Viva, Carnaval!

Or if you're in New Orleans, Happy Mardi Gras. But whether you'll be celebrating in Rio or Rhino Bar, tomorrow definitely marks a festivity of drinking, debauchery, bulbousness and fun. Gather your green, purple, and gold beads and wear flashiest clothes in your wardrobe all at once, because tomorrow is the holiday of getting it all out of the way before Lenten fasting begins (which I know you'll all be taking part in, obvi). But what to do if you're stuck in the Capital and not on Bourbon Street or in Rio? With one of my most fabulous friends, Guillerme Almeida, being from Brazil and living a bi-continental lifestyle, he shows fellow Washingtonians that Brazilians have the tendency to make life just a little more exciting. Putting our heads together, we consolidated a list of the most fierce Carnival and Mardi Gras parties that will make you feel like you're in the tropics despite the grey snow banks outside:

• Celebrate Carnaval at Ceiba (701 14th Street NW): This delicious South American restaurant serves probably the best ceviche in DC and lends itself to a party atmosphere. With Brazilian street fair and capirinhas starting at 3 pm for only $5 all night long, enjoy live samba dancing, beads, and masks. Ceiba usually tends to attract a relatively good-looking crowd, as well, so you never know who you'll meet in the midst of your samba-ing.
• Cafe Atlantico (405 8th Street): One of my favorite DC eateries is serving up a great pre-fixe menu for Carnaval, featuring feijao trapeiro braised pork belly and braised oxtail, along with appetizers and desserts for $45. Don't get nervous to eat up; with the live DJs present all night, you'll burn it all off dancing the night away afterwards.
• The 9th Annual Bourbon Street Bash at Rumors (1900 M Street): Okay, okay. Not my favorite spot due to too many sorority memories here from rough nights and even rougher mornings. But this college bar hosts a mean Mardi Gras party, so if you're looking to get wild, have beer spilled on you, and get Mardi Gras beads from showing a little bit of skin, this is definitely the route to take. Think College Spring Break on M Street.
• First Annual Carnaval at Urbana (2121 P Street): Times are tough, as we all know. But this excellent little tapas bar is serving $1 oysters and drink specials all night long for Fat Tuesday, along with a $5 tapas menu for the evening. If you arrive in costume, you'll also receive a free glass of prosecco, and even better; get drunk enough and have the local artisan paint your entire face, and get a free drink of your choice! 
• Mardi Gras at Local 16 (1602 U Street): As a charity event for the Lower Nine in New Orleans, make a $20 donation and receive drink specials and dancing all night long. Beads will be provided along with prizes, raffles, and other treats throughout the night. Not a bad deal.

I'll be working, but do celebrate Fat Tuesday with a bang. But, please; if you don't have anything good to show, spare us all.