Have Beads, Will Party
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Fat Tuesday, the last day of the Carnival season, is March 1, 2022, and falls - as it always does - the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. And this year, there will be parties and the good times will be rolling. All the masks, beads, king cake, and Hurricane cocktails you want are here:Bayou Bakery
Celebrate Fat Tuesday with a MARDI PARDI hosted by Chef David Guas, born and bred in New Orleans, at Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery with authentic dishes, famous drinks, and live soul-filled music. On March 1, hours will be extended (7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.) with Parade Route specials and live music featuring jazz and funk tunes from The FatHeads [cameo by Spencer Guas.] Mardi Gras Specials [$2-$7] - including Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya, Gumbo,and Muffulettas. Revel in $5 New Orleans cocktails - like Hurricanes and King Cake Daiquiris - and $3 Abita Beer, Louisiana's finest. Make it a sweet ending with King Cake [by the slice - $3] and traditional Pralines [$2]. "Get your gras on" at home with family meals to-geaux from the Mardi Gras Catering Menu featuring a bounty of traditional dishes and classics like Crawfish Monica and Red Beans and Rice. Must order 48 hours in advance. 1515 N Courthouse Rd, Arlington, VA; toasttab.com
Baked by Yael
"Let the good times roll" with the most delicious balls of cake and frosting you'll ever eat, in a special theme for Mardi Gras. Baked by Yael has added their own twist to Mardi Gras with a King Cakepop Display, complete with an (optional) plastic baby inside of one of your cakepops. 3000 Connecticut Avenue NW; bakedbyyael.com
Beltway Brewing
February is Black History Month and Beltway Brewing Company is excited to bring the community together to not only celebrate and discuss Black History but to incorporate a delicious Cajun menu with their brews and celebrate Mardi Gras. The evening, co-hosted by Reel II Real Coach Herb and B will feature their podcast live as they discuss local culture and community. Additional community leaders and speakers include Carmen Felder, Pastor Michelle and local author Carylee Carrington. The menu, prepared by chef and community ambassador Keven LeBlanc, will include 4-course Cajun creations. Beltway will pair their local beers with each of the courses and will include The Circle IPA, District of Champions, HOV Blond Ale and Black is Beautiful. The event is open to the public on Thursday, February 24 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. $100; 22262 Davis Drive Sterling, VA; eventbrite.com/e/black-is-beautiful
Dauphine's
Enjoy passed hors d'oeuvres a plenty and several food stations by chef owner Kyle Bailey and executive chef Kristen Essig - including suckling pig pickin', chicken étouffée, shrimp creole, boudin and so much more. Harris Creek Oyster Co. is bringing the oysters on the half shell paired with oyster shooters and caviar. And if that's not enough, finish off the evening with plenty of King Cakes & beignets by pastry chef Joy Razo. Open Bar includes access to indoor and outdoor bars with offerings including local and Louisiana drafts, premium wines, and specialty cocktails. Try a Hurricane or Sazerac, head into the outdoor Absinthe Garden for a taste of anise-flavoured spirit or Uptown for a classic French 75. Tickets are $150, with VIP option available. The VIP ticket includes early admission to the event with access to all bars and food before the crowds. 1100 15th Street NW; eventbrite.com/e/mardi-gras-at-dauphines
NEW: Dauphine's At Home
Celebrate Mardi Gras from the comfort of your home with a special take-out menu available daily from Thursday February 24 to Monday February 28. Menu items include pimento cheese ball, muffaletta kit, jambalaya kit, seafood gumbo, mini king cakes and bottled cocktails. Orders can be placed through the Dauphine’s website at least two days in advance and picked up from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. each day. dauphinesdc.com
NEW: Due South
Navy Yard’s Southern inspired restaurant, Due South, is hosting a Mardi Gras party on Fat Tuesday (March 1) that you don’t want to miss! Grab a ticket and join for dinner, live music, and late night celebrations. Festivities kick off at 4:00 p.m. with live music late into the night. $40 tickets include entry, two beers, and an all-you-can-eat New Orleans inspired buffet. You can’t beat good food and a good time, but if you can’t attend, catering packages are available to bring the party home. The “Laissez les bon temps Rouler” package feeds 2-4 people for $95, or 5-7 for $180. The package includes seafood gumbo, shrimp and grits, bacon braised collard greens, chopped salad, and king cake. Order by emailing [email protected]. 301 Water Street SE; eventbrite.com
NEW: Ivy & Coney Fat Tuesday Party
Join the annual Fat Tuesday party on March 1st, with more of a Midwestern Polish vibe. They’ll be giving out a free traditional paczki (jelly doughnut) to each customer with the purchase of their first drink. As well as pierogies to enjoy with Malort. Because who actually wants to choke on a little baby jesus? 1537 7th Street NW; ivyandconey.com
NEW: Logan Tavern
Celebrate Mardi Gras from Monday, February 28 through Sunday, March 6 at Logan Tavern. Chef Jon Coombs is offering his version of New Orleans shrimp and grits - blackened grilled shrimp, jalapeno grits with Andouille sausage and a smoky almond Romesco sauce. No Mardi Gras celebration would be complete without Hurricanes, and Logan Tavern will be serving $10 versions. 1423 P Street NW; LoganTavern.com
Michele's
On Saturday, March 6, let the good times roll with a New Orleans-style pig roast, all-you-can-eat food from Michele's and spirits and cocktails from partners Absolut Vodka, Martell Cognac, Jameson Orange, and St. George Spirits. Starting at 1:30 p.m., they'll gather up the party and parade around the block with a Crescent City Second Line March. resy.com
NEW: RIS
Celebrate Mardi Gras all day at the bar on Tuesday, March 1, with $9 Sazeracs. Everyone will get pralines for a little NOLA sugar to get you through your day. The Sazerac is considered by some to be the first American Cocktail - the story goes that back in 1838, Creole apothecary Antoine Peychaud invented the Sazerac in his shop at 437 Royal Street. They say he first served it to his fellow Masons after hours in an egg cup –a coquetier—a word that some insist morphed into “cocktail.” Pralines are the quintessential New Orleans confectionery. It is believed that pralines were brought over from France by the Ursuline nuns, who came to New Orleans in 1727. Enjoy both available all day at the RIS bar on Mardi Gras. 2275 L Street NW
The Wharf
The Wharf is bringing a taste of New Orleans to D.C. with its annual Mardi Gras celebration on Saturday, February 26th from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. The community-wide event features a spirited parade with fanciful floats and musical groups down Wharf Street, followed by a dance party with live music on District Pier, and a special fireworks finale. This event is free and open to the entire family but make sure you get there early to secure the best spot to view the parade. 760 Maine Avenue SW
NEW: WHINO
Join Whino for their Mardi Gras celebration on Tuesday, March 1, from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. In New Orleans-inspired fashion, the craft cocktail bar at WHINO will serve Mardi Gras favorites including the king cake shot, grasshopper, hurricane, daiquiri, pimm's cup, Ramos gin fizz, French 75, sazerac, vieux carre, and brandy milk punch. Executive chef Eleftherios “Terry” Natas will incorporate the theme to the food menu by adding a twist to existing menu items, like a skate wing po'boy and cajun tempertots. Arrive in your best green, purple, and gold attire for the occasion, and the top three best dressed attendees in costume can expect to receive a special prize. RSVP via Resy or Eventbrite. 4238 Wilson Boulevard Arlington, VA
