Mexican Independence Day is a celebration that only seems to get bigger and brighter in Las Vegas every year. The holiday falls on September 16, marking the moment in 1810 when Mexico demanded independence from Spain. And where the holiday officially begins the eve of the holiday with El Grito (commemorating the battle cry of the Mexican War of Independence from Spain), Las Vegas starts even earlier, with late-night parties you’ll need to see to believe.
"Las Vegas has long been a gathering place for the Mexican community and a favorite destination for visitors from Mexico to mark this special holiday," says Miguel Roman, executive chef of Borracha Mexican Cantina, which has an all-you-can-eat fiesta on the holiday for $32 per person. "We’re not only honoring Mexico’s independence, but also celebrating the people, pride and heritage that make this day so meaningful.”
Here's how night owls are celebrating this year.
Night swims and pool parties
Doors open at 10 p.m. for Mala Vida Latin Nights, a Latin party at The Pool at Sahara on Friday nights. RSVP online for free entry and a buy-one, get-one drink.
Daylight Beach Club at Mandalay Bay hosts Neon Vibra Latin Night Swim on Saturdays. The fun gets underway at 10:30 p.m. with drinks, bites and dancing on the 4,400 square-foot pool deck.
Resorts World is shifting renewed focus lately to Athena, a cozy rooftop enclave with the only full-blown infinity pool overlooking the Strip. Get into the Mexican spirit early with Athena at Night on Sept. 10 with Patrón cocktails and a live DJ 8-11 p.m.
All-night club celebrations
Deseo Latin Sundays is a long-running party at Omnia, featuring fist-pumping dance beats and an open-air terrace at Caesars Palace. Be ready to celebrate all night, from 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Sept. 13. Come a day earlier on Saturday, Sept. 12 for Deorro, a Mexican-American DJ whose dance beats have a Latin influence.
Zouk Nightclub at Resorts World is teaming up with Zamna, a global EDM festival with a strong Tulum presence for Mexican Independence Day weekend. Stay up late with loaded lineups that include Jan Blomqvist, Layla Benitez, SCRIPT and L’CORE on Thursday, Sept. 11. and James Hype, Luch and DMTRI on Friday, Sept. 12. Organizers are keeping mum on the mysterious "special guests" appearing on Saturday, Sept. 13.
Food-filled fiestas
Chayo Mexican Kitchen is the top spot at The LINQ promenade for tacos, burritos and other south-of-the-border favorites. The restaurant hosts Latin Nights on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at the stroke of midnight, featuring shots, cocktails and DJs. Admission is free and if needed, Chayo will validate two hours of parking at The LINQ.
Chica at the Venetian is a showcase for the Latin cuisine of Lorena Garcia, creative cocktails and spirits served neat. Come between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays for Chica Nights, which offers light bites, bottle service and music in a lounge atmosphere.
La Mona Rosa has food to match the restaurant's party spirit in Downtown's Fremont East district day or night. The weekends bring the Pink Brunch on Saturday and the Cumbria Brunch on Sundays, but you can order bottomless mimosas ($30 with a 90-minute limit) during dinner too with DJs setting the mood. The restaurant is one of five venues in The Block Bar Crawl, 9-11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Amaya Modern Mexican is going all-out for Mexican Independence Day at the Cosmopolitan. Dinner service includes live performances, from a high-energy DJ to fire dancers, plus specialty cocktails and bottomless Don Julio Blanco margaritas for $36 per person with a two-hour limit.
Agave-fueled cocktails
Lucky Day is a popular draw in Fremont East for cocktails and agave spirits like tequila and mezcal. DJs perform regularly and the party scene lasts late into the night.
Mijo Modern Mexican at Durango has a secret worth sharing for the light-night crowd in the Southwest Valley. Wax Rabbit is a speakeasy that specializes in vinyl beats and agave spirits, accessible via a hidden door in the restaurant's photogenic, marigold-lined hallway entrance. The lounge specializes in tequila and mezcal flights, plus Mexican modifications on classic cocktails, Try the Old Fashioned with Casamigos in place of whiskey. DJs perform at 8 p.m. during the week and 9 p.m. on weekends.
Resorts World continues to stay busy with drinks flowing throughout the holiday weekend. Allē Lounge on 66 welcomes acclaimed Mexico City bar Licorería Limantour for a pop-up takeover Sept. 12-14. Bartenders will pair Casa Dragones cocktails with spectacular Strip views from the top of the hotel tower, while bars and restaurants throughout the property get in on the action with special cocktail recipes of their own. Get your money's worth at Rose Rooftop's Salsa Fiesta, 9-11 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12. Admission is $45, plus $40 for an optional open bar package 8-9 p.m. Gatsby’s Cocktail Lounge, just off the casino floor, has bottomless tequila cocktails for $30 per person, plus Latin DJ beats from 4 p.m. to close on Tuesday, Sept. 16.
Commonwealth has something for everyone in Fremont East, from craft beer to shots and stiff cocktails — especially those in the Laundry Room, a secret speakeasy. Make the most of the rooftop deck with Sensual, a Friday night Latin dance party with local DJs that gets underway at 10 p.m.