Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is actually a religious holiday on the Christian calendar. Its meaning originates from a day spent eating and drinking rich or “fat” foods before fasting during the season of Lent. Although religious in origin, people all over the world celebrate this night of food and fun and Denver is no different. Here’s where to celebrate Mardi Gras in Mile High.

All events take place on February 9, unless otherwise noted.

Dave & Buster’s 
Denver Mardi Gras will take over D&B on Friday, February 12, with games, music and lots of beads. Enjoy music and live entertainment including stilt walkers, face painters, and tarot readers. Mardi Gras masks and purple, green, and gold attire are encouraged. Tickets are $19 per person in advance. Get VIP tickets for $39 per person and receive special express entry and exclusive bar access. Both ticket prices include a charitable donation to V2 Charities, Education for the Empowerment of Women, and Party with a Purpose. Tables for groups are also available. Check website for details. Doors open at 7 PM. (2000 S Colorado Blvd.; 303-759-1515)

Bayou Bob’s 
The party is all weekend long at Bayou Bob’s near the 16th Street Mall. Starting Friday, February 5, and going through Fat Tuesday, enjoy drink specials, free swag, and tons of beads. Drink your choice of $3 Mardi Gras shots, $3.50 house Hurricanes, $4.50 SoCo Hurricanes, $5 top shelf Hurricanes, and $6 XXX Hurricanes. Listen to live music from Tony Trahan & the Blue Krewe each night starting at 5:30 PM. (1635 Glenarm Pl.; 303-573-6828)

Jax Fish House Glendale 
Join the celebration at Jax Fat Tuesday Happy Hour in Glendale with live music from Mark Diamond & the Jubilee All Stars, classic NOLA cuisine, and drinks specials, including $7 Hurricanes and Sazerac Shooters. Also drink $3 Dixie Lagers all night long. (650 S Colorado Blvd.; 303-756-6449)

Jax Fish House LoDo 
Downtown Jax will also have a Fat Tuesday food party featuring a live crawfish boil and blue crab beignets. Wash it all down with a $5 Mardi Gras cocktail and $3 Dixie Lagers. (1539 17th St.; 303-292-5767)

Marlowe’s
Head to Marlowe’s on the 16th Street Mall and enjoy Jambalaya, Hurricanes, and jazz music. (501 16th St.; 303-595-3700)

Odyssey Beerwerks 
Up north, join the Fat Tuesday Party at Odyssey in Arvada. For $35 guests will enjoy a special menu from Caveman Chefs with a first beer included. There will also be NOLA-style funk music from Guerilla Fanfare Brass Band along with beer-related fun and games. (5535 W 56th Ave. Ste. 107; 303-421-0772)

Stoney’s Bar & Grill 
Stoney’s does Mardi Gras right beginning with a traditional Crawfish Boil on Saturday, February 6. Starting at 3 PM, there will be live music by the Blue Krewe and guests can start digging into 1000 lbs. of crawlies. Then on Fat Tuesday, enjoy 3-for-1 Hurricanes and free King Cake with the purchase of an entree. Enjoy New Orleans music from VJ Aaron. (1111 N Lincoln St.; 303-830-6839)

ViewHouse Ballpark & Centennial
Both locations of the ViewHouse are throwing out the beads for Fat Tuesday. Enjoy a special food and cocktail menu including Chicken and Andouille Jambalaya Egg Roll, Grilled White Shrimp Mini-Pot Pie, and Crispy Southern Crawfish. Wash it down with the ViewHouse Hurricane for $8. (2015 Market St.; 7101 S. Clinton St.)

Photo by Danya Henninger