampling. Expect to see roaming mariachis other places up and down the Strip.

On the funny side, Paul Rodriguez starts the long weekend off right, taking the stage at T.I. with the Latin Kings of Comedy Friday night (Isla, the Mexican restaurant at T.I. with a huge tequila selection — ask for the "goddess" — has a nice meal & show package deal); Gabriel Iglesias performs Friday and Saturday at the Monte Carlo (hit Diablo’s Cantina there afterward for a solid tequila selection, creative cocktails and a great Strip view from their patio).

I’ve already mentioned most of my favorite cocinas on the Strip, but other resort spots worth checking out are Taqueria Cañonita (Venetian) with a fantastic patio overlooking the indoor Grand Canal, 70+ tequilas, and a creatively traditional menu. … Pink Taco (Hard Rock) with another huge tequila selection and good tacos. … Yolo’s at Planet Hollywood with a mildly adventurous menu (more vegetarian options than most) and great casino-side bar with cute bartenders. … Silverton Lodge‘s Mi Casa, a colorful but romantic room with 65 tequilas and open grill. … Cabo in Palace Station. All are reasonably priced.

Insider tip: For the more adventurous, there are also excellent eateries (mostly mas barata) away from the Strip, including Doña Maria Tamales, Casa Don Juan, Ricardo’s,  Agave, Linda Michoacan, Caminos de Morella and Expee’s

Related Orbitz resources:

• Las Vegas vacation packages
• Las Vegas hotels

E.C. Gladstone is a former editor for AOLVegas, and interviews top
Strip entertainers, restaurateurs, moguls and behind-the-scenesplayers for VEGAS Magazine. Like many Las Vegans, he sleeps only when
absolutely necessary.

Tagged: Las Vegas