Craftsman Row Saloon is Bringing New Orleans to Philly With a Mardi Gras Pop-up Experience
Craftsman Row Saloon, at 112 S. 8th Street, announces the opening of Philadelphia’s only Mardi Gras Pop-up Bar Experience starting this Thursday, February 3rd through Fat Tuesday, on Tuesday, March 1st. The sites, sounds and tastes of The Big Easy come to Philly with a special limited-time pop-up experience that includes everything from an over-the-top King of Bourbon Street Milkshake, King Cake glittering gold, green and purple sweet potato fries, dirty rice, and Bourbon Street inspired cocktails.
Cocktails come with beads, masks and/or other souvenirs pending the specific beverage. 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 streetry (for warm weather days). 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 Thursday and runs through Fat Tuesday. Hours are Wednesday to Thursday, from Noon to 9:00pm, Friday and Saturday, Noon to 10:00pm, and Sunday Noon to 9:00pm.
“The countdown to Fat Tuesday is on,” said Vasiliki Tsiouris. “We are thrilled to announce Philadelphia’s only immersive Mardi Gras Pop-up Bar Experience. You can be the King of Bourbon Street with our over-the-top new milkshake with real King Cake, plus we have free beads for everyone that dines with us in February. The entire restaurant glitters from all the gold, green and purple – with beads, street signs, masks and more in every corner and from ceiling to floor.”
Co-Owner George Tsiouris added, “After our most successful year ever for our Christmas Pop-up, we wanted to continue the fun and pivot with something truly special and extravagant. We can all use a little fun, a little color and a little something out of the normal to bring a smile to our face during these challenging times – and we hope to give everyone something to look forward to for February and as we get closer to spring. Our family and team worked extra hard to get this ready in time and we can’t wait to welcome everyone this coming weekend.”
For the 2022 Mardi Gras Popup 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.
FOOD
Confirmed offerings, more specials to come
King Cake Fries – sweet potato fries, brown butter glaze, cinnamon praline, green and purple sugar
Dirty Rice – ground beef, shrimp, peppers, onions
DRINKS
Over-theTop Theme Milkshake:
King of Bourbon Street – Bassetts vanilla ice cream, king cake, white chocolate, cinnamon, powdered donut, caramel drizzle, beads, festive sprinkles (boozy option also available)
Bourbon Street Inspired Cocktails
Cereal Milk Punch – bourbon, cereal-milk, nutmeg
Masquerade Hurricane – light and dark rum, orange, pineapple, lemon
Smudge Kit Margarita – tequila, sage, triple sec, lime
Saints Sazerac – Rye, peychauds, absinthe
Who Dat Martini – vodka, blackberry, elderflower, lemon
Voodoo Cure – brandy, whiskey, fernet, sweet vermouth, angostura, lemon
Primm’s Sangria – white wine, gin, strawberry, mint, ginger
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. As the perfect pairing with the shakes, for all the sweet tooths, George recommends 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.
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.
