LIST: Where to celebrate Mardi Gras in Austin
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Mardi Gras is just around the corner, and Austinites have plenty of ways to show up and show out ahead of the annual pre-Lenten tradition.
Mardi Gras is the French translation for “Fat Tuesday,” which signifies the final day before the start of the Christian Lent season. This year, the holiday will be observed on March 4 — and several spots in town have in-person celebrations planned on and before the big day.
Mardi Gras Mambo at The Hive
Coffee, beer and wine spot The Hive (10542 Manchaca Road) will host its Mardi Gras Mambo Saturday, beginning at 5 p.m. The event features live music, crafts and themed drinks. Tickets can be purchased online.
Mardi Gras party at Cabana Club
Located at 5012 E. Seventh St., Cabana Club’s Mardi Gras celebration kicks off at 2 p.m. on Saturday, featuring a gumbo cookoff, hurricane specials, mask-making and a costume contest. The event is free and open to those ages 21 and older, with those interested invited to RSVP online.
Vixens of Volstead Mardi Gras drag brunch
Hotel Vegas and Volstead Lounge will host a specialty Mardi Gras drag brunch on Sunday at Volstead Lounge, located at 1500 E. Sixth St. Doors open for the event at noon, with the show set to begin at 1 p.m.
The event is open for those ages 21 and older and there won’t be a cover at the show. The Vixens of Volstead brunches are held each Sunday and hosted by Mary Magdalene, Veronica Valentine and Mars, with specialty themes and guests rotating each week.
Reservations can be made online.
Meanwhile Brewing’s Mardi Gras
Ringing in the Fat Tuesday festivities is Meanwhile Brewing, located at 3901 Promontory Point Drive in Austin. The brewery will offer live music, beer and New Orleans food truck specials Sunday afternoon, including shrimp Po’ boys, King Cake ice cream and Texas barbecue gumbo.
Big Wy’s Brass Band will play from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Guests can RSVP for the free event online.
Hotel Vegas’ Mardi Gras celebration
Hotel Vegas will host day-of festivities Tuesday with free music performances from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday at 1502 E. Sixth St. Performers include the Yes Ma’am Brass Band and the Minor Mishap Marching Band.
Live music will be held on the hotel patio and the event is free and open to guests ages 21 and older. More details are available online.
Volstead Lounge’s Mardi Gras party
Volstead Lounge is hosting a Fat Tuesday bash beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday at 1500 E. Sixth St. The event goes until 2 a.m. and features DJs and no covers, and is free to those ages 21 and older.
Festivities including hurricanes, beads and King Cake for guests, with whoever finds the baby in their slice of cake winning a free Hotel Vegas South by Southwest 2025 key tag.
More details are available online.
C-Boy’s Heart & Soul Mardi Gras All Stars
Those looking to groove this Mardi Gras can head over to C-Boy’s Heart & Soul at 2008 S. Congress Ave. for the venue’s All Stars Fat Tuesday lineup. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday and live music runs from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
“We’ll provide the beats and the beads, you bring your dancing boots and a buddy!” the venue wrote on Instagram.
Scholz Garten’s annual Mardi Gras crawfish boil
Scholz Garten will celebrate the tastes, sights and sounds of Fat Tuesday with its annual Mardi Gras crawfish boil. Located at 1607 San Jacinto Blvd., the event runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and guests can treat themselves to an Abita beer and a hurricane as part of the festivities.
The bar will be serving up crawfish by the pound, Po’ boys, gumbo, King Cake pretzels and red beans and rice, and will also have live music playing for guests.
Parkside Mardi Gras celebration
Parkside will host a specialty dinner on Fat Tuesday featuring a Cajun menu and classic New Orleans cocktails, along with a jazz performance by Mike Sailor. Guests are encouraged to dress up in their most festive attire, and can RSVP their spot online.
Uptown Sports Club’s Crescent City menu
Uptown Sports Club, located at 1200 E. Sixth St., will serve New Orleans-inspired favorites from Saturday through Tuesday. Dish varieties include crawfish hand pies, chicken fried Franklin brisket, barbecue shrimp and beignets, along with a Mardi Gras cocktail.
