The best in Washington, DC things to do, entertainment, nightlife, culture, arts, fashion and more.

Let the Good Times Roll: Where to Celebrate Mardi Gras in Washington

By Elizabeth Farrell

New Orleans’s first Mardi Gras parade of 2008 was in early January, and the big day of Fat Tuesday (February 5) is fast approaching. Can’t make it to the Big Easy this year? Check out how Washington celebrates Carnival. (The official colors of the season are purple, green, and gold, and it’s always appropriate to come masked.)

Mardi Gras Celebration
K Street Lounge

Saturday, February 2, 8 PM
Hosted by Professionals in the City, this Carnival blowout promises specials on beer and wine, special vodka drinks, music and dancing, and lots of beads. Also, you can enter to win a trip to Iceland. Professionals in the City members can buy tickets for $10 before January 25; membership is free.
1301 K St., NW; 202-962-3933
prosinthecity.com
kstreetdc.com

Ceiba
February 1 through 5, Ceiba is celebrating the season with samba bands, beads, and masks. The Latin American restaurant will also offer a signature Carnival drink, the Ceiba Samba (pineapple-infused Cachaça and a scoop of passion-fruit sorbet with a sugared rim).
701 14th St., NW; 202-393-3983
ceibarestaurant.com

Clarendon Mardi Gras Parade
February 5, 8 PM
Organizers plan to throw 5,000 pounds of beads at this year’s parade in Arlington’s Clarendon neighborhood. It starts at Veitch Street near the Court House Metro stop and ends near the Clarendon stop. The grand marshal is Doug Hill, Channel 7’s chief meteorologist.
703-812-8881
clarendon.org/mardi.html

Mardi Gras Family Day at the Anacostia Community Museum
February 2, 10 AM to 2 PM
An event for the kids with costume and mask making, beads, face painting, musical entertainment, storytelling, and more.
1901 Fort Pl., SE; 202-633-4844
anacostia.si.edu/calendar/calendar.htm

Mardi Gras Madness Party
Phillips Flagship Restaurant

February 2, 9 PM to 2 AM
Beads, dancing, and seafood and drink specials, including $4 Hurricanes and a free Mardi Gras mask for the first 200 guests. DJ Bourbon will spin Mardi Gras and dance music. You must be 21 to get in.
900 Water St., SW; 202-488-8515

Bourbon Street Bash
McFadden’s Restaurant and Saloon

February 5, 5 PM to closing
A DJ and food and drink specials will keep the party going. Admission is $7, but students with ID get in for $5.
2401 Pennsylvania Ave., NW; 443-524-1080
lindypromo.com/index2.php

Mardi Gras on U Street
Bohemian Caverns/Mahogany Restaurant
February 5, 7 PM to midnight
Have a N’awlins night with jazz, Cajun, zydeco, and hip-hop music, bead and mask giveaways, and food and drinks that rule in the Big Easy. Tickets are $10 in advance (including a free Hurricane and beads); proceeds go to the Louisiana Network, a nonprofit helping with Hurricane Katrina relief.
11th and U sts., NW
mardigrasonu.com

Post a comment

Feel free to leave a comment or ask a question. Because of the prevalence of spam, we ask that you fill out the code in the image below to help us eliminate spam comments. By posting here, you affirm that you are 13 years of age or older. Washingtonian.com reserves the right to remove or edit content once posted.

Find A ...
Find A Restaurant







  1. Only show Delivery
    Only show Kid Friendly
    Only show Late Night
    Only show Party Space
    Only show Weekend Brunch
Find Events




Find A Happy Hour





  1. search_finda.gif
Find A Spa




  1. search_finda.gif
Find a Home





  1. search_finda.gif
  2. Powered by  
Find A Hotel


  1.   


  2. Reviewed by Washingtonian
  3. Kid Friendly     Valet Parking
    Handicap Accessible    

  4. Childcare
    WiFi
    Pet Friendly
    Bar/Lounge/Dining
    Airport Shuttle
    Salon/Spa
    Swimming Pool
    Fitness Room
    On-site Drycleaning
    Meeting Rooms
    Golf
    Tennis Courts
    Game Room
  5. search_finda.gif
Newsletter Signup
  1. Where & When
  2. Shop Around
  3. Dining Out
  4. Bridal Party
  5. Kliman Online
  6. Learn more sign_up.gif
 

Attack on the Street: The Cure for Hiccups

In this week's Attack on the Street, the feature where we ask friendly Washingtonians one of our burning questions, we find out what is your patented cure for the hiccups. more

Top Blog Posts of the Week

Miss out on some of our blog posts from this week? Worry not—we're here to fill you in on what the most popular blog posts were from the past seven days. See below for our top five. more

Find A Happy Hour