A special edition of Linked Seoul’s monthly networking event Wine Down Wednesday will celebrate Mardi Gras on Feb. 19.
“I had been wanting to bring Mardi Gras to Korea since my first year here,” said Joe McPherson, who is co-organizing the event, explaining that the festival was a big thing in his hometown in southern Alabama.
The event will be held at Southside Parlor in Itaewon, a speakeasy-style bar that McPherson said had one key Mardi Gras ingredient.
“I really like their cocktails, and cocktails are really part of the Mardi Gras experience,” he said. “At the same time, the three people who run the place are all ... familiar with Cajun and Creole culture, so it seemed like a perfect fit.”
The staff will be serving up some special New Orleans cocktails for around 5,000 won each.
Entrance to the event is 45,000 won in advance and 60,000 won at the door, which covers unlimited beer, wine and food consisting of Creole favorites like gumbo, po’ boy sliders and beignets.
Mardi Gras events are traditionally run in the United States by secret societies called “krewes,” McPherson said, which parade down the street throwing out candy and trinkets. He is to continue the tradition here by flying in special coins and beads from the U.S. to shower patrons in nearby bars toward the end of the night.
The dress code is smart. Masks are required, but will be for sale at the door. The event starts at 7 p.m. For more information, see www.meetup.com/LinkedSeoul.
