Where to Celebrate Mardi Gras 2019 in Philadelphia

As with any holiday, Philadelphia has you covered with a plethora of options to celebrate Mardi Gras and all its gluttony. Here are the best spots to let the good times roll this Fat Tuesday, March 5 before you have to give up soda for a month. 

 

Get your tickets for a Mardi Gras bash at this coveted Bella Vista Cajun spot. For $30 guests receive two drinks including hurricanes, French 75s, Abita and NOLA brewing beers as well as bites like hushpuppies, Philly boudin balls, wings, jambalaya and beignets. Reverend Chris and his quintet will be providing the New Orleans sound for the party. Additional drinks are available for purchase. The event runs from 6:30 PM-10:30 PM, tickets available here. (824 S 8th St.)

 

Sip on frozen hurricanes ($14) at the all-weather lounge above Philadelphia’s beautiful Parkway all day on Fat Tuesday. (1849 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.)

 

Bourbon Blue 

Head to Manayunk for a one of the biggest Louisiana-style parties of the year. They’re offering two premium open bar packages—one from 9 PM-11 PM for $20 and one from 8 PM-11 PM for $30. Each includes live music, prizes, masks, beads and more. Tickets available here. (2 Rector St.)

An all-day soiree awaits at Philly’s newest food hall. Starting as early as 7 AM, many Bourse vendors will be serving traditional Cajun food and drink including Sazeracs and Hurricanes from Bluebird Distilling ($10); andouille creole pasta from Bronze Table ($12); gumbo omelets from Grubhouse ($10); New Orleans cold brew from Menagerie ($4); sharable mini king cakes from Barry’s Buns ($8); spicy fried shrimp from Ka’Moon ($8); and 15 draft NOLA and Abita Brewing beers from TAPS Fill Station ($4 for 12 oz, $9 for 33 oz).

 

From 7 PM-10 PM there will also be live jazz from Drew Nugent and the Midnight Society along with burlesque performances from Envoute. Don your best beads and earn the chance to win a $100 gift card to TAPS Fill Station for best dressed of the evening. (111 S Independence Mall E)

 

Chris’ Jazz Cafe 

Who needs Bourbon Street when we have Sansom Street? Listen to live music by the Hoppin' John Orchestra at this spot from 7 PM to midnight while enjoying drink and food specials like hurricanes, Abita, Sazeracs, crawfish, and jambalaya. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased ahead of time here. (1421 Sansom St.)

Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler with tons of food and drink specials at this bar named after the state dog of Louisiana. $7 food specials include andouille bites, voodoo shrimp, alligator sliders, jambalaya, Cajun chicken bites, catfish bites, gumbo, jalapeno hushpuppies, mac n cheese balls and loaded fries. Drink specials include hurricanes, Sazeracs, hand grenades, and discounted $4 well shots, $6 Jameson shots, $2.50 Miller Lite cans and $4 Abita beers. Come wearing your favorite Mardi Gras mask and receive a free gift. Opening early at noon. (775 S Front St.)

Indulge in an evening of fat-washed cocktails at Cocktail Carnivale. All eight cocktails on their special menu will feature a different type of fat or oil, like the Sazerac with brown butter rye or the Negroni with bacon fat Campari. All cocktails will be $12-$14. The kitchen will also be serving specialty waffles (as is French tradition) for the day. (614 S 7th St.)

 

Party it up in Fishtown with $5 hurricanes, $5 Abita beer specials, $5 house made beignets, traditional Cajun/creole food specials, music, complementary beads and feather masks. Oh, and it’s still taco Tuesday so expect $1 tacos as well. Hours are 4 PM-2 AM. (1235 E Palmer St.)

 

Visit Rex 1516 for a Mardi Gras special that includes a sinful king cake burger (beef patty, cheddar, bacon, lettuce, house-made pickles, king cake roll) and a pint of Newbold and a shot of Jim Beam Devil’s Cut for $17. They’ll also be serving up a Falernum Hurricane for $8. (1516 South St.)

Hit up Old City this Tuesday to sip on three New Orleans inspired cocktails for $10 each. The special cocktail list includes the Café NOLA with coffee, praline syrup and cognac; the King Cake Milk Punch with brown butter washed bourbon, vanilla dem and nutmeg; and a classic Sazerac with rye, absinthe, sugar and Peychaud’s bitters. (433 Chestnut St.)

 

Square 1682
This bar and restaurant at the Hotel Palomar will be getting into the New Orleans spirit with $10 Sazeracs all day — pair them with jerk chicken ($24) or warm cornbread ($5). (121 S 17th St.)

 

Urban Farmer
To celebrate Mardi Gras, Urban Farmer will be serving one of its signature menu items, shrimp and grits, for $18 all day. (1849 Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.)