Top Mardi Gras Parties In Philadelphia

There's no need to travel down to New Orleans for Mardi Gras (February 9) when Philadelphia has its own Bourbon Street-styled festivities. Whether its drinks, beads or NOLA-type food you seek, you're sure to have a ball at one of the parties listed below.

Bourbon Blue
2 Rector St.
Philadelphia, PA 19127
(215) 508-3360
www.bourbonblue.com

Bourbon Blue in Manayunk is hosting an all-day Mardi Gras party on Tuesday, February 9 in true New Orleans fashion. Here, you can't beat hurricane drink specials, Mardi Gras beads and live entertainment and music. Bourbon Blue is a New Orleans-inspired restaurant situated on the Manayunk canal with perfect views. The food served here is perfect for Fat Tuesday, including jambalaya, gumbo and big easy bang bang shrimp.

McGillin's Olde Ale House
1310 Drury St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 735-5562
www.mcgillins.com

McGillin's Olde Ale House is the oldest continuous bar in Philadelphia, having opened in 1860, the year Lincoln was elected to the presidency. McGillin's celebrates many holidays throughout the year with a packed house and drink specials, and Mardi Gras is no different. On Fat Tuesday, head to this Irish bar to enjoy many tastes and sounds of New Orleans, including blackened catfish sandwiches, Cajun pot pie, spicy jambalaya, McGillin's Muffuletta's, Po' Boys and Louisiana's most famous drink, hurricanes.

Mummers Parade In Manayunk
Main Street in Manayunk
www.mummersmardigras.com

In true Philadelphia fashion, the always-joyful mummers will parade down Main Street in Manayunk from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. on February 20. The festival welcomes all 17 string bands to make their way down the street. Combining New Orleans pageantry with the history of Philly's mummers, this party will be like no other and offers family-friendly fun for the entire day. Enjoy face painting, photo booths and an opportunity to meet some of the mummers at the clubhouse after parties (and plenty of photo ops to boot). During the day, make sure you explore some of the quaint shops and restaurants that make up Manayunk.

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World Cafe Live
3025 Walnut St.
Philadelphia, PA 19104
(215) 222-1400
philly.worldcafelive.com

For the 32^nd consecutive year, the Wild Bohemians will return to the stage for their annual Mardi Gras party at the World Café Live. The band consists of professional musicians who perform with other bands year round, but come together as the Wild Bohemians once a year. The night consists of a full-on dance party with reveling New Orleans music from the band, including Cajun, jazz, Zydeco and R&B. The band will entertain through bright costumes, storytelling and of course, their music that will keep you from wishing you were celebrating on Bourbon Street instead.

Stoudt's Brewing Company
2800 North Reading Road
Adamstown, PA 19501
(717) 484-4386
www.stoudts.com

Stoudts Brewery in Adamstown, PA is celebrating Mardi Gras with a brewfest on February 27 from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. The evening, which costs $35 in advance or $40 at the door, will feature James Day and the Fish Fry playing some New Orleans jazz while you enjoy beer from at least 14 different breweries. There will also be a New Orleans-styled buffet featuring all the best Cajun delicacies to complement your beverages of choice. Breweries featured include Sierra Nevada, Shipyard Brewing Company and more.

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Kelly Neilson is a freelance writer living and working in Philadelphia. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.