Despite Los Angeles being home to the second largest population of Mexicans—that counts Mexican-Americans, by the way—after Mexico City, L.A. has never been known to go as hard for actual Mexican Independence Day on September 16th as it does for Cinco de Mayo.
This is the U.S., after all, where many restaurants still play up the polarizing trope of sleeping Mexicans and are forced to add "combination plates" to appease what their customers think Mexican food should be.
This year, Mexico's most significant celebration falls on a Monday, which allows hospitality industry workers to join in on the festivities. The following L.A. restaurants and bars are starting the party this weekend with live music, brunch and cocktail specials, and even a refreshing Mexican lager from one of Long Beach's most award-winning new breweries—plus, live cumbia!