10 ways to celebrate Mardi Gras in Boston
Can’t get down to New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras on Feb. 28? Good thing you live in Greater Boston. From classic Louisiana food to Dixieland jazz, you can find everything for a festive Fat Tuesday weekend right here in Massachusetts.
Mass. Ave. Mardi Gras at Dorchester Brewing
Celebrate Fat Tuesday the Saturday beforehand with an hours-long festival at a local brewery. Dorchester Brewing Co. is teaming up with Revelry Food Truck to provide New Orleans cuisine and free king cake. Plus, catch live jazz, a costume contest and, of course, plenty of brews. (Saturday, February 25 from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Dorchester Brewing Co., Dorchester; free entry; 21+)
Mardi Crawl 2017
During this all-day bar crawl filled with food and drink specials, 13 bars in the Faneuil Hall area will become Mardi Gras central. Every participant will get free beads and a free T-shirt, and the first 500 will get a free jester hat. (Saturday, February 25 from 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Faneuil Hall, Boston; $25; 21+)
Mardi Gras Celebration at South Street Diner
This 24-hour diner is bringing Bourbon Street to South Street. For $6, you’ll be able to chow down on all-you-can-eat jambalaya. Also offered: beignets, crawfish, shrimp po’boys, alligator sausage, and more treats. Guzzle it all down with “voodoo” punch, and listen to traditional New Orleans Zydeco music on the jukebox. (Tuesday, February 28 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; South Street Diner, Boston; free entry; all ages)
Back Bay Social Club Mardi Gras Party
On Fat Tuesday, head to this two-storied Boylston Street spot for New Orleans-style specialty drinks and food. A live band will start playing at 8 p.m., and dinner seating and VIP booths are available to reserve. (Tuesday, February 28 from 11:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.; Back Bay Social Club, Boston; free entry; 21+ starting at 8 p.m.)
Mardi Gras Masquerade Party by the Boston Young Professionals Association
At Irish pub Lir, the Boston Young Professionals Association will provide beads, masks, appetizers, and king cakes. New Orleans-style food will be served. Bring cash for the bar, your dancing shoes, and anything purple, gold, and green. A king and queen of the party will be named. (Tuesday, February 28 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m; Lir, Boston, $15 before noon on February 28, $20 at the door, free for BostonYPA members who RSVP in advance; 21+)
Fat Tuesday Crawfish Boil at Sweet Cheeks Q
This Fenway barbecue joint is adding a little Louisiana to its menu on Fat Tuesday, dishing out a traditional crawfish boil—crawfish, andouille sausage, gulf shrimp, potatoes, and corn on the cob—all tossed in butter and spices and served right on the table on paper. Enjoy some seafood gumbo and king cake, too. (Tuesday, February 28 with seating at either 6 p.m. or 8 p.m., call 617-266-1300 after purchasing your ticket to reserve a time; Sweet Cheeks, Boston; $40; all ages)
Mardi Gras and Carnival Celebration of the Arts
On Tuesday, Unbound Visual Arts, a nonprofit dedicated to educating and enriching the community with contemporary art, is hosting a party featuring food, music, and art. New Orleans-style piano and sax band A Confederacy of Dumpsters will perform live tunes while the cash bar flows, a silent auction takes place, and an art show is on view. Beads and masks will be provided. (Tuesday, February 28 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.; The Green Briar Pub, Brighton; $10; all ages)
Revolutionary Snake Ensemble Mardi Gras Party
A self-described “costumed funk/street beat improvisational brass band,” the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble will take the stage with special guests Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Charles Neville and New Orleans vocalist Henri Smith. This annual party at the Charles Hotel focuses on a very important part of the Mardi Gras celebration: the music. (Tuesday, February 28 at 7:30 p.m.; Regattabar at the Charles Hotel, Cambridge; $22; all ages)
The Beehive Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Celebration
The cozy South End spot is known as both a restaurant and live music locale. On Tuesday, Alex Lee Clark will lead his big jazz band on the trumpet, performing tunes from down South as the kitchen serves up food and drink specials. (Tuesday, February 28 from 8 p.m. to 12 a.m.; The Beehive, Boston; free; all ages for dinner service, 21+ for the bar)
Secret Sessions Mardi Gras featuring Richard James and Friends
“A Tribute to New Orleans” at Wonder Bar will feature members of the Trey Anastasio Band, Pink Talking Fish, Viva La Hop, and more, all coming together to create a big brass band. (Tuesday February 28 at 9 p.m.; Wonder Bar, Allston; $15; 21+)
