Throughout the US, Cinco de Mayo is a festive celebration of Mexican heritage and pride. But contrary to popular belief, it’s actually not Mexico’s Independence Day at all. Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican army’s triumph over French forces at the Battle of Puebla.

But Cinco de Mayo isn’t just historically important, its also the perfect excuse to indulge on scrumptious Mexican food and throw back some delicious Mexican cocktails! That is…as long as you have the scoop on where to go. Lucky enough to spend the 150^th Cinco de Mayo in NYC? Use our roundup to plan an unforgettable day!

Spanish Harlem

East Harlem’s huge Mexican population has earned it suiting nicknames like ‘Spanish Harlem’ and ‘El Barrio’. If a massive party is what you’re looking for, you’re in the right place! Get caught up in the day and enjoy the parade, festive crowds, local taqueria’s and plenty of tequila!

Worlds Largest Pub Crawl

The pub crawl experts at pubcrawls.com have organized yet another colossal party in the big apple. With  12,000 participants, their Halloween pub crawl is still being talked about! For only $10, age 21 and up can enjoy incredible drink specials, like $2 Dos Equis and $4 Margaritas! Don’t miss two days of hardcore Cinco de Mayo fun March 4-5.

 Mad Dog & Beans Mexican Cantina

 With tons of prizes and free stuff, every Cinco de Mayo is a great time at Mad Dog & Beans. Enjoy being serenaded by The Mariachi Real de Mexico from 6:30 to 9:30, while dining from their sophisticated Mexican menu. This year come down to Pearl Street, NY (the financial district) and discover for yourself why the Mad Dog & Beans Margarita is so famous!

 Bullriding Fiesta at Johnny Utah’s

 Boasting the “strongest Margaritas this side of the Rio Grande”, Johnny Utah’s Cinco de Mayo festival is the place to go for stiff drinks and a ride on their trusty mechanical bull. So break out your sombrero and head on over to Johnny Utah’s, located in the center of Manhattan, next to Rockefeller Center.

 Times Square

 For a little Cinco de Mayo sophistication, the R Lounge in the Renaissance NY Times Square Hotel features delicious gourmet tacos, which pair quite nicely with shots of Don Julio Tequila and refreshing margaritas. The stylish lounge features spectacular panoramic views of Town Square through its floor-to-ceiling windows.

 Now your Cinco de Mayo party plan is off to a great start! But, whatever type of party you’re into, make sure its a safe one!

 Have you experienced a great Cinco de Mayo party in NYC? We’d love to hear about it!

Don’t feel limited to the standard catering hall, with its square room, faded carpet, and all the generic furniture and dated décor you can stand. Weddings today focus on personalization and by going off-site, it’s possible to create the customized, one of a kind event that captures your style and essence, as a couple.

So what is an off-site caterer? An off-site caterer will bring food to your event location…wherever that may be. Some provide only food. However, full-service caterers can coordinate your entire event. It’s also important to note that venues, like catering halls, country clubs, and hotels usually have an exclusive on-site caterer or list that you are restricted to using. 

Going off-site allows you to celebrate at a location that is significant to you, whether that means a scenic stretch of beach, an unconventional venue (like a movie theater or industrial space, which may not provide in-house catering) or your own backyard. In fact, there are several advantages for choosing an off-site event space, including creative freedom, budget flexibility, and less restrictions. But, common misconceptions about off-site catering can easily lure one back to the safety zone of do-it-all catering halls. We intend to debunk some of these myths so you can enjoy the event you really want.

Myth #1 – I’ll have to Hire Several Vendors (Which means more stress!)

Full-service caterers, such as LifeStyle Event Group, usually offer design, planning, coordination, furniture, decor and all the staff you’ll need to pull off an outstanding event…all on one contract!

Myth #2 – Setup will be too complicated and labor intensive

Actually, it may take much more work to conceal the drab interior of a catering hall! After all, elegance comes naturally to a lush, blooming garden. Some off-site locations do need a little more work though. Luckily, full-service, off-site caterers can provide additional staff to ensure your day goes just right.

Myth #3 – An off-site event is more expensive.

Because the cost of your event depends on so many variables, it is impossible to say one way or another. An off-site event may be about the same cost or may even be cheaper, depending on your objectives and how well it is planned. Hosting an off-site event provides more flexibility in your budget though. So, you’re not restricted to their on-site caterers and may choose a more affordable provider.

Myth #4 – Established venues are more open to louder or longer parties. After all…it’s what they do.

This is simply not true. Many venues have very strict restrictions, stipulations and time constraints that you must work with and around. Plus, don’t rule out the neighbors who may be tired of all the noise next door. Going off-site, you may find a location that is more flexible and open to your needs.

Consider which details are most important to you to help with your decision.

Are you having an off-site wedding or event? Where?

Irish or not, you’re in luck if you’re in NYC this year for Saint Patrick’s Day. At one time, the lower-east side was home to more Irish residents than even Dublin. You can still see this cultural influence by its numerous authentic Irish pubs, celebrations, monuments, and restaurants offering traditional Irish food. One thing is for sure, New Yorkers know how to have a good time. So, whether you’re actually Irish…or just Irish for the day, here is our roundup of St. Patty’s Day parties you just can’t miss.

1. Saint Patrick’s Day Parade

One can’t discuss Saint Patrick’s Day in New York City without mentioning the infamous St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Considered the most popular parade in NYC, the first was held in 1766 making it older than the United States of America itself. Though the parade doesn’t feature the usual floats and cars, it features over 150,000 marchers each year. Running from 11am to around 3pm, the parade takes place on 5^th avenue and runs from 44^th street to 79^th street.

2.  St. Pat’s for All Parade

Though the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade has denied inclusion of the LGBT community, the St. Pat’s for All Parade is a welcoming, all-inclusive event that has been held in Queens since 2000. ‘St. Pat’s for All’ welcomes all who wish to celebrate Irish culture regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. The parade’s theme “cherishing all the children of the nation equally” is taken from the 1916 Easter Proclamation of the Irish Republic.

3.  Saint Patty’s Pub Crawl

Don’t miss this massive 3 Day pub crawl in the heart of New York City where you’ll enjoy drink specials like $1 draft beers, $2 bottled beers, $3 well drinks, and $4 shots of Jameson whiskey. The crawl takes place from March 16-18 at various pubs and restaurant in Manhattan. You can join in on the festivities for only $10 for a one day pass or $25 for a three-day all access pass. www.saintpattys.com

4.  Alcoholiday! At Public Assembly

So, maybe you’d rather stay put…than ‘crawl’. Well, this year’s Alcoholiday, produced by MeanRed, offers all-you-can-drink beer, specialty brews and whiskey for only $20 at the door. Dance till you drop from 8pm to 2am to the sounds of DJ Ayres, Project Matt, Chances With Wolves and Skinny Friedman.

70 N. 6th St, Williamsburg

5. Saint Patrick’s Day for Sinners

For some adult St. Patty’s Day decadence, don’t miss Saint Patrick’s Day for Sinners, brought to you by the “Kingpin of Burlesque” Doc Wasabassco. Enjoy St. Patty’s with a sexy all-redhead burlesque review including Gal Friday, Madame Rosebud, Nasty Canasta, Hula Hoop Harlot Melissa-Anne, Stormy Leather and more! Join the party from 8-11pm at the Bell House for only $10. Redheads, or course, get in for free! 718-643-6510, thebellhouseny.com.

Like to do your own thing? With so many awesome local Irish bars, it’s easy to plan your own pub crawl. The many Irish Pubs in NYC are guaranteed to offer St. Patty’s Day festivities, authentic food and plenty of good old Irish alcoholic beverages to complete your night. Check out McSorley’s Old Ale House, Molly’s Pub & Restaurant, O’Flaherty’s Ale House, Rocky Sullivan’s, George Keeley’s, Nancy Whiskey Pub, Woody McHale’s and Spike Hill.

What are you doing for St. Patty’s Day? Follow us on twitter to continue the conversation @Lifestyle_EG #CLWS

Let’s face it, while some appreciate the more classic wedding rituals, like the garter toss, others cringe once the familiar music begins. After all, not everyone feels comfortable having their garter seductively removed in front of granny! Luckily, we live in a time where you can choose to embrace tradition, create your own or throw tradition out all together. In the plight to find your perfect wedding reception entertainment, channel your personal style, cultural background, or theme for inspiration.

Look to Your Theme

No matter what your theme, most likely there is a bevy of entertainment options that will compliment your theme. The trendy rustic country wedding theme may be matched with line-dancing, hayrides, horse shoes and a country band. Going for romance? The hugely popular Victorian theme can be enhanced with period stilt walkers, jugglers, mingling Lord & Lady type characters and a musical cabaret show.

Look to Culture

The rising popularity of ethnic inspired wedding themes presents the perfect opportunity to incorporate cultural entertainment elements into your day. Hosting a multicultural wedding? Presenting the traditional entertainment of your own heritage is a fun way to introduce a little more of yourself to your future in-laws. Whether looking to your own culture for inspiration or choosing your favorite ethnic-type genre, Arabian nights for example, you’ll discover plenty of options that may make your wedding day unique, unforgettable and even exotic. Consider hiring professional belly dancers, a mariachi band, Irish fiddlers and dancers, steel drum musicians or salsa dancers.

Look to the Pro’s

Consider hiring classic professional entertainers. Though some entertainment may be unconventional for a wedding reception, they’ve stood the test of time and remain loved by audiences everywhere. Impersonators, jugglers, acrobats, comedians, singing waiters and burlesque dancers will make your special day more fun for everyone. Be creative. Whatever you want, most likely you can track down a professional entertainer who is more than happy to oblige. Want to take it up a notch? Hire a circus! Traveling circus troops are available for hire and often their entire show is already scaled for a smaller audience.

Look for Participants

Some entertainment requires audience participation and this can be particularly fun for your reception guests. Karaoke or a mini-casino are both great ways to get your guests involved in the party. Also, consider including face painters, water color or sketch artists or a bucking bronco!

Whatever you choose for entertainment, make sure it’s appropriate for your audience. An all ages party with children in attendance, may not be the ideal scenario for a burlesque dance group to perform. Similarly, older guests may find a full-on circus to be way over the top! But, with so many exciting and fresh ideas in reception entertainment, you won’t need to resort to the chicken dance to fill time.  Unless, of course, that’s what you want.

So, how will you entertain your reception guests?

More frequently couples are opting for smaller guest lists, which can add intimacy and exclusivity to their special day. But, small doesn’t have to mean simple, limited or low-budget in any way. When done right, a condensed wedding may be just as spectacular as even the most size-able event. Though lowering the guest count can save money, it may also be the perfect way to throw the over the top bash you’ve been dreaming of. Best of all, instead of feeling like your wedding day is a big, stressful production, you can actually enjoy celebrating with your closest family and friends.

Booking an unconventional venue, one of this years hottest trends, works especially well for smaller weddings. An unconventional venue can be anything from a warehouse to a library. However, selecting a location that is meaningful to you both will add a very romantic and personal touch. Maybe your favorite bed and breakfast? Or the setting of a romantic day you shared together? Brainstorm with your future spouse for venue ideas you may have overlooked.

Use our list of venues for inspiration. But, draw upon your own personalities and experiences to plan an intimate day that is uniquely you.

Cozy Inn, bed and breakfast, or lodge – Usually they’ll accommodate both the wedding ceremony and reception. Settings of this type are charming by nature, which will lower your décor costs, too.

Favorite restaurant, bar or club – Whether you prefer a romantic Italian restaurant or basement blues club, you may be able to rent a section or even the entire venue for the night. Re-visit all venues and take note of the ambiance, lighting, view, the menu and even the smell.

Transportation – Literally take your guests on a ride they’ll never forget. Rent a yacht or historic passenger train car for something different.

Garden or vineyard –  Contained outdoor venues can be intimate, too. Look for romantic overgrown garden walls and trellises. Using twinkling lights and natural candle light as the night creeps in.

Urban lofts, studios, industrial spaces – These may offer guests a spectacular cityscape view and brilliant contrast to your wedding décor.

Drape walls with rich fabrics and add furniture, or even a lounge area to make a larger setting appear more intimate. Most importantly, choose a venue that reflects your style and personality as a couple.

Have a smaller guest list? What type of intimate venue will you use?

Today, your wedding venue could be anything from a trendy urban loft to a lush garden hideaway. The venue you choose is only limited to your imagination. In fact, practically any spot can become wedding perfect with a little work. The venue you select will set the tone for the entire day. So, make sure your venue reflects the personalities of you and your spouse-to-be.

Follow our guide to discover the perfect location for your special day.

1.      First, take a look at your budget. Some locations charge rental fees, while other charge for food and beverages instead. Also, some locations provide tables and chairs on-site and some do not. This means you’ll have to rent any necessary furniture from a party rental company. Factor in any hidden costs and make sure you know what is included before signing anything.

2.      Do you plan to have both the ceremony and the reception at the same location? Make sure to call around and confirm that your venue will accommodate both events. A duel purpose venue may cut down on transportation costs, and is more convenient for everybody. Statistics show that more people attend the reception, than the ceremony. So, make sure to have a few extra chairs on hand for the reception.

3.      How many guests will attend? The size of your guest list will narrow down your venue options. You don’t want your guests to feel crowded and claustrophobic. Similarly, a space that’s too large can feel cold and vacant with fewer guests.

4.      Do you prefer a religious ceremony? Certain traditional religious ceremonies must be held at a place of worship, so make sure to ask for details. Consider booking the religious site first. It may be easier to find a venue that is available for the same date.

5.      What kind of guests are attending? A beach wedding may be gorgeous, but your older guests may have a very hard time getting to the site. Likewise, if all your friends have small children, a destination wedding is probably not very convenient or affordable. You can’t please everyone, but, you should consider any difficulties your guests may have. After all, they want to be there for you.

6.      What style is your wedding? If your wedding has a theme, booking an appropriate venue will set the right tone for your entire event. Also, consider how much time, money and work you’re willing to put into a venue. A big red barn is classic for a rustic country wedding. But, how much work is required to transform a barn into a wedding venue. Do you have the manpower to first, remove all undesirable barnyard type items and then to move in everything else?  You’ve got a lot of planning to do and you may not want to spend your time moving cow’s, hay, or farming equipment!

Be sure to walk through every location you’re considering. Even venues you have low expectations for may surprise you once you’ve looked around. Create a list of pros and cons for each venue to help with your decision.

What type of venues are you considering? We want to hear all about it!

There’s no doubt that New York City is ample with awesome places to go. But, sometimes the greatest are hidden from the usual pedestrian view. Find fresh inspiration for your next night out with our round-up of some of NYC’s hidden gems.

The Burger Joint at The Parker Meridien

The Burger Joint just may be The Parker Meridien’s dirty little secret. As you enter the lobby of the luxurious 5 star hotel, the elusive ‘Burger Joint’ is still nowhere to be found. Continue past the reception area, turn left and continue down the corridor.  A glowing neon burger is the only indicator that something delicious is beyond the floor to ceiling velvet curtain, which serves as its entryway.

The Burger Joint’s menu philosophy is simple, “If you don’t see it. We don’t have it!”. And, in proper ‘soup nazi’ fashion, you better know your order and have cash in hand. Diners can select from a modest menu featuring either a hamburger or cheeseburger, fries, milkshakes, beer and wine. The Burger Joint is cash only, so be sure to stop at an ATM first. Though there may be a line, many claim this offbeat greasy spoon and its tasty burgers are well worth the wait.

Open House

The outside of Open House, on the Lower East Side, may look nothing like a bar, but inside you’ll find multiple bars and DJ booths. Don’t worry about paying a cover, or getting on the list, Open House has a no-hassle policy. If its little neon sign is illuminated, then the bartenders are serving up drinks and the party is on.

Upon entering Open House, you’ll find stylish, mod décor and two dueling bars which serve unpretentious cocktails. Between the dark wooden bars you’ll discover a flight of stairs. Take these down and turn left. Don’t be thrown off by the barricade of flattened 30-pack beer cases. This indicates the entrance to its hidden treasure, a wild, late-night, soundproof party room.

Please Don’t Tell

You’ll never guess that a phone booth is actually the entrance to the swanky speakeasy, Please Don’t Tell. Serving potent, yet stylish cocktails and refined bowling ally food, PDT lives up to all the hype. The music level is just right and their no-standing policy ensures that no one will hover over you at the bar. PDT is very popular place so try to get a reservation first.

Though drinks are $15 a pop, they’re strong and flavorful, so most don’t seem to mind.  Sporting cocktails like the Paddinton Absinthe, Bacon-infused Bourbon, and the Shark, PDT is the perfect place to bring a date. You can also trust their skilled mixologists to create an impressive custom blend that will knock your socks off.

When you get hungry, you can look forward to sophisticated ballpark treats like the Chang Dog, a deep-fried, bacon-wrapped dog topped with Momofuku kimchi.

Do you know of any secret hot-spots in NYC? We’d love to hear about it!

Looking for something different in NYC? The creative team at ‘a razor a shiny knife’ took the pop-up restaurant idea to the next level. 

via nycdiningcar.com:

On the first of May we hosted a “luncheon” on the L line of the New York City subway. The subway is a familiar place, providing a necessary means of transportation for many New Yorkers. Its stairwells, turnstiles, platforms, trains and unpredictable elements are all-too-familiar to its dedicated patrons. One begins to know the exact time of travel from one destination to another. One begins to intuit the conditions of a ride, anticipating smooth stretches and knowing when to brace for a jarring turn. Through a series of familiar gestures, presented in commonplace locations in unfamiliar ways, we set out to challenge a habitual experience.

We wanted to serve a meal in a dynamic and strained location, to give ourselves a challenge that could only be overcome through teamwork and partnership. It is with great honor and pride that I say that this event born in the mind of Mr. Cigar in the back of a luxury car somewhere lost in the bowels of Los Angeles and came alive when it was brought to team of creative and inspired people below. I am honored to have such good friends and compatriots that can take such ridiculous ideas and bring them into fruition no matter the adversity.

It is with that that I am honored to say thank you to everyone listed here below as this event could not have taken place without your energy, effort and support. No matter how big or small a roll you thought you played without you this would never have happened.

Love this idea! So whimsical

via azureevents:

cloudy with a chance or rainy baby shower. love every drop of this!

(Source: bloomsocial)

ready2spark:

In the 1920s, they thought this would be how we’d live in the 1950s. So, what do you think events will look like in 2050?