Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is on Feb. 25. The day is traditionally known as the last day to binge before the Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday, but you don’t Catholic or Christian to take part in the merriment.
Whether you call Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday, you don;t have to go all the way to New Orleans to celebrate — there are plenty of events taking place throughout the city where you can indulge and enjoy the day.
Aqua Boil
750 9th Avenue, Manhattan
aquaboilnyc.com
Aqua Boil in Hell’s Kitchen is kicking off Mardi Gras a day early with a week-long celebration. From Feb. 24 through March 1, guests can enjoy all-you-can-eat shrimp boils for 90 minutes priced at $35. You can wash down your shrimp boil some Instagram-worthy cocktails such as Under the Sea (Malibu pineapple rum, white wine, peach schnapps and lychee juice) and Seas the Day! (tequila, mango puree and rimmed with a spicy Cajun salt). On Fat Tuesday (Feb. 25) diners will also receive complimentary masks and beads.
Threes Brewing
333 Douglass Street, Brooklyn
threesbrewing.com
If you’re 21 or over, Threes Brewing has the Fat Tuesday celebration for you. On Feb. 25, the brewery and bar will host DJ Half Sour Sklover at 8 p.m. and the talented Three Ring Bender musicians at 9 p.m. to provide the soundtrack for the night. The Meat hook will be cooking up some classic dishes from the bayou, the bar will have specials on Sazeracs and there will be king cake – what more could you need? The party kicks off at 5 p.m. – no cover or tickets required.
Bourbon Street
40-12 Bell Boulevard, Queens
bourbonstreetny.com
New Orleans is over 1,300 miles away — head over to Bourbon Street in Queens instead! From 7 to 10 p.m. on Feb. 25, Bourbon Street will offer $10 Captain Morgan Hurricanes with a souvenir mug, $6 grenade shots and $6 Abita Purple Hazes for all (over 21) to enjoy. The restaurant will have New Orleans-themed dishes and drink specials, plus two sources for music: a live DJ on the rooftop bar and the Benior Band downstairs. You won’t want to miss it!
Mardi Gras Bar Crawl
Mo’s Bar & Lounge
80 Lafayette Avenue, Brooklyn
Explore Brooklyn’s bar scene through this Mardi Gras-themed bar crawl. The night will start at Mo’s Bar & Lounge and ticket holders can get two free drinks of their choice, food specials and live entertainment throughout the night. If you collect enough beads, at the end of the night you could take home a $1,000 cash prize. Tickets start at $20. The event is sponsored by Master Craft Spirits & Muve Media Entertainment.
Bierhaus NYC
712 Third Avenue, Manhattan
bierhausnyc.com
Bierhaus NYC is offering a drink special that puts a unique twist on a classic sweet treat. All day long on Feb. 25, Bierhaus NYC will put their own Mardi Gras-themed spin on an ice cream float — the float will contain Jägermeister, chocolate liquor, and root beer topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you’re over 21, come by and try it alongside their classic German offerings.
FREEHOLD
45 S 3rd Street, Brooklyn
freeholdbrooklyn.com
On Feb. 25, FREEHOLD is transforming S. 3rd Street into its own version of Bourbon Street for a truly one-of-a-kind celebration. Starting at 5 p.m. (Hurricane Happy Hour, as they call it), guests can enjoy great food while listening to live entertainment brought in straight from New Orleans. Tables are available, reach out to RSVP@freeholdbrooklyn.com to reserve your spot.
New York Irish Center
10-40 Jackson Avenue, Queens
newyorkirishcenter.org
For some family-friendly fun, the New York Irish Center in Long Island City will be hosting a “Shrove Tuesday” event (also known as “Pancake Tuesday” in old-Irish tradition) on Feb. 25 from 7 to 9 p.m. Kick off the Lenten season by eating stacks of pancakes while enjoying live music from local musicians. Admission is $10.
Le District
225 Liberty St., Manhattan
ledistrict.com
For some family-friendly dining this Fat Tuesday, Le District is offering a delicious menu of New Orleans favorites. For $48, adults can enjoy a prix fixe menu offering fried okra, creole shrimp, gumbo, fried catfish, crawfish boil and cajun pork, plus beignets and bananas foster for dessert. A kids menu will be available for $12.95 per child. Plus, there will be free face painting for kids between 5 and 7 p.m. and raffles throughout the night. Reservations are recommended and can be taken through OpenTable, Resy or by calling 212-981-8588.
House of Yes
2 Wyckoff Avenue, Brooklyn
houseofyes.org
Sorry, youngsters — you have to be 21 or older to experience this Mardi Gras event. On Feb. 25, House of Yes is hosting a massive Mardi Gras blowout called Brass, Sass, & A$$. Starting at 9 p.m., the best New Orleans Style brass band Hudson Horns + DJ Dirtyfinger will rock the house with the best booty-shaking music. Plus, there will be great drinks and death-defying circus performances to enjoy. Entrance is free, but there is no re-entry.
The Montauk Club
25 Eighth Avenue, Brooklyn
montaukclub.com
The Montauk Club is hosting their 8th annual creole carnival on Feb. 25. From 6 to 11 p.m., the Montauk Club will feature a stellar lineup and free Mardi Gras beads for everyone who comes. Tickets start at $25 — must be 21 years or older to come.
Editor’s note: The preceding is for informational purposes only; the locations were chosen at random by the author.
