Consider this your go-to resource for all things Mardi Gras in Nashville! This year, Mardi Gras, or “Fat Tuesday,” falls on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. We’ve summed up the hottest things to do plus some restaurants to get you in the spirit. Many celebrations will be announced last minute, so check back here for additional Mardi Gras event options.
Mardi Gras EVENTS IN NASHVILLE
Mardi Gras Celebrations at The Gumbo Bros
Celebrate Mardi Gras at The Gumbo Bros! There will be events taking place from Friday through Tuesday, February 17-21, 2023. Stop by for themed DJ nights, Sunday Jazz Brunch, and a special menu for Fat Tuesday. Admission is free and open to all ages.
Mardi Gras at Assembly Food Hall
Mardi Gras at Assembly Food Hall is Saturday, February 18, 2023, at noon. This event will feature live jazz music and New Orleans-themed food and drinks such as Cajun seasoning fried chicken and hurricanes. General admission is free.
Mardi Gras Bar Crawl
The Mardi Gras Bar Crawl is Saturday, February 18, 2023, from 3:00pm to 10:00pm at multiple bars throughout Nashville. Tickets are $14-$16 and include beads, no cover at participating bars, discounted food, and drinks specials. Registration will be from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at Kung Fu Saloon.
Mardi Gras Party with Big Machine
The Mardi Gras Party with Big Machine is Saturday, February 18, 2023, from 11:00am to 2:00am at Big Machine Brewery & Distillery. This event will feature New Orleans-themed food and specialty drinks including hurricane fish bowls and slushies. Admission is free.
Mardi Gras Le Grand Ball
The Mardi Gras Le Grand Ball at Grand Hyatt Nashville is Saturday, February 18, 2023, from 7:00pm to midnight. This event will include unlimited specialty cocktails, New Orleans-inspired food, live entertainment by The Downtown Band, and more. Tickets include an open bar, dinner, tax, and gratuity. Formal attire is encouraged. Ticket prices vary from $200-$2,000.
Fat Bottom Tuesday
Celebrate Mardi Gras during Fat Bottom Tuesday on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, from 11:00am to 9:00pm at Fat Bottom Brewing. Get beads with every beer purchase, enjoy all-day specials, including Bravazzi Hurricanes, Bananas Foster Beignets, and Gator Po’ Boys, and listen to live music by the Fat Bottom Voodoo Band from 5:00pm to 9:00pm. Admission is free. All ages and dogs are welcome.
Jasper’s Mardi Gras Celebration
Jasper’s Mardi Gras Celebration will take place on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, from 10:00am to 11:00pm. Stop by for frozen hurricanes, beignets by Pastry Chef Megan Williams, and Abita Beer branded merch. Admission is free and open to all ages.
Fat Tuesday at Bastion
Celebrate Fat Tuesday at Bastion on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, starting at 5:00pm. Expect all things New Orleans including delicious food, great drinks, and awesome music. Admission is free and open to ages 21 and over only.
Fat Tuesday Celebration at Assembly Food Hall
The Fat Tuesday Celebration at Assembly Food Hall is Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at 5:00pm. Guests can expect New Orleans-themed music, creative cocktails, and food specials such as Po Boy, King Cake, and Mardi Donuts. This event is free admission.
Fat Tuesday at Rudy’s Jazz Room
Celebrate Fat Tuesday at Rudy’s Jazz Room on Tuesday, February 21, 2023. There will be two live performances throughout the night. The Rougarou Horns Brass Band will perform from 6:00pm to 8:15pm and Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler will perform from 9:00pm to 11:15pm. Tickets are $15-$90 for each performance. Admission is 21 and over only.
Bowties & Bling
The Bowties & Bling event is Saturday, March 4, 2023, from 2:00pm to 5:00pm at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel. This Mardi Gras themed-event will include specialty hors d’oeuvres, signature cocktails, entertainment, live auctions, and silent auctions. Tickets are $75.
Cajun / Creole Restaurants in Nashville
Grab a few friends and chow down on some gumbo and po’ boys to get you in the Mardi Gras mood. Here are a few of the top cajun spots in Music City.
Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar
Even though Bourbon Street Blues & Boogie Bar is known to be more of a late-night spot, they still have some awesome food. The live music is top-notch and the atmosphere is festive. If you’re looking for a more entertaining Mardi Gras, head to Printer’s Alley in Downtown Nashville and hit up Bourbon Street Blues.
- Neighborhood: Downtown
The Gumbo Bros
The Gumbo Bros offers a variety of cajun and creole dishes, including three styles of gumbo, Louisiana alligator nuggets, Cajun waffle fries, and po’ boy sandwiches made with fresh French bread from Leidenheimer Bakery in New Orleans. The beverage menu pays tribute to The Gumbo Bros’ New Orleans heritage, featuring Hurricanes and Tabasco margaritas.
- Neighborhood: Gulch
J Gumbo’s
J Gumbo’s is a “real down-home New Orleans cookin” restaurant chain located in Downtown Nashville’s Arcade. This casual Cajun joint is a perfect way to celebrate Mardi Gras during your lunch break. Hours are 10:30am to 5:00pm on weekdays.
- Neighborhood: Downtown
Spicy Boy’s
Spicy Boy’s is the latest Louisana-inspired restaurant to open in Nashville. Guests can expect delicious cajun cuisine including Boudin—house-made poor boy’s sausage cut with rice and served with Abita beer mustard and pickles. Stop by every Tuesday through Sunday for a great meal and refreshing drinks.
Did we leave off a Mardi Gras party or great cajun restaurant? Let us know in the comments!
Is the Mardi Gras Y’all on February or March 28!? WE are getting different dates from different sites!!
Hi JLB, it’s on March 28th, they sent a press release officially changing the date today! This is the official Mardi Gras Y’all site: http://www.mardigrasyall.net/
the five spot in east Nashville has a great mardi gras show on feb 13 at 6 pm
The Farmers Market in Nashville has pretty good NOLA food at NOOLEYS!!!
If you go North of town to Goodlettsville there is a restaurant called Lagniappe Bayou Kitchen. It has the best Beignets I’ve had in the area.