-Courtesy of Aversa PR & Events
photos by Brenda Hillegas
Let the good times roll. Craftsman Row Saloon, at 112 S. 8th Street, announces the opening of Philadelphia’s only Mardi Gras Pop-up Bar Experience starting this Friday, February 3rd through Fat Tuesday, on Tuesday, February 21st. The sites, sounds and tastes of The Big Easy come to Philly with a special limited-time pop-up – now celebrating its third year. The delicious over-the-top King of Bourbon Street Milkshake, shimmering gold, green and purple King Cake Fries and the Dirty Rice, are back, and joined with the debut of their Who Dat Chicken- king cake, fried chicken breast, honey butter, hot sauce, powdered sugar and Masquerade Mac & Cheese- 4-cheese blend, cinnamon, brown and powdered sugar, toasted breadcrumbs, hot sauce drizzle. 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 beads and other souvenirs and keepsakes.
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. Decor includes a giant gold, green and purple masquerade mask above the dining room, plus mini vignettes paying homage to some of New Orleans’ most famous streets and destinations. 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. For music, listen for a mix of Mardi Gras and New Orleans classics and staples, festive jazz and even some Mummers’ favorite tunes.
Craftsman Row Saloon Mardi Gras Pop-up Bar Experience opens this Friday and runs through Fat Tuesday. Hours forthis Mardi Gras season are Tuesday 12:00pm Noon to 10:00pm, Wednesday 12:00pm Noon to 11:00pm (kitchen closes 10:00pm), Thursday to Saturday 12:00pm Noon to 11:00pm, and Sunday 12:00pm Noon to 10:00pm (kitchen closes 9:00pm).
“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. It was great to bring the spirit of Bourbon Street and The Big Easy first to the scene and we have added more this year, all geared to totally envelope 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 are gearing up for more fun and something truly special. 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.”
For the 3rd 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 through Fat Tuesday. Menu items below are available on top of the full menu of regular food and drink offerings.
Big Easy Burger– Smashed patties topped with old bay fries, American cheese, creole fried shrimp, remoulade, sautéed onions, martin’s potato roll
Dirty Rice– ground beef, shrimp, peppers, onions
Who Dat Chicken– king cake, fried chicken breast, honey butter, hot sauce, powdered sugar
King Cake Fries– sweet potato fries, brown butter glaze, cinnamon praline, green and purple sugar
Masquerade Mac & Cheese– 4-cheese blend, cinnamon, brown and powdered sugar, toasted breadcrumbs, hot sauce drizzle
Over-the-Top Theme Milkshake / King of Bourbon Street
bassetts vanilla ice cream, king cake crumble and garnish, white chocolate, cinnamon, caramel drizzle, beads, festive sprinkles (boozy option also available)
Louisiana Hot Honey Margarita– tequila, honey, hot sauce
King Cake Espresso Martini– vodka, baileys, fireball, coffee, cinnamon
Black and Gold– gin, pineapple, berries, lime
Show Me Your Beads, Hurricane– light and spiced rum, passionfruit, orange, grenadine
Voodoo 75– gin, lavender, lemon, sparkling rose
Bienville’s Old Fashioned– whiskey black walnut bitters
Jazz Julep– rum, strawberry, muddled mint
On da Beat Grasshopper– vodka, amaretto, creme de menthe, half & half, chocolate
Bayou Breeze “shot”– vodka, passionfruit, peach, lime honey, keepsake shot glass
Pictured below: Louisiana Hot Sauce Margarita, Jazz Julep, Black and Gold
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.
Also, making its return this month in time for the Mardi Gras Pop-Up is a new favorite that debuted last winter – South Philly Muffuletta with genoa salami, capicola, ham, mortadella, provolone, olive salad, sarcones seeded bread. It was a huge hit and not to be missed!
Craftsman Row Saloon is owned by brother-and-sister restaurateurs George and Vasiliki Tsiouris, co-owners of Midtown Village’s popular Drury Beer Garden that currently features their beloved Greek cuisine with the Opa Pop-Up. 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!
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