“New Awlins Philly Style!”
Why let New Orleans have all of the fun for Mardi Gras! We can have as much fun right here in the City of Brotherly Love.
Mardis Gras, known as the Carnival Season, are events that begin on or after the Epiphany or Kings day and wrap up on the day before Ash Wednesday, which is Tuesday, February 9.
Fact: Many tourists try to fit in and say N’Awlins, while locals will say New Awlins.
Get ready to feast your eyes and fill your stomachs on good New Orleans food, parades, dancing to live music and the threat of Hurricanes attacking Philly. Well, that’s the drink Hurricane, not the storm.
So get your beads, put on your best Mardi Gras mask and get ready to get down with these local festivities on Mardi Gras, February 9, also known as Fat Tuesday. (dates listed for special events outside the day of Mardi Gras)
8th Annual Mardi Gras Party & Silent Auction: February 5 - This event will be held at the Old Pine Community Center on Friday, February 5, from 6:30 pm to 10:00 pm located at 401 Lombard Street. Enjoy New Orleans inspired food, great drinks, live music, activities for kids of all ages, and last but certainly not least — a silent auction for a great cause, OPCC Outreach programs! For tickets & info, Click Here.
Beck’s Cajun Café Hosts “Who Dat” King Cake Party for Mardi Gras ~ February 7 ~ FREE From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at City Kitchen in Reading Terminal Market! Chef Beck will have a free cooking demonstration, followed by a King Cake decorating contest starting at 12:30 p.m.! Philadelphia’s Marilyn Russell and Tony Luke Jr. will be judging, along with food blogger Kass of Philly Food Girl! Laissez les bons temps rouler! ~ Beck’s Cajun Café Hosts “Who Dat” King Cake Party for Mardi Gras ~
Beck’s Cajun Cafe: ~ February 9 ~ Beck’s Cajun Café, Philadelphia’s premiere New Orleans eatery, is selling King Cakes for Mardi Gras. These traditional pastries are made of braided bread similar to brioche, topped with icing or sugar in the colors of purple, green and gold. The large King Cake contains a small, plastic baby. Whoever finds the baby is believed to gain good luck. Beck’s is serving up its award-winning menu of hearty gumbos, jambalaya, shrimp and crawfish pasta and more! Beck’s Cajun Cafe is located in the Reading Terminal Market and 30th Street Station. More info about Beck’s Cajun Cafe, Click Here.
Bourbon Blue: ~ February 9 ~ This New Orleans-style restaurant in Manayunk will open at 3 pm on Mardi Gras. There will be live music by Kyle Herring from 6pm-9pm and HOTD from 9:30pm-12:30am, $5 Hurricanes, Heineken and DuClaw Beer Specials. Stay tuned for more info. For more info about Bourbon Blue, click Bourbon Blue.
Khyber Pass Pub: Located in Olde City, a bar that’s been around for 4 + decades, has evolved into a pleasant watering hole with excellent food over the last several years. They will be opening early at 10 AM on February 17 & offering their Classic New Orleans Brunch til 4PM (both the hours & brunch options will be a daily thing after Fat Tuesday, but that will be their official launch.) They will also be featuring Abita Legendary Gator on draft as well as other rare specialties from Abita. Also will be offering $3 bottles of Abita Mardi Gras Bock all day. Lastly, they will have $5 Frozen Mint Juleps til 6 pm. More info about Khyber Pass Pub, Click Here.
Twisted Tail: An enjoyable establishment when looking for good bourbons to drink and Blues music to listen too. Located right off of South Street in the Headhouse District, The Twisted Tail will be offering Abita craft beer by the bucket with Po’ Boy sandwiches, crawfish etouffee and more. Enjoy live music from 7:30 to 10:30 pm on Fat Tuesday, February 17.
Fat Tuesday: ~ February 9 ~ Are you searching for a powerful Hurricane, this is the place to go. Fat Tuesdays’s Hurricane will be mixed with Rum, Hurricane mix and crushed ice. Just make sure to have your life preserver with you at all times. Fat Tuesday is on South Street and is open from 11 am to 2 am.
Catahoula: ~ February 4 starting at 4 pm to February 14 from 11 am till closing every day ~ Food specials at $7: Such as Voodoo Shrimp, Cajun Mac and Cheese Balls, Cabbage Jambalaya, Crawfish Crostini, Andouille stuffed Mushrooms, Creole Beans and Rice, Crawfish-Crab Cakes, Glazed Andouille Spheres, Fried Pickles and Gator Patties. Don’t forget to try one of Catahoula’s creative cocktails making you feel like your are in N’awlins. $4.00 Abita specials, $5.00 Hurricanes, $6 Sazerac, $5.00 Handgranate and more. Lastly, they will be giving out prizes for best costume/mask on Mardi Gras. Catahoula is located in Queen Village.
Copabanana: The Copabanana on South Street in the Headhouse District, which is known for their margaritas and beef tacos, will be serving $5 Hurricane specials & $5 oyster shots as well as some Louisiana foods such oysters, shrimp & catfish po’ boys & Beignets. This will take place only on Mardi Gras Day, February 17, opening at 11:00 am. More info about Copabanana, Click Here.
Bayou Bar & Grill: ~ February 9 ~ Open 11 am to 2 am. This will be the Bayou Bar & Grill’s 24th Fat Tuesday Celebration. Opened in 1993 in the spirit of a comfortable, laid back, Bourbon St tavern, the Bayou will have great drink and food specials starting at 11 am. Specials: 25 cent Buffalo Wings, $1.75 Steamed Hardshell Crabs, $1.75 Miller Lites All Day & Night & $4 Hurricanes. For more info on Bayou Bar & Grill, located in Manayunk, Click Here.
Rex 1516: ~ February 9 ~ Enjoy good food and discounted NOLA cocktails at Rex 1516 located at 1516 South Street. Such food as Gumbo with Andouille sausage & shrimp over Carolina Gold rice & their City Wide Burger on a King’s Cake roll. For drinks, try their version of The Hurricane aka the Passion Fruit Hurricane, which is made with aged Rum, white Rum, passion fruit, cranberry, orange and lime juices.
Bridget Foy’s: Celebrate Fat Tuesday with $5 Hurricanes drinks and favorable New Orlean’s style fare to include Muffulettas, Blackened Catfish, Cajun popcorn Crawfish, and Blackeyed Pea Soup. Also enjoy their Abita Turbo Dogs. Located on South Street, Click Here.
London Grill: ~ February 5 – 9 ~ Enjoy some Mardi Gras drinks and tasty New Orleans food at London Grill in Fairmount. Enjoy such types of drinks such as: Sazeracs and festive strawberry shrub cocktail. Enjoy several types of Po’ Boys. These specials will take place from open to close each day.
Chris’ Jazz Cafe: Enjoy a special Fat Tuesday celebration at Chris’ Jazz Cafe on February 17. Listen to a local New Orleans-style band, Hoppin John Orchestra, from 7:00 pm to 12:00 am. There will be drink specials such as Hurricanes, Sazeracs and Abita beer, as well as steamed Crawdad’s. Tickets are $15. More info about Chris’ Jazz Cafe, Click Here.
World Cafe Live: ~ February 9 ~ On Mardi Gras come listen to the The Wild Bohemians upstairs at this 32nd annual Mardi Gras celebration at World Cafe Live. The band’s music consists of Cajun, Zydeco, Dixieland, Mardi Gras Street Music, Jazz, R&B, and a specialty the Bohemians call Swamp Stomp. Doors open at 7 pm & show starts at 8 pm. For more information & tickets, Click Here.
Mummers Mardi Gras: February 20 – Taking place Saturday, February 20, from 11 am until 6 pm, here is your chance to enjoy the Mummers again, a few months after the Mummers Parade. Head on over to Main Street Manayunk for this blowout bash, as the Mummers String Bands strut their stuff from 11 am to 1 pm. Celebrate Mardi Gras in style with the Mummers and more. Mummers Mardi Gras: FYI – People can buy a $10 bracelet that gives them access to clubhouse after parties for each band and discounts at participating retailers and restaurants.
Laissez les bons temps rouler! – Let the Good Times Roll!
Main Photo: (from top left to right) Courtesy of: Beck’s Cajun Cafe’s Fried Oyster Po’Boy, Mardi Gras beads, Chef Bill Beck of Beck’s Cajun Cafe & the Piazza at Schmidt’s.