* Enjoy vibes, drinks and food inspired by Mardi Gras through Fat Tuesday and beyond with more decor this year, new po boys, and extended run *
Philadelphia, PA – Let the good times roll. Craftsman Row Saloon, at 112 S. 8th Street, announces the launch of its 6th annual Mardi Gras Pop-Up Bar Experience starting Thursday, January 29th through Fat Tuesday. First to bring this vibe to Philadelphia, Craftsman Row is the spot for the ultimate flavors, sights and sounds of The Big Easy. The award-winning Christmas pop-up decorations from December have been entirely replaced by thousands of glittery beads, feathers, masquerade masks and other decor to transport you to Mardi Gras. Umbrella’s hang from the ceiling and jazz instruments poetically add melody to the space. The floor to ceiling transformation continues both inside the dining room and outside in the Craftsman Row Saloon illuminated with the colors of Mardi Gras on the entire building. The over the top decorations guests love, with a little extra magic for the festive flair of the holiday. The delicious over-the-top King of Bourbon Street Milkshake is back, with Po Boys, Crawfish Mac N Cheese, Big Easy Burger, new King Cake Burger, Jambalaya and more. The bar will be pouring the tasty and festive Bourbon Street inspired specialty cocktails they are known for. Cocktails will boast all the NOLA feels and come with masks, beads and other souvenirs and keepsakes.
Craftsman Row Saloon Mardi Gras Pop-up Bar Experience opens this Friday and runs through Fat Tuesday. Hours for this Mardi Gras season are Wednesday 4:00pm to 10:00pm, Thursday 4:00pm to 10:00pm, Friday 4:00pm to 11:00pm, Saturday, Noon to 11:00pm and Sunday Noon to 10:00pm. Kitchen closes one hour before the bar.
“We are excited to bring our Mardi Gras Pop-Up Experience back to Philadelphia,” said Vasiliki Tsiouris. “You can be the King of Bourbon Street with our over-the-top milkshake with real King Cake. We have added more this year, all geared to totally appeal to the senses with the sights, sounds and tastes of Mardi Gras.”
Co-Owner George Tsiouris added, “The countdown to Fat Tuesday is on and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back for this year’s edition. After our most successful year ever for our Christmas Pop-Up, we wanted to continue the fun with something truly special and extravagant. We went even more over the top – this is the most elaborate and the most decor we have ever done for Mari Gras – we hope everyone enjoys this year’s experience!”
For the 6th Annual Mardi Gras Pop-Up Bar Experience at Craftsman Row Saloon, look for the following New Orleans inspired dishes and specials for the entire run. Menu items below are available on top of the full menu of regular food and drink offerings. For music, listen for a mix of Mardi Gras and New Orleans classics and staples, festive jazz and even some Mummers’ favorite tunes.
OVER-THE-TOP DECOR
This year’s decor aims to have you feeling like you are on Bourbon Street. Details include:
• Inspired and decorated in the spirit of a Mardi Gras float, the magical ambiance of the train was transformed into pageantry glory.
• More crowns hanging from the ceiling and placed around to make you feel like you are the royal of your Bourbon Street dining celebration.
• Table 13 features a speakeasy feel, with draped green, purple, and gold fabrics and framed imagery paying homage to a Jazz Club in NOLA.
• Additional hanging lights and beads are layered over one section of the space for added atmosphere.
• More feathers, more glitter, and added street signs bring extra glitz and sparkle to the room.
• Dozens more street signs flank the space, nodding to the experience of strolling the streets of the Big Easy.
MARDI GRAS DRINKS
The bar will be pouring the tasty and festive Bourbon Street inspired specialty cocktails they are known for. Cocktails will boast all the NOLA feels and the spirited experience come garnished with masks, beads and other souvenirs and keepsakes. All new Bourbon Street inspired specialty cocktails and shots include:
Hurricane –
rum, spiced rum, orange juice, passion fruit, grenadine, mask
King Cake Espresso Martini –
vodka, espresso, rumchata, kahlua, brown sugar
Carnival Pass Mule –
tequila, orange juice, cinnamon, ginger beer, keepsake wristband
Tipsy Band –
whiskey, chamomile, lemon, keepsake headband
Vodoo Punch –
vodka, blue curacao, lemon, grenadine
Purple Haze Margarita –
tequila, chambord, lime, salt rim
Banana Foster Martini
vanilla vodka, banana, sugar, cream, moon pieBlack Magic Sangria –
merlot, orange, aperolSpiced Apple Sazerac –
rye whiskey, crown apple, bitters, absinthe, dried applePimms Cup –
pimms, lemon, simple, sprite, keepsake beadsGin Fizz –
gin, lemon, simple, cream, light up ice cube
Jungle Juice Daiquiri –
rum, lime, triple sec, pineapple, cranberry
Shot – Hand Grenade –
rum,vodka, watermelon pucker, lemon, simple
Shot – Grasshopper –
white creme de cacao, creme de menthe, cream
NEW ORLEANS INSPIRED FOODS
New: Creole Salad – Andouille sausage rice balls, romaine mix, cucumber, carrots, mozzarella, red onion, hot sauce vinaigrette, king cake croutons
New: Cajun Wings – Breaded, spiced, side of honey
New: Andouille Sausage Rice Balls – andouille sausage, rice, mozzarella cheese, celery, green onion, thyme, smoked marinara
New: King Cake Burger – 2 smashed patties, american, bacon, egg, maple syrup, king cake breadMuffaletta
South Philly hoagie, olive tapenade, onions JAMBALAYA – cajun seasoned rice dish, chicken, andouille sausage
Crawfish Mac n Cheese – Four cheese blend, crawfish tails
NOLA Loaded Fries – Cheese sauce, and choice of andouille sausage or crawfish
Big Easy Burger – 1 smash patty, 1 hot sausage patty, creole fried shrimp,french fries, american cheese, sauteed onions, remoulade
Po Boy – Shrimp – fried, lettuce, tomato, pickle, coleslaw, spicy remoulade, leidenheimer roll
Po Boy – Sausage – hot sausage, lettuce, tomato, pickle, mayo, leidenheimer roll
Po Boy – Combo – fried shrimp & andouille sausage, lettuce, tomato, pickle,mayo, leidenheimer roll
Jambalaya – Cajun seasoned rice dish, chicken, andouille sausage
Cajun Chicken Alfredo – Cajun alfredo sauce, chicken breast, fettuccini pasta
THEME MILKSHAKES
Bead Me Up Milkshake – local mint chocolate ice cream, bourbon, beignets, powdered sugar
King of Bourbon Street Milkshake – Local vanilla ice cream, king cake crumble and garnish, cinnamon, caramel drizzle is back with the shimmering gold, green and purple King Cake
All of the above will be available on the full larger menu of comfort food staples with all of Craftsman Row Saloon’s other dishes that include Dorito coated mozzarella sticks, award winning burgers, and fiery buffalo mac-n-cheese loaded fries. As the perfect pairing with the shakes, the owners recommend also trying Donut Fried Chicken with glazed, bacon, american, maple syrup, and the Mac Daddy Burger with smashed patties that are smothered and dripping with mac and cheese on a martin’s potato roll.
Craftsman Row Saloon is owned by brother-and-sister restaurateurs George and Vasiliki Tsiouris Balis, also co-owners of Midtown Village’s popular Drury Beer Garden. Craftsman Row, located at 112 South 8th Street, is named for the hard-working artisans that comprise this area known as Jeweler’s Row. Craftsman Row offers guests in a comfortable, neighborhood setting.
Since taking it over, the Tsiouris family has refreshed the space, a landmark for eating and drinking for 100 years, most recently known as Coco’s, which opened in 1984. Respecting the building’s deep history, the Tsiouris’ chose to maintain specific aspects of its character, such as the original bar facade, marked by nameplates of Coco’s regulars at each end. The nine booths, reupholstered in button tufted brown leather, and the 16 bar stools have been painted black to match the new distressed black hardwood floors that were installed. The ceiling is dark as well, brightened by light wooden beams that are now exposed. Five televisions positioned at various points of view will broadcast sports games and other events for those looking to root for their favorite local teams. Clever accents, including small, wooden faux taxidermy and modern campfire-style pendant lighting and sconces, are thoughtfully placed throughout the space, lending to the saloon vibe.
Craftsman Row Saloon
112 S 8th St
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 923-0123
Reservations:
Call 215-923-0123 OR Visit Open Table – now live for this event!