In mid-winter, as Christians around the world get ready for Ash Wednesday, they must first gorge themselves by eating rich, fatty foods before the fasting of the Lenten Season begins. It's also a good excuse to have a party. Mardi Gras this year is on Tuesday, February 28, and there will many events leading up to the big day. Here is where to celebrate Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday in Denver. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Bayou Bob’s
It’s Mardi Gras every day at Bayou Bob’s, the only place in Denver you’ll find Fried Gator Tail on the menu. For Mardi Gras, the Bayou is hosting Liquid-ation Friday through Tuesday, February 24-28, with plenty of food and drink specials and evening music. Open 11 AM-9 PM. (1635 Glenarm Pl.; 303-573-6828)

Denver Mardi Gras
The 7th annual Denver Mardi Gras brings Bourbon Street to LoDo on Saturday, February 25, at the Exdo Event Center. Just $20 per person gets you General Admission tickets to this fun and frolicking event. Enjoy stilt walkers, face painters, tarot readers, dancers, performers and more. Music will come from a variety of genres and DJs and the headliners are Rowdy Shadehouse.  VIP tickets are $299 for four people and include open bar from 6-7 PM, a VIP bar, table for four, discounted bottle service and no-line entrance to the event. The party starts at 6 PM and a Mardi Gras dress code of gold, purple and green is expected. To purchase dinner or group tickets, visit the website. (1399 35th St.)

Nallen’s Irish Pub and The Pour House
Even the Irish are Cajun on Fat Tuesday at Nallen’s and Pour House. Enjoy a joint party at these neighboring taverns from 2 to 8 PM on Tuesday. (1429 & 1435 Market St.; 303-572-0667)

Lannie’s Clocktower Cabaret
Lannie’s offers a night of debauchery on Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras Carnivale by Bella Diva Dance will be an evening of exotic dancing and the audience can get involved too. Guests are encouraged to wear their finest feathers, glitz and glam and don’t forget the Mardi Gras mask. Tickets are $20 per person and show starts at 8 PM. (1601 Arapahoe St.; 303-293-0075)

Little Machine Brewery
It’s the 2nd annual Crawfish Boil with Mile High Cajun at Little Machine on Sunday, February 26. Enjoy crawfish, Cajun food, a collaboration beer release with Bierstadt Lagerhaus and live music by Stephen Brooks Trio. One pound of crawfish is $9 per person and one pound of crawfish with corn, potato, and sausage is $12. Starts at noon. (2924 W. 20th Ave.; 303-284-7893)

Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox
Start the party early at Ophelia’s. Gumbo le Funque, Denver’s own New Orleans funk band, will perform on Friday, February 24. Tickets range from $15 to $25 per person and the show starts at 9 PM. (1215 20th St.; 303-993-8023)

Odyssey Beerwerks
Get your tickets now for a Fat Tuesday Party at Odyssey. For $30 per person, enjoy Cajun food by Caveman Chefs, listen to music by Guerrilla Fanfare and your first beer. Food includes pecan and orange salad, chicken and sausage gumbo, crawfish etouffee, muffuletta and traditional King Cake. Guests can purchase tickets online here. (5535 W. 56th Ave., Ste. 107; 303-421-0772)

Snooze Downtown
Fat Tuesday also happens to be International Pancake Day, and Snooze is celebrating both with a pancake celebration. Enjoy a “sushi-style” pancake menu and a special King Cake for Fat Tuesday. Whoever finds the “baby” in the King Cake will win a Snooze gift card. Event is from 6:30 AM to 2:30 PM. (2262 Larimer St.; 303-297-0700)

Stoney’s Bar & Grill
Stoney’s is hosting the 6th annual Mardi Gras Crawfish Boil, a traditional way to enjoy Mardi Gras NOLA style on Saturday, February 25. Enjoy live music by Blue Krewe, tons of beads and king cakes will be for sale by the slice or whole. Plus, there will be a boat load of crawfish! There are two boiling times, 3 PM and 4:30 PM, and the bar will sell them by the pound. Guests can reserve pounds in advance by visiting the website. (1111 Lincoln St.; 303-830-6839)

ViewHouse Ballpark & Centennial
Both locations of the ViewHouse will start Fat Tuesday on Bachelor Monday, February 27. The party starts with The Bachelor Watch Party featuring $8 Hurricane cocktails and a New Orleans-inspired menu on Monday and the Cajun specials will continue through Tuesday. There will also be bead giveaways and other fun. (Ballpark, 2015 Market St.; Centennial, 7101 S. Clinton St.)

Photo via Danya Henninger