New Orleans may be 925 miles away, but you can still celebrate Mardi Gras in Chicago in 2025. Some places aren’t waiting until March 4 and have events planned for the weekend leading up to it. Find food and drink specials, plus live NOLA music in the list below and laissez les bon temps rouler!
Ina Mae’s Tavern & Packaged Goods
Wicker Park’s Southern restaurant has had Mardi Gras throughout February. The festivities conclude in grand fashion with half-off its Mardi Gras cocktail menu from 4-6 p.m. on Feb. 28. That’s followed the next night with the Kitty Banks Mardi Gras Parade, where drink specials include $24 Frozen Hurricane yards, $10 absinthe drinks and the Jackson Square Jamboree, a shareable cognac-and-fruit-juice concoction served in a disco ball, for $40.
After a day off, the party resumes on Lundi Gras, with live music starting at 6 p.m. and more food and drink specials, such as $12 po’boys and $5 Abita beer. Then, on March 4, Ina Mae’s will open at noon, offering $12 jambalaya, $12 Hurricanes, and six char-grilled oysters for $21. Live music will be played from 4:30-9 p.m., with a burlesque show starting at 10 p.m.
SPACE
Evanston music club SPACE will have the sounds of The Big Easy throughout the weekend. March 1 features local blues guitarist Brother John Kattke leading his Big Bad Mardi Gras Band, with the Big Shoulders Brass Band playing on March 3. For SPACE’s Fat Tuesday Party, legendary pianist “Long Tall” Marcia Ball will bring her distinct blend of Gulf Coast zydeco and blues to the intimate venue.
Blue Bayou
Recently reopened after 14 years, Lakeview’s Blue Bayou has Mardi Gras Madness planned for March 1 on its rooftop. Start with a crawfish boil from 1-4 p.m. The party continues at 9:00, with a burlesque show at 10:30. All day, enjoy Hurricanes, giant beers and a shot luge, plus giveaways.
Cody’s Public House
A gumbo cook-off on March 1 at 2 p.m. begins the Mardi Gras party at Cody’s Public House in West Lakeview. Wash it down with $10 Pimm’s Cups, Hurricanes, French 75s and Sazeracs. Three days later, Cody’s continues the drink specials and add a free buffet of NOLA standards including gumbo, jambalaya and dirty rice courtesy of Graystone Tavern (see below).
Time Out Market
From March 1-4, the second floor of West Loop food hall Time Out Market will host the Back to Bourbon Street Mardi Gras pop-up. Noted local chefs Lizzy Gilmore and Darnell Reed have crafted a menu that includes a muffuletta, crawfish empanadas, gumbo, catfish po’boy, beignets and praline and bourbon bread pudding. The fun begins at 2 p.m. on March 1 with a performance by Chicago-based zydeco band La Travalliant.
Daisy’s Po-Boy and Tavern
The flavors of the Crescent City are always on display at Daisy’s Po-Boy and Tavern in Hyde Park. James Beard Award-winning chef Erick Williams’ restaurant has nine po’ boys, with the baguettes coming from New Orleans’ Leidenheimer Baking. The rest of the menu includes red beans & rice, seafood gumbo and a muffuletta, plus drinks like the Ramos Gin Fizz and Pimm’s Cup. For Mardi Gras, Williams has added King Cake, the colorful pastry traditionally eaten only during Carnival season.
Graystone Tavern
To celebrate Mardi Gras in Wrigleyville, head to Graystone Tavern’s Fat Tuesday Bash. Feast on $1 Cajun wings or a plate of Creole andouille loaded fries for $8. Beverage specials include 22-oz. drafts of New Belgium Voodoo Ranger for $6 and $5 hurricanes.
Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar
For Mardi Gras, Humboldt Park’s Heritage is changing its caviar-and-seafood-focused menu to Creole/Cajun cuisine. It’s part of the restaurant’s “Study at Heritage” program to explore culinary history. Make a reservation to sample its elevated takes on shrimp and grits, gumbo, fried green tomatoes and oyster and shrimp po’ boy. For dessert, Heritage’s King Cake comes with a cardamom milk jam. Make reservations here.
Chicago Firehouse
Chicago Firehouse in the South Loop has a special buffet for its 8th annual Fat Tuesday Party. For $65, guests can enjoy a crawfish boil. red beans & rice, Cajun fried chicken, jambalaya and seafood gumbo. Dessert includes beignets and a bananas Foster station, and Sazeracs and Hurricanes are $16. The price of admission gets comes with two choices of music. The High Hat Second Line Brass Band plays from 6-10 p.m., and a New Orleans pianist will play in the Blue Room from 7:30-10:30 p.m.
