Lexington may not be where the Americanized version of Mardi Gras was born, but several bars and restaurants around town will take their own spin on the celebration this upcoming Fat Tuesday. One restaurant champion of the Cajun and creole culture is throwing a party to ring in the festivities how only Kentucky can.

For 13 years, Bourbon N’ Toulouse has treated Lexington to authentic Cajun and creole foods. Their goal starting off, according to co-owner Kevin Heathcoat, was to have as much Mardi Gras styled fun they could every day. 

“When we started we didn’t think we would make it,” Heathcoat said. “Mardi Gras isn’t 365 days for a reason. So now, it’s more about providing a fun atmosphere. Mardi Gras is our Christmas.”

This year, Bourbon N’ Toulouse will partner with the Chevy Chase Inn to put together a Mardi Gras celebration with food, music and beer. Party-goers can start their day with Bourbon N’ Toulouse at their restaurant located at 829 Euclid Avenue, where merrymaking begins at 11 a.m. 

Late into the evening there will be a crawfish boil featuring 500 pounds of crawfish flown in from a Louisiana farm. Afterward, festivities move to the Chevy Chase Inn where there will be alcohol from Hurricanes to beer from Abita Brewing Company. Additionally, there will be a performance from The Tallboys, a blues band based out of Kentucky. 

Heathcoat said that although the restaurant does about 12 hours of business during this single event, the next upcoming days of business will not be as prosperous. This reality, however, does not affect Heathcoat’s mood about celebrating.

“For us it’s about the enjoyment of the holiday, having fun, the party,” Heathcoat said. “The money doesn’t mean much. We just want everyone to have a good time.”

For everyone to have that good time, Bourbon N’ Toulouse owners will get started as early as 6 a.m. to set up for the party. Heathcoat joked that he and co-owner Will Pieratt will start the day with shots, in full Mardi Gras spirit. 

The real work comes in early however, before the day even arrives. The cooks spend almost two weeks preparing and cooking food for the event. When asked what Fat Tuesday means to him, Heathcoat had only a few words to say. 

“A hangover and a hard-next day,” Heathcoat said. 

Plenty of other places are also participating in Mardi Gras this year. If you cannot make it to Bourbon N’ Toulouse, try checking out the scene at Soundbar from 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. where there will be a live DJ and plenty of beads to go around. Willie’s Locally Known is hosting Cajun and zydeco band Paw Paw Gumbo at 7 p.m. Willie’s is also hosting a crawfish boil, with either chicken or crawfish etouffee, a vegan black bean dish and as tradition calls for, king cake. 

Lexington has a variety of options for safe and fun partying this Fat Tuesday, and it’s sure to be a good time anywhere you land.