Where to Celebrate Mardi Gras in Chicago
As winter in Chicago hits its stride, there’s no doubt the cold temperatures and gloomy skies can make you want to hide under your covers all day. But don’t worry, spring is just around the corner (we swear), and March is giving us more than just flowers and sunshine. With Mardi Gras on Tuesday, March 1, there are plenty of ways to celebrate Fat Tuesday. From a special spin on New Orleans King Cake to drinks at Avondale's newest neighborhood bar, a Mardi Gras celebration in the Windy City will give you something to look forward to.
Ina Mae Tavern {1415 N Wood St; 773.360.8320}
There’s no doubt Ina Mae knows how to show it’s guests a good time. Leading up to Fat Tuesday, Ina Mae will be hosting 5 days of Mardi Gras. Kicking off the event on Friday, February 25, there will be happy hour drink specials including Nola Classic Cocktails and Abitas as well as live music. Continue celebrating over the weekend with more live music on Saturday and a drag brunch with drink specials on Sunday. After the weekend comes to a close, celebrate Fat Tuesday in the best way possible… with more drink specials, peel and eat shrimp and crawfish plates and a burlesque how.
Virtue Restaurant
Mustard Seed Kitchen{43 E. Cermak Rd; 312.326.0062}
There’s never a bad time to get Mustard Seed Kitchen, especially on Fat Tuesday. Warm up before celebrating with their delicious stick-to-your-ribs gumbo, featuring andouille sausage, tender chicken pieces, rice, and scallions. Pair it with a side of Creamed Corn or Cornbread with Honey Butter for the best winter lunch. You can also order King Cakes from their sister restaurant, Virtue, to celebrate at home (24 hours notice needed, delivery and pick-up only).
Publican Quality Meats {825 W Fulton Market; 312.445.8977}
If the weeks have you feeling exhausted or going out to party isn’t your thing, bring Mardi Gras home from Chicago’s Publican Quality Bread and Baker Greg Wade. Enjoy the traditional New Orleans King Cake made tender with soft cream cheese and rolled with a cinnamon sugar swirl, covered with frosting and festive colored sugar, just like they do down in New Orleans. If you have family who don’t live in Chicago, nationwide delivery is offered with the sugar and frosting on the side. That’s our kind of party!
Firecakes Donuts {Multiple Locations}
While some people celebrate official Paczki Day on Fat Thursday, most people still tend to celebrate on Fat Tuesday. For anyone who is unfamiliar with pączki's, they are deep-fried pieces of dough that are filled with some sort of sweet filling. This Mardi Gras, Firecakes is offering their very own lineup of these delicious treats. Starting this Friday through Fat Tuesday, flavors such as Cherry Cheese with tart cherry and cheese filling, Blackberry Elderflower including elderflower icing with a blueberry and elderflower mousse and Lemon with lemon glaze with a lemon curd will be featured in the shops. We know where we’ll be this year!
TimeOut Market {916 W Fulton Market; 312.637.3888}
If you need a way to celebrate all weekend long, head over to this West Loop favorite. From Friday, February 25 through Fat Tuesday, Time Out Market Chicago will be hosting Chef Darnell Reed of Luella's Southern Kitchen. Dishes will include Fried Catfish Po Boy with homemade French bread and fried catfish, as well as a Dijonaise Muffuletta, plus Red Beans & Rice including Andouille sausage, Louisiana trinity, and delta rice. Grab a piece of classic King Cake to go as you venture around one of Chicago’s coolest neighborhood
Central Park Bar {2924 N Central Park Ave; 773.698.6063}
Central Park Bar is Avondale’s newest not-to-miss neighborhood bar. They are celebrating Mardi Gras with drink specials, including $6 Hurricane cocktails all night and half-price happy hour from 4-7 pm. If you don’t love cocktails, they will also be offering beer made locally and around the world. Cheers to that!
Storyville{712 N Clark St; 312.741.9786}
Inspired by the 20th-century New Orleans’s red-light district, River North’s new bar and restaurant will be going all out for Mardi Gras. Storyville, located on North Clark Street will be offering a Crawfish Boil with crawfish, sausage, potatoes and corn and King Cake slices for the fun-filled day. To end the night, a local band will be playing live music for all in attendance!
By Madison Freeman | Special Correspondent
