With Mardi Gras just around the corner, snag a taste of New Orleans culture in the District at these celebratory events.
Enjoy a Mardi Gras concert and party at metrobar, get into the celebratory spirit with a full parade and fireworks show at the Wharf and get dressed up for a Bourbon Street bar crawl to celebrate New Orleans’ most famous festival.
Friday
Mardi Gras @ metrobar
Get into the holiday spirit with live music and dancing as you kick off your weekend with a Mardi Gras-themed party at metrobar. A blues jazz band will perform from 6 to 9 p.m., followed by a variety of DJs and performers like DJ Sequoia. Grab food from one of two food trucks at the bar – Kam and 46, serving Hawaii and Filipino fare, or Mexitrachos, catering authentic Mexican food. Enjoy this distinct venue, which is built inside a refurbished Metro car complete with a large, heated tent for live music. Costumes are encouraged, so grab some friends and some drinks and have fun celebrating Mardi Gras.
metrobar DC, 640 Rhode Island Ave. NE. 6 p.m. to midnight. Free. Find more information here.
Saturday
Mardi Gras Parade at The Wharf
Head over to The Wharf to catch a parade, dance party and fireworks this Saturday. In addition to extravagantly decorated floats exhibited down Wharf Street, the parade will feature stilt walkers, a marching band and a Mardi Gras king and queen. Don’t miss the Naptown Brass Band performing live music on District Pier. The event will conclude with an illuminating firework finale over the water. Be sure to stop by to experience a little taste of the New Orleans parade scene.
The Wharf, 760 Maine Ave. SW. 3 to 7 p.m. Free. Find more information here.
Sunday
Baltimore’s Bourbon Street Bar Crawl
Traverse over to Baltimore for a Bourbon Street-inspired bar crawl experience. Come dressed in your best Mardi Gras costume and receive beads and a color changing cup for your drinks at registration. The first 100 people to arrive will win a Mardi Gras Masquerade mask to complement their festive outfit. Enjoy discounted food and drinks at the four participating bars – Luckie’s Tavern, Lienie Lodge and Beer Garden, Angels Rock Bar and PBR. Make sure to try the Hurricane, a famous New Orleans drink.
Power Plant Live! Bars, 34 Market Place, Baltimore, Md., 21202. Noon to 9 p.m. Tickets are $13 to $15. Find more information here.
