Mardi Gras in Atlanta 2011

Atlantans are unable to celebrate Mardi Gras in the traditional way. Atlanta has no parades.There is no reason to bundle the kids up, put the ladders in the car and get to your perfect spot on the parade route to establish your territory for watching the parades.  But that is not to say the city does not celebrate Mardi Gras in a special way.So “let the good times roll” as Atlanta parties down at Mardi Gras!

Click the video and listen to the music and get in the Mardi Gras spirit! It's infectious!

Mardi Gras 2011 falls on Tuesday, March 8th. Affectionately known as “Fat Tuesday”, it is the last day of the Carnival season as it always falls the day before Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent.

Head over to Hal’s at 30 Old Ivy for the annual Mardi Gras celebration on the 8th. Hal, a New Orleans native knows how to throw a party, so make a reservation early. Join the revelers, some masked and costumed, catching beads and trinkets while drinking the wines of Bacchus, enjoying great food and listening to the music of Dr. John, Allen Toussaint and the Meters. 

AtlantaBarTours.com and PubCrawls.com, holders of largest crawl in the world, have joined forces once again to present you with the Beads and Booze Crawl. The date is March 4th starting at 7 p.m. Five great bars and restaurants are participating in this Mardi Gras extravaganza offering a drink during complimentary time slots as well as admission to all bars and Mardi Gras food specials and of course Beads and Booze! Also included with your ticket is an exclusive raffle with a chance to win amazing prizes. Participating Crawl locations include: Limerick Junction Irish Pub, Dark Horse Tavern, Diesel Filling Station and Neighbor’s Pub. Get your tickets in advance for this event and save big! Costumes, masks, beads and good times are the only rule for the Beads and Booze Crawl.

Over at Serpas the trendy restaurant with the owner and chef hailing from New Orleans is celebrating carnival in a big way. On mardi Gras Day, the restaurant will bring Louisiana to Atlanta with their version of Mardi Gras Madness. The menu will feature traditional favorites for $10 each, including Seafood Gumbo, Crawfish Pie, Red Beans & Rice and Chicken & Sausage Jambalaya. Of course King Cake is on the dessert menu and the Hurricane cocktail made famous at Pat O’Brian’s in New Orleans will be offered for $4. Look for carnival decorations and a special Second Line performance.

If you still have Louisiana, Cajun food or Zydeco music on the brain after Mardi Gras is over, on March 12th, head over to the Knights of Columbus hall, Post 660 located at 2620 Buford Highway. The Atlanta Cajun Zydeco Association is presenting T. Broussard, and his band, The Zydeco Steppers who will rock the house. Accordionist, singer, and songwriter are among several of Broussard’s musical talents. He also plays drums, scrub board, and bass guitar. Although Zydeco music is his primary performance style, he also plays traditional Creole music. Authentic Cajun food will be on sale from Fusions Catering. A cash bar will be available.

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