Mardi Gras Pop-Up Brings a Taste of New Orleans to Philadelphia at Craftsman Row

-Courtesy of Aversa PR & Events
photo by Cody Aldrich

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 now through Fat Tuesday and until February 24th. 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 Po Boys, Donut Bread Pudding, Crawfish Mac N Cheese, Big Easy 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.

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. New umbrella’s hang from the ceiling and jazz instruments line the walls. The Decor includes the iconic 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.

“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.”

She added, “We have added more this year, all geared to totally envelop 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. 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 years experience!” 

For the 4th 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 and through February 24th. Menu items below are available on top of the full menu of regular food and drink offerings.

New menu of Po Boys! 
Shrimp Po Boy / Fried, lettuce, tomato, pickle, coleslaw, spicy remoulade, Leidenheimer roll

Andouille Sausage Po Boy / Hot sausage, lettuce, tomato, pickle, mayo, Leidenheimer roll

Combo Po Boy / Fried shrimp & andouille sausage, lettuce, tomato, pickle, mayo, Leidenheimer roll
Fried Chicken  / Lettuce, tomato, pickles, spicy remoulade, topped with fries, Leidenheimer roll

Jambalaya / Cajun seasoned rice dish, chicken, andouille sausage 

Crawfish Mac and Cheese / Four cheese blend, crawfish tails, bread crumbs

Muffaletta / South Philly hoagie, olive tapenade, onions

Big Easy Burger / smash patty, hot sausage patty, creole fried shrimp, fries, American cheese, sauteed onions, remoulade 

Donut Bread Pudding / local vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce

King of Bourbon Street Milkshake / Bassett’s vanilla ice cream, king cake crumble and garnish, cinnamon, caramel drizzle, beads, festive sprinkles (boozy option also available). 

Bourbon Street Inspired Specialty Cocktails include:

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

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, 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.