Posted by Liz and John Attaway, 2/7/19

No road-trip needed to experience the magic of Frenchmen Street during Mardi Gras this year. Big Citizen (behind Atlanta favorites The Lawrence, Bon Ton, Wonderkid, Miracle Bar Atlanta) is bringing carnival vibes a la Mardi Gras to Atlanta by hosting ‘Mardi Gras Musi-cal’ at Bon Ton in Midtown through Fat Tuesday. In addition, they’ll be joining forces with the team at Tapa Tapa with an exclusive “created by Bon Ton cocktail menu” only available at the pop-up. The event is aptly titled ‘Mardis-Val on Monroe – Parade of Cocktails’. Gather your krewe and get ready to celebrate carnival season!

Eric Simpkins, co-owner of Big Citizen, is excited to bring experience from Bon Ton’s past Mardi Gras celebrations to Tapa Tapa. “Mardi Gras has always been a favorite at Bon Ton, and we’re thrilled to make it bigger and better than ever this year, with not only a unique cocktail menu only available at Bon Ton, but another exclusive menu offered only at Tapa Tapa. These events not only offer Atlanta options to enjoy Mardi Gras, but also showcase the spirit of the holiday, drawing inspiration from music and celebrations all over the world.”

MARDI GRAS MUSICAL @ BON TON (674 Myrtle St NE | Regular restaurant hours)
Starting today, and running through Fat Tuesday, February 25, Bon Ton, Midtown’s eclectic Viet-Cajun restaurant and bar, will be offering their unique libations inspired by classic NOLA music, such as George Lewis’ “Down by the Riverside,” Rebirth Brass Band’s “Do Whatcha Wanna” + “I Feel Like Funkin’ It Up,” and The Dixie Cups’ “Iko Iko” and more. Each Bon Ton bartender contributed to the limited-run cocktail menu with modern takes on timeless Southern cocktails such as the Hurricane and Pimm’s Cup. Reservations for Bon Ton can be made on Open Table.

MARDI GRAS IN MIDTOWN FEATURING BON TON’S MARDI-VAL ON MONROE: PARADE OF COCKTAILS @ Tapa Tapa (931 Monroe Drive NE | Tuesday-Saturday 5pm-12am)
For the third year in a row, beginning today, Tuesday, February 4, and running through Fat Tuesday, February 25, Tapa Tapa will transform into a Mardi Gras celebration. This year’s pop-up is not only inspired by the New Orleans Mardi Gras celebration, but five other world-renowned carnivals around the globe happening now – Rio de Janerio in Brazil, Venice in Italy, Mazatlan in Mexico, Trinidad & Tobago in Port of Spain, and Cadiz in Spain.

On the heels of the success of the holiday collaboration Miracle on Monroe, they will be teaming up with Big Citizen’s Bon Ton, who will provide an exclusive Mardi-Val on Monroe: Parade of Cocktails, eight unique drinks for the pop-up experience. Bar manager Nick Chaivarlis (ink+elm, 8arm, The Lawrence, and Miracle Bar Atlanta) will also have a hand in the pop-up cocktail menu. Each drink name draws inspiration from the Mardi Gras Krewes that march in the famous New Orleans parade. Traditional New Orleans food will also be served to complete the Mardi Gras experience.

Andy Alibaksh, owner of Diem Restaurant Group, is thrilled to collaborate with the Big Citizen team for another pop-up at Tapa Tapa. “Our location has been the home to Miracle on Monroe for Big Citizen the past four years and so it felt only fitting to have the Bon Ton team craft a menu of specialty cocktails to compliment the Mardi Gras décor and Carnival party vibe of the pop-up.” The pop-up is free entry and first-come, first-served – no reservations are being accepted at this time. Should there be a wait, guests can also enjoy Apres Diem, next door to the pop-up and part of Diem Restaurant Group, which offers relaxed-European style dining and cocktails.