Celebrate Mardi Gras in Tacoma with Cajun-Creole eats, live music
We’re in the middle of a busy season of celebration — the Seahawks Super Bowl win, Valentine’s Day, Lunar New Year.
Plus, Mardi Gras is just days away, falling on Tuesday, Feb. 17 this year. Luckily, there are several ways to celebrate Fat Tuesday in and around Tacoma.
Celebrate with food, music at nearby restaurants
Chez Lafayette Creole Brasserie
- 1101 Tacoma Ave. S., Tacoma
- 253-408-7037
- https://chezlafayette.zoyaf.com/ (Reservations recommended by phone)
This restaurant in downtown Tacoma is celebrating Mardi Gras on Feb. 13, 14 and 17 this year, serving traditional Cajun food including crawfish étouffée, seafood jambalaya, gumbo, catfish, oysters and boudin.
Chez Lafayette also will play host to multiple local jazz bands, including the King D Band, according to owner Mike de Alwis.
Bourbon Street Creole Kitchen & Bar
- 401 S. Meridian, Puyallup
- 253-604-4404
- https://www.bourbonstreetpuyallup.com/ (Reservations recommended by phone)
De Alwis also owns this Cajun restaurant down in Puyallup, which will be putting on quite the fest next week on Feb. 17, 20 and 21. Bourbon Street will serve the same traditional Cajun food as Chez Lafayette and will host the Big Shot Brass Band in its outdoor heated tent.
Visitors can expect a traditional New Orleans second line, where people follow the band around and dance.
Bourbon Street will have a $10 cover for the celebrations and two seating times: 5:30-7:30 p.m. and 7:45 p.m.-close. Reservations are recommended.
Doyle’s Public House
- 208 St. Helens Ave., Tacoma
- 253-272-7468
- https://www.doylespublichouse.com/bayou-menu
This cozy Tacoma pub commemorates Mardi Gras with a special “From the Bayou” menu, which began on Feb. 7 and runs until March 4. Doyle’s chef Ben Marcus used to have a restaurant in Tacoma called “From the Bayou” years ago, before it closed in 2007.
The pop-up menu is in-house only, and includes gumbo, andouille poutine, crawfish étouffée and red beans and rice. For dessert, visitors can choose from handmade bread pudding with Jameson-soaked bananas, pecan pie or moonpies, which come in chocolate or banana.
Drinks include lavender lemonade, the “Creole Creeper” cocktail and bottles of Mardi Gras Bock from Louisiana-based Abita Brewing Company.
Velvet’s Big Easy
- 124 146th St. S., Parkland
- 253-503-0357
- https://www.velvetsbigeasy.com/
This Cajun-Creole restaurant serves up staples like shrimp po’boys, jambalaya and beignets. The restaurant promises food specials on Fat Tuesday from noon to 8 p.m. while supplies last, including boudin, gumbo, catfish, fried chicken, collard greens and red beans and rice.
Velvet’s Big Easy will also host a D.J. from 5-8 p.m.
Mardi Gras parties at other local businesses
McMenamins Spanish Ballroom
- 565 Broadway, Tacoma
- 253-300-8744
- https://www.mcmenamins.com/events/274797-poker-face-gaga-gras-a-mardi-gras-celebration
The Spanish Ballroom at McMenamins is putting a pop music spin on Mardi Gras with “Gaga Gras” this Sunday. The show will feature Poker Face, a local Lady Gaga tribute band.
“Immerse yourself in the colorful spirit of Mardi Gras with dazzling costumes, energetic music, and an unforgettable night of fun and festivities,” reads the event advertisement.
The show is on Feb. 15 at 8 p.m., doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $20 each, and all ages are welcome.
Jazzbones
- 2803 6th Ave., Tacoma,
- 253-286-9087
- https://jazzbones.com/#/events
This restaurant and nightclub on 6th Ave. in Tacoma will host a Mardi Gras edition of R&B karaoke. Black Royalty Presents and DJs Taber and Don Gee will host the party, which starts at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 28. The event is 21+, and tickets are $21 each.
Destination Harley Davidson
- 2302 Pacific Highway E., Tacoma
- 253-922-3700
- https://www.tacomaharley.com/
This local motorcycle dealer will host a Mardi Gras party on Saturday, Feb. 28. The store promises Cajun cuisine, games, prizes, king cake and other New Orleans traditions.
The event runs from 11 a.m-3 p.m.