Does Memphis celebrate Mardi Gras? Get out those beads and let the good times roll with these events

As they say in New Orleans, "Laissez les bons temps rouler," or let the good times roll.

It's officially February which means Mardi Gras is swiftly approaching. It's time to get those feathers and sparkles out on Feb. 13. For those of you wishing to celebrate in style or celebrate by getting hit in the head with plastic beads, there are many options throughout Memphis for partying.

Even though we are about 400 miles away from New Orleans, there are many in Memphis that come from the Big Easy and love sharing their food and music with the rest of us. So, get ready to get down with some Mardi parties in Memphis this month.

Mardi Gras Events in Memphis

Jackson State University Memphis Alumni Chapter is hosting "Thee Bluff City Soiree: Mardi Gras Style." The event will be on Saturday Feb. 3 at 7 p.m. It will be located at Avon Acres. Tickets are $85 per person and include dinner. There will be a DJ and a silent auction at the event as well.

Meddlesome Brewing Comping in Cordova is hosting the "Mardi Gras Masquerade Karaoke Party." The event will take place on Saturday Feb. 10 and start at 7 p.m. There will be a DJ and a Cajun styled menu. The event will also have free king cake while supplies last.

310 Beale is hosting a "Mardi Gras Carnival Party" on Feb. 10. Guests can enjoy free entry until 11 p.m. but can get in as early as 4 p.m. There will be two DJs from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. There will be drink specials will $3 canned beers, $3 Fireball shots and $6 Green Tea shots throughout the evening.

The University of Memphis' Honors College is hosting a "Mardi Gras Murder Mystery Ball." This is a student only event, and student IDs will be checked at the door. Guests are invited to take part in a murder mystery party and figure out who is behind the mask of the masquerade murder. The event will be on Monday, Feb. 12 at 5 p.m.

Silky O-Sullivan's will host its second annual "Mardi Gras Party" on Feb. 13. There will be music, Cajun food and beads according to the bar's Instagram post.

Alpha Omega Veterans Services, Inc. is celebrating the holiday with its "2024 Masquerade Ball." The event will be on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 6:30 p.m. There will be New Orleans-style food with wine and Memphis brews for beverages. There will be a silent auction, a live auction and a live brass band. Tickets are $100 per person, and guests must be at least 21 years old. The event will take place at Orion Hill Events in Arlington.

Overton Square is hosting its own Mardi Gras celebration on Feb 13 at 7 p.m. There will be beads, a brass band and a parade. Bayou Bar and Grill will be open and ready to serve up some of its famous Cajun cuisine.

Mardi Gras Foods in Memphis

Bayou Bar & Grill in Overton Square specializes in New Orleans and Cajun food. The menu is full of seafood, po'boys, Cajun food and more. Craving some alligator? They've got you covered.

Ben Yay's Gumbo Shop, located on South Main Street, is a Creole staple in the Downtown area. Menu items include muffulettas, boudin balls, gumbo and more.

Cameo Memphis has a number of New Orleans-style drinks as well as a Fat Tuesday Menu. The menu includes six cocktails inspired by the Big Easy. For food, the menu has a debris po'boy and chicken and sausage gumbo for its two options.

Chef Tam's Underground Cafe boasts a wide variety of menu items, but one of its main attractions is the Cajun food. There is bayou fried chicken, jambalaya stuffed catfish, seafood, and more. Located down the street from Sun Studio, there is great food to share here.

Fat Tuesday is a New Orleans chain that made its way up north to Memphis. The chain is known famously for its daiquiris. Year-round, if you're needing a taste of New Orleans, head Downtown to South Main Street

Great Hunter Crab Seafood Restaurant specializes in seafood and po'boys. There are 12 seafood items to choose from, ranging from crab to shrimp to scallops. Located near Wolfchase Galleria, this is a great options for people not in the city proper.

Looking for King Cakes in Memphis? Here are 13 spots to find this Mardi Gras treat

King's Palace Cafe is known as the winners of the Gumbo Cook Off Championship. Along with its famous gumbo, there are crab cakes, crawfish tails, shrimp &crawfish etouffee and gator chips − and that's only the starters. Keep that in mind if you find yourself down on Beale Street over Mardi Gras weekend.

Owen Brennan's Restaurant prides itself on bringing the New Orleans flavor to Memphis. Menu highlights include catfish bourdeaux, voodoo chicken pasta, crawfish etouffee, seafood risotto and more. Head on over to east Memphis if you find yourself wanting the New Orleans flavor with some fine dining.

The Second Line proudly serves a delicious mix of Creole and Cajun on its menu. It has shrimp and grits, chicken and andouille gumbo, blue crab ravioli, and a bread pudding with pecans, caramel and vanilla ice cream. Located near Overton Square, there are just some things you don't want to miss over Mardi Gras, and gumbo is one of them.

Wet Willie's has been on Beale Street for over 35 years. Known for its daiquiris, there's a reason why people visit every time they're Downtown. With 20 different flavors, you might need to Call-a-Cab when you're done having one.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Does Memphis celebrate Mardi Gras? Here's where and how.