Celebrate Carnival season in Memphis with these parties and events. Mardi Gras 2019 is Tuesday, March 5.
Mardi Gras South Main Bar Crawl, South Main, March 2, 2 p.m – 11 p.m., free to attend, 21+
Four South Main bars are doing it up for Mardi Gras on Saturday. No tickets needed, just show up and enjoy the specials and live entertainment at Ghost River, Loflin Yard, Carolina Watershed, and Dirty Crow Inn. See the schedule here.
Mardi Gras Crawfish Boil, Regina’s Cajun Kitchen, March 2, 4 p.m. – 7 p.m., all ages
Regina’s downtown hosts a big crawfish and beer blowout the Saturday before Fat Tuesday with all-you-can-eat crawfish for $25.99 (corn and potatoes to your first serving only), or you can buy by the pound. They’re offering drink specials, including a King Cake Cocktail. They also offer the following “warnings”/good news: “caution our crawfish is as spicy as our crab legs! automatic gratuity will be added to all tickets during this event!”
Mardi Gras Celebration, Crosstown Concourse, March 5, 5 p.m. – 7 p.m., free, all ages/kid-friendly
Second line band feat. Albert King, Jr. & The Final Touch Band, a parade around the plaza, drag queens, a car show, and more.
Mardi Gras Party, Celtic Crossing, March 5, 6 p.m. – 10 p.m., free to enter, 21 and up
Crawfish boil, beer specials, zydeco music, and DJ Tree
7th Annual Mighty Fat Tuesday, Bayou Bar & Grill, March 5, 8:30 p.m. – 11:30 p.m., 21 and up
The Bayou turns up again for Mardi Gras, with $3 pints, $5 hurricanes, $12 domestic buckets, their usual Cajun and Creole inspired food – including the popular Zydeco wings – and the Mighty Souls Brass Band.
Mardi Gras in Memphis Crawfish Boil and ETW 5K, Mardi Gras Memphis, March 23, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., all ages/kid-friendly
Come support Education That Works on March 23 with a 5K followed up by crawfish provided by Mardi Gras restaurant (61 N McLean). Mudbugs are $10/box.
This list is a work in progress. Leave me a comment with a link to your event if you want to add one.
King Cakes In Memphis
As for Memphis-made king cakes not from your own oven, check out Lucy J Bakery, La Baguette, Lady Bugg Bakery in Hernando, Mardi Gras Memphis, and Howard’s Donuts on Hwy 64. You’ll need to call ahead and pre-order in most cases. You can of course get them from Kroger or Whole Foods, too. If you know of a bakery in town that offers king cakes, leave me a comment.
A lot of people opt to order king cakes online and have them shipped to Memphis from Louisiana/South Mississippi. Folks swear by Sucré, Manny Randazzo, Paul’s Pastry, Haydel’s, Gambino’s, among many others.
I’m sure someone will try to fight me for leaving off their favorite NOLA/other king cakery. Don’t panic, just feel free to add your suggestions in the comments.
Cajun Food In Memphis
If you just want some Cajun and Creole cuisine for Mardi Gras in Memphis – or anytime – try these spots:
– Regina’s Cajun Kitchen
– Mardi Gras
– Bayou Bar & Grill
– Krewe of Deva Vu
– Owen Brennan’s
– Itta Bena
– The Second Line
– Elwood’s Shells
– Big Momma’s & Grandma’s
Places like Half Shell, Lafayette’s, Rizzo’s, and Blues City Cafe also have Cajun-inspired options and seafood and such.
Also, check out the Crawfish guide here and the Oyster guide here.