From the festivities to the food, we have everything you need to know to laissez les bons temps rouler the right way in the real Southern hot spot.
9th Annual Mardi Gras Columbia Festival at City Roots | March 2, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Join the Krewe de Columbia-Ya-Ya for the biggest Mardi Gras bash in town at City Roots. The day kicks off with a parade that invites anyone to participate. So grab your beads, boa and all things green, gold and purple and hop in line! Then, the festival commences with 20 bands taking the stage, Abita beer on tap and food from various vendors all day long.
The Blue Pickups Mardi Gras Party on Main Street | March 2, 6 - 11 p.m.
Carry the Carnival celebration over from City Roots to Main Street with a performance by country music artists, The Blue Pickups, in the New Orleans-style mezzanine of 1626 on Main. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of beads, masks and cocktails to go around!
Bourbon
Satisfy your Cajun-Creole cravings at Bourbon, where you can order up Crispy Boudin Balls, NOLA BBQ Shrimp, Etouffee, Duck Confit Gumbo and so much more that’ll have you feeling like you’re actually in the Big Easy.
Private Property
Lexington restaurant Private Property serves up some serious bayou vibes alongside a killer menu featuring the likes of Blackened Alligator, Seafood Gumbo, Fried Crawfish Tails, Cajun Egg Rolls, a “Voodoo Burger” and a dish that’s seriously called Mardi Gras Pasta. Jackpot!
Weekend Dinner Special! Blackened Beef Rib Etoufee! ☺️😛🥄💕
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Motor Supply
Having previously trained and worked in Louisiana, Chef Wes Fulmer and Head Barman Josh Streetman, a regular at Tales of the Cocktail in New Orleans, are plenty savvy. Get in on the festivities and pop in for some themed specials available Feb. 28 - March 5.
King Cake
Is it even Mardi Gras without a taste of the signature dessert? Order one from Tiffany’s Bakery, pick one up from NOLA-based Joe Gambino’s Bakery at Lowes Foods, nibble on one in cupcake form from Smallcakes or get it by the slice from Spotted Salamander. Don’t forget, if you find the baby in your slice of cake, it’s your turn to bring one next year!
Boo Hag
Identifying themselves in the genre of “Swamp Punk,” and with track titles like “Marie Laveau,” “Hokus Pokus,” and “Crawfish,” among others, Boo Hag delivers an experience dripping with voodoo influence. So extend the spirit of Fat Tuesday a few more days and catch them at the Free Show at the Hangar on March 8th.
