After 24 Hour Diner and Games' Mardi Gras: Huge party with lots of beads, freebies and drag queen Glamour. Sat., Feb. 17, 4 p.m.-4 a.m., free. After 24 Hour Diner and Games, 4146 Manchester Ave., 314-652-4800.
After Mardi Gras at City Diner: They'll be open until 11 p.m. throughout the week and 24 hours over the weekend. City Diner, 3139 S Grand Blvd., 314-772-6100, www.citydiner.us.
All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast Buffet: Booze, beads, boobs — you still gotta eat. Sat., Feb. 17, 8 a.m., $7.75. Nadine's Gin Joint and Cafe, 1931 S 12th St., 314-436-3045.
Art & Soul Auction: The evening includes a live fine-art auction and silent auction all within a French Quarter decor; New Orleans-style foods with gourmet appetizers and entertainment by New Orleans native pianist Richard Carr; all benefits go to Bridgeway's Domestic Violence Services. Tickets must be purchased in advance; call 636-757-2229 for reservations. Sat., Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m., $1,000 for reserved table of 12 with premium seating; $50 general tickets. St. Charles Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Dr., Saint Charles, 636-669-3000, www.stcharlesconventioncenter.com.
Atomic Cowboy's Mardi Gras: Come to the Grove for a hip-hop celebration and the funk-jam styles of riverfrontradio.com with performances by DJs, bands and artists creating graffiti works for sale; the show starts at 9 p.m. and includes Earthworms, Essence of Logic, Dub Kitchen, Royal Illete, 40 til 5 and DJ Mahf; drink specials abound and the kitchen's open late. Sat., Feb. 17, $3. Atomic Cowboy, 4140 Manchester Ave., 314-775-0775, www.atomic-cowboy.com.
Bamboo Bistro's Mardi Gras: Bamboo Bistro's feasting for the Grand Parade with tasty Thai, Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine; order to-go early and beat the rush. Sat., Feb. 17. Bamboo Bistro, 214 N 4th St., 314-241-8884.
Bar Louie's Best Mardi Gras After Party: Join Bar Louie and Captain Morgan for the best after party in town with drink specials all night and a kitchen that's open until 1 a.m. Sat., Feb. 17, free. Bar Louie, 14 Maryland Plaza, 314-678-3385, www .barlouieamerica.com/stlouis.html.
Beer on the Bayou!: Enjoy hors d'oeuvers, a "Ragin' Cajun" three-course meal (each course paired with a different Schlafly beer) and music from the Zydeco Crawdaddys. Mon., Feb. 19, 6:30 p.m., $45, 314-961-7588 ext. 251. Boathouse, Forest Park, 314-367-3423, www.boathouseforestpark.com.
Big Daddy's Block Party: On Saturday, Feb. 17, it's Mardi Gras party central — 10th and Sidney streets will be blocked off from 8 p.m. until 6 p.m. and the Z107 party van will play music until 4 p.m.; DJ Flyin' Brian takes over the DJ booth and plays until 11 p.m. Sat., Feb. 17, $5 after 6 p.m. Big Daddy's, 1000 Sidney St., 314-771-3066, www.bigdaddys-soulard.com/.
Brandt's Fat Tuesday: Celebrate Fat Tuesday with Brandt's Mardi Crawl — live music and lots of fun, call for price and band information. Tue., Feb. 20. Brandt's Red Carpet Lounge, 6525 Delmar Blvd., University City, 314-727-3663, www.brandtscafe.com.
Broadway Oyster Bar's Parade Day Bash: Huge Mardi Gras party in their historic bar, out on the heated patio, and in their street tent, with music from New Orleans band Bonerama at 2 p.m. and Gumbohead at 6 p.m.; full food menu available along with beer, SoCo hurricanes and U-Call-Its all day. Sat., Feb. 17, 9-3 a.m., $5-$10. Broadway Oyster Bar, 736 S Broadway, 314-621-8811, www.broadwayoysterbar.com.
Bud Light Party Tent: This large heated tent is in the middle of the fun and features an all-you-can-eat Cajun Creole buffet catered by Joanie's To-Go from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., an open bar, private Port-a-Potties, live music and radio remote, bottomless beads, giveaways and many other surprises; all tickets must be purchased in advance at mardigrasinc.com, 21 and up only. Sat., Feb. 17, 9 a.m.-8 p.m., $90. Soulard Market Park, S Eighth St. and Lafayette Ave.
Cave Vineyard's Mardi Gras: Celebrate the festivities inside their natural cave and enjoy Cajun music from Trureaux as well as gumbo and wine cork beads for sale; see Web site for more details. Sat., Feb. 17, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Cave Vineyard, 21084 Cave Rd, Sainte Genevieve, 573-543-5284, www.cavevineyard.com.
Club Buca's Mardi Gras: St. Louis' premiere nightclub on the Landing is home to the official Mardi Gras Parade after-party with early drink specials. Sat., Feb. 17. Club Buca, 710 N Second St. (on Laclede's Landing), 314-231-2822.
Clementine's Mardi Gras Festivities: Start the weekend off right on Thursday, Feb. 15, with Clementine's 20th annual Tacky Ball Gown Contest with $500 in prizes up for grabs, sign up by 11 p.m. for midnight judging; kick up your heels for Saturday's 20th annual High Heel Drag Race (Clems will provide the heels if you forget yours) for glory and cash prizes; or enter Clementine's annual costume contest following the race where they'll award $250 for the best Mardi Gras get-up. Thu., Feb. 15; Sat., Feb. 17. Clementines, 2001 Menard St., 314-664-7869, www.clementinesbar.com.
Delta Dental Mardi Gras, Zoo Style: A family-friendly celebration at the Living World at the St. Louis Zoo with music by Bob Case; kids can make their own mask and watch performances about the importance of dental care. Sun., Feb. 18, 12-3 p.m., free. Saint Louis Zoo, Forest Park, 314-781-0900, www.stlzoo.org.
Fat Tuesday Parade: Get in one last night of revelry with the "Light Up the Night" Parade complete with beads and the finest Krewes from Mardi Gras. Tue., Feb. 20, 6:30 p.m., free. Soulard Neighborhood, Marion & Broadway (Lynch & Broadway).
Helen Fitzgerald's Mardi Gras: Celebrate with the music of Extremely Pointless with beads and good times. Sat., Feb. 17, 9 p.m., $5. Helen Fitzgerald's, 3660 S. Lindbergh, 314-984-0026, www.helenfitzgeralds.net.
Johnny's Mardi Gras: A DJ spins live on Saturday, Feb 17. Johnny's Restaurant & Bar, 1017 Russell Boulevard, 314-865-0900.
Joanie's Pizzeria Mardi Gras Party Package: Saturday's Party Package offers a heated tent, unlimited Cajun buffet, beer, well drinks and hurricanes, food, private Port-a-Potties and a DJ; guests have in-and-out privileges, all for $100 per person; listen to music from Hudson & the Hoodoo Cats on Pet Parade Day and Fat Tuesday. Sat., Feb. 17. Joanie's Pizzeria, 2101 Menard, 314-865-1994, www.joaniespizzeria.com/.
John D. McGurks' Mardi Gras: On Friday and Saturday, there's a live DJ record spin (with special guest) in McGurk's spacious Mardi Gras Pavilion; Saturday also features music with The Darrells, starting at 5 p.m. Fri., Feb. 16; Sat., Feb. 17, free. John D. McGurk's Irish Pub, 1200 Russell Blvd., 314-776-8309, www.mcgurks.com.
Krewe of Brew Mardi Gras Tent: Your ticket includes in-and-out all-day access to the heated tent, grandstand view of the parade, ten locally microbrewed beers on tap, great Cajun/Creole food all day, music and private restrooms; the tent is at 7th and Geyer on the parade route, benefits the Soulard School; for more info call 314-621-6226. Sat., Feb. 17, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., $90. Soulard Neighborhood, Marion & Broadway (Lynch & Broadway).
Lagniappe's Mardi Gras: Get your reservations now for Lagniappe's Mardi Gras party; includes all-you-can-eat Cajun buffet, beads, live music, seating, clean restrooms, draft beer and hurricanes. Sat., Feb. 17, 11 a.m.-8 p.m., $60. Lagniappe's, 2501 S. Ninth, 314-771-2090, www.lanyaps.com.
Maggie O'Briens' Mardi Gras: Open at 10 a.m. on parade day with shuttles to Mardi Gras from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., drop off at Lafayette and Gravois and pickups at 7th and Geyer, 7th and Russell and 7th and Lafayette. Sat., Feb. 17. Maggie O'Brien's, 2000 Market St., 314-421-1388, www.maggieobriens.com/.
"Mardi Gras Celebration" with Don Vappie & the Creole Jazz Serenaders: New Orleans comes to you! Or rather this eight-piece ensemble, led by banjo-player Vappie, performs. Sat., Feb. 17, 8 p.m., $25-$30. Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., 314-533-9900, www.sheldonconcerthall.org.
Molly's Mardi Gras: On Saturday, enjoy their huge heated tents, beads and BBQ with their friendly staff and the energetic sound of Velocity DJs all day long for only a $10 cover charge. Sat., Feb. 17, $20. Molly's, 816 Geyer Ave., 314-241-6200, www.mollyslounge.com/.
The Phoenix Mardi Gras Party with Johnny Rocket: The third-annual party will feature beads, hurricanes and party favors like shirts, hats and key chains from a variety of companies. Sat., Feb. 17, 8 p.m., $5. The Phoenix, 3924 Lemay Ferry Rd, 314-416-4266, www.thephoenixsouthcounty.com.
The Porch's Mardi Gras: Join us for hurricanes martinis and beer; visit soulardporch.com or call for more information — look for the jester! Sat., Feb. 17. The Porch, 1700 S Ninth, 314-436-0282, www.soulardporch.com.
Pyramid Grand Parade: Start Mardi Gras Saturday off right and watch the Grand Parade march from downtown St. Louis to Soulard; see mardigrasinc.com for parade route and road closures. Sat., Feb. 17, 11 a.m., free. Soulard Neighborhood, Marion & Broadway (Lynch & Broadway).
Rolling Rock Music Stage: Rock out to the music of the Wyld Stallyns from 3 to 5:30 p.m. and They Might Be Giants from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Sat., Feb. 17, free. Soulard Neighborhood, Marion & Broadway (Lynch & Broadway), St. Louis.
Saint Louis Mayor's Ball — A Mardi Gras Masquerade: This black-tie, who's-who affair will include complimentary valet parking, cocktails, a cabaret dinner, dancing and music by Gumbohead and Groovethang; the net proceeds will benefit the City of St. Louis, the public space at City Hall and neighborhood initiatives; download an invitation at mardigrasinc.com or stlouismayorsball.com. Fri., Feb. 16, 7 p.m., $100-$500. St. Louis City Hall, 1200 Market St., 314-622-3000.
The Soulard Social Aid and Pleasure Club's 14th Annual Original Subterranean Ball: The Subterranean Ball brings people together for a festive celebration where savory food and drink, spirited live music from the Mondin Band, mirth and merriment are the hallmarks of the evening; awards for costumes. Come one, come all! Fri., Feb. 16, 7:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., $15-$20. South Broadway Athletic Club, 2301 S Seventh St., 314-776-4833, www.southbroadwayac.org.
Square One's Saturday Brunch: Park early in Lafayette Square and come have a hearty breakfast/brunch at Square One before the big parade, it's just a ten-block walk. Sat., Feb. 17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Square One Brewery, 1727 Park Ave., 314-231-2537, www.squareonebrewery.com.
Syberg's Kegs and Eggs: Preparty get-together before the parade; have breakfast and beer for cheap, meet your friends and buy your beads; and return post-parade for more fun festivities. Sat., Feb. 17, 8-11 a.m., free. Syberg's-Gravois, 7802 Gravois Rd., 314-832-3560, www.sybergs.net/gravois/.
Tanner B's Mardi Gras Breakfast and Shuttle: They'll offer a parade-day breakfast and a shuttle from Tanner B's to Soulard. The shuttle will run continuously throughout the day. Sat., Feb. 17, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Tanner B's, 2855 Shenandoah, 314-762-9800, tannerbs.com/.
Throttle's Mardi Gras: Party at Throttle on Saturday with Z 107.7, Jello shots and hurricanes made the way they're supposed to be — with rum; come back for Phat Tuesday when DJ Big J spins Top 40, dance and rock hits. Sat., Feb. 17; Tue., Feb. 20. Throttle, 720 N. 1st St., 314-241-1000, www.throttlestl.com.
Xes' Mardi Gras: Kick off Mardi Gras with music from Ultra with Velocity DJ's on Friday, Kid Delicious and gang on Saturday, DJ Stan the Man on Sunday and the Ultimate Mardi Gras Party on Fat Tuesday. Sat., Feb. 17. Xes, 612 North 2nd Street, 314-588-1010, drunken-fish.com.
