Celebrate Mardi Gras

While San Diego is thousands of miles from the hustle and bustle of New Orleans where some of the biggest Mardi Gras celebrations are held, North Park and Downtown Oceanside are both home to a little slice of NOLA culture—perfect for any Southern Californians looking to get their purple, green, and gold on! 

Downtown Oceanside’s Q&A Restaurant and Oyster Bar will host its Issa Block Party Mardi Gras Celebration on Tuesday, February 21 from 12:00 to 10:00 p.m. Three areas for food, drinks, and entertainment will feature live music from Euphoria Brass Band, DJs (Dauche, Kool Breeze, Kali), and saxophonist Jeremy Reta Jackson. Tickets are only $5 during their pre-sale and can be purchased here.

Louisiana Purchase, which brings the charm and flair of New Orleans to Louisiana Street year-round, will bring guests two opportunities to celebrate! Stop in on Tuesday, February 21 from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Guests looking to wine and dine like true Mardi Gras veterans can enjoy crawfish, hurricanes, sno balls, entertainment, and a range of classic NOLA favorites! Email events@louisianapurchasesd.com for more information on food and drink bundles.  

Louisiana Purchase will also host a Mardi Gras-themed supper club on Friday, February 24 from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. Both are headed by “celebrity status” Restaurant and Hospitality Professional Chef Quinnton Austin, otherwise known as Chef Q. With roots in Louisiana and early experience delving into the Bayou’s culinary culture, as well as formal training at the Culinary Institute of New Orleans, he was able to lay the groundwork for a well-seasoned career and get hands-on experience of how to celebrate Mardi Gras the right way. With French, Caribbean and Italian exposure giving him a broad outlook on sophisticated flavor combinations and elevated food pairings, he stays true to his commitment to treat food as art!