Mardi Gras Party Ideas For Bars, Restaurants, & Businesses

Let the good times roll with a Mardi Gras party that brings the energy of New Orleans straight to your business! Hosting or sponsoring a Mardi Gras party at a bar or restaurant brings opportunities to connect with clients, strengthen relationships with staff, and give your team a well-deserved break. These establishments can bring in more patrons with bold green, purple, and gold decor and delicious NOLA-themed party food.

A well-planned party that stays true to the spirit of New Orleans is a surefire way to have fun on Fat Tuesday.  Host the perfect celebration with our Mardi Gras party ideas, inspired by the French Quarter and bustling parades of Bourbon Street.

Hosting a Mardi Gras Party is Good For Business

The words “mardi gras” literally translates to “fat Tuesday”, representing the last day to indulge before Lent. Mardi Gras season actually starts on January 6th, a holiday called the Feast of Epiphany. It is a time to celebrate life, indulgence, and community with food, drinks, and fun. Hosting a Mardi Gras bash is an opportunity to socialize and reinforce relationships with clients, vendors, and staff. 

Bars, breweries, nightclubs, and restaurants can host parties to draw in patrons to their establishment or on behalf of your business. You’ll be able to promote your brand with themed party favors like Mardi Gras beads or custom Mardi Gras cups. A well-executed carnival celebration can significantly boost food and drink sales and spread brand awareness for both the bar and your company.

Not only can hosting a Mardi Gras party bring in new business during the event, but social media will be buzzing with photos and stories. A fun Mardi Gras party means attendees sharing photos of your branded Mardi Gras beads, swag, and signature cocktails. Add in a photo booth to encourage sharing and your watermark will make impressions both online and in-person. Mardi Gras celebrations are a great way to boost organic impressions and create a following on social media. 

Let the Good Times Roll with Mardi Gras Party Ideas

The magic of Mardi Gras lies in its bold colors, lively music, and delicious indulgences. Whether you’re hosting a corporate event, a bar celebration, or even a Mardi Gras-themed birthday party, incorporating time-honored traditions is key. From vibrant decorations and lively entertainment to Cajun-inspired menus and iconic beaded necklaces, these ideas will help you channel the festive energy of Bourbon Street and create an unforgettable event.

1. Pick a Location

Bar and restaurant businesses already have this step covered, but companies looking to host a Mardi Gras party should make sure to book a space well ahead of time. Many establishments will have private rooms to rent if they are already hosting their own Mardi Gras event. 

You can skip the bar and choose to have a company picnic with a Mardi Gras theme or plan the party at the office while you indulge in beignets and yummy Cajun food. 

2. Set the Scene with Mardi Gras Party Decor

Transform your space into a vibrant Louisiana-inspired spectacle. Streamers, shiny sequins, and jester-themed decor set the scene. Remember that the traditional Mardi Gras colors are purple, green, and gold. 

You can DIY centerpieces with masks, beads, and a plastic baby, a nod to king cake traditions. Consider an order of custom Mardi Gras cups with your logo. We have plenty of options, including light-up drinkware that are perfect for the party and as a favor to take home! 

3. Cajun and Creole Dishes

Lent is a season of fasting and abstinence, and Fat Tuesday is the last day to feast on rich, flavorful foods. Have your venue offer a menu full of Cajun and Creole dishes like jambalaya, gumbo, and crawfish for hearty entrees.

King Cake is the star of Mardi Gras. This sweet ring-shaped pastry is decorated with the Mardi Gras colors and has a hidden plastic baby inside. The person who gets the baby is crowned king or queen for the day! 

It’s also popular to include beignets, deep-fried dough pieces covered in powdered sugar, during Mardi Gras parties. They are a staple in New Orleans and are best enjoyed warm. Pecan pie, pralines, and cupcakes are other Mardi Gras desserts to satisfy sweet cravings. If you are having an office party or offsite gathering without a kitchen, consider Cajun catering or hiring a food truck!

4. The Hurricane - A Favorite Mardi Gras Cocktail 

The fruity ingredients of a Hurricane cocktail originated in the French Quarter (opens in a new window) at Pat O’Brien’s Bar in the 1940s. The Hurricane is strong but sweet and typically served in a tall, curved glass. Add your logo to Hurricane glasses to stock your bar before Mardi Gras, or to leave patrons with a memento of the party. If you’re having a party in the office, make sure to check your office policies for alcohol on the premises. It’s also always a Mardi Gras party idea to offer mocktails. This is inclusive for patrons who don’t partake in alcohol and also gives a fun option for those needing a break. 

5. Entertainment

From parades to masquerade balls, Mardi Gras is about being entertained and having fun. Book your party at a venue with live jazz and brass bands. If you’re staying in the office, set up a playlist with tunes from The Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Buckwheat Zydeco, Trombone Shorty, and the Soul Queen of New Orleans, Irma Thomas. Don’t forget the Mardi Gras anthem, “Carnival Time” by Al Johnson!

Along with music, party games like Mardi Gras trivia and a masquerade contest are on theme. Play a bead toss game like a ring toss and see who gets the most necklaces! For a team-building day, choose events like an office Olympics to keep everyone moving and having fun. 

6. Swag and Goodie Bags

Mardi Gras season is full of parades and krewe parties. These smaller events progress and evolve into peak celebrations on Fat Tuesday. Branded merchandise, company swag, and party goodie bags will have your logo associated with the good times. 

Promotional items like custom beads with logo medallions, Mardi Gras cups and koozies, or masks are more than welcome. Join in on the parades with colorful pom-poms and noisemakers like kazoos and clappers. Choose unique items like foam hats to really stand out in the crowds. 

Choose premium products to customize and sell as branded merchandise in your bar. Mardi Gras favorites include color-changing Hurricane glasses and LED pint glasses. You’ll enjoy brand visibility long after the party with these take-home items. 

Mardi Gras Party FAQs

When should I start planning a Mardi Gras party?

It’s best to start planning at least 6-8 weeks in advance. This ensures you can book your venue, finalize catering, and order any custom party supplies or branded swag.

Do I need to include a King Cake?

While it’s not mandatory, King Cake is a beloved Mardi Gras tradition. This treat is often the centerpiece of the dessert table. Enjoying a King Cake with your staff adds a fun interactive element when you see who gets the plastic baby.

What are some mocktails to serve at a Mardi Gras party?

The Hurricane is easily made with the omission of rum and is still very tasty. You can also create drinks that are the colors of Mardi Gras, like a purple punch made with blueberries and grape juice, a refreshing green cucumber mocktail with mint, lime, and sparkling water, and a spicy pineapple-ginger fizz for the golden color and Cajun flare.

What are must-have promotional items my bar can use during Mardi Gras?

Beads, beads, and more beads! Our collection of beads includes Fleur-di-lis medallion beads, light-up beads, bottle opener beads, and even beads with shot glasses attached.

Be Crowned King with Mardi Gras Party Ideas

Mardi Gras season is the perfect opportunity to celebrate, connect, and promote your business in a fun and social manner. Whether you're hosting at your bar, restaurant, or office, vibrant decor, delicious food, and engaging activities will make your event unforgettable. 

A bulk order of branded beads, drinkware, and other promotional items prepares your brand to make the biggest impression. Jazz up your next event with Mardi Gras magic to bring a Bourbon Street buzz to your brand. 

Shop Custom Mardi Gras Beads Now!

Sources:
New Orleans Historical. (n.d.). A Brief History of Mardi Gras: New Orleans’ most celebrated tradition. https://neworleanshistorical.org/items/show/1182 (opens in a new window)