Bayou Bakery in Arlington is taking this year’s Mardi Gras party to the streets.
Literally.
In celebration of Fat Tuesday, Bayou is the official kickoff spot for this year’s Clarendon-Courthouse Mardi Gras Parade. The venue is celebrating with a block party, complete with music, food and more.
Getting into the Fat Tuesday spirit is easy for Bayou Bakery ownership. Chef David Guas is a New Orleans native and happy to contribute a little Crescent City vibe to the streets of Arlington.
“It’s a celebration of life, a celebration of being able to dance in the streets,” Guas said. “It’s a celebration of what’s to come.”
Tuesday: Mardis Gras Block Party at Bayou Bakery, Coffee Bar & Eatery
Bayou Bakery is Arlington’s Mardis Gras headquarters and the starting point of the parade. The celebration starts at 5 p.m. with a block party, live music, food, beer, cocktails, oyster shelling and a costume contest. It continues until 11 p.m. bayoubakeryva.com.
Saturday: Crawdaddies at BlackRock Center for the Arts
The Crawdaddies are a Baltimore band with a Louisiana-inspired sound. $23 to $25. 8 p.m. blackrock center.org.
Saturday: Mardi Gras Masquerade at the Washington Club
Presented by Alliance Francaise Washington DC and Art Soiree, enjoy an open bar, French pastries, live music and prizes. $60, $50 for Alliance Francaise and Art Soiree members. 9 p.m. francedc.org.
Saturday: Mardi Gras Madness at Penn Social
Beads, drinks and DJ Pat Premier spinning the night away. $5 cover at the door, may go up. 9 p.m. partydc.com.
Monday and Tuesday: Mardi Gras at Acadiana
Enjoy two nights of Fat Tuesday fun with a special New Orleans inspired four-course prix fixe menu for $50, plus specials at the bar and drink deals. 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. acadianarestaurant.com
Tuesday: Mardi Gras Celebration at Bayou
The Pennsylvania Avenue establishment goes all out. Live music starts at noon, and an all-you-can-eat buffet goes from 5 to 9 p.m. for $20. bayouonpenn.com.
Tuesday: Clarendon-Courthouse Mardi Gras Parade
In what has become a fine community tradition, this is the 15th annual Mardi Gras parade to take over Arlington. Bands, floats, beads, the whole deal. The route runs from Barton to Irving streets. Free. Parade starts at 8 p.m. and runs to about 9 p.m. Parties before and after as well. mardi-gras-2013. clarendon.org
Tuesday: Grandsons Mardi Gras Party at Iota
Live music from the Grandsons starts following the conclusion of the Clarendon-Courthouse Mardi Gras Parade. Free. 8:30 p.m. iotaclubandcafe.com.
