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Mardi Gras North: Stop by this annual event, hosted by Fells Point cohorts Kooper’s Tavern and Sláinte Irish Pub, to get a taste of all things ‘Nawlins on Fat Tuesday. Chow down on Cajun-inspired offerings like classic jambalaya, seafood gumbo, and po’boys at both locations, while jamming to music from DIG Jazz Combo at Kooper’s and funk band Sound Makers Union at Sláinte. Drink specials at both venues will include $3 Miller Lite and Blue Moon bottles and $5 Hurricanes, Sazeracs, and other NOLA-inspired cocktails. 1700 and 1702 Thames St., 410-563-6600.

Birroteca: Known for its unique pizzas and excellent variety of beers on tap, this popular Woodberry spot is a great place to hang out any day, but Birroteca is throwing a special Mardi Gras Pint Night co-hosted by Abita Brewing Company in honor of the festive holiday. The celebration starts at 5 p.m., highlighting some of Abita’s specialty seasonal brews for guests to sample. To sweeten the deal, all party guests will receive a free pint glass with the first purchase of any Abita beer. 1520 Clipper Mill Road, 443-708-1934.

Shoo-Fly Diner: Some of the local food scene’s hottest names are coming together to throw this soiree. Tooloulou, Dylan’s Oyster Cellar, Jinji’s Chocolates, and Flying Dog Brewery have all partnered up with Shoo-Fly to host this New Orleans-inspired event at Spike Gjerde’s Belvedere Square restaurant. From 6-10 p.m., dance the night away with jazz music by Sac Au Lait, sip boozy slushes, enjoy some mouthwatering gumbo and crawfish, and search for prizes in the King Cake to celebrate Mardi Gras in style. 510 E. Belvedere Ave., 410-464-9222.

Mother’s Grille: From weekday happy-hour deals to Ravens pep rallies, this fun neighborhood tavern in Federal Hill is a go-to spot for any occasion that calls for refreshing brews and cocktails. Highlights of Mothers’ “Phat Tuesday Party” will include classics like Hurricanes, gumbo, and plenty of colorful beads for all attendees. 1113 S. Charles St., 410-244-8686.

Mardi Gras Party at Power Plant Live: If you’re one of the Valentine’s Day cynics who’d choose a cocktail over a box of heart-shaped candy any day, then grab some friends and head to this downtown nightlife attraction for an all-inclusive bash from 9 p.m. to 12 a.m. on February 14. Stilt-walkers, fire-breathers, Cirque-style aerialists, live music, free drinks, and no-cover access to nine of Power Plant’s bars are all included in the price of admission to this massive party. 34 Market Place, 410-727-5483.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

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Before I even get to the Super Bowl, I have to say the nightlife in New Orleans lived up to every expectation. Live music spews out of every open door in the French Quarter—whether it’s a smooth jazz trumpet or a lively zyedeco accordion. Alcohol is ever present. You’re pretty much always encouraged to drink, even if you’re just spending your afternoon at the zoo. And there didn’t seem to be any rules, from what I could observe, about where and when to drink.

With the exception of Bourbon Street spots, everything was very reasonably priced, too. I’m pretty sure we got ripped off when buying jello shots on the side of the street (I know, so gross), but most of the bars we ventured into were charging $3 for beer and $5 for mixed drinks. For a hyped-up city like New Orleans, I was impressed. I tried some beer from local brewing company, Abita. I especially liked the Abita Amber, a smooth, caramel-like brew that was very easy to put back.

Obviously, the French Quarter is the party spot you always hear about. But I was staying near Tulane University and was able to hop around some of the Uptown bars, too, which was a nice change of pace. New Orleans seems to be a lot like Baltimore, in that there are a smattering of trendy spots, but most people in the city flock to dive bars (like Ms. Mae’s), beer bars (like The Rendezvous Tavern), and bars where you can dance late into the night (like F&M Patio Bar). It was refreshing to see that a city, which has such a glorified nightlife reputation, was still extremely laid back at its core.

And then came Sunday. A friend (and NOLA local) recommended we watch the game at Lucy’s, a bar in the Central Business District, where many Saints players apparently hang out after games. This was definitely the right spot. A huge crowd was hanging outside the bar with a DJ and various food and drink vendors (think Pickles times 20). The game was being projected onto the side of a building and looked pretty crystal clear by the time the sun went down. The atmosphere in the second half was explosive. Every gain felt like a touchdown and every touchdown felt completely insane. Tracy Porter’s interception in the fourth quarter ignited the entire crowd into a frenzy: beers were flying, strangers were hugging, and everyone was chanting, “Who Dat?” (At one point, I even talked/screamed to some kid’s grandmother on the phone).

When the game ended, everyone headed to Bourbon Street where the real celebrating began. And I use the word celebrating for a reason. When some teams win (ahem, Philly), cars are flipped over, stores are vandalized, and property is set ablaze. That night, I barely saw any destruction (except one guy who was, quite literally, attacking a tree) and all anyone could do was dance and hug. Maybe it’s because the city is still rebuilding so the last thing its residents want to do is destroy it. Or maybe it’s just because what the people in New Orleans value is simple: having a really good time.

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