It’s PAWDI Gras Time! Parading with Your Canine Krewe

It’s been said that when one door closes, another one opens. To New Orleanians, that’s what Epiphany denotes each year: Jan. 6 marks the official end of the holidays, but more importantly kicks off our Carnival season. Red and green décor will quickly be superseded by purple, green and gold as king cake becomes the sweet treat of choice. From elegant, black-tie balls packed with pomp and circumstance, to satirical marching parades, there’s something for everyone in your krewe, including your four-legged bestie. While it’s not recommended to bring Fido along to typical Mardi Gras parades, which can easily overwhelm and agitate your pup, there are plenty of pooch-friendly festivities that are sure to get that tail wagging. Sniff out one of several dog-centric parades that put Spot in the spotlight, with hundreds of costume-clad canines prancing through the streets. Likewise, you can catch a handful of walking parades, from the Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc to the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus, that are suited for the entire family. Whether you need a little nosh to keep on rolling, or some hair of the dog, we’ve got the scoop on a few doggone cool, pooch-friendly places along the route that won’t have you barking up the wrong tree!

Covington Beer Garden – covingtonbeergarden.com
Leash up your furry pal and head to Covington on Sunday, Feb. 18 for the 30th annual Krewe of Mardi Paws, where thousands of coiffed and costumed puppers and their human companions take over the quaint downtown area. The “super krewe for K-9’s” rolls at 2 p.m., with the 2024 theme of Bark ‘n’ Roll. Recently, due in part to the expansion of the Southern Hotel, downtown Covington has undergone a renaissance with new businesses emerging, creating renewed vibrancy. One of those leading the pack is George Landrum, proprietor of Covington Beer Garden, which poured its first brew on Oct. 1, 2022. “The vision was always to be the congregation center point for all,” explains George. “We have succeeded in that regard because throughout the course of each day and each week, we continue to attract a wide variety of guests,” he adds. With a background in operating trampoline parks, George jokingly states, “we made the jump from youth to adult recreation!” The massive space, which accommodates ruffly 450 patrons, offers a sprawling outdoor area complete with shade trees and picnic tables that you and Fido are sure to dig. Although George is a self-described “cat person” and has two felines named Francis and Red, Covington Beer Garden has clearly gone to the dogs, regularly hosting pooch-related events like puppy yoga and pet adoption brunch. “An unexpected business expense is definitely dog treats! Our bartenders get a little excited and give out way too many to our little furry friends, but it keeps them happy,” he quips. There’s always something going on at the casual, neighborhood pub including, live music, comedy, bingo, karaoke, trivia and more, which continues to attract first-time visitors and keeps familiar faces coming back. Covington Beer Garden boasts a stellar selection of brews, with an emphasis on Louisiana-made brands, including 22 varieties on tap. Likewise, cocktail fans can imbibe in finely crafted signature drinks such as a Maker’s Mark old fashioned, espresso martini, and strawberry whiskey smash that blends bourbon, strawberry puree and brown sugar with a hint of lemon. Need a bite to complement that brew? Woof down a mouthwatering, juicy burger grilled fresh on-site by Bootlegger’s. During Mardi Paws, Covington Beer Garden becomes parade central, where two and four-legged participants and spectators gather to continue the pawty. “Denise Gutnisky, the parade organizer, does a fantastic job of raising awareness for dogs in the area with all of her events, but her biggest is Mardi Paws,” says George. While the staff “bares down and waits for the avalanche of pups and people that day,” make no bones about it, Covington Beer Garden goes all in for Mardi Paws, even hosting a costume contest with trophies being awarded to the best costumed canines. “Our front yard is essentially the finish line, so we are engulfed with our four-legged friends from sunup until sundown.” And, if we had to guess, the dog-doting humans at Covington Beer Garden wouldn’t have it any other way!

Good Friends Bar – goodfriendsbar.com
Café Lafitte in Exile – lafittes.com
Good Friends Bar and the Mystic Krewe of Barkus go hand-in-paw like no other. The only New Orleans parade produced specifically for the canine population, the organization was created during a 1992 meeting of the Margaret Orr (a well-known, local weather anchor and animal lover) Fan Club, which was held at Good Friends Bar and attended by bar owner Thomas Wood and his faithful sidekick, Jo Jo McWood. As the tail goes, the precocious pooch’s unruly and distracting behavior ruffled the feathers of some of the attendees, so in response to their complaining about his beloved Jo Jo, Tom embarked on a path to name his four-legged bestie Queen of her own parade, as well as Captain for life, thus the Krewe of Barkus was born. Since its debut in 1993, the original parade banner has graced the walls of Good Friends, and each year it is temporarily taken down and used to lead the parade throughout the French Quarter. Naturally, Margaret Orr was named the official parade emcee, and can still be found on parade day at the Krewe’s home bar announcing “Hail Barkus!” as costume-clad canines and their humans strut by. While Barkus Sunday is always a throw-down paw-ty at Good Friends, the casual watering hole is also ideal for a fun-filled night out with friends, a neighborly game of pool, or just chilling with Fido on any given day. Be sure to sniff out their signature libation, the Separator—a decadent ice cream-based frozen concoction that you’re sure to go mutts over! And while you’re sipping on a Separator, your dog-o can dig into a free pup cup—whipped cream, served in a shot glass—and tasty pooch treats. Wander upstairs to The Queen’s Head Pub, where you’ll find an intimate space adorned with candelabras, chandeliers, a collection of historic New Orleans photos, and fetching views of the Quarter from the wrap-around balcony. Another fur-ocious viewing spot is Café Lafitte in Exile, located directly on Bourbon Street, where you can raise the ruff with your pup in the electric downstairs space, or for a bird’s eye view, get your tail upstairs to hang on the sprawling balcony. Serving up stiff drinks and high-energy dance tunes for more than 80 years, Café Lafitte in Exile is the oldest continuously operating gay bar in the United States. The unique New Orleans landmark attracts a diverse and interesting clientele 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There’s always something spirited happening at Lafitte’s, from their original Trash Disco on Sundays, which playfully ends with a gleeful napkin toss at 10 p.m., to No Judgment Karaoke on Wednesday nights, held from 9 p.m. until midnight. For you night owls, unleash the fun during Power Hour nightly from 1 a.m. until 2 p.m. with two well drinks for just $5. The friendly staff at Lafitte’s will gladly dish up fresh water and doggie goodies for Fido, as well. Woof Dat!

Silk Road – silkroadnola.com
If flavor-packed East meets West fusion fare has you feeling like a dog with two tails, then be sure to sniff out Silk Road! Ideally situated on the corner of Royal and St. Roch Streets in the Marigny, just off the Intergalactic Krewe of Chewbacchus parade route, Silk Road is the perfect place to pop by on Jan. 20 to experience the quirky, space-themed marching group and enjoy an out-of-this-world dining experience. A native of Bombay, India who moved to New Orleans to attend graduate school at Louisiana State University Medical Center and holds a doctorate in molecular biology, Chef Ganesh Ayyengar (who goes by Chef G) helms the kitchen, which for nearly 10 years has been dishing up creative Asian-Creole-Indian inspired cuisine that’s sure to blow your mind! Dig into totally paw-some starters like Louisiana crab cakes with cilantro mint chutney, Asian fried calamari salad with ginger soy sauce and mixed greens and the irresistible lemongrass crab bisque simmered in a creamy coconut broth with fresh herbs. Delectable signature dishes include: sesame-crusted salmon with wasabi beurre blanc, served over jasmine rice; five-spice rubbed duck breast with port plum reduction and garlic mashed potatoes; and lamb palak—braised curry lamb sautéed with fresh spinach—served with basmati rice. If you’re begging for a burger, don’t miss Silk Road’s house smoked, 6-oz beef patty with gouda on a brioche bun, served with crispy, uniquely spiced masala fries. Veggie, chicken or shrimp curries, from mild Tikka Masala to spicy Vindaloo from the west coast of India, will have fans of the richly-seasoned, saucy dish licking their chops. If you’re on the go, grab some artisan cheese and fine wine from their sommelier-selected collection, available by the bottle and glass. Fetch a seat at the colorful and inviting bar for a signature cocktail such as the eye-opening NOLA Chai martini—vodka, chai tea, Bailey’s, and coffee liqueur, or Rosemary’s Baby (an intriguing blend of mezcal, rosemary syrup, grapefruit juice and fresh lime). Drop by during happy hour Tuesday through Saturday from 3–6 p.m. to enjoy house wine, beer and plate specials like chicken wings with Korean chili ginger dressing, and smoked trout paté with toast points. Be sure to save room for Chef G’s signature dessert—house-made white chocolate mango cheesecake—which is paws-itively divine! The proud pup-papa to Kali, a three-and-a-half-year-old black lab/shepherd mix, Chef G and his team invite your pooch to relax at one of several outdoor tables, where he will be offered a fresh bowl of water. Bone Appetite!

The Barley Oak – thebarleyoak.com
Located along Mandeville’s Lakeshore Drive, with spectacular sunset views of Lake Pontchartrain, sits The Barley Oak, a grand and picturesque two-story biergarten reminiscent of an Old World tavern. Inspired by owner Nick Powers’ love of craft beer, English pubs and German beer gardens, The Barley Oak has been pleasing palates for more than 12 years with its impressive beer selection and gratifying pub grub. The incredibly pet-friendly brewpub also sits directly on the Krewe du Pooch parade route, making it the ideal destination before, during, or after the parade, which hits the streets at noon on Feb. 17. Founded by the Old Mandeville Business Association and the City of Mandeville to support local businesses and animal rescue organizations, the theme of this year’s walking parade and costume contest is Puppy Love. Scoop up a seat with Fido and friends on the spacious outdoor patio or, if you’re lucky, you could score a table on the covered balcony for ideal parade viewing. We double-dog dare brew fans not to find their perfect pint on Barley Oak’s exceptional beer list, composed of 100-plus (including 48 on tap) craft, micro, specialty and seasonal selections from around the world. Additionally, this bad-to-the-bone hot spot offers a full bar for those who are ready to raise the ruff! Naturally, you’ll need some biergarten-style bites to soak up those suds, so choose from bone-fide eats such as soft, buttery, salted pub pretzels, served with creamy cheese beer sauce; a “select your own cheese and grilled sausage” combo platter with accruements; the heaping Reuben sandwich stacked with corned beef, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut on marble rye; and the Pub burger accented with bacon, beer cheese sauce, chipotle BBQ and pickled red onions. Humans aren’t the only ones being well treated at The Barley Oak, as four-legged guests are presented with fresh water and doggie biscuits, so your entire pack will leave saying, “Hot diggity dog!”

The Will & The Way – thewillandtheway.com
While there’s no shortage of places in the French Quarter to grab a satisfying libation and bite with your pack, The Will & The Way is our pick of the litter! And with several lively walking parades merrily meandering throughout the Quarter, Mardi Gras is the ideal time to pop in for some tail-wagging, tasty treats. Kick off Carnival season with the Krewe de Jeanne d'Arc and Societé Des Champs Elysée on Jan. 6, followed by Krewe Boheme on Jan. 26, the irreverent Krewe du Vieux on Jan. 27, the highly spirited Krewe of Cork on Feb. 2, and on Feb. 4 the highly-anticipated and adorable Krewe of Barkus, with the 2024 theme of “Barkus & Barbie: Pawsitively Pink!” Since bursting onto the craft cocktail scene in October of 2021, this fetching spot has been a destination for cocktail enthusiasts, as well as those seeking noteworthy nibbles in a relaxed, stylish, and inviting setting. “The original vision still holds true … We wanted to be a lobby for the whole French Quarter, whether people were out to see a show, have dinner, or just looking for an oasis to escape to right in the heart of the bustle,” explains managing partner, Tristan Ferchl. “There's a sense of a neighborhood bar where everyone knows you, even when it's your first time in,” he adds. While specialty cocktail selections change seasonally, you’re sure to fall in puppy love with current favs like the Saint Gregory—a perfectly executed mixture of raspberry, ginger and oolong tea-infused gin, with lemon juice and simple syrup—and the Cactus Jack, a perfectly balanced blend of reposado tequila, pasubio vino amaro (a wine-based amaro), maple syrup and fresh lime. Opt for a classic with a twist, like the alluring Mezcal Old Fashioned or Armagnac Sazerac, which you can enjoy for just $9 during happy hour from 3–7 p.m. daily. Not to be outdone, the food at The Will & The Way is far from typical bar grub with standouts like Louisiana hot chicken with yellow corn grits, Swiss chard and ranch; loaded Korean hot fries topped with kimchi, beef bulgogi, gochujang aioli and peanuts; Gulf shrimp with fennel, orange segments, Fresno chilies, and mojo verde atop little gem lettuce; and crispy Brussels sprouts with fried eggplant, baba ganoush and olive tapenade. But it’s hard to resist the decadent house burger adorned with Swiss cheese and red wine foie gras butter on a brioche bun, which is sure to have your tail wagging! But don’t wait until Mardi Gras—visit during the holiday season when you can trade an ornament to hang on the oleander tree in the courtyard in exchange for a free cocktail (Yes, please!), and dress Fido up in his holiday best for “a shot and a photo with Santa” every Saturday in December. Chill out with your pup in the lush, brick-lined courtyard to indulge in grilled oysters with mini martinis, available all winter long. During Carnival season, drop by for one of their special grab-n-go cocktails created by their expert mixologists especially for Mardi Gras revelers. Fido won’t be left out, as the kind folks at The Will & The Way regularly offer water bowls and dog goodies. According to Tristan, “we like to give out brisket treats to make sure that our four-legged guests have a special experience, as well. It's the same beef that goes on our loaded hot fries, but without the sauce and such. It's a real hit!” Well-mannered pups are welcome to hang inside as well, after all, “who doesn't love having dogs around while they're enjoying a cocktail?” adds Tristan. We could not agree more!