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Best Mardi Gras Parties In The Bay Area

Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday (credit: Cheryl Gerber/Getty Images)

Mardi Gras 2016 falls on Tuesday, February 9th, just two days after the San Francisco Bay Area hosts Super Bowl 50 at Levi's Stadium. Rest up for a day and then those who are ready for yet another party can don their beads and masks to party on.

Biscuits and Blues
401 Mason St.
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 292-2583
www.biscuitsandblues.com

A favorite spot for two decades, Biscuits and Blues will mark Mardi Gras with an evening of live music. Band leader Ed Ivey and the nine-piece North Beach Brass Band is performing early jazz, golden standards and an electrified funky jazz act featuring classic blues, Motown and soul tunes. Emma Jean Foster, a soul singer in the Glide Memorial Church Choir, will join the performance. Tickets are $20 for two shows at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. on Feb. 9, 2016.

Town Hall
342 Howard St.
San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 908-3900
www.townhallsf.com

Town Hall's annual bash is about beads, bands, feather boas and BBQ. Are you up for "N'awlins fare & dancing with the gang?" An inclusive feast reflects the jazzy theme with fried chicken, jambalaya, gumbo, etouffée, barbecue shrimp and oysters washed down with Louisiana-style hurricanes, Abita beer and Leblon Caipirinhas. Dance to live music by the D'Amphibians, get entertained by Samba dancers and decorated by face painters. Advance tickets are available online for $75 per person plus tax, $99 at the door, where the party begins at 6 p.m. on Feb. 9.

Fat Tuesday in Fillmore District
Fillmore Center Plaza
Fillmore St.
San Francisco, CA 94115

Come to Fillmore Street for a New Orleans-style block party. It's free to mingle among stilt walkers, brass bands jazzy musicians for dancing in the street. Fillmore Center Plaza is ground zero for the free blues music starting at 5 p.m. and continuing until 7 p.m., or longer, as long as the weather cooperates. A $10 wristband gives you VIP access to food and drink deals, plus live music at restaurants like Boom Boom Room, 1300 Fillmore, Fat Angel and Elite Café. Call ahead to reserve a table.

Hopscotch
1915 San Pablo Ave.
Oakland, CA 94612
(510) 788-6217
www.hopscotchoakland.com

Book a table, wear your beads and bring some friends. Once again, Hopscotch will host their annual Mardi Gras celebration and feast. Chef/Owner Kyle Itani is fixing a tasty gumbo, boudin balls, shrimp po' boys with a side of red beans and dirty rice. And their brilliant Beverage Director/Owner Jenny Schwarz, is mixing some special N'awlins cocktails to mark the occasion. Will you do the Sazerac, Hurricane, Vieux Carré or Pimm's Cup?

Fenix Supper Club
919 Fourth St.
San Rafael, CA 94901
(415) 813-5600
www.fenixlive.com

Executive Chef Glenn "Gator" Thompson does Southern favorites like New Orleans-style BBQ shrimp, blackened catfish, jambalaya and crawfish etouffée all year-round, but notably in celebration of Mardi Gras. On Fat Tuesday, a special five-course prix-fixe $55 menu with wine pairings is being served from 7 to 10 p.m. Bookings are requested prior to Feb. 4 at San Rafael's very own supper club.

Laurie Jo Miller Farr loves walkable cities. A tourism industry professional and transplanted New Yorker by way of half-a-lifetime in London, she's writing about the best of the bay and beyond for Bay City Guide, AXS, Examiner and more. Examiner.com.


 

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