In 1995, the Battle Will Be Deciding Just Where to Celebrate

After that green day in March, Cinco de Mayo fits among those other special days when everyone gets wildly enthusiastic to toss back an icy, celebratory mug without thought as to why.

That it has something to do with Mexico is commonly understood. Independence Day it is not --as many often throw out (that’s Sept. 16). To those of you curious as to what you’re toasting, however, May 5 marks the anniversary of the battle of Puebla in 1862, when Mexican forces defeated French invaders.

Though it was only a temporary setback for France, the victory would serve as a moral boost to Mexico when it deposed the European ruler five years later.

Now you can party.

For an authentic taste of cultura Mexicana , El Calor in Anaheim is going all out with complimentary champagne, party favors and food from 9 p.m. to closing. (The club actually attracts patrons from all over Latin America, but the celebration is Mexican in spirit.)

If you want to get started earlier, come at 6 for the mariachis and Corona and Bud girls.

Or get hot on salsa, merengue, cumbia and pop by house band Coloso later that evening. Salseros can compete for a $100 purse in a midnight contest.

The less adept on the floor can try their luck at one of the game booths or on a raffle for a trip of their choice.

Tickets are $8 in advance until Thursday and $10 at the door.

(El Calor is at 2916 W. Lincoln Ave., Anaheim. (714) 527-8873.)

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Banda fans will undoubtedly swarm another Anaheim spot, El Paradiso. There, the frenetic mix of Mexican folk and German polka that fused into the countrified banda sound will unfurl with popular performing artists Los Huracanes del Norte. Opening for them will be Los Hermanos Perez.

Fortunately, the club has three salons to accommodate dancers. The show, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., is $20.

(El Paradiso is at 420 S. Brookhurst, Anaheim. (714) 533-1071.)

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At Avila’s El Ranchito’s five restaurants, patrons will get treated to live mariachi music, appearances by the Corona, Dos Equis and Sauza girls, free promotional T-shirts and shots and, for a buck, a photo with a real donkey. A pop deejay and live rock or reggae band will be on hand at each place (except no band at Santa Ana).

Among the best party favors: that magic hangover cure, menudo, will be served the morning after for free.

(Avila’s are at 2101 Placentia Ave., Costa Mesa. (714) 642-1142; 25322 Cabot Road, Laguna Hills. (714) 586-1200; 2201 1st St., Santa Ana (714) 547-9129; 2800 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach. (714) 675-6855; and 5345 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach. (310) 428-7348.)

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Rock en espanol has nestled in quite comfortably at Irvine’s Metropolis every Friday night with the 9-month-old Baby Rock. The club has even added a side room of salsa, the Pachanga Room, and boasts three deejays, Beltran, Alex III and Dr. Mario. For the Mexican holiday, the age limit will be lowered to 18 and continued thereafter. A complimentary taco bar, live mariachis and drink specials are included in the $12 cover.

(Metropolis is at 4255 Campus Drive, Irvine. ( 714 ) 509-7640 . )

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Elsewhere, other mainstream joints are clamoring to draw attention away from Mexican restaurants and Latino nightclubs by bringing in the big guns.

The Empire Ballroom in Costa Mesa hired promoters from the Mayan in Los Angeles to bring its popular pop rock en espanol night south. Deejay Ulises will spin the Spanish hits. Tequila will go for $3 a shot all night, and import and domestic drafts will be $2. Cover is $10.

(Empire Ballroom, 640 W. 17th St., Costa Mesa. ( 714 ) 722-6100 . )

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If you prefer to do Cinco de Mayo in a more hard-core alternative--try the fiesta at Thunderbird’s, sponsored by the bad boys at local eyewear manufacturer Black Flys. A hefty $20 cover promises an unforgettable night for a crowd filled with punks who’ve swallowed the red worm and are proud of it.

Doors open at 5 with a complimentary international buffet by in-house chef Thierry Vergnault. Don’t bother cruising upstairs until after 9, though; it’s reserved for Black Flys and a couple hundred of their friends. Then the party spreads throughout the two-story club with the live vibes of the Gathering in the downstairs lounge and the Line upstairs in the billiards room.

In the main dance room, DJ Scorchman and Tony Largo will entertain between sets by the Grabbers and Manic Hispanic. Required dress code is Mexican garb. Pre-sale tickets are at the door and at the House of Flys store in Costa Mesa.

(Thunderbird in the Lido Village, 3505 Via Opporto, Newport Beach. ( 714 ) 675-6599 . )