Peoria's restaurants and bars embrace Mardi Gras spirit with festive masks and garlands. From lively pub parties to family-friendly church gatherings, Peoria offers plenty of ways to celebrate Mardi Gras, even without the massive street parades of New Orleans. Expect vibrant themed events, live music, Cajun cuisine, and, of course, plenty of beads at venues across the city.
Lively Parties + Events
- Magic of Mardi Gras: Hosted by the Rotary Club of Peoria-North, this event brings the essence of New Orleans to Peoria. On Friday, February 28, from 6:00-10:00 pm at The Warehouse on State, attendees will enjoy authentic Mardi Gras cuisine, a classic hurricane cocktail, and live music by Dexter O’Neal and The Funk Yard Band. Event proceeds support survivor services at the Center for Prevention of Abuse and the Rotary Action Group Against Slavery. Additionally, a $100 raffle offers chances to win prizes.
- Mardi Gras 2025 Celebration: Hosted by Central Illinois FRIENDS, this lively Mardi Gras event brings the spirit of New Orleans to Peoria. On Friday, February 28, from 6:00-10:00 pm at the Peoria Marriott Pere Marquette, guests can enjoy an evening filled with live music, entertainment, and delicious food. This festive celebration captures the energy and excitement of Mardi Gras while supporting FRIENDS.
- “Fat Sunday” Mardi Gras at Kuchie’s on the Water: The Sunday before Fat Tuesday, Kuchie’s on the Water (a riverside restaurant in Creve Coeur) throws a family-friendly Mardi Gras brunch party. They “just can’t wait for Fat Tuesday,” so they celebrate on Fat Sunday with live music by Brian Carroll & the Mardi Gras Trio in the afternoon. Alongside their regular menu, Kuchie’s offers a special Mardi Gras menu of Cajun-inspired food and themed drinks. Expect hats, crowns, “LOTS of beads”, and festive props for all ages to enjoy It’s a laid-back daytime event (11am–2pm) where families can eat, dance, and celebrate Mardi Gras early in a casual atmosphere.
- St. Paul’s Mardi Gras Carnival & Pancake Supper: A long-standing tradition at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Peoria is the Shrove Tuesday Mardi Gras carnival, perfect for kids. On Mardi Gras evening (Tue, March 4, 2025), the church hosts a community pancake supper followed by a carnival in the parish hall. Families will find game booths, a cake walk, face painting, balloon animals, and more fun activities for children. The event is open to “all ages” with a free-will donation in lieu of tickets. It’s a safe, festive option to let kids experience Mardi Gras excitement (with plenty of pancakes and syrup in place of cocktails!).
- Fat Tuesday Bingo Night: To cap off the Mardi Gras season, St. Mark Catholic School in Peoria puts on a Fat Tuesday Bingo Night in the school gym. Typically hosted by the 8th-grade class on Mardi Gras evening, it invites parents, students, and community members for several rounds of bingo and prizes in a fun, casual setting. It’s a playful way for families to celebrate together on Fat Tuesday (March 4) without the late-night party scene. Snacks and refreshments are usually available as everyone competes for bingo wins and door prizes.
- Mardi Gras Pop-Up Bar: Kelleher’s Irish Pub is bringing the spirit of New Orleans to Peoria with their Mardi Gras Pop-Up Bar. Every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night throughout February 2025, guests can immerse themselves in festive décor, enjoy specialty cocktails, and revel in lively Cajun energy. Attendees are encouraged to dress in Mardi Gras flair to enhance the celebratory atmosphere.
Peoria’s New Orleans + Cajun Cuisine Restaurants
Here is a couple of local spots specializing in Cajun and Creole food and drink, along with their popular dishes and any Mardi Gras specials
Po-Boy’s on Frostwood (North Peoria - New Orleans Style Bar & Grill)
Po-Boy’s is a New Orleans–themed bar and restaurant in Peoria, complete with Bourbon Street ambiance. It offers “a taste of the Big Easy in the Midwest,” serving up classic Louisiana fare. Menu highlights include house-made gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice, shrimp and grits, and a variety of over-stuffed po’ boy sandwiches. Unique offerings like alligator tail bites and even a one-of-a-kind Cajun pizza show off their creative Southern flair. Don’t skip dessert – they fry up fluffy beignets dusted in powdered sugar just like in the French Quarter. The bar pours themed cocktails such as the legendary Hurricane and other Tiki drinks, and carries Louisiana’s Abita beers (you’ll spot Abita signs on the walls). During Mardi Gras season, Po-Boy’s becomes a go-to hangout – they decorate in purple, green, and gold and often host Mardi Gras night parties with festive drinks. The atmosphere is casual and inviting, making it suitable for families by day (kids will enjoy the fried catfish nuggets or sliders) and adults by night. With “delicious po-boys and other Southern specialties,” Po-Boy’s on Frostwood delivers an authentic New Orleans experience year-round.
Rhythm Kitchen Music Cafe (Downtown Peoria)
Rhythm Kitchen is an eclectic cafe on Peoria’s Riverfront that blends Creole cooking with live music. This artsy, bohemian spot has a “vibrant atmosphere and welcoming ambiance” where jazz, blues, and folk musicians often perform in the evenings. The menu covers a lot of ground, but they are especially known for their Cajun/Creole specialties. Favorites include Gumbo Ya-Ya, a rich roux-based stew packed with chicken and andouille sausage, spicy crawfish étouffée, and shrimp creole simmered in zesty tomato sauce. They also serve New Orleans BBQ shrimp (garlicky sautéed shrimp over grits) and jambalaya, alongside other creative dishes (even vegetarian and vegan options are available). Regulars give high praise to these Cajun dishes – “signature dishes such as the gumbo ya-ya…have garnered rave reviews,” as one write-up noted. Live music is a big draw here: every Tuesday night the cafe hosts jazz/blues bands (fittingly, Mardi Gras 2025 falls on a Tuesday, so expect a great show that night). The venue is family-friendly – it has a kids’ menu and a funky decor that kids find interesting – and it features a full bar with craft cocktails and wine. You might even find a special Mardi Gras cocktail or a chef’s special (like bread pudding or bananas foster) on the menu during Carnival week. Overall, Rhythm Kitchen offers “great food, live music, and a welcoming vibe” – perfect for those looking to dine to the sounds of New Orleans-style music.
Each of these restaurants brings a taste of New Orleans to Peoria. Whether you’re biting into a flaky beignet at Po-Boy’s or tapping your feet to live jazz at Rhythm Kitchen, you can enjoy the laissez les bon temps rouler spirit. Many also roll out a little something extra for Mardi Gras – be it a special menu, a themed cocktail, live music, or simply a festive atmosphere with Mardi Gras beads for guests. Families will find friendly options (pancake suppers, carnival games, and mild Cajun dishes for young palates), while adults can seek out the Hurricane cocktails and late-night jazz. With this lineup of events and eateries, Peoria proves you don’t have to be in New Orleans to celebrate Mardi Gras in style
Cover Photo Credit: Kelleher's
