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It's Mardi Gras Y'all

It’s coming on shriving time, folks: It seems unfair, we know, that after we’ve borne such a hard winter that we should face another mortification of the flesh. But you must repent. Lent is unrelenting: It comes very year.

But so too does the AV Mardi Gras party, that last chance to let loose. To go big and then stumble home. To give yourself something serious to confesst. To let your ya-yas out.

It works the same way every year: You go to a participating venue; you give $5 for a bracelet—the proceeds this year benefiting ECMC’s Immunodeficiency Services, the largest comprehensive HIV/AIDS care center in Western New York; that bracelet buys you entrance and a laurel of beads at every other venue taking part in the celebration; and you enjoy live music and performances, drink specials, and other pleasures the whole night long.

Our annual parade kicks off sharply at 5pm, marshalled as always by Chevon Davis’s divine crew of drag queens. (Special thanks this year to the folks at Buffalo’s nfringement Festival for their help organizing ther paprade, and to the beermeisters at Magic Hat for sponsoring the whole shindig.) Be ready; be willing; give yoouselves over to earthly pleasures. We’ll be right there to help you along…


For even more information including an interactive map of venues, scheduled entertainment, and a map of this year's parade route, visit mardigras.artvoice.com!

Nietzsche’s

248 Allen St

Nietzsche’s, the unofficial headquarters of Mardi Gras, will not only be slinging Hurricanes, the offical drink of Mardi Gras, but the famous Allentown venue will also play host to a some of the city’s favorite acts. Veteran Americana band the Steam Donkeys will rock the stage alongside the Albrights, 12/8 Path band, the Stripteasers, and a jolly bunch of drag queens including Chevon Davis, Melody Michaels, Malibu Breeze, Jayme Coxx, Atasha Salad, Natasha Michaels, Bebe Bvlgari, and Vanity Vogue. Look for Chevon Davis and Melody Michaels to ride atop a most fabulous float in the Mardi Gras parade as well.

Fat Bob’s Smokehouse

41 Virginia Pl.

Fat Bob’s, your friendly neighborhood smokehouse, will be featuring a bunch of Mardi Gras treats this year including a special menu of Creole favorites and, of course, Hurricanes and Magic Hat beer. Local hip-hop all-stars Type Relevant will provide the night’s entertainment.

Allen Street Hardware

245 Allen St.

Right in the heart of Allentown, Hardware has been a staple for Buffalo partiers since it opened in 2004. This Mardi Gras, Allen Street Hardware will feature self-proclaimed “scumbag Americana” band Pine Fever. The edgy folk-rock band will bust out their banjos and resonator guitars for a special performance in the front room of Hardware. Expect plenty of Magic Hat and other beer specials as well menu specials like alligator on a stick.

Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar

253 Allen St.

The Cajun king himself, Mr. Leeron Zydeco, made a special stop at Artvoice earlier this week to drop off his signature hot sauce, and believe me it’s as hot as a catfish fricasseed in lava. Leeron Zydeco and the Hot Tamales will indulge in their annual Mardi Gras extravaganza this year at Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar with support from the Foxy Diamondz Burlesque dancers and a slew of local DJs including Lopro, Darringer, Charlie the Butcher, Big Basha, and Wrapid. Duke’s will also provide a complimentary Cajun buffet. Hopefully they’ll have some of Zydeco’s “Bite of the Bayou” to slather all over that yummy Cajun cuisine.

Colter Bay

561 Delaware Ave.

Colter Bay on Delaware at the corner of Allen might be known for their western-inspired food and spirits, but this Fat Tuesday they’re going to rock you with a special batch of the New Orleans-inspired Hurricanes for $5.

Frizzy’s

140 Allen St.

A popular spot for college-aged crowds, Frizzy’s has always been a popular Allen Town hangout on Fat Tuesday.

Mulligan’s Brick Bar

229 Allen St.

This is not your father’s Brick Bar. Well, actually it is. The staple bar on Allen Street has remained unchanged for a few generations now, still offering some of the cheapest drinks in town.

The Bend

256 Allen St.

Get your Mardi Gras party started with Nerds Gone Wild playing all your favorite new wave and 1980s hits, followed by DJ Drop D at 11pm. The Bend will have Hurricanes and specials on Red Bull drinks and bombs.

Merge

439 Delaware Ave.

For all of you vegetarians out there on Fat Tuesday, Merge might be your best bet for some delicious, vegetarian-friendly Creole grub. The restaurant on Delaware will also host music by the Mark Filsinger Jazz Quartet, who will play some old time, New Orleans-inspired Jazz, 7-9pm.

Fugazi

503 Franklin St.

Be sure to visit Fugazi as part of your Mardi Gras celebration. Fugazi has some of the best cocktails and martinis in Buffalo, combined with a fun, relaxed atmosphere.

The Gypsy Parlor

376 Grant St.

The Gypsy Parlor might be slightly off the beaten path for Mardi Gras celebrations, but the Grant Street bar will be going as hard as any Allentown or Chippewa bar this Fat Tuesday with their voodoo themed night. Expect entertainment by folk rockers Folk Faces, the Fleuron Rouge Belly Dancers, and the Gypsy Drag Queens. Satisfy your cravings for Cajun with special menu items like $2 beignets and po’ boys, and $2 mixed drinks if you wear a tutu (because it’s Fat TuTuTuesday, after all).

Underground Night Club

274 Delaware Ave.

One of the most popular gay nightclubs in Buffalo, the Underground has an expanded dance floor perfect for getting your groove on this Fat Tuesday.

Club Marcella

622 Main St.

There is no better way to conclude a night of debauchery than with a stop into Club Marcella for the Midnight Drag Show featuring the cast of Life’s A Drag. DJ Charles Masters will provide music and there will be $5 Hurricanes all night.

Soho Burger Bar

64 W Chippewa St.

Stop into Soho Burger Bar for a special Cajun themed menu including oyster po’ boys, gumbo, Cajun shrimp, blackened chicken, and red beans and rice. There will be Magic Hat beer Specials all night as well as free Cajun bar snacks.

67 West

67 W Chippewa St.

Not your typical Chippewa Night Club, 67 West skews closer to dive bar than dance club, making it a good spot to end the night if you’re out on Chippewa this Fat Tuesday.

Noir Ultra Lounge

88 W Chippewa St.

Noir will be serving a buffet of Cajun classics including pulled pork, a crawfish boil, jambalaya, and mac and cheese. There will be a photo booth set up to capture your Fat Tuesday memories and music by the Michael Bly Band.

Buffalo Tap House

85 W. Chippewa St.

Located at one of the most popular corners in the city, Chippewa near Delaware, the Buffalo Tap House will feature specials on Magic Hat #9 and Green Machine this Fat Tuesday.

Osteria 166

166 Franklin St.

The newest addition to our annual Mardi Gras map is Osteria 166. Opened last year at the corner of Franklin and Mohawk, chef Jeff Cooke is known for his Italian Cusine, but this Fat Tuesday he’ll try his hand at some Cajun-inspired dishes like jambalaya, shrimp and grits, crawfish, and more. Entertainment by Geno McManus, 5-9pm.