Featured photo: The annual “Blessing of the Texas Street Bridge,” photographed in 2012. Blurry photo by Chris Jay.
Everyone’s getting in the Carnival spirit in Shreveport-Bossier, including local eating and drinking establishments. In 2016, several new Mardi Gras-themed food and drink events have popped up. Here are a few of the new shindigs that have come across my radar:
Lucky Palace’s “Krewe of Wine” Mardi Gras Kick-Off Party
Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 Seatings beginning at 6 p.m.
(318) 752-1888 for reservations
Lucky Palace, a Chinese restaurant in Bossier City that is well-known for its impressive wine list and holiday-themed parties, is introducing a new holiday tradition this Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016. The restaurant will host a Mardi Gras party with duck gumbo and other Louisiana-themed specials, Mardi Gras music, two special wine flights, Sazerac and other drink specials.
“Come party with the Krewe of Wine,” reads a Facebook event for the party. “You will be entertained by the king and his krewe.”
Fat Tuesday King Cake and Beer Pairing at Great Raft Brewing
4-9 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016
Advance tickets on-sale here for food and beer pairing
21 and up
Southern Faire, a new local caterer, pop-up restaurant and occasional lunch spot, is partnering with Great Raft Brewing for an unusual food and beer pairing event featuring three of Southern Faire’s delicious-sounding king cakes paired with three Great Raft beers. Tickets for the king cake and beer pairing are $10 each and there’ll be live music from Honey and the Pillow Mountain Boys. Tickets can be purchased in advance here.
If you’re curious about Southern Faire, give them a follow on Facebook for gorgeous photos of gumbo and advance notice of their upcoming events.
Texas Street Bridge Closing Ceremony Pre-Party at Artspace
6:30 p.m.-11:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2016
Tickets $10 at the door (cash only)
The Fat Tuesday Texas Street Bridge Closing Ceremony, an unusual spectacle that signifies the end of Mardi Gras season in Shreveport-Bossier, is not a new thing. But this lengthy pre-game party is. Krewe members and onlookers will gather at Artspace at 6:30 p.m. on Fat Tuesday, where $10 admission will get you “gumbo, red beans and rice and a chili bar” and guests who are 21 or older can purchase a $10 “bottomless cup” for beer, wine and Mardi Gras punch.
At 11:30 p.m., the crowd will depart for the center of the Texas Street Bridge, where the party officially comes to an end and Monsignor Provenza of Holy Trinity Catholic Church imposes ashes. I snapped photos of the ceremony in 2012 – you can view those images on the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau’s Flickr set.
For more information on Mardi Gras celebrations in Shreveport-Bossier, check out the Gris Gris Guide to Mardi Gras in Shreveport-Bossier, a publication of the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau.
However you celebrate this Carnival season, please do so responsibly and please don’t drink and drive!
