If crawfish does not float your skiff, worry not — you have other options on Fat Tuesday. Brooklyn has everything you need for a proper Mardi Gras celebration.
Bell of the ball
Brooklyn’s beloved Hungry Marching Band will bust out the brass to headline a “Mardi Gras Bash” at the Bell House on Fat Tuesday. Also performing will be soul-spinning DJ Jonathan Toubin and the street jazz band Baby Soda, with magician Tanya Solomon introducing each act. Judge Solomon will also determine the winner of the night’s costume contest, so break out the feathers and beads! If you need a break, the Bell House will also serve up gumbo and drink specials all night.
“Mardi Gras Bash” at the Bell House [149 Seventh St. between Second and Third avenues in Gowanus, (718) 643–6510. www.thebe
Drink like a Catfish
Crown Heights Cajun eatery and bar Catfish will have four taps of Louisiana’s own Abita Brewing Company beer flowing on Fat Tuesday, in addition to its usual New Orleans-style cocktails. All those drinks will be at happy hour prices all night (two bucks off!) and the Catfish bartenders will be tossing out beads and other Mardi Gras prizes to the partying crowds.
Catfish [1433 Bedford Ave., between Prospect and Park places in Crown Heights, (347) 305–3233, www.catfi
Drink Heavier
Heavy Woods is one-upping Catfish with five taps of Abita beers, serving the Louisiana brew for just four bucks each from Friday to Fat Tuesday! The bar will project a livestream of the party on Bourbon Street on Tuesday night, while Brooklyn crowds boogie to the DJ and sip on $8 Hurricanes. And as always, Heavy Woods will serve contemporary takes on Cajun classics like po’ boy sandwiches, gumbo, and jambalaya.
Heavy Woods [50 Wyckoff Ave. between Starr Street and Willoughby Avenue in Bushwick, (929) 234–3500. www.heavy
The cake is king
It is not really Mardi Gras without some King Cake! And booze! Fortunately, you can get both at Crown Heights bakery and bar Butter and Scotch. The sauced chefs will bake up plenty of the sugar-topped, bean-filled cake for Fat Tuesday. You can wash down a slice with one of the bar’s signature cocktails, boozy shakes, or a hot drink to keep you warm on a cold Fat Tuesday.
Butter and Scotch [818 Franklin Avenue, between Union Street and Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights, (347) 350–8899, www.butte
