Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 4 May 2022

A MEXICAN restaurant named Benito’s, based on Regent Street in Hinckley town centre, are to hold many festivities to celebrate Cinco de Mayo starting next Thursday.

Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday celebrated annually on 5 May that marks the anniversary of Mexico’s victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.

5 May – Themed quiz

Starting next Thursday night (5 May), from 7pm to 9pm, Benito’s weekly quiz, costing £1 per person, will be held with a twist – participants will only be quizzed with questions regarding the historic Mexican holiday.

Bosses behind the Benito’s Hinckley branch stated on social media site, Facebook, that “lots of prizes” are up for grabs on the quiz night.

6 May – Mariachi band perform

The night after, on Friday (6 May), diners will be able to listen the sounds of Mexico like they were really over there, as they will be treated to an hour and a half long performance from ‘the UK’s finest’ mariachi band, The Mexican Way.

7 May – Cocktail connoisseurs turn mixologists

On Saturday (7 May), avid cocktail connoisseurs will have the opportunity to become a make-shift mixologist for the afternoon from 12pm to 4.30pm, where they can learn how to make their own cocktails, in cocktail making classes costing £20 per person.

Attendees will learn how to make the brand’s most-popular cocktails – the classic, frida, and chihuahua margaritas. And, they will be given a free bowl of chips and salsa.

9 May – Salsa class for singletons

The last of the activities is an hour-long ‘Singles salsa lesson’ on Monday (9 May), at 8pm to 9pm, for singletons in Hinckley and from out-of-town.

Those looking to master the Latin dance move will only have to pay the small sum of £3 to take part in the session.

General Manager comments on celebrations

Speaking to the Hinckley Free Press about the celebrations, Molly Pinson, General Manger of Benito’s Hinckley, said: “As a Mexican restaurant, we want to celebrate all events and celebrations the Mexico holds!

“It’s great that we can bring these celebrations to Hinckley and we encourage all of our guests to experience the celebrations we are hosting.”

“The restaurant will be decorated in traditional Mexican decorations, we encourage our customers to dress colourful and immerse themselves in the Mexican culture, enjoy the delicious food and drinks we have to offer and enjoy our weekend of celebrations with traditional music and activities.”

Molly continued: “We hope that people will branch out and do something that they don’t usually do by taking part in the ‘singles salsa lesson’.

“Our Assistant Manager, Amber, is the “perfect person” to teach the sessions as she has lots of experience salsa dancing.”

This marks the first Mexican holiday to be celebrated by the branch since opening in February – and there are plans to celebrate more this year.

It is possible that some exclusive themed cocktails and mocktails will be added to the menu, but this is not yet set in stone at the time of publication (Wednesday, 4 May).

To stay in touch with Benito’s Hinckley, they can be followed on Instagram and TikTok, and ‘liked’ on Facebook.