Best Places To Celebrate Mardi Gras In South Florida

We are miles away from New Orleans, but that doesn't mean we cannot dive into the heart of the Mardi Gras celebrations in South Florida. The origins of Mardi Gras date back to Europe in medieval times. It is first traced in Louisiana in the late 17th century and established as an official celebration in the late 1700's in New Orleans. Parades, music, beads, papier-mache floats, costumes and beads are all that the city revolves around for the couple of days before Ash Wednesday. In South Florida, we do our part to partake in the festivities.

Shuck 'N Dive

650 N. Federal Highway
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33304
(954) 462-0088
www.facebook.com/Shuck-N-Dive

The annual crawfish boil starts at noon at Shuck 'N Dive. Purple Haze Abita beer on tap and classic NOLA jazz mixed with Cajun Zydeco make up the background for appetizers like fried okra and green tomatoes. Crawfish boil is spicy enough to remember even the following day.

Fat Tuesday Key West

305 Duval St.
Key West, FL 33040
(305) 296-9373
www.fattuesdaykeywest.com

Duval Street is already the southernmost party central, so when it comes to Mardi Gras and Fat Tuesday, there's no reason to miss it. Music, beads and drinks will be plenty, just bring the best of your partying spirits. And talking about spirits, there's no Mardi Gras without one of the signature frozen drinks like the classic margarita, the banana banshee (grain alcohol and creamy banana mix) or the dirty monkey (combination of the Kahlua mudslide and banana banshee).

Related: Best Riverfront Restaurant & Bars

The Fish House

10000 S.W. 56th St.
Miami, FL 33165
(305) 595-8453
www.thefishhouse.com

Located in the heart of Kendall and far away from the coastline, The Fish House has simple décor and an unassuming façade, however the food is startlingly delicious and reminiscent of all the best southern traditions. Live music in what is called the Backroom Live offers a groovy atmosphere, warm dimmed lights and jazz performed at night. The annual Mardi Gras event promises fresh crawfish from the Gulf, king cakes, beads and music played live beginning as early as 3 p.m.

The Alibi

218 Espagnola Way
Miami Beach, FL 33139
(305) 674-3448
www.alibi.me

Voted as the best late-night dining hangout, The Alibi is a pearl inside Miami Beach's renowned Lost Weekend and it also serves Kill Your idol, the dive bar next door. With rave reviews for the rabbit, its vegetarian sandwich and the strawberry cupcakes (everything tastes better in the wee hours), Alibi caps another record with its annual Alibi Crawfish Boil. This event features the usual suspects of king cakes, po'boys, beads and hurricane specials livened by steel band live music.

Rosey Baby Crawfish & Cajun House

4587 N. University Drive
Lauderhill, FL 33351
(954) 749-5627
www.roseybaby.com

Jeff, owner of Rosey Baby, looks forward to the big Mardi Gras celebration every year, booking the live band that will join patrons starting at 7 p.m. and offering the whole nine yards of crawfish boil, king cakes, beads, po'boys. Crawfish gets shipped fresh weekly from Louisiana and boiled alive in the signature Babe's spice mixture. Two-for-one cocktails during happy hour and ice cold beers are the best accompaniments to the event.

Related: Best Outdoor Bars in South Florida

Francesca Belluomini is a freelance writer covering all things Miami. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.