NYC Mardi Gras 2023: Sazeracs, King Cake, Parties

NEW YORK CITY — Can't make it to The Big Easy for Mardi Gras? Then throw some beads the Big Apple's way.

Admittedly, New Orleans can't be beat for Mardi Gras debauchery, food, drinks and music. But New York City has plenty of king cake, sazeracs and jazz to make for an extra Fat Tuesday.

The hedonists here at Patch have compiled a quick by-no-means-comprehensive guide for New Yorkers looking for some Mardi Gras fun.

Parties

Does "Brass, Sass & Ass" sound like the perfect Mardi Grad trifecta?

House of Yes in Bushwick is throwing a free, all-night party starting Tuesday at 9 p.m.

"It’s Mardi Gras, mama!" an eventbrite post states. "Drench the dance floor in Southern decadence and give yourself over to absolute indulgence."

Another party option is at Time Out Market in DUMBO. From 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday, the space will offer drinks and brass music.

"Head over to Time Out Market New York for a celebration featuring all-day Hurricanes in souvenir glasses (while supplies last, $18 or $15 without the glass), a signature cocktail Sazerac ($15) and brass music keeping the vibes going all day," the eventbrite post states.

Likewise, Wicked Willys in Greenwich Village is throwing a Tuesday bash promising "drink specials, New Orleans classic menu items, free beads, live music, a DJ and more!"

Sazeracs

Maybe just a New Orleans favorite drink (or two, or six) is your speed.

The sazerac at Maison Premiere was named the best in New York City by TimeOut.

"The off-menu Sazerac at this turn of the century New Orleans throwback rules the roost, deploying rye whiskey and not one but two types of bitters—Peychaud’s and creole—for added depth," the ranking states.

And Maison Premiere also offers a little bit of NOLA in New York. The Williamsburg is inspired by hotel lobbies and grand restaurants of New York, Paris and New Orleans, according to its site.

In Brooklyn, classic cocktail bars like Clover Club at 210 Smith St. and Weather Up at 589 Vanderbilt Ave. are sure to do you right. Queens can try Dutch Kills on Jackson Avenue.

Or make your own at home and enjoy the holiday the introvert's way.

King Cake

The down side is New York City appears to be downsizing its king cake. The upside is it will fit in your downsized kitchen!

If your local French bakery isn't offering Galette des Rois, the best option in Manhattan might be Billy's Bakery, which is selling a $4.75 king cake cupcake all February until Mardi Gras.

Address: 410 Columbus Ave. on the Upper West Side

In the county of Kings, Brooklyn Kolache is offering a $5 king cake roll with sweat cream, brown sugar and cream cheese frosting.

Address: 520 Dekalb Ave. in Bed Stuy

And if you want to dine on galette des rois like a queen (by which we mean, in Queens), try Boulangerie de François, which is offering multiple sizes with prices that range from $35 to $48.

Address: 109-01 72nd Road in Forest Hills

For those with kitchens large enough for some baking, why not try making your own? There's a slew of recipes online. (Did you know recipes are a thing you can find on the internet? Wow.)

Beginner: For the yeastaphobics (why is it growing?), this one relies on canned crescent rolls.

Intermediate: You are aware bread flour exists, but what it is or why remains unknown: New York Times has got you.

Advanced: You have 17 hours and lard, because you're a baking rois.