Prepare to make merry with Burien's first annual Mardi Gras on March 3, 5 and 8. This jam-packed Discover Burien Association event features a Lipstick Pub Crawl, Scavenger Hunt, live music, drink specials, a Mardi Gras King and Queen, food and, of course, BEADS.

Enjoy festivities in downtown Burien at host restaurants and bars Bison Creek Pizza & Pub, CC's Lounge, Elliott Bay Brewhouse & Pub, Hey Paison!, La Costa, Mark Restaurant & Bar, Mick Kelly's Irish Pub & Restaurant, 909, Piranha Joe's, Sidestreet Kitchen & Bar, Tin Room Bar, and Vino Bello.

Thursday, March 3

Kicking off the event on Thursday, March 3 from 6 to 11 p.m. are the Lipstick Pub Crawl, Mardi Gras-style food specials, drinks and beads.

While the Lipstick Pub Crawl is a ladies-night-out activity, men can participate. For $10, pub crawlers get drink specials and BEADS at 11 host restaurants and bars, plus a chance at prizes.

Each pub crawler will receive a booklet to be stamped at the host restaurants and bars. If pub crawlers return with a minimum of four stamps to the host restaurant or bar where they started the crawl, they are eligible for prize drawings. The drawings will be held between 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. for gift cards and items from local businesses and Mardi Gras sponsors.

Pub crawl proceeds go to the American Cancer Society Relay for Life and offsetting Mardi Gras costs.
For information, go to www.discoverburien.com or call 206-941-7199.

Saturday, March 5

Burien's Mardi Gras continues Saturday, March 5 from 2 p.m. to 1 a.m. with a Scavenger Hunt, live music, Mardi Gras-style food specials, drink specials and BEADS.

On March 5, revelers get drink specials, plus beads, at host restaurants and bars by buying a Hurricane drink glass or wine glass that lights up and is embossed with "First Annual Mardi Gras Celebration 2011 Burien, WA." The glasses are available at host restaurants and bars for $10. A Hurricane glass gets the holder drink specials at any host restaurant or bar for just $5 and beer specials for $3. A wine glass entitles the holder to wine specials for $5.

Individuals or teams in the Scavenger Hunt will search throughout Burien for the Mardi Gras King's crown based on clues provided during the hunt. To receive the first clue electronically via texting or email, participants must sign up online by 3 p.m. at www.discoverburien.com. To get the first clue live, sign up by 3:55 p.m. at the Mark Restaurant & Bar, 914 S.W. 152nd St., where the initial clue will be provided in person.

At 4 p.m., the first clue will be texted, emailed or provided live to Scavenger Hunt participants. The person to find the King's crown first will return the crown to the King. In return, the King will reward the finder with a treasure trove of prizes from local businesses and Mardi Gras sponsors. All participants will, of course, receive BEADS. There is no fee to participate in the Scavenger Hunt.

Live music will be on tap at most host restaurants and bars:

Bison Creek Pizza & Pub
CC's Lounge
Elliott Bay Brewhouse & Pub - music all day to celebrate the brewpub's anniversary
La Costa - mariachi band
Mark Restaurant & Bar
Mick Kelly's Irish Pub & Restaurant
909
Piranha Joe's
Sidestreet Kitchen
Vino Bello

Fat Tuesday, March 8

Enjoy more live music, drink specials, Mardi Gras-style food and beads at host restaurants and bars.

Other Details

The Discover Burien Association is a nonprofit organization that works on the economic development, promotion and marketing of the city.

For more information on Mardi Gras, call (206) 941-7199 or go online to www.discoverburien.com.