By Molly Given
From brass bands parading down Chestnut Street to King Cake burgers piled high, Philly is ready to let the good times roll this Mardi Gras.
Chris’ Jazz Cafe
It’s always a party this time of year at Chris’ Jazz Cafe. At 7 p.m. on Fat Tuesday, the Hoppin’ John’s Soul-Fried Brass Band (an energetic 10-piece unit with horns) will be back for another Mardi Gras parade. The procession will head east on Chestnut Street from 15th to Broad Street, continue onto Sansom, and then roll into the club and right on stage
“This is always the best entrance of the year,” notes owner Mark DeNinno. “This band knows how to begin a performance.”
Philadelphians can then head inside and chow down on some low-country favorites, including $15 buckets of crawfish and all you can eat crawfish for $40. The show starts at 7:30 p.m., and tickets ($15) are now on sale online for all performances. Streaming is also available on Chris’ YouTube channel.
1421 Sansom St., chrisjazzcafe.com
Post Haste
Post Haste is commemorating the occasion with a pop-up dinner and show. The Mardi Gras celebrations will feature a menu with Indian, Mexican, and Creole influences from Chef Reuben Asaram (Reuby), plus live music from the West Philadelphia Orchestra (5:30 to 8:30 p.m.) Reservations are available for Feb. 17 via OpenTable.
2519 Frankford Ave, .posthastephilly.com
Craftsman Row Saloon
Craftsman Row Saloon has brought back its 6th annual Mardi Gras Pop-Up Bar Experience. Now through Fat Tuesday, the space is officially decked out with umbrellas floating overhead, jazz melodies drifting through the air, and vibrant decorations with an over-the-top New Orleans flair.
New menu items this year include a Creole Salad (with andouille sausage rice balls, crisp romaine, King Cake croutons and a spicy-hot vinaigrette) and spiced Cajun wings served with a drizzle of honey. Visitors can also sink their teeth into Andouille Sausage Rice Balls stuffed with mozzarella, celery, and thyme, or try out the decadent King Cake burger, layered with smashed patties, bacon, egg, maple syrup, and King Cake bread.
The rest of the menu features New Orleans favorites like crawfish mac and cheese, jambalaya, po’ boys, the Big Easy burger, NOLA loaded fries, muffalettas, and Cajun chicken alfredo to round out the experience.
There’s also the venue’s popular themed milkshakes—and for Mardi Gras, locals can sip on the King of Bourbon Street (local vanilla ice cream, a King Cake crumble/garnish, cinnamon and caramel drizzle) or the boozy Bead Me Up (local mint chocolate ice cream, bourbon, beignets and powdered sugar).
The cocktail menu has also gotten a Big Easy makeover, with options like the King Cake Espresso Martini (vodka, espresso, Rumchata, Kahlua and brown sugar), Carnival Pass Mule (tequila, orange juice, cinnamon, ginger beer and a keepsake wristband), and the Spiced Apple Sazerac (rye whiskey, Crown Apple, bitters, absinthe and dried apple), along with a few other spirited choices.
112 S 8th St., craftsmanrowsaloon.com
Bob & Barbara’s
This South Street locale will be celebrating the Big Easy on Fat Tuesday from 8:30 to midnight with local talent RK$TDY busting out traditional Jamaican jazz, ska and reggae tunes.
1509 South St., bobandbarbaras.com
Beck’s Cajun Cafe
Beck’s Cajun Cafe in Reading Terminal Market is offering a few different options for anyone looking to celebrate Fat Tuesday. Locals can call ahead to pre-order a King Cake (available whole or by the slice) and other Cajun classics like gumbo, jambalaya, étouffée, and their beloved muffaletta sandwich.
51 N 12th St., beckscajuncafe.com
World Cafe Live
World Cafe Live is kicking off its own Mardi Gras experience with the sights, sounds, and tastes of the Mississippi Delta. The venue will be serving up a specialty menu (beginning at 6 p.m.) with flavors of the Gulf Coast, plus their own take on a Sazerac and Hurricane cocktail. Entertainment will also be provided by Philadelphia’s own Drew Nugent and the Midnight Society from 7 to 9 p.m.
Note: Anyone interested must make a table reservation via Tock in addition to your ticket ($25+) to guarantee seating. Without a reservation, seating will be first-come, first-served if available, and there is standing room by the bar area.
3025 Walnut St., worldcafelive.org